Indeed: I think the metric shouldn't be number of iPhones v. Androids, but rather, number of iPhones vs. Android phones with Google Play. A smartphone without a great app experience is more of a cleverphone, losing much of it's value proposition, both for the user and developers. That doesn't even get into the idea of whether Android users are less likely to spend money.

Let's say I'm going to spend the next 6 months build an app. Where do I put my energy? As the article says, most of the growth is in China. That's awesome for the Chinese people, awesome for the open source ecosystem, awesome for Google, and awesome for the handset manufacturers who are making those devices. For app producers, however, it's irrelevant if that marketshare doesn't reflect sales. Even if iOS becomes niche (which I think is likely), it seems to be the best place to put make investment.

I do think the development story is improving with Google Play and Amazon/BN's proprietary stores, but I believe that most devices making up the bulk of the Android market share are low end devices without those marketplaces. (Play is *not* part of the operating system) The more I think about it, I think iOS vs. Android matters less than Apple AppStore installs/instances vs. Google Play vs. (other app stores)

Too little innovation, too many apps like "Mobile photo sharing - FOR CATS!"

The funding game is dying, slowly. The future is in the 37 Signals and GitHubs of the world. (Both took funding I believe, but only after they were profitable : if the VC is how you keep the lights on, you're doing it wrong) Even more significant are the bootstrapped startups, the 1-4 person operations, that make great products that actually solve problems. (In other words, the anti-Instagram)

I'm a bit of a hack design wise, but doesn't "hero" suggest a large block, not "hero" as in the superhero sense? ("Hiding legal notices in a single img tag!")

I say that because a giant block with padding is classed "hero-unit" in Twitter Bootstrap.

Do you call it a Coke or a soda? Plus, for most of the personal computing age, the generic term PC or computer has typically referred to Windows/DOS machines. If someone is running a different OS, they've been taught to differentiate it for years. Most Linux users I know don't generically refer to their computer: they're quick to point out what they run.

Indeed. Let's say all the fandroid's wet dreams come true (not pointing out obvious pun there), and Apple throws in the towel. How good will the S4, S5, or S6 be? (Though to be fair, iPhone has languished over the past couple of generations)

In the long run, I believe Samsung wins. They are innovating; Apple is not, merely adding a bit of polish and shine here and there with incremental releases.

That said, this is poor journalism. They were comparing a new phone to Apple's 10? month old offering. It's not like people were buying 4S's and were blind-sided by the 5's release: no one in their right mind would buy a 4S when the same sized 5 would be available in a month or so. Not to mention, phones tend to have sales bursts when released, more so with the iPhone (it may be dumb for the fanbois to do it, but have you seen anyone camp out for days to buy a new Galaxy S*?) In other words, I'd say that by last quarter most people who wanted an iPhone 4S had one. You can mention upgrade cycles, but I know at least one carrier allows early upgrades when the iPhone is released if you're anywhere close to being eligible.

I think a fairer comparison would be to compare 1st month of sales of 4S v. S3, or to be more relevant, 5 v. S3. Anyone of the supposedly critical readers that make up Slashdot could see this article really doesn't say anything, even if it says what you want to hear. Sadly though, I believe the typical fanboi or fandroid on hear are so crazed, they're no different than a Belieber or those in the "Team Jacob v. Team Edward" arguments.

Again, I think Samsung is on the right trajectory. However, I think everyone so eager to crown Samsung king right now that they'll spin things in any way to pretend it's happened already.

I would encourage you to view one of the many sites out there that let you search public registries of sex offenders. (for example, http://familywatchdog.us/ For fun, enter your address. You'll find:

1) the number of sex offenders isn't a "few" (if you live in a metro area, there will be dozens in a 2 mile radius)
2) if you view each one's offense, you'll find most (75%+) had "victims" 14 years old +. Some of those might have been "rapes", but were probably hooking up with someone they should have known better, but it was as consensual as any liaison (ignoring fact that a minor can't consent, but survey any high school and see how chaste your average teen is)

Such sex offender laws apply to all of these (plus those who get caught urinating in public, having a romp with their spouse in public, etc); not a "few depraved and/or dangerous/psychotic people". But "think of the children!" How about a single DWI resulting in a lifetime ban on owning a motor vehicle, or a single drug conviction resulting in a lifetime 9pm curfew?

If someone is truly so sick and perverted that they need a lifetime of monitoring, then give them an adequate prison sentence.

Correct, but IE was a part of it. Microsoft was using it's monopoly power to prevent OEMs from bundling other browsers.

As soon as they get to about 90% PC marketshare (don't get pedantic on the "PC" term). They're at what, 15% or so these days? (growing but far from being an abusive monopoly)

Microsoft abused their power by preventing vendors from bundling other browsers. Apple isn't abusing anyone: they make the hardware.

Android has a higher percentage of the smart phone market than Apple has in the PC market. Google has 90%+ of search traffic. You get a new Android, and do a search in the default browser, it defaults to Google. Before OSX is forced to do a browser ballot, Google will be required to do a search engine ballot, given the numbers.

1) SF isn't the norm. There's a different mindset there than in Houston or Topeka or Fargo.
2) Do you think the setup you mentioned is something everyone who buys a $40 router at Best Buy or calls the phone company to "turn on the Internet" could manage? That's what the EFF is proposing.
3) Was the coffee shop a non-profit? Were you an investor?
4) If Wikipedia is an example of how good everyone is, why do they have such a strong protection policy? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Protection_policy

GPA is irrelevant: I screwed around in college and left after a couple of years with a 2.7. (GPA != intelligence, it = discipline)

Those making $40K a year are probably limiting themselves to particular languages, and want a local job they can drive to. However, a cheap consultant should be able to make $40/hour. $50-75 isn't outlandish. Yes, you'll need to hustle for remote gigs. No, there's no magic sauce to doing that, but getting involved in online communities is where you start.

Or build an app that makes a decent amount each year: something that charges $10 month needs very few customers to double $40K.

The same is said of consensual sex with a minor: anyone under legal age is incapable of consenting. A 22 that has sex with a girl 17 years old, 364 days at 10PM is a felon who must register for the rest of his life as sex offender, but if they go to a movie first and then get it on at 12:01AM he's in the clear. (I'll leave it to other commenters to come up with a snarky comment)

(Assuming it's a state where 18 is the legal age, I know it varies)

  Kinda interesting considering that minors can be certified as adults for purposes of conviction, but not for purposes of defense.

LA as we know is well known for its role in the space program, and is well known for being included in famous quotes throughout the space program's history.

Tens of thousands of Houstonians have worked at the JSC so that all the hipsters could Instagramify their giddiness at seeing Endeavour come to its final resting place.

In many publishing contracts, the author gets up front money that is a deposit against royalties. If the book doesn't sell enough copies, the author must return some of the money.