Can you explain how it's different than 4 car companies releasing once a year? Android's plunging prices are not really a depreciation of the hardware value, b

Can you explain how it's different than 4 car companies releasing once a year? Android's plunging prices are not really a depreciation of the hardware value, but rather an indication of the rapid pace of the software - well, I'm ignoring fragmentation for the sake of argument. Like you said, "antiquated, much more rapidly," but not by specs - by software features. Example: Ice Cream Sandwich is slowly becoming available. The iPhone lives off in its little garden - I agree that "you know your phone will be state of the art for foreseeable future." Apple strives to maintain vertical integration, so their software moves slowly. It's lock-stepping with their hardware. Hardware innovation generally moves at a steady, predictable pace. Why does it matter that Android's value is more closely tied to the software? That's Google's area of expertise. They've tried to make the hardware a commodity. If it doesn't end up fragmenting so badly consumers start leaving (and I don't think they will) -- then the hardware will not garner the big margins. The software will (under Google's control, hopefully monetizable by them). Software innovation can be more volatile, but especially for mobile phones it can be what sets you apart. Arguably, Apple has the software edge - hence, Android's furious pace.