Can't fault you on your points -- they're all solid, but I would say there's a glaring omission. Cutting edge user experience (and that includes usability) does underpin Apple's success.
In fact their technology is and always has been (when did Mac-0S get real multi-tasking?) rather conservative.
Precisely - it's the user experience that puts Apple out
ahead not cutting edge technology.
As soon as possible after Jobs' return.