Again, you're viewing the industry through the mirrored end of one-sided glass.
iOS did not have good notifications until recently. In fact, the way it managed communication with apps was abysmal, just as it currently is with per-app privacy and access settings.
Still, adoption was phenomenal, not because the user experience wasn't improved by these features, but because Apple's offering was still really strong despite lacking them. It continues to be very strong of course, but to say that users "don't care" is different from the reality, which is that they aren't compelled enough by competitors to use a different product. That is for a variety of reasons, including superficial factors like marketing, buzz, and brand loyalty, but also because Apple is doing a good job on most fronts.
RIM rested on its laurels for half a decade, and Apple has only been the market leader for a fraction of that time. I would say that there is no need to insist they are only making correct decisions, and only someone without a fully-developed opinion would do that. Don't be that guy.
Anyway, I don't want to spam the thread with OT discussion. I hope I've made my stance clear and reasonable!