Quoting John Gruber

2026-04-15 · Source: Simon Willison's Weblog · Field: Technology & Digital — Software Development & Engineering, Project & Product Management · Depth: Novice, quick

Summary

John Gruber argues that Apple's true "goldmine" is not its App Store transaction cut, but rather its historical advantage of having the best apps, which draws users to iPhone, Mac, and iPad. He contends that this critical edge is now "waning" because third-party software on Apple's platforms is "regressing to the mean." This regression is attributed to a decline in developer motivation—both artistically and financially—to create well-crafted, idiomatic native apps exclusively for Apple's ecosystem. This analysis was posted on April 15, 2026.

Key takeaway

John Gruber argues Apple's platform advantage is eroding, not due to competitor gains, but from declining third-party developer motivation to create high-quality, native Apple-exclusive apps. This shift in developer focus diminishes the unique app ecosystem that historically draws users to iPhone, Mac, and iPad. The trend poses a significant strategic challenge for Apple's long-term hardware appeal and platform differentiation.

Topics

• Apple Platforms
• App Store
• Developer Motivation
• Native Apps
• Platform Advantage

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Simon Willison's Weblog.