It can't be overstated how critical this advantage is for many (not all) Android users. My screen and pretty much everyone I work with is similar in that it has been tweaked to make not launching apps, but life itself, much easier. I have custom controls of everything from live cams to home devices to real time account and market information accessible nearly instantly. And when I go running, in one swipe I move to a page with the precise apps (music, GPS tracking, etc.) for that activity. My phone can be in my pocket in a loud store, and if I want to text my wife, do a quick calculation, or do almost anything else using my phone, I can speak to it without even needing to remove it from my pocket and get a very fast and accurate response.
You can view this as bearish for Apple because iPhones lack anything similar, but I actually think it's bullish for Apple in the sense that they could (and probably will) take the decision to allow user choice and will add similar functionality to iOS. If they do this, it will drastically improve iOS and make the devices more appealing. Hopefully no one will accuse them of stealing the idea to give users options when they do it! |
