Which part of it is incorrect?
Every part. Literally.
Most phones over 6 months old aren't going to get ICS.
False. The Samsung Galaxy S2 (T-Mobile), HTC Droid Incredible 2 (Verizon), and Motorola Atrix 4G (AT&T) all are examples of devices (along with dozens of others) over 6 months (and many over a year) old getting official ICS updates. Not to mention custom ROMs.
As ICS usage increases many apps will be ICS only and that leaves a lot of people out in the cold if they have a phone that's only a year old.
False. Firstly, as mentioned above, multiple devices that are more than a year old will be getting ICS. Secondly, Android apps have backwards compatibility; just because an app has been upgraded to ICS compatibility doesn't mean it automatically stops working with older OS versions.
Google is working with the phone manufacturers to design the next version around what phone specs will be like in November (when Jelly Bean is expected to be launched) further fragmenting the Android userbase.
The fragmentation argument has never made any sense.
iOS has plenty of fragmentation. It is by design that all Android devices are not created equal. Flagship Android devices like the
SGS3/
RAZR MAXX/
One X will get updates to the newest OS version...but mid/low end Android devices will not, nor should they.
You also failed to acknowledge the existence of AOSP, which allows just about any Android device - regardless of carrier/manufacturer - to have access to the most recent builds and implement them via a custom ROM.
I don't know who came up with this notion that fragmentation is even a problem to begin with. It's called having a choice.
You shouldn't HAVE to get a new phone every two years just to run apps that you want to run.
The iPhone 3G - released 07/08 - received it's final update in 11/10 - just 2.4 years after release. And that update didn't include AirPlay, some multitasking tray options, or Safari Text Search, which were all present in the same update for the 3GS/4.
I suppose that if you don't want to have "to get a new phone every two years just to run apps that you want to run"...you should be avoiding the iPhone too.
Secondly, you seem to keep forgetting that Android is open source. Custom ROM development often continues long after manufacturer updates end. Even the OG Droid - a three year old device - has an Android 4.0 ROM.
I dislike the fact that phones are quickly becoming phablets.
Yes there are a few Android phablets. But there are tons of options in the 4" range as well, like my Motorola Droid 4 (4"), for example. This is part of that whole "choice" thing I was talking about. Why do you care if someone else is using a phablet?
I absolutely HATE the fact that Google is in bed with Samsung.
...but you don't mind that Apple is in bed with Samsung? You do know that
25% of the iPhone is made by Samsung, right?
I'm tired of the UI's that Moto, Samsung and HTC think we will like and don't even give us the option to turn them off.
False. There are about a dozen third-party homescreen replacements that are available in the Play Store. And again, you are ignoring custom ROMs.
The one undenieable fact is that Android phones have terrible battery life.
False. My phone - a 4G Android device - has excellent battery life. For every anecdote about an Android phone having poor battery life, I can find another for an iOS device. Battery life for smartphones is more dependent on usage patterns than anything else.
I HATE Samsung phones and with rumours flying around that the next Nexus will again be a Samsung just put me over the edge.
False. The latest rumors indicate that
every major manufacturer will have a Nexus device.
I don't want to be stuck with a certain dock or case or whatever accessory because they only make one for a particluar phone.
I don't even know how to respond to such a comically false statement. All Android devices use microUSB and there are numerous universal docks available that are compatible with multiple Android devices.
I want choices and there is no way to get that with Android.
Neither Android or iOS is better. They offer different experiences for different users.
A year ago I may have agreed with this sentiment. But this is just not the case today. Android 4.0.4 is miles ahead of iOS 5.1.1. Here are just a few of the reasons why:
- 4G LTE.
- Free wireless tethering.
- Widgets and custom Notification Bar status indicators.
- Google Navigation.
- Ability to change default programs/choose from multiple programs to perform a task.
- Custom fields in contacts sync properly on Android when using Exchange (i.e. Gmail). Custom fields do not sync on the iPhone.
- LED notification light. Have a missed call/voicemail/email? Green light. Whatsapp message? White light. Facebook message/text? Blue light. Low battery? Red light. I love being able to just look at my device without having to turn on the screen and know if anything is waiting for me.
- Google sync is compatible with anything and everything, vs iCloud which is limited to Apple devices.
- Better integration via the sharing API.
- Better integration of apps...i.e. Google Voice integrating into the native dialer and auto-detecting international numbers to intercept those calls and dial them via Google Voice rather than your carrier, or apps like Fox to Phone or Chrome to Phone.
- Open source platform.
I guess there are still people who think that Android is currently winning. Winning what? I'm not sure. I guess we can go with the "default OS for really cheap smartphones" contest.
