And *that* is where the problem is with the open android platform - users have to wait until the phone manufacture decides the roll out an update (after re-adding all their crap) - and updates are often not done since a 6 month old phone is considered 'outdated' and not worthy the update. Each maker has to roll out the fix, many won't (at least not for all models)
Well, yes and no. This is not a good example to look at since it's an app, not part of the OS, and isn't used by everyone.
At least with Android, they can push out little fixes without forcing a download of the entire OS as Apple does. No doubt this is a major reason why there was no quickly distributed DST fix for iOS even with plenty of warning. Remember that last fall?
Core app updating is certainly far easier on Android than iOS. For example, Android users get individual Google Map, Earth, Googles, etc updates any time they're ready. iPhone users have to wait until a full OS release, if even then.
As for OS updates, yes, it'd be great if Google could just push a button and update device independent OS pieces. But if I were a manufacturer, I'd still want to test anything OS-related myself first. So that's an issue.
iOS users also still have to connect to a host computer to even find out about an OS update. Android users usually get OTA notices and downloads.
As for older devices, don't get me started on where my iPod touches stand, even after spending a lot previously on paid updates.
