This leaves a really good space for the Android manufacturer who gets this right. I'm due to upgrade my phone and am seriously considering between iPhone and Android. The fact that my current Android phone, just a year old LG that only now runs 2.2, so quickly went out of usability makes me wonder exactly the same thing. If someone can deliver to me solid technology that keeps working with Android as it evolves (to a reasonable degree of course, I'm happy with a 2-3 year window), I will be a life-long loyal customer to that company. Right now I'm not even sure who to guess buying a new Android from and that's a shame on the industry that my choices are between several not-amazing options.
Already been done. The Nexus line of phones have the latest software directly from Google, and no carrier bloat. Really, anyone technical enough to read HN should go with a Galaxy Nexus or Nexus S vs. ANY other Android phone.
Does this apply to their small phones? Perhaps it is because of reading HN that I am of the perception that only the larger more feature-full phones are maintained well (or perhaps just that my friends who have bought these just got the big version, having large male rucksacks). The Nexus that I am aware of doesn't fit in my purse.
I can't even think of a good Android phone out on the market today that anyone would consider small. These days decent Androids generally range from 4.3'' screens to the 5.3'' found on the Galaxy Note.
Right, so that effectively keeps me out of the good-phone market. It really is a shame that they can't make a smaller phone (iPhone size is ok but smaller would be better). I'd be a customer for life.
The problem is that even if one manufacturer really nails it, the overall market remains confusing and balkanized to both the developer and consumer unless that manufacturer is successful enough to drive out the alternatives.
