I get a little tired of the "OS X is dumber" argument. The UI has evolved and yes, mobile and desktop are converging, but characterizing the whole OS as dumber just doesn't cut it. Different that 5 years ago, sure, but that's a good thing.
Interestingly, other posts on this thread keep telling me how brilliant the Surface and Windows 8 will be/is. In that argument, people tell me it's a great thing that a mobile style UI and desktop OS has converged. When it's done on the Mac side, it's like Apple has kicked people's puppy.
Agreed, completely! To me, it's quite the opposite. When an OS is easier, more efficient...and user friendly, these days it's considered 'dumb' or rather, "Made for dumb folk!'....to me, this is the single most JUVENILE observation/belief/cliché and overused load of BS. I'm just tired of this ridiculous load of crappage!!! When an OS/UI or ANY device that incorporates software and hardware the way Apple has done on the PC side, laptop, iPod, iPhone, iPad, and of course...iTunes (the single largest distributor of music today!)...to work as seamlessly as it does is HUGE! In a programming world (my degree is a double major in computer programming and computer engineering), this is THE Feat to conquer!!! Simple is HARD to do! It's the number one goal of Anyone's software conquest----Especially those building operating systems, the foundation of the entire device/workstation/or gadget discussed!!! Clunky interfaces are significantly easier to execute...and release early so your 'users' can be your 'beta' testers. This is NOT Apple. They release the refinements, when they're ready...both the engineers/programmers AND the software itself! It's the ONE thing that wears on me a bit with Android (I use both---GNote and iPhone 4s). Especially in the 'play store' where it's tough to decide with so many of the softwares available...which will be applicable to my device. I now (finally, after 6 months of owning it) have ICS. That helps with newer apps. BUT, some are for phones, not tablets (GNote in many cases is considered a 'tablet'). Including apps like Swift Key. Not a huge deal, but not well explained and can result in the download of redundant applications
I also find the 'lack' of specific, OEM or 'obvious' apps to be an inconvenience. WHen I first got my GNote, I had no idea how to set up texting/MMS...even my voice mail was a PITA!!! Not the case with iPhone. Visual voice mail, the mail app itself, where to find the camera (and process your photos), music app/music store (I know, I know...iTunes

)....it's ALL obvious! It's ALL there! As soon as you open the box. How these are looked down as 'dumbed-down' is so beyond me, I just do NOT get it!!! There just shows such a lack of computer knowledge and what makes them Great!!! We've come a world away from the early DOS programming I started with in the 80's to today's UI's on MS and Mac and Ubuntu, Linux, Unix, iOS, Android etc....However, they do NOT change drastically between revisions because the core itself is so deep---millions of lines of code...that to do so would be ridiculous!!! Why no refine what is already an excellent OS...and make it even easier to use? To get the OS out of the way and able the user to take advantage of said phone, tablet, laptop et al...to do the task THEY need to do? We all don't use photoshop, most of us aren't professional video editors, very VERY few are AutoCAD proficient or will EVER need to learn it's intricacies....HOWEVER---ALL of us need to check email, Facebook, watch a flick, enjoy a tune, surf the web, read a book/magazine, set an alarm, take a picture....etc. The list goes on...but to refer to iOS as 'dumb' just proves to me how 'Dumb' the 'referrer' actual is themselves...Especially when it comes to programming computers!
So you're saying that it's developers, not Apple, that have made the iPhone good?
Surely most of, if not all, those apps are available for Android?
Nope, NOPE, No WAY!!!! Again...I have both, and have had both for some time. Original Xoom owner. Bought the original Nexus...current GNote owner and I've also got a 4s. Just bought the Nexus 7 and it was delivered Saturday. I've yet to play extensively with it yet...however, I can tell you this...2 of the 5 apps I attempted to download in the first hour I played with it were 'not compatible with this device'
Second---I'm a big fan of both OS'es. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. But the ONE significant weakness with Android, IMHO is the eco-system/Go Store.
For example...and these challenges are mine and MINE alone. However, I'm sure others have noticed the same.
Music Apps---I pay my mortgage running and audio/video production company. Nothing in the way of music production; Korg, Moog, Garage Band, Animoog, Nano Studio, Filtatron, Beatwave, Beatmaker, SunVox, MultiTrack, Figure...the list goes on and on and on....however, other than Caustic, I've found nothing worth writing home about in the Android offerings.
Photography/Videography. Initially---I couldn't believe there wasn't an actual 'editor' that came with my phone. Try finding a decent editing program in the Android system...it's ridiculous!!! Between (for iOS) iPhoto, PS Express, Snapseed, Filterstorm, Photogene, Photo FX, Fluid FX, Adobe's idea suites...the effects like Cool FX, ColorSplash, Halftone, Simply HDR, Pano360 (?), incredible photography tools for sun angles, photographic calculators, DSLR Remote--for video, WOW!!! iMovie, Avid, ReelDirecor, SyncSlate and old 8mm effect programs, ....as well, excellent ways to send/receive/transfer video.
The program DJay, on my iMacs, laptops, iPads and iPhones is a God Send! When Traktor or Serato aren't necessary, this is an exceptional program. From wedding ceremonies and background/cocktail music....it's over the top.
Android's Go Store is severely lacking in these 'creative' categories.
I'm not much of a gamer, but if I do...I dig simulator (planes and trains) and dungeon crawlers (Diablo). I'm old. 41

So I don't have the time with family, my business, and daily needs to be playing games. I find the options on iOS to be significantly more available...for whatever your genre is that you enjoy!
That said, My GNote is one of my favorites!!! however, it's relegated to specific business tasks and contracts, etc. Netflix once in a while and some media.
Now that you say it, I totally agree with you. One thing I hope to see is tablet being capable of working more like a computer. More performance for your money I suppose. Microsoft seems to understand this and moving in that direction with their Window 8 tablet. Kudos to Microsoft for pushing on the innovation front.
Really? Have you seen a 'Surface' yet? I remember how excited folks were when the Netbook fan came (and went). These were hardly sufficient for Windows and Office...or even, for that matter....checking email. They were worthless. The Surface Pro, with it's core iX processing, flash memory, reasonable amount of memory....it
should be pretty awesome! Albeit, they'll HAVE to charge for it! Probably the same realm of MacBook Airs. Now, I'm not sure about you, but I don't think we're there yet with tablets being major productivity devices. For long spreadsheets, extensively written or edition of documents, even video/photo processing...it's kinda tough on the smaller screen and keyboard. YMMV....but I still find the need for both. My MBA and my iPad. I'm not sure I ever really want to separate the two. I like my iPad for different, and more personal/pleasure reasons. My laptop...I use it do
do stuff. Not sure if that makes sense
....
Whats even funnier is that you seem to have completely missed the entire point that numerous people here have made. We know Apple is capable of doing amazing things and that Apple Labs is probably filled to the brim with stuff that could put Apple another 5yrs ahead. The problem is we are seeing all the risks and creative ideas on the competing platforms while Apple continues to "play it safe". So it's hard to call someone a leader when they refuse to take risks.
I think you may be missing the point...'playing it safe' vs. 'playing it smart'. Apple releases products, tweaks, updates, etc when it's
Ready to be released. Other than Siri, which Apple released it under the guise that it was still in 'beta'....and for ME, it's been a revelation! I use it often, and the translation implemented in my new iPad is certainly more accurate than the translation on my GNote.
However...one area Google has Apple by a significant margin IS Navigation! I'm truly hoping that Apple, with it's purchases of the different mapping companies, releases a really cool 'Map Update' with iOS6.
Just some opinions.
J