Wow, sure is a lot of discussion over Google, Fruitphone, OS and updates and manufactures "word" on releases....
I think I will throw my hat into the ring....
1. Fruitphone... Sure its had a good strong hold on the market for years. Times are changing, developers are realizing there is more than just Fruit and notice Android is taking a good footing in the market and all walks of life. Developers are starting to provide their products and developments on both platforms or making a choice and going strictly one way or another. Lately I think Android is getting the better deal on this. Fruitphone's latest device, I think has been fairly successful but at the same time I think showed a lack of staying in touch with what people want too... No 4g? That's quickly becoming a must in many people's lives and with the more advanced online apps and things that are done 3g just isn't making it happen anymore... This alone shows a big fail in my opinion. Then we have Fruit's ongoing lawsuits getting thrown out to anyone that even comes within a mile of looking or acting like one of their products. Thankfully the court systems are starting to look at list as a waste of time and are going in favor of the accused. There is only so many ways you can change a device's exterior appearance to avoid patent rights and yet still stay within the bounds of what works in the consumers hands. You get to far out of control with your shape, layout, etc.. people aren't comfortable with it and they aren't going to buy or use it.... Bottom line... Many makes and models of cars, trucks, radios, tv's, etc.. all are very close in looks today and you don't see them suing each other every single moment over appearances... I think Fruit is realizing their once strong fan base is starting to break apart as more people realize what Android has to offer and they are just grabbing at what last powers they have.... Take their competitors to court over appearance patents.
2. Android, gaining ground very quickly and really making a big blow to other competitors. At times I think Android and its manufactures do move way to quickly... So many new devices and advancements that a device HTC or Samsung releases today was outdated yesterday by another device the same manufacture just rolled off the assembly line. Many devices have been plagued by uncalled for bugs that could of been prevented if things were slowed down and more testing was done. The introduction of dual and now talk of quad core processors, while I think is great but we still are seeing good developments and growth in the single core markets. I've said it before and will say it again... The devs need time to learn and grow with the technology... Push it out too fast and they can't even keep up with it.. Google.... I think Google needs to get a bit stronger grip on the manufactures and what they are allowing.. UI's are getting a bit to controlling and causing many problems for manufactures, app developers and eventually the consumers trying to make everything "gel" and work properly... I know were all about open source but I think Google needs to start setting a little tighter specs or boundaries on what UI's can and can't do to make the overall process of OS & app updates across all the devices easier for everyone.
Regardless of my opinion or anyone else its definitely a great time to be involved in the smartphone world and watch how things develop day by day. Somethings for the better and others for the worse...