Ice Cream Sandwich doubled its adoption rate in July

Well yes, but you have to realize; Apple is a closed source OS. Meaning, no one else can manufacture devices with iOS. Android is open source. For updates, it goes like this, iOS updates: Apple --> consumer Android updates: Google --> Manufacturer --> Carrier --> Consumer. For Nexus devices: Google --> Carrier --> Consumer For unlocked Nexus: Google --> Consumer So there can be a big delay in updates for Android, unless you have a Nexus (except for a Verizon Nexus). So it isn't right to compare all of Android to iOS when it comes to updates, because the system is different. You should compare unlocked Nexus vs. iOS updates, because that's when the update systems are the same.

I know that. Still people keep talking about how much more progressive Google's approach is when we see it's actually very ineffective and forces the consumer to buy a new device every 1-2 years.

Not anymore really. Phones coming out with quad-core processors and 2 GB of RAM can be supported for quite some time. I'll admit, about 90% of Android phones that came out before 2011 were pretty much useless after about 4-8 months. But this is the thing with Android; they give you options. If you want updates like iOS has, get a Nexus. It's not that hard to comprehend. And in about 2-3 years when that Nexus can no longer be supported, get a new one. If updates don't matter that much, get another one that suits your needs. That is how Google's approach is more progressive. A device can only be supported for so long. I mean really, look at the 3GS, Apple had to make a dumbed down version of iOS 5 for it, and it still runs terrible. Same goes for the Nexus S and ICS.

Okay. You have a point :). But what has progress to do with it? Apple/Mac OS is closed, Android/Linux is open. It was, it is, it will be. Apple's philosophy is to make (design, not manufacture...) hard- and software in the one place to deliver best user experience. With success, as user satisfaction polls show. Apple is well-known and unique for this. Google's philisophy is like Microsoft's: we make the software, OEMs the hardware. They have about 20 big manufacturers and 1000 models, what leads to high sales, but also a lot of problems. They're both offering choice. But Android is not Windows and that's why most experts agree that Android will fade away in few years.

You are correct, making your own hard/software can be very beneficial. Especially when you only release about 1 product a year for each it's own different purposes, which in turn makes updates very easy. Apple has done some amazing things in the past, and they grew a good reputation, making the iPhone, iPod, iPad, etc. very popular. Yes, polls do indicate that iOS users have extremely high satisfaction ratings, but that's because Apple is taking the easy route. The overall UI for iOS on the iPhone is a 4x4 grid of apps with a dock and notification center. You would have to screw up pretty badly to mess that up. The only time it gets intuitive is actually inside the apps. How can you NOT have high ratings when you give your consumers the bare essentials? Especially when riding on a reputation. Google is taking the opposite direction with Android. They are making it to where they make it easier for you, not themselves. Like toggles in the notifications so you don't have to stop what you're doing and go into settings, and various widgets like calender and social media widgets so you don't have to open up apps to check what you have planned or whats going on with your friends, and many other things. Though, with all of these extra features comes a price, overall smoothness of the UI. That's where Google never really stepped in until they released 4.1 with Project Butter. Before Project Butter, you had to make sure you were purchasing a very solid device (examples; Galaxy S 2, Droid Razr, devices alike) or else you would be stuck with that lag. Dual-core processors made a big difference in overall smoothness, but it wasn't quite enough until processors like the OMAP 4 and Exynos 4210 came out. That was Google's downfall. They advanced too far, and devices weren't properly optimized, or just weren't powerful enough. But ever since about mid-2011, Android started being done right. Lag was virtually gone, and it never came back unless you bought a cheaper device, which you would expect lag with anyways. Apple is afraid to take a leap forward, and is playing it safe with incremental updates. Soon, people will start to wise up, and open up to better selections. And hopefully that will wake Apple up and make them forget about all the patents, and start to innovate again. But if they don't, Android and WP will rise in market share and in a few years, Apple will be in RIM's position. That's worst case scenario though.

Sorry i'm answering your long, well-formulated posts with short ones, but typing on a smartphone, i have no choice. The new essential features of Ice Cream Sandwich Jelly Bean are a (very poor) media library, kinda smooth performance, more or less unified tablet/smartphone experience and software supporting voice control... All that is on 15/0.8 percent of the devices - as good as none. So there is not really much upgrade for Android phone owners. Except you are fanatic/rich enough to afford a new phone AND tablet every year. And no, i'm unsatisfied with the performance of my Galaxy Note with ICS. Its is smooth, but not stable. And some simple actions such as typing are far from smooth and well-developed. I now wait for my Note to either get or not get Jelly Bean. If not, it would be... Just terrible, considering i got this device only a half year ago. And: No, it is not Apple that is Google's biggest enemy. To explain what i mean, please read:http://www.villeaho.com/2012/04/17/why-windows-8-matters-and-why-android-will-eventually-just-fade-away/ So either Android OR Windows Phone gain market share. Apple and Microsoft will gain the same position in the mobile market, as they have been on the desktop market for around 15 years: Microsoft controls the market, Apple just continues being Apple with it's own philosophy.

