I've noticed a pretty substantial amount of Apple Animosity on here. [...]
Thoughts?
I don't hate apple users, but I do dislike ignorance when mixed with the unwillingness to at least experience another product, before condemning or claiming superiority over it. Without a doubt, though, this also holds true for some Android users-- a good number of them are anti-Apple, for the simple reason that its an established mainstream success, which they feel, is somehow gifted and undeserved. Though they may know/feel Android offers a more in-depth experience, the real world operates on the principle of what people perceive..and that is effective marketing in combination with the quality products Apple offers. Though I do have a bias in favor of Android, I 100% acknowledge the importance of Apple in the continued development of Android, and understand why Android needs more than just software to catapult itself ahead of Apple.
Elitist and fanboys are different sides to the same coin, IMO, and typically do more damage to their respective brand of choice. Elitists, from what I've experienced, typically posses more knowledge than a casual user, but not to the level of a payed professional, often ignoring the fact that most people don't immerse themselves with the same level of appreciation they do. Fanboys lead the charge with a combination of stubbornness, ignorance, and passion, usually fueled by hearsay and spec sheets. Sadly, both of these camps are often too defensive for their own good (or the good of others, as we've come to understand), and find a way to make their voices heard, subsequently doing the loudest and most talking.
As to casual users, and comments of 'sheep'/superiority, I believe its a bit silly. For most casual users, they couldn't care less about perceived superiority between the two operating systems, and usually
are receptive towards cool features, when presented in a non-standoffish way...this indifference is what makes them 'casual'. Two relatives of mine own an iPhone and a Droid, respectively, and constantly enjoy sharing features between the two devices. Every so often, they'll give me a call when they find they can't mimic a feature on one device, but otherwise, both are served rather well by either smartphone. No hype. No animosity. Just an appreciation for whats 'neat' or what new app adds a welcome addition to their lives.
These are casual users-- while many of them enjoy the current reign of the iPhone (and upcoming market-share of Android), times change and so will these types of people...tomorrow, they could just as well be riding a stronger Android wave, so its silly to condemn them, in this respect. Casual users are the bread-n-butter of any devices success, and Apple has done a great job in breaching this target market, forcing the lowest common denominator into an era of smartphones.
Competition is a great thing.