[Ineffable]

More control is a big source of value for a lot of people. Personally, I don't need a 2 year old to be able to use my phone, but I draw great enjoyment from being able to customise it to my tastes very easily. Don't like the stock keyboard? Chuck it out. Don't like the app launcher? Download a new one.

If you want a more consistent UI and smoother animations over that, then great - there's a polished, well made device for you too on iOS. Different strokes for different folks.

[jshen]

I agree with you, but let me rephrase one sentence.

"More control is a big source of value for a [minority of people]"

[josteink]

Given Android's rampant popularity, you would have to come up with a source for that claim.

I know here on HN the mantra is that people buy Android because it is cheaper/"they cannot afford iPhones", but in the real world people deliberately choose things not made by Apple.

Despite the Apple fandom on this website, there is no universal truth in Apple being a superior platform.

In fact, I say the lack of customizability speaks of it being poorly engineered.

[jshen]

So your argument is that quality is a function of sales volume?

[josteink]

My argument is that sales volume is a function of customer acceptance. And thus Android has the biggest customer acceptance of all the platforms out there.

The hacker news meme that Android is barely usable is getting rather stale.

[jshen]

You love strawmen. I said that iOS is much better in the usability department. I didn't say "android is barely usable".

Also, most android phones are not nexus phones. Most of these phones can not be upgraded to 4.0 yet. By your logic customer acceptance clearly shows they aren't interested in control if they can't even upgrade the OS.