I agree with your position regarding Apple’s statement being bogus. That said, I don’t understand the monopoly comparison. Complaining there is only an Apple App Store is like buying a Ford and complaining Chevy parts don’t fit. Or a Samsung dishwasher only accepts Samsung parts. Or a PC only accepts the user’s password. Or a lock only accepts one key. Or a pet fish cannot fly.
If you buy or use a product that has constraints, you will be subject to those constraints. If you do not want to be subject to those constraints, do not buy or use those products.
The people who argue for antitrust action against Apple seem to badly misunderstand anti-trust, at least compared to my own understanding. For instance, the above poster says “if I have a MacBook” - the fact that there are other products for consumers to buy besides MacBooks, without the constraints of a MacBook, is testament to the fact that Apple’s position is not monopolistic.
If you buy or use a product that has constraints, you will be subject to those constraints. If you do not want to be subject to those constraints, do not buy or use those products.
The people who argue for antitrust action against Apple seem to badly misunderstand anti-trust, at least compared to my own understanding. For instance, the above poster says “if I have a MacBook” - the fact that there are other products for consumers to buy besides MacBooks, without the constraints of a MacBook, is testament to the fact that Apple’s position is not monopolistic.