It's completely believable, yet utterly meaningless.
Development can mean anything from actually addig SKUs to the webshop to talking about expansion of the service network...
>Unless Apple's lying
It is called a spin? Or you could call that a lie.
If you count the programme started when they were opening up to 3rd party repair it is well over a year.
That is the same as Apple ( or specifically Tim Cook ) spoke on record, under oath, in court, that their 15% App Store Small Business Services discount idea started well before the trial.
And Apple has been caught many times doing this. From Qualcomm trial to IMG PowerVR Trial. Either lying by omission or spinning.
"Apple spokesperson Nick Leahy told The Verge that the program 'has been in development for well over a year'."[0]
[0]https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/17/22787336/apple-right-to-...