I loved that part. "We're going to complain because Apple won't let us use their design, so we came up with our own design that we also won't let people use".
Patenting it doesn't necessarily mean they won't let other people use it. It could, for example, be for protection against Apple patenting it themselves and not letting anyone use it.
They should make it clear if its a defensive patent.
Our intention is definitely defensive rather than offensive.
So I assume you're offering licenses royalty free to anyone who wants one?
Ya, there's this thing called prior art. Apple can't patent someone else's idea just because that person chose not to.