Well you're running the same version I am, then, but I can't say I've experienced any of the issues you describe. I came over to Android from iOS with the release of the Nexus 4, and while the Android UI is certainly more complex (which seems to be your chief complaint), it's eminently more useful as well.
Your complaint that "it has a desktop" seems particularly curious, as there's no functional difference between it and the iOS home screen. Sure, your apps "live" elsewhere, and you can make folders and shortcuts, but what's wrong with that? Beyond "it's PC-like", is there some UX disadvantage it entails?
PINs - I use the pattern, which I find much easier. Actually, that's a nice segue into the biggest improvement I find over iOS - the keyboard. I thought it was a gimmick at first, but the pattern-swiping style of typing is bloody brilliant. I'm consistently amazed at how well Android guesses what I'm trying to type. In fairness, though, this is really only useful for touch typers who know where the key they want to hit is on the keyboard. My buddy, who's a hunt-and-pecker, just found it frustrating.
Photo Album is Gallery - and Apple calls Internet Explorer "Safari". The fools.
Poor synching on GMail - actually, I find the mobile GMail app works better than the web version. I'll consistently get notifications of new emails in my inbox on my phone 5-10 minutes before getting them in-browser. Sure, it doesn't tell you when it last updated (and it could), but it's not really a practical problem as it seems to be constantly up to date.
Anyway, I'm sorry you weren't impressed with your Android experience. I've been an iPhone guy for the last 3 years, but recently made the switch to Android and my only complaints are with the N4 itself: glass back and small battery.
Your complaint that "it has a desktop" seems particularly curious, as there's no functional difference between it and the iOS home screen. Sure, your apps "live" elsewhere, and you can make folders and shortcuts, but what's wrong with that? Beyond "it's PC-like", is there some UX disadvantage it entails?
PINs - I use the pattern, which I find much easier. Actually, that's a nice segue into the biggest improvement I find over iOS - the keyboard. I thought it was a gimmick at first, but the pattern-swiping style of typing is bloody brilliant. I'm consistently amazed at how well Android guesses what I'm trying to type. In fairness, though, this is really only useful for touch typers who know where the key they want to hit is on the keyboard. My buddy, who's a hunt-and-pecker, just found it frustrating.
Photo Album is Gallery - and Apple calls Internet Explorer "Safari". The fools.
Poor synching on GMail - actually, I find the mobile GMail app works better than the web version. I'll consistently get notifications of new emails in my inbox on my phone 5-10 minutes before getting them in-browser. Sure, it doesn't tell you when it last updated (and it could), but it's not really a practical problem as it seems to be constantly up to date.
Anyway, I'm sorry you weren't impressed with your Android experience. I've been an iPhone guy for the last 3 years, but recently made the switch to Android and my only complaints are with the N4 itself: glass back and small battery.