Maybe, or maybe it's like his refusal to allow apps to force everything to be a web app, and Tesla will realize they are better off just having more sensors and more data

I kinda agree with steve jobs on both of those calls. if your "mobile app" is just a wrapper around a web page, I'd rather just have a bookmark shortcut on my homescreen. what's the value add?

I don't think either of those is very similar to the wiper thing. one is using the leverage of owning a major OS to force third parties to do something better for the end user in a context where the stakes are pretty low (ie, no one is going to die). even if it works out in the long run, the wiper only benefits tesla. and in the meantime it is a serious safety risk for the end user.

Tbh I agree because at least with the hindsight we have now, so many apps both desktop and on phones are just wrappers around web browsers anyways.

Back then there was some value add in having access to native APIs but over time we've just added more and more web APIs to bridge that gap.

Both Steve and Elon made stubborn decisions, some of which benefited and some of which hindered their companies' products.