Apple leverages its large ecosystem to disincentivise end users from switching to other operating systems for tablets.

No, I just like it better.

while its end user numbers were close to the threshold

Why have a threshold if you literally ignore it?

its importance for certain use cases, such as gaming apps.

Sure, Jan. The iPad definitely has that gaming apps market gatekept!

At this point it’s obvious these aren’t consumer protection mechanisms as much as they’re anti-tech measures meant to try to put the breaks on a highly competitive market that the EU is not a part of in hopes that home-grown alternatives can catch up.

But since the EU is so tech-hostile, why would anyone want to startup tech there?