iOS, MacOS, etc. 26 is making me seriously consider switching

[ncted]

You answered your own question. The music streaming services have been including "you might also like" artists for a while now.

I can see that (kind of) when I am searching for music or looking for suggestions based on my listening habits, but this is in my music library -- stuff I "own." If I click on an artist, I only want to see that artist's work.

I've started on path to reduce the amount of Apple in my life. I realize I probably cannot eliminate it completely, especially without switching to an even worse user experience in many cases, but I am less and less enamored with what I am getting from Apple for my money these days. I go out of my way to avoid vendor lock-in at work. I thought the benefits outweighed the risks with Apple in personal life, but it is becoming clear that may no longer be the case, so I am going to start reducing my exposure. I am currently using a Dell running Linux at work, and I've been playing around with other streaming devices.

 

[harshness]

If I click on an artist, I only want to see that artist's work.

Business is business, and companies make "business decisions" (what appears to be financially advantageous versus what represents appreciable technical progress). Apple under Tim Cook has made more than a few prickly business decisions. Apple hasn't been immune to following various industry trends for a while now.

I've started on path to reduce the amount of Apple in my life.

It is good not to be too beholden. The worldwide auto industry has driven that point home with a 16lb sledge.

I realize I probably cannot eliminate it completely, especially without switching to an even worse user experience in many cases, but I am less and less enamored with what I am getting from Apple for my money these days.

The Apple user experience has never been all wine and roses. The hardware interfaces to many popular peripherals requiring some manner of fiddly adapter, and software innovation arguably gathering a modicum of moss with each passing year.

I am currently using a Dell running Linux at work, and I've been playing around with other streaming devices.

Putting Dell ahead of its competition is perhaps jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire. Dell has historically had more than its share of situations where it was beholden to its vendors (Intel, Microsoft), and that's not turning out ideally today.