BBC’s columnist Bill Thompson thinks Apple should be put under the EU microscope because they, believe it or not, locks their users into an Apple-centered world. Well, apparently Bill doesn’t know shit about Apple.

He writes that the best example of market dominance is Apple. He goes on, talking about how Apple tries their very best to make sure all Apple customers are completely locked up. In his world, Apple doesn’t want anyone to buy accessories or content from anywhere else but Apple Store and iTunes Music Store. Come on, wake up.

You buy products from Apple because you like their products and services. Yes, people actually buy an iPod just to get that wonderful iTunes and iTunes Music Store experience. Thompson calls it being locked up; I call it making life easier. And do you know why Apple insist on you using iTunes and Mac?

Because they truly believe that they are by far the best things in the world. I mean, why would they not push you to use their own software and hardware? They made the stuff, of course they want you to use it. But that doesn’t mean you have to. Hell, you don’t even have to buy an iPod. There’s plenty of alternatives for those who, like Thompson, find the world of Apple to be overwhelming.

“If Apple was serious about building a music industry around downloads and digital devices then it would open up its devices and interfaces to allow greater innovation and greater competition.”, he writes. Now, let me ask a question. From a business perspective, wouldn’t it make more sense to decrease competition and keep the innovation to yourself? Just a thought.

I think Apple has this balance act in control. Don’t forget the obvious; Apple is a corporation. They may stand for innovation and beauty in the world of information technology, but they’re still a business that need profit for continued growth. They could, in fact, grab their customers by the balls and squeeze a lot more control out of them. But they don’t.

This article is just a big misunderstanding. Apple act like they do because they believe in their products. As simple as that.