The point being made was that "out of the box" after spending close to 5-10k on the devices themselves, they still don't all connect well with eachother. the only 2ndary purchase in that picture is the USB-C to USB-A adapter, because no USB-A on the Mac.
you're direct response is just "BUY MORE APPLE STUFF TO SOLVE THAT!". and that's the point being made. Right now for the "it just works" mentality that Apple is supposed to have, you need to continuously fork over more money above and beyond the devices.
everything is being driven right now by "how can we make the most money off our customers" and not "how can we provide the best products to our customers"
in almost every other competing ecosystem right now. listening to your music while charging your phone would be quite literally a single USB-A to USB-C cable and your headphones plugged in. that's simple. it all comes in the box.
right now, straight out of the box. Apple's devices aren't able to do this. Which is a far cry from "it just works"
Yeah, even though it's cheaper to buy a USB C to lightning cable instead of the adaptor. I can also go out of my way to craft some absurd scenario involving a dozen different adaptors and cables all coiled around my body and me facepalming. Doesn't mean anything, especially if it's not representative of how people actually use their devices in real life.
Furthermore, at least I have the option of paying more to get a more cohesive experience on iOS.
On Android, no amount of money will get my apps like Tweetbot, Apollo, Fantastical or Overcast on my smartphone, or apps like lumafusion or affinity photo on my iPad.
Likewise, Apple is willing to bankroll companies to create quality, non-freemium-based games for its users to counteract the infestation of IAP-laden games. I don't think it's unreasonable that users pay a monthly subscription to access this, since I don't see why Apple should have to offer it for free. Again, you don't have to subscribe if you don't wish to spend the money.
Apple News prioritise privacy and curation, something few other companies are doing (which is also probably why it's so slow to roll out to other countries). Likewise, the Apple Card promises better protection of your personal details, does away with the various misc fees, and makes your financial details more accessible and transparent to you, which in turn allows for better financial discipline and education. The Apple TV app also promises a central viewing experience based around curation, as opposed to Netflix where curation is practically non-existent.
Meanwhile, family sharing means that with enough users, all these can be had for cheaper than competing alternatives.
That the lightning EarPods that come with my iPhone don't work with my Mac or my iPad Pro is besides the point. You have seen my home charging setup in a photo I shared a couple of photos back. I got this 6-port USB charging hub many years ago, and it's still working fine. My 5w-chargers, EarPods, headphone adaptors and many a lightning cables are all still sitting untouched in their original packaging.
These accessories are all one-time purchases. I would still have bought them even if I had bought android smartphones or windows PCs.
It's funny how the goalposts keep moving. First, it's that Apple doesn't offer cohesive experiences. Now, it's that users have to pay to get them. Which was never my point in the first place. My point is that at the end of the day, I am able to get the integrated experience I want on the Apple platform, and I have no qualms about paying for it.
Compared with say Samsung, whose software and services portfolio is practically non-existent.
At least I have the option of paying more to get a more cohesive experience on iOS.
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