The Microsoft bailing out apple for competition, is arguably worse than firefox and google. Why? Because apple software required apple hardware.

Microsoft had essentially a monopoly on every piece of computer hardware that was not made by apple, while apple was (and still is) in its own playground with its own glue to eat. They weren't really competing. If you wanted something that was not expensive apple hardware, Microsoft was the only option.

Now Linux is more of an option, but at 2-3% of the market share, it's hardly the start of competition.

I believe Microsofts 3 point plan involved these things:

1. either a) embrace extend extinguish the competition or b) buy the competition out.
2. get retailers to only stock windows on non apple machines.
3. give discounts to schools so the kids become familiar with our software over everything else, so our methods become the "industry standard" and are considered "user friendly"

And Microsoft isn't the only company guilty of this, Adobe, Autodesk, and so many more. And parts 2 and 3 are still issues today that are incredibly hard to stop. Because the vast majority of people, including politicians don't care or don't want to switch. Windows, Office and the Adobe suite are practically ingrained into society at this point, and people are more likely to use the familiar, and fear or get frustrated with the unfamiliar.