OMG, GREAT thread, I wish this was started here!
So awesome to see a constructive thread about some cue's Android could take from Apple (or Windows, Symbian, Blackberry, etc...). And I must say, incredibly mature for this site. I was expecting to see a lot of, "hell Apple wishes they were as good as a pimple on Androids ass"... you know, the norm around here. But it looks as if the majority of folks have broken character and allowed themselves a little constructive criticism... very refreshing. For even the King of England can learn a thing or two about modesty from a peasant.
Where I feel Android could improve (and I'm not familiar with iOS, so I can't say forsure if they do it better or if they should look towards other OS's) is...
1. A simple, bulletproof back-up system. IMO this is Androids greatest weakness. Sure Titanium Back-Up is awesome, but you have to be rooted to use it. And since rooting voids your warranty, many people shy away from it. You shouldn't have to void your warranty in order to securely back your device up. Google should have a fool-proof method built into Android. It isn't something that should be left to third party devs to take care of. The way I understand Apples solution to this problem, is that if your iPhone crashes, you simply plug it into your computer, and it restores it through iTunes. That's good, but I would like them to take it one step further and store everything in the cloud. I've seen some promising use of the cloud, I believe they're on the right track. They're maybe halfway there, but it's not perfect yet. Needs work.
2. Scrolling needs to be buttery smooth. I guess this has been discussed in length above so I won't beat a dead horse, but it is something that's vitally important, because it weighs in a lot as far as user experience goes. Seriously, as awesome as these little devices are, and as much as they are capable of doing... all of it is for not when the user picks it up, goes to scroll through his home screens, and the thing lags, skips, freezes or stutters. All of the amazing functionality gets completely over looked and it's reduced to a piece of junk all due to that one, tiny little detail. Well, it may seem like a tiny little detail. But user experience is everything! And I have to agree, Apple recognizes that better than Android. I won't go as far as to say Google because they really don't have all the control over that (although they should). Instead it's in the hands of the OEM's who manufacturer these devices to implement that. Which brings me to my last point...
3. Google needs to demand certain standards from the OEM's. I understand that one of Androids biggest advantages is their range of products. So I know they can't demand EVERY device is built to the same standards as every other device. But they need to create some sort of tiered system that allows the buyer to know what to expect. For instance they could offer bottom tier Android devices for free with a new contract that are very minimalist, with no commitment from the OEM to support it (in other words, they wouldn't have to keep up with the updates and what not). So it would be cheap to produce, and the consumer could get his foot in the Android door so to speak, to try out the OS without dumping a bunch of money into the initial purchase.
From there they could build several other tiers, each with a varying level of quality and support from the OEM until you reach the top tier devices. These would have the best hardware currently available, and the OEMs would be responsible to support them heavily, coming out with updates in a timely manner. These would be the $200 - $300 phones (with the contract signing discount) that we have now like the Droid X, EVO 4g, Droid Bionic, etc... I just feel it's important for a customer to know what he's getting into when he buys a device. Right now its a crap shoot. I never looked very hard at the Galaxy S phones, but If I had bought one I would be very disappointed in the lack luster support the OEMs have given it. That's why when you plunk down a certain amount of money on your phone, you should have an understanding of what to expect out of it in the 12 - 24 months you're signing up to use it.
And the only way that is ever going to happen is if Google starts holding OEMs to certain standards. I have read Paul Rubins philosophical stance behind the Phoenix agreement, and I know what he's attempting to do. But I don't think it's ever going to work out the way he believes it will. I'm not saying he has to go as far as Steve Jobs has gone in wielding an iron fist! But they need to incorporate SOME of that approach. In other words, yes Android is free for you to use, AS LONG AS YOU DO X, Y & Z. And the x, y & z should be conditions put in place to protect not only the consumer, but also to protect the name and image of Google. Because when these devices screw up or under perform, the majority of people will blame Google when in fact its usually the OEM who's at fault. So they need to put into place reasonable conditions to be met in order to use Android so as not to tarnish Googles name.
There's probably more I could think of, but these are my top 3 concerns.
