Always two there are. No more, no less. Sith Lords and mobile operating systems, but let's leave Star Wars at bay for now. 

I dedicated over a decade to developing applications for Apple devices. It has its ups and downs.

The AppStore approval process is a constant uphill battle. Calling Xcode an IDE is a gross overstatement, and the lack of quality documentation often leads programmers to assume. Several WWDC videos named Demystify Something (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) prove my point: it'd be great if first-party frameworks weren't that mysterious in the first place.

Then there's the perfect seamlessness between all devices and sharing with family. The attention to privacy and detail with which it's thoughtfully integrated into Apple systems is unrivaled. Sometimes, the new features don't introduce much pizzazz, but the sum over the years creates a top-notch experience that makes day-to-day life much more comfortable.

So we've been frenemies over that decade.

Apple is not currently winning any popularity contests with its approach to DMA in the EU and alternative payment options in the US. The European Commission deemed Apple's first implementation as DMA noncompliant, and no wonder: the rules for alternative stores result in a mere illusion of choice. New iOS 18 features like Apple Intelligence and iPhone Mirroring won't be released in the EU, at least not at first. The official statement is that the new regulations could compromise security and privacy. Indeed, they could, but similarly, the full-screen cookie banners compromise the usability of web pages. Apple's sudden inability to find a wiggle room is surprising, and the whole thing has the vibe of a ransom note addressed to the EU.

It will be interesting to see what happens if it boils down to a numbers game and the EU citizens end up on the negative side of that equation. I would rather Apple not wage bureaucratic wars with the EU, tolerate the new regulations, and try to make iOS a more open system, at least along the lines of macOS. With less of that corporate usurpation to enforce their absolutes and a little more vision for making this happen, they might even come out on top. It's time they ask themselves:

My work Apple ID was suspended the other day, and upon kindly contacting support, I was left with something similar: "We'll consider reactivating your account and let you know within 24 hours."

Thus began the parade of red flags in my mind. I diversify what is valuable and try not to put all my digital eggs in one basket. Still, even the thought of being locked out of my personal account is nerve-racking. I'd look for other options, but the only alternative is a mobile operating system controlled by a company whose primary business model revolves around collecting and monetizing user data through advertising. Having a device with their integrated services is something I'd prefer to avoid.

The choice is not really there from where I stand. I wish a third party would challenge those behemoths, but that ship has already sailed and hit the rocks. Entering this market is now practically impossible, and what would motivate entities with that kind of resources is questionable.

We must cherish the choices we already have, as once they disappear, the giants might close the gap, leaving no room for the underdog. Embrace the underdog, embrace the choice—there's freedom in it. It applies to all software, be it an operating system or a store where you distribute your app, web browsers, or the tiniest app you might make.

Let's protect the web from being ruled by the two. Keep it free, keep the choice alive—use Firefox.