So, again, why is this distinctive from the natural monopoly that Microsoft attained and illegally abused to restrict competitors from having equal access to their platform?
In any case, their chunk of the market never came close to Microsoft's. Also, Microsoft aggressively went after the domains of other companies, like trying to take over the Web (with some success). Apple is protecting their own market.
You do have to be careful about cooking the goose that lays the golden eggs, though. I don't feel like people are actually "playing the tape through," and thinking about the long-term ramifications of these policies.
People are drooling over Apple customers; not complaining about having their personal devices locked down.
Everyone wants to force Apple to reduce the burden on developers, so they can more easily sell to Apple customers, ignoring the fact that this very restrictive environment, is why Apple customers choose Apple.
It's similar to Amazon. Amazon is notoriously tough on vendors, but provides a very smooth customer experience.
> It takes a tough man, to make a tender chicken.
-Frank Perdue