With all this begetting it was hoped among us users that the 3 giants that somehow an agreement would be reached to play nice and share across platforms, and for a short time in 2019 that appeared to be the case. At the end of 2018 and start of 2019 it really looked like a peace and secure cyberworld.
THEN....Apple announced...they dropped all their lawsuits against Samsung/Android, wait what? In one case settling for a few dollars? Why? Then Apple announced they were dropping iTunes, and and and...adding features that surely look a lot like...Android. Yes Apple was adopting many Android ideas and features, can't sue them if you are going to look like them.
Then Microsoft announces changes to its Windows 10 OS? What? Wait Microsoft you said Windows 10 was the last. Yes it is the last but...we are going to make a few changes so it works across platform. There will be features like,...cough cough Android.
So there it is. Apple and Microsoft are now in a race to catch up to Android in some areas.
Here is my prediction for 2020. There are very few new converts out there for Microsoft, Apple and Android to try and win over, therefore they have to focus on keeping their own flock from converting. How can they do that?
Total platform control of the family
1) Fone
2) TV
3) Tablet
4) Laptop
5) Computer
6) Smart-home system
7) Car
etc
all either Android, Windows or Apple.
Mom and dad will use either ALL Apple, Android or Windows and raise their kids as such, being true believers in their OS-Religion. Their kids will raise their kids in the same OS- Religion. And so it goes.
Microsoft plans on a new Windows Fone, and is currently making their OS far more cross platform user friendly, like Android as is Apple.
For the car, GM, Ford, and all others will have to stop one sided contracts, such as "JUST APPLE" in a car or "JUST GOOGLE". Instead at the time of purchase a "family" will tell the dealer their OS-Religious choice and then the car will be flashed to that OS.
Homes will be likewise.
The 3 different OS's will in the end become the only options, and it is my prediction that the three will see the value in ensuring every digital device a family uses has their OS on it and that family is raised in that OS-Religion so it can be passed on to their kids. There is simply no new blood left, focus will be turned inward.
Will bridges be built between the OS's. At first I think there will be talk between Microsoft, Apple and Android. Yeah let's do this or that to make it easier for the user. But then one will speak up and say, "if we build bridges our user may just cross over to the other side."
"Let's burn the bridge."
In the end, no cross platform, no bridges, no peace and cyber security just 3 divided OS-Religions.