The title is certainly click baity but the content is kind of interesting in a make stuff up that sounds intriguing but has no basis in fact kind of way. But I see a bunch of major flaws in his reasoning.
1. hardware hedging can be countered simply by software optimization. But this is a moot point anyway because iPhones have long enjoyed a smoother OS due to less features for the OS to juggle, so =/= IMO.
What less features? With IOS8 you can argue that the iPhone offers a lot more features than Android does. Do not confuse features with flexibility. Also the point of this article is how Apple controls the supply chain which hurts the competition.
2. We've already reached a hardware ceiling where the hardware has surpassed what's required by the software. Yet another example where hardware hedging isn't helping Apple anyway.
Base on last sales figures, it looks like its helping a lot, no company in history has just made as much money in a quarter than Apple did..
3. Apple still buys (last time I bothered to check anyway) a lot of components from android OEM's like Samsung so I don't think the author did all of his homework here. Apple bought parts from Samsung for products as recent as the iPhone 6.
Apple designs the hardware, the main thing Samsung does is manufacturer the chip to those specifics. Also can you tell me what are "Android" parts? Are you telling me if Ford uses Bridgestone tires and Toyota has Bridgestone tires, you would call them Ford parts?
4. I failed to see any proof of the author's claims to back this story up. Are we to just take his word for it? Read the links in the article. They actually don't say anything to support his theory. Pretty weak overall.
Actually when it comes to the supply chain part of the article it is true. Even right there is a quote from the former CEO of Motorola on why the Nexus 6 never got a fingerprint sensor. Here is the AC article on the same subject. The Nexus 6 would have featured a fingerprint sensor if not for Apple | Android Central.
I get the impression the author is just making most of his article up and wrapping it inside a "edgy conspiracy theory" package hoping it sticks despite no evidence to support it. Not credible. Kind of reminds me of that series Ancient Aliens lol.
The truth is out there.