As someone that’s been using Apple products for a few decades I don’t think I can agree that they make “for the masses, not the few”.
Their market share figures would show that if that’s their aim then they are failing. IMO Apple makes premium products for a specific kind of customer and have little regard for issues like backwards compatibility. Which is absolutely fine. But probably not a model you’d want the government to follow.
Was the original Macintosh easier for beginners to use than other computers?
Was the Apple Quicktime Pro one of the first digital cameras that anyone could relatively pick up and start using?
Was the iPod the first digital music player that just worked to buy and download music from end to end?
Was iPhone.. despite arriving as a smartphone a decade after Palm, etc, was the first usable smartphone for the masses?
Was iPad the first tablet that also just worked? Seems like anyone who can't use a laptop can use their finger on an iPad.
How about that AppleTV? Can anyone use it? It's easier than my AndroidTV.
What about that Apple watch, how many people who were new to wearables had it as their first? Seems popular with the masses.
Experts are usually the few, not the masses.
There's no doubt apple charges a premium. Their devices on average last 4-6 years, longer than the Android I'm typing this on.
Rather than being first, they do try to get it right for the masses. I'm not a happy Apple user, or fan with the keyboard fiasco. Apple's history though remains what it is.. easier to adopt by beginners.
It's users, as a percentage of mobile phone users (80% of population). So if a family have one iPhone, they can all count as users.
iPhone only bring affordable to richer people who mostly want the latest means lots of second hand items. I'll warrant Android users at the lower end keep their phones longer.
Their market share figures would show that if that’s their aim then they are failing. IMO Apple makes premium products for a specific kind of customer and have little regard for issues like backwards compatibility. Which is absolutely fine. But probably not a model you’d want the government to follow.