And that's kind of the crux of our problem with Android in its current state. We don't question the power of the OS, but the fit, finish, and ease of use simply is still not there."
I think Joshua Topolsky nailed it right at the heart of the problem for Android, at least from a typical smartphone user's point of view.
I mean, we're up to 2.3 now, many devices are still being sold with 2.1, and while a lot of 2.2 updates are out now, they took forever.
I fear that the way the OEMs drag their feet on Android updates is a serious problem for the platform - cursed to constantly be chasing iOS which can get its new features to users months ahead of Google's schedule.
that says CES in january. it doesn't usually take long to go from there to the public. who knows which current/past devices will be supported.
Being shipped with new devices? Being upgradeable from phone manufacturer (i.e., the ability for the "normal" user base to upgrade)? End of 2011, early 2012?
That's the problem, too many hoops, too long to hop through them. iOS can push major updates to their users instantly, Google has to wait for OEMs to get their act together, and if Android up to this point is any indication, it takes forever (if ever).
Actually no, people need to connect their iphone to itunes in order to update, this is too much for many people and the result is that many iphone users do not update their phones:
http://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/937182-study-suggests-ios-...
activations are growing so fast that most users will be on the latest release quicker than you expect.