[matwood]

> Apple marketing simply has succeeded in convincing you and others that there is no viable alternative which in turn keeps you from accepting such a possibility

Speaking of FUD. Marketing only gets you so far, and at some point you have to have a product. I have tried to switch to Android. First with an HTC One and another time with the Nexus 5 (I also have a Nexus 7). Android definitely wins on open and customization, but on overall system it continually failed. My Nexus 5 would randomly get system processes spinning out of control and if I didn't notice, I would have a dead battery in ~10 minutes. I don't remember which, but there was an Android update that made my Nexus 7 completely unusable.

I went back to the iPhone, and only then fully realized Apple's advantage of controlling the hardware AND software. I think Google is finally recognizing this, and attempting to replicate it with the Pixel.

[schwarze_pest]

> I think Google is finally recognizing this, and attempting to replicate it with the Pixel.

They are still not there with Pixel. As long as they don't have their own SoC, there won't be proper long time support for their phones.

[madeofpalk]

I don't buy this. Apple didn't always have their own SoC, and support didn't miraculously get better with the iPhone 4 when they introduced it.

[schwarze_pest]

Apple has complete control over their OS. They can keep their kernel interfaces stable if they want.

Google can't do this with their current development model. They are not in charge of the Linux kernel interfaces. Let's say it's 2019, Android Quaker Oats is here and Google would like to bring it to the Pixel. Quaker Oats is based on Linux 5.0. Qualcomm develops their drivers out of tree and the latest kernel that gets support for the Snapdragon 821 is Linux 4.69. Well, tough luck, Google and Pixel owners, Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich is all you get.