[Nexus S General] onthecouchagain:
I'm probably inviting fire for creating a topic in a Nexus forum, but I assure you all that I'm not here to incite immature flame wars. I'm here to discuss Nexus, and more specifically, Android.

I've been reevaluating the value of the Nexus line (nevermind the impending onslaught of dual-core devices, etc. for a moment), but really evaluate what Google is doing here.

Is there anyone else that wishes they would just create a phone that is meant to be a direct challenge to the Apple iPhone? I understand the whole Android experience is built on a blank canvas, that it is your phone to customize and build the way you see fit. Granted, there are obviously perks to this. There are, however, plenty of downsides. I'm beginning to see the price of having a software company developing only the software, while a hardware manufacturer developing only the hardware. Even when the two collaborate (the Nexus line) there arises problems. I'm not going to list them, but if you care to see them, just peruse the board.

Imagine, if you will, a "Google Experience" phone that was meant for the average user. Perhaps a second "Google Experience" line so that the Nexus line can live on to keep developers happy. Imagine commissioning a manufacturer, like they would the Nexus line, to build a phone that *does* compete with the ever growing pace of mobile technology (yes, we can dive into a tangent about how fast the market changes, but anyone would agree, save for NFC, the Nexus S was dated the moment the specs were announced); I'm talking about something that is a little more future-proof than what we got. Imagine software wise, that Google changed the nature of Android to something more user-friendly. Where things were more uniformed that could cater more to the average user (how to cut and paste on an email would mean how you would cut and paste everywhere else); imagine Android being more stable (Gingerbread is chock full of glitches. many of them glaring - e.g. reboots during phone calls); yet all the while retaining the customizations and slew of options Android offers, which we love. In other words, imagine Apple iOS stability with Android's customization.

Can they do this? If they can, they surely haven't achieved it yet. If they don't want to (which I feel is Google's stance - many have said here that Google has no intention of directly competing with Apple; that the Nexus line, for example, is just meant for developers), then perhaps it's time for me to admit the Google Android experience isn't for me. Should they continue to just let other manufacturers hedge and manipulate Android to create a more user-friendly Android phone? Maybe. Maybe not. Of course, many here can't imagine a phone with skins or bloatware. But how bad is, say Touchwiz, when it can be so easily rooted and flashed to stock, or replaced by a launcher (yes, there are things deeper that this effects, but really by that much?)? How bad is bloatware, do they really do you that much harm? Is it really worth using the Nexus line for 2 updates from Google each year; of which, developers will undoubtedly make available to other phones (sometimes with more features than stock)? I don't know. Why doesn't Google reign in this fractionalization and start changing their ecosystem?

Unfortunately, Apple's environment isn't the solution either. Their "the-average-user-is-an-idiot" philosophy isn't exactly inviting as well, however, there's no denying that their platform is far more stable.

All I'm asking is, why can't Google achieve the same? Or worse, why won't they try? These are questions I don't have the answers to. I'm hoping to hear opinions and discussions. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty with Android I enjoy and admire, however, I am still critical of its shortcomings. We all should be. My criticisms stem from a desire to see it grow and be improved. Until then, the Android experience can and does sometimes feel second rate.