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One thing I don't get about this is say DOJ wins and significantly weakens Apple.

They'll basically hand the market to foreign companies. Seems odd.

Google does not need an assist here, last I checked they are doing great, and could fix a lot of the things iPhone users don't like about Android if they wanted to.

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Not necessarily. If Apple allowed third-party app stores, alternative browser engines, had better cross-platform messaging support, et cetera, a lot of Android owners would buy iPhones.

A significant reason why Android appeals to many folks is that it represents a more open alternative to the iPhone. By opening up their walled garden, Apple still stands to benefit by magically becoming more appealing to a big chunk of Android owners.

I unfortunately think you're dramatically overstating how many people would actually switch after they're forced to open up rather than finding some other goalpost or simply not caring anyways.

> and could fix a lot of the things iPhone users don't like about Android if they wanted to.

What are those? And even if they were fixed, how would people move if Apple makes it so difficult to leave the ecosystem?

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