Innovation

Source: http://thedoghousediaries.com/3345

I have seen many a post from [insert technology here] fanboys who say [company x] isn't innovative because they just took something [company y] did before, and combined it with [existing technology]. News flash, everyone. There's nothing new under the sun. Everything is, at some point, a combination of things which previously existed.

As DOGHOUSEDIARIES puts above in a clever way, one of the most frequently cited examples of "lack of innovation" is Apple. "Well, they didn't invent anything new!" No, they combined previously existing technologies into a cohesive whole which had not been done before. That's innovation. Now, Siri is probably a bad example of innovation from Apple, since it was actually a product of another company's innovation, which Apple bought. But I digress.

The point is: Yes, combining things which already existed into a whole which hadn't been done before is innovation. (No, Apple's notification tray isn't innovative. Screw you, Apple.)

Android Updates? It's Complicated.

Source: The Understatement

Several weeks ago, this image was making the rounds. It paints a pretty grim image of Android support. Sucks, doesn't it? It's obvious that if you want a smartphone, you should buy an iPhone.

That would be great. If this picture wasn't a lie.

Android vs. iOS

Bias warning: I don't own a smartphone. However, I intend to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Nexus in the next few weeks, when it becomes available. Therefore I have a bit of an Android tilt.

It's hard to read a gadget blog without running into it: Rampant fanboys defending their choice of phone operating system. Fanboyism is apparently so primal that it's hard to turn the reflex off. I'm sure that psychologists would have interesting insights, but I think at some point, it comes down to "I've spent my money on this platform, and therefore I find it superior."