The end result is that developers are spending more time upgrading their software to ensure that it continues to work with web APIs they’ve integrated with, and less time adding the features and refinements that would really benefit their customers.

This is true, but there is no alternative.

1. These integrations add value to the software for customers.
2. There is no “standing still” for technical platforms.

Everyone understands how platforms evolve and change over time, but the converse is also true. A platform that isn’t moving forward is falling behind in such a way that it’s effectively moving backward; dying.