I would agree with your statement if it weren't for the fact that not everybody picks the phone that can do what they need for them.

1) Some people have no choice (no, I'm not going get into a philosophical argument about what choice involves or defining choice). For example, if you want an iPhone but want to stay on Verizon. You have no choice.

2) Some people don't do enough research (hint: if your not happy with the device as is when purchasing, return it and get another device). Or wait a few months to see what problems there are and what not.


Anyway..

iTunes argument. I'm not sure if there were any other online music stores, but Apple should at least be credited with pushing the sales of digital music online. I don't like iTunes myself (I prefer Amazon MP3 or 7Digital) but those stores wouldn't be as good as they are today if it weren't for iTunes.

Likewise, Angry Birds may have been developed for another platform (not bothering with time arguments), but it's because of the IOS platform that it's created as it is today.

Like it or not, Apple popularizes features that may or may not be present in existing technology. Much like Nintendo popularizing the use of motion in videogames. What they (as companies, rather than brand name) do helps the industry evolve.Otherwise it would be relatively stagnate. Heck look at how Android has forced Apple to change. Competition is good, it is the basis of capitalism.

Just leave the fanboyism out of it.