Oh absolutely (and not just journalists, but all the Apple-haters). Every year since at least 1984, "Apple hasn't come out with a new product in _weeks_! They're doooomed!"
Every single year. For at least 30 years. "Dooooooomed!"
Every single year. For at least 30 years. "Dooooooomed!"
Apple did buy out NeXT, but then Steve Jobs and his team took ownership over Apple key positions from inside.
A situation that happens quite often where the bought company, manages to own the buyer.
So on the paperwork and bank transactions, Apple bought NeXT, on management level, NeXT bought Apple.
But I agree, anyone who has said this since 2007 clearly isn't paying attention. Almost all the people with iPhones are going to keep buying a new iPhone every 2 years for a long long time.