What a lazy comparison and article. No relevant facts, critical thinking, connective tissue or argument being made: it's "Hey kids you remember 1998, right? No? Well, it's just like 2024 but I can't tell you how." Perhaps the author is referring to being able to install a different browser on their iPhone or paying an Apple tax from their store. In 1998, smart phones didn't really exist nor did digital distribution. I can only guess we are comparing computers to phones - why? Shouldn't we be comparing phones to phones?

2006 is a good inflection point, before the iPhone came out, I could install apps on phone from the Verizon store over cell signal which were all around at least 30 bucks per app (there was no such thing as a "free" app). I could go on the internet, via cell tower and pay through the nose to get a slow stream of data on a small screen that was totally unoptimized and tested for my dumb phone. If there was antitrust issue then, it was the cell phone companies.

When did Apple become Microsoft 1998, was it really just this year 2024? Where are the facts that give rise to the criticisms the author presumes can be levied at Apple? Because I think it was 2007 when the iPhone came out, but if you made the argument Apple 2007 = Microsoft 1998 you'd be laughed out of the room. The author needs to make an argument, I can't believe this is at the top of HN right now