Uh, the Android phone depicted in the article does not and never has existed. It's a screencap from the 1st gen Android emulator that shipped with the SDK. Could they at least do a little homework first?
In fact, the whole article makes me think that's what he's comparing--the iPhone in his pocket to the Android emulator he downloaded.
Each item listed under "AWFUL" can't be ascribed to every Android phone, or even any Android phone. Google only provides the OS kernel, basic UI and some tools. It's up to handset makers and carriers to fill in the rest. Depending on how much you want to spend, they all do. The free market competition between handset makers has already addressed every "AWFUL" item attributed to the platform. Pick the solution that fits your needs best.
And the "AWFUL" attributed to the marketplace (more BBs than Androids) is not a failing of the platform but the maturity of the market. Look at the trends, and they tell a different story. If you want to argue that developers are focusing on BBs, I would argue that different developers are focusing on its distinctly different market. Ever notice how BB apps all cost 20 bucks? It's because BBs used to be owned by people on expense accounts who weren't footing the bill. Guess what trend I see every day--You may not have noticed but the economy has had a huge impact on that market, shifting BES vs BIS usage into 20-80 territory. That's right; as people get fired they are keeping their phones but they're dropping BES and not buying expensive business apps anymore. That market is drying up faster than their market share is actually falling. As the contracts of these unemployed BB owers expire, they are dropping the platform altogether for something that doesn't charge an extra tax just for BIS. That something is Android.
--Qfg