what really enabled Windows to dominate for so long
was it's appeal to developers
This was a chicken-egg situation: Windows appealed to developers because it was popular. It was popular because it appealed to developers.
It got there through other means, like IBM's endorsement, timing, marketing and indeed an open SDK (contrary to other alternatives at that time).
About iPhone development: I had to buy a Mac-mini just so I could run XCode. But all my development for the iPhone starts with PhoneGap (i.e. web apps with some native functionality exposed). I prefer Android just because I can use my favorite tools with it.
It got there through other means, like IBM's endorsement, timing, marketing and indeed an open SDK (contrary to other alternatives at that time).
About iPhone development: I had to buy a Mac-mini just so I could run XCode. But all my development for the iPhone starts with PhoneGap (i.e. web apps with some native functionality exposed). I prefer Android just because I can use my favorite tools with it.