I think I am fundamentally misunderstanding the appeal of these devices, which is why I don't own one. I don't want to use iCloud, iTunes, or anything else to lock me into an ecosystem that is expensive and restrictive. I don't want to buy exclusive hardware to use an operating system. I run Linux and use rclone with Google Drive and it is still supported. Why? Because Google actually has an API. What about Apple?

https://github.com/ncw/rclone/issues/1778

I don't even want to get into AirPods that are excessively marked up pretty much like every Apple accessory and product:

http://a.co/h3yPiSv

If it isn't about status, then I don't really get why people would choose this path. It doesn't make sense to me. I work in the tech industry and watch people spend $3k all the time for Apple computers and equipment that I can get the same or better specs for half the price by choosing a different company. Maybe I've just never felt it was very ethical to support a business that overcharges for devices that can help educate and provide tools and training to people. I always felt it was the responsibility of companies like this to make their equipment and software as equally accessible as possible, not actively exploit people through social engineering. Not everyone will agree with this, but that is my perception.