Companies have short-term and long-term interests. There's plenty of sense in trying to convince a company that their pursuit of their short-term best interest is at odds with their long-run interests.
Separately, I'll note that "blame the game, not the player" rings particularly hollow when the players have plenty of influence on the people who write the rules.
Yes there are long and short term interests but maximization of current smartphone/tablet market share is likely to have a long term beneficial impact as people get locked into the eco-system. I don't see a persuasive argument that making life expensive for Android isn't a good play, and that there shouldn't be a wish to different either. They also need to draw a line (with some help from the courts about where imitation stops being flattery and becomes infringement.
Fair point on influence of the rules although I don't recall any of the tech giants opposing software patents or patent exclusivity. That certainly includes Google. If you can point me to a smartphone manufacturer that opposes software patents or design patents (registered designs in the UK) I would be very interested although I doubt I'll actually become their customer as I'm already locked into an eco-system!
Separately, I'll note that "blame the game, not the player" rings particularly hollow when the players have plenty of influence on the people who write the rules.