Errr.... not to rain on your apple-pie-party, but this 'apple is more consistent' and 'apple is much more responsive' and 'apple is (insert expletive)' has not

Errr.... not to rain on your apple-pie-party, but this 'apple is more consistent' and 'apple is much more responsive' and 'apple is (insert expletive)' has not been true for a rather long time. The 'responsive' bit faded out around Android 4.x, the consistency-bit got really upturned - as in iOS lacking consistency - when apple hooked up with the flat UI trend. I have yet to see anyone having problems with unlocking Android devices, whether they use a simulated bar lock ('slide to unlock'), a pattern lock or one of those 'slide to unlock/start_camera/silence/start_browser/...' things. This includes my own children (11 and 4) who are by now used to both Android (at home) and iOS (at school). If you put the two systems next to each other you'll notice they both have their idiosyncrasies. Both are, in general terms, rather easy to use. Android is more flexible - which could be interpreted by some as 'lacking consistency' due to the fact that two Android devices can look quite dissimilar - and has fewer problems with crashing apps. Apple integrates well in an all-apple household but it lacks the freedom of choice which Android offers. As to the supposed inability of the mentioned manufacturers to 'steal [?] customers from apple' I'd say you might be in for a surprise. Customer loyalty is not an absolute, show them enough of a carrot (lower price, better integration with non-apple systems and services) or harass them enough with a stick (itunes! itunes! itunes! apple cloud! no 'unauthorised' repairs! did I mention itunes?) and they'll just hop over to the next track.