I don't mind short replies. The main key features of ICS were: Face Unlock Better browser Android Beam New contact layout and more social integration A new and better UI More camera options Jelly bean key features: Better Face Unlock with a liveness check Project Butter Improved notifications And yes, I know it's only on 15/.8% of all devices. But I covered the update dilemma in one of my previous comments. And I heard people were having problems with their Note after updating to ICS, it's a shame, it was one of the best devices when it launched. I never liked the ICS update they gave to the Galaxy S 2 and Note, it looks almost exactly the same because of TouchWiz. And if Samsung doesn't give Jelly bean to the Note, I would be appalled, because they made such a big fuss out of it, and they made a good amount of money off of it, yet they won't support it after ICS? Terrible. I really believe, if you want the best Android experience, go for a Nexus. Most preferably unlocked, so you get the updates right away. It has stock Android, so it is very smooth (especially with Jellybean). And buying an unlocked Nexus isn't very expensive, on the Google Play store it's only $350, which is pretty great considering Verizon sold it for $300 on contract when they launched it. Though the next Nexus (maybe multiple) is/are about to be released in maybe 1-2 months. I would read that article, but I am very tired. It's 9 in the morning, I've had insomnia for the past couple days, so I'm ready to go to sleep. I'll come back and read it later today though. I agree with you partly though, Microsoft and Apple could very well be in the same position in the mobile market as they are in the desktop market in a few years. Though, a great majority don't like WP, and will probably not get such a device until it grows up a bit. Windows Mobile died a few years ago, and even though it's an entirely new system now, people are gonna go by that reputation they made in the mobile market. I mean, the Lumia 900 was Microsofts best selling WP if I'm not mistaken, and it only sold 330,000 units I believe (correct me if I'm wrong). Most people like the idea of a Windows 8 tablet better than WP, so I think Apple and Microsoft will go against eachother in the tablet market, not so much in smartphones.

I wonder about your issues, and since you have been nice I could help with. have you tried factory reset? or disable sock apps you don't need?

Alright then, I just read the article. Firstly, that guy just seems very heavily biased against Android. Though, I really can't come to a conclusion yet, as I just read that one entry from him. But him saying that Android phones are just substitutes for the iPhone, and that he states all of the things that both iOS and Android can do in example of what a customer is looking for in a phone, then he adds on a slightly seperate note the customer's budget, as if he's insinuating that the only reason people buy Androids is because they can't afford an iPhone is just wrong. And calling Android, "the mass-market, Toyota version of the Mercedes-benz iPhone"? I would not listen to that guy just for the fact that he is VERY biased against Android. But, I stuck through and read the entire entry. And agreed with him on some points. Like how people aren't interested in Android tablets, which is true, but the Nexus 7 will gain a bit of popularity due to the reduced cost while still packing some decent hardware. But it won't affect the iPad's sale by much, maybe 3% best case scenario. And also, I agree that Android will soon be virtually out of the tablet business when Windows 8 tablets come out. But like I said, this guy is heavily biased. So he will make assumptions and accusations that aren't true. Android is going strong in the smartphone market, holding 51% of it. And if Apple keeps on making just incremental updates, and only giving their previous devices dumbed-down version of those updates, people are going to become tired of it, and switch to something else that's more promising, like Android or WP. Of course, Apple will still hold a fair portion of market share, because well, it's Apple. But either way, Apple is really too stuck up and filled with pride at this point. They know that they can put out anything they want, give it an "i" and put the Apple logo on it and it will sell millions. But they are greedy. Their profit margins are insanely high, and right now, carriers are suffering from that (Sprint). The mobile world would be a better place if Apple just allowed some competition instead of suing everyone who poses a threat, and actually went back to the drawing board, and made something innovative like they used to.

Google is in charge of Nexus devices, All current Nexus are on 4.1 your point is?

Not all current Nexus have 4.1, Sprint and Verizon's still don't. And that makes up a fair portion of the total Galaxy Nexus.

Actually if not mistaken sprint version is getting updated as we speak. Verizon is being Verizon. So around 3 weeks from the released 4.1 you have the majority of nexus. Yet iOS 6 was announced and you won't be seeing it at least until September. and will end up reducing the experience on both 3GS and 4 making those users move to the newest iPhone model to enjoy a full iOS experience(less lag, all the features) as opposed to only a few, when these phones get 4.1 they will enjoy everything this new version has to offer . Why is that different? You may want to say android users don't enjoy all new android features but yet many android users experience privileged features like smart stay on the S3 for example. Or webtop on the RAZR. Won't users wait to continue enjoying this exclusive features? And honestly you buy a phone for what it can do here and now or because you hope it will eventually do it? Yes your iPhone will get the latest and greatest (partially) but will it be what you wanted? Also Google seems to be working into improving that too

The Sprint version was rumored to be getting it, but it's just some minor tweaks to ICS. No Jellybean. http://www.gforgames.com/gadgets/sprint-samsung-galaxy-nexus-latest-update-jelly-bean-android-4-1-something-else-22611/ And iOS 6 is not released, just the Beta is open. It was announced, but not released. Jellybean is actually released, and only on the unlocked Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 7. There's a difference between an announcement and a release, Apple will release iOS 6 with the next iPhone. But I agree with you on about everything else.

Free junk droids is the main reason

lolumad

of course there are million buy one take one android phones.

iOS' growing rates begin to surpass Android. And still is the iPhone the by far best-selling phone, Apple's tablet market share is actually two third. Its not just me. Its proved by customer satisfaction polls.

**cough** 99c...3gs