5 products that lock you into Apple and Google’s ecosystems

It’s no secret to most people that Apple and Google want to tie you into their respective product ecosystems. There are antitrust actions working to loosen their grip — for instance, making it easier to access alternate app stores in Europe — but it’s an uphill battle, since there’s too much for companies to gain from lock-in. If they can convince you to buy into an ecosystem instead of just an individual product, they’ll not only make a lot of money upfront, but for years to come. Customers deeply invested in a platform tend to avoid straying too far with upgrades, given the cost and hassles of switching, not to mention specific features they might lose.