I really doubt this was a case of, "apple does this so we should". I think it is a conscious decision based on their ability to produce a much better device if they seal the battery in - but that does take it off the table for some users that haven't found ways to work around being able to hot swap batteries. Hopefully that was also calculated, because a tiny but loud section of the market is going to have to go to competitors unless they figure out mobile or more frequent charging solutions that don't hinder their ability to enjoy the device.
Hmmm...strange how that tiny segment influenced Samsung to bring back the SD card.
I disagree with your post. Copying Apple has been at the core of a billion dollar lawsuit against Samsung for copying many of Apples innovations. For some reason, Samsung decided to copy the "quality" of the Apple product by introducing sealed backs with glass (that's an improvement?) so they could upscale their phones. Maybe it's my age, but I don't get the fashion aspect of a tool. The thing needs to work or it's just a slab of plastic, metal, and glass.
That's a funny vid Synycalwon posted, I don't remember that but there's definitely truth to that. To me, it's a great differentiator between products.
Us "loud but tiny" section will have to give in at some point unless others like LG go back to practical devices someday. The Note series has definite benefits for those of us who use it as a productivity device so a swappable battery might have to be foregone in order to work with one...sort of the "only game in town" factor that we'd have to roll with .
However, enough noise was made with the tiny minority regarding SD cards, maybe it's a start back to practicality as people are seeing past the marketing spin these companies are putting on their new so call features.