Android vs iPhone OS Update History and Hoping Ford isn't doing the same.

[DesignerNate]

Read an interesting article on the break down of Android OS Update History vs. iPhone OS Updates and it really paints an interesting picture of the State of Software Development:

Why iPhone over Android? This is why. via reddit.com

I see a lot of similarities to Ford's own Sync system, yet one has to wonder... Is Ford actually sane in pursuing a tactic like this? I mean one could argue that while a hardware manufacturer has no incentive on pushing updates (because they don't make money off this). It's at least more feasible for most customers to live with an outdated phone for a couple of years and then upgrade every other year if need be... after all at most the phone will be in the $200-$300 dollar range.

But does this same philosophy really translate in the automotive world? While I realize that cars are being constantly updated and in a sense can be similarly equated to the computing world (which are outdated on a monthly sometimes weekly basis). A car is a much heavier financial investment, and and people can't just buy a new car every year. Android's biggest problem is Software fragmentation and your also seeing the same issue with Ford's Sync system which is basically no car has the same version and a car released several months ago is outdated by a "newer" version pushed to newly released cars (like MyTouch). While i have no problem with Ford or any other company for that matter putting their latest and greatest on their newest car models. I do have a problem with companies IGNORING their current customer base and basically saying: You got what you paid for, you bought the car with buggy outdated software so we have no reason to help you. If Ford wants to do it right then they should hire software companies to help maintain and improve any and all different versions of Sync... while i realize this kind of R&D cost time and money i think it would be in Both Sync and Ford's best interest if they want to remain competitive and if they want to improve their image.