>But you're totally overlooking the fairly quick turnaround on mobile device purchases. 2 years max, 1 year average. Fortunes can turn very quickly.
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>Latest figures say that 27% of European iOS and Android users change their OS when they renew their phone. IOW the vast majority is satisfied.
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>In the end, that's a very important marker because the people you build apps for - especially business apps - are not likely to be the low end users.
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>Fair enough, but Android is going into everything including onto the desktop. HP has a machine coming out shortly that is a full PC with a 23" screen that detaches to be a tablet. Running Android. <$500. That's going to appeal +++ to businesses. Meanwhile in Asia the phablet (5-7 inch phone) has overtaken notebook and Tablet combined, almost entirely Android.

No way do I want to have a big device like that in my pocket. I have a phone to be mobile not be weighed down by a square brick in my pocket. I have a Nokia 920 and that thing is borderline too big for me and it's not that big. The bigger size doesn't buy that much in usability IMHO.

Different strokes for different people I know, but in the end it's more about usability than anything else. The things I use daily, which is email, twitter, facebook, Kindle, a custom navigation app, plus the browser (which was the other sticking point in Android although that might be better now that actual Chrome is in most newer devices).

>Why not purchase a Google edition Galaxy 4 or HTC One with vanilla Android rather than a vendor concoction. Both available from Google Play with Google and vendors all expressing commitment to OS updates via Google Play. Phones on Google Play sell phenomenally well (LG reached 3rd position on the back of its Lexus 4 sold via Google Play) so it will be interesting to see whether the market buys gazillions of Ones and Galaxies with easily updated plain Android rather than whatever Verizon puts on their subsidized version.

Yeah that is definitely the only way I'd ever do an Android phone, but just last year all Android Samsung devices were still updated through Samsung only unless you go to plain vanilla Android which at the time was pretty bare bones.

I had a Galaxy Tab 2 and it was a complete piece of sh*t. Browser sucked big time. The UI was a mess. In fact that device was what finally pushed me over the edge to buy my iPad last year. I hate Apple and their marketing, but at the time there was simply no comparison for devices. Since then I also got rid of my Windows Phone (and a temporary Android phone I had) and got an iPhone. I do think things are better now, but I still feel looking at current Android devices that Apple's stuff is simply better designed and works smoother and more naturally.

I agree that the Apple devices are overpriced and overhyped, but the reality is - at least for me - they are simply better designed and 'just work'. I have had zero problems with any of these devices and they are cinch to keep synced across devices. Believe I'm no Apple fanboy I would LOVE to see somebody hand them their lunch. But for now I still think that Apple is ahead here in usability and most importantly in developer support.

But as I stated in my last message - that can change very quickly. In fact, Apple is going to have to come up with something exciting to keep momentum going as a premium brand. Others are catching. up and if they don't keep innovating they're going to lose whatever premium edge they have

For me Android would be the last choice. I own a Windows Phone in addition to my iPhone and while I really like the OS, the app support really sucks. Most of the apps are sub-par (as are a lot of Android apps) and in the end that's what matters to me. The little details that Apple gets right and other phones simply do not.

+++ Rick ---


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>So - I think there's a lot more to this than just the numbers and it's my belief that things in this space can and will change drastically and potentially quickly. This platform is not anywhere near a maturity stage where you can declare a winner that will stick long term.
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>I wish what you say to be true- I've lived through a cozy duopoly in mobile telephony and it's no good for consumers. Sadly, IMHO the numbers are so heavily stacked now that even if Google pulled Android overnight it would still lead the market in a year's time. Since that won't be happening, Android has all the momentum: check out the Acer and other phablets being announced by all the big vendors.