But, at least with Google you can use hardware without the binding software requirement. You can use an Android device with GrapheneOS and have the phone entirely de-Googled, yet still use Android apps.
If the implication was that there's no other option outside of Apple and Google then that is unfortunate.
If I want to participate it modern life, where I live, I need an Android (Google blessed) or Apple device.
Apple could release a statement reassuring people that no one will be locked out of their account for redeeming any gift card going forward. We have collectively forgotten that companies have stopped talking this way. That’s what we need to change.
> If I want to participate it modern life, where I live, I need an Android (Google blessed) or Apple device.
"Modern life..." - wow. The only thing I'm not doing that you are is tap to pay with your phone. I have cards that work just fine for this use case. Stone age, right? Not sure if anyone could survive in a modern society without it. o_O
For now, but they are tightening things up.
And at least with Apple they provide convenient end-to-end cloud syncing. Google doesn't.
(And this back and forth can go on for a long time...)
You are just picking what is important to you and then ignoring other issues. That isn't how to craft advice that helps people you don't personally know, with needs you are completely unaware of, in a complex domain.
What?
In fact you have more (and better) options on an Android based device.
> That isn't how to craft advice that helps people you don't personally know, with needs you are completely unaware of, in a complex domain.
Cool story. But it's OK for you to craft advice on a topic you're not well versed in (cloud sync)? Seems like you're ignoring some issues and misunderstanding needs that you're completely unaware of in a pretty straightforward domain.
Apple's ToS should be readily indicative of anyone using any of their products that Apple's perspective is that you don't own anything and they can do whatever they want with anything you do with their products. As the author points out you clearly don't own free access to what you've purchased.
The last thing I'll say is that it is fantastic advice to not purchase Apple in 2025. You can only be certain that this won't happen if you avoid them. I actually own a MPB, with receipts from purchase, that I had to purchase a bypass for when the device was enrolled in MDM by a family member that Apple has MDM locked and refuses to remove from iCloud.
Avoid Apple, that's the best advice. If you can't avoid Apple, minimize your footprint and make sure you're a good boy or girl else Tim Cook will steal from you and hide behind some bullshit first line support tar pit and an army of lawyers if you do happen to decide to threaten them.