Conventional wisdom says that if Apple had freely licensed the Mac’s operating system when it was released back in 1984, the vast majority of the world would be using it, Windows would be a niche player, and everyone would be happier.
Conventional wisdom also says that Apple is now making the same mistake by keeping tight and proprietary control over iOS, the iPhone and iPad’s operating system, and by doing so, it’s letting Android, Google’s mobile-device operating system, chomp away at Cupertino’s market share. After all, Android is steadily improving, sales of Android-equipped smartphones are outstripping iPhone sales in some markets, and the number and variety of Android-powered offerings give customers a far richer array of devices from which to choose.