However as a developer there are actually three big different category of versions:
A) Android <= 2.0
B) Android 2.0 and higher
C) and android 3 & 4.
It is very easy to develop for either A&B, or B&C. But developing for all of them is indeed harder.
However that is not really needed since you have a majority in B&C.
With the compatibility packages you can create a full blown android 4.0 app that also works on Android 2.2.
And the cool point is: Your app will also work on Tablets!
(Yes 1 app, for OS 2.2 2.3, 2.4 3, and 4.0 that works on different phone resolutions on phones and on tablets)
IOS is inferior compared to this point.
So as a developer: It doesnt really matter!
As a user: I can understand that you want the latest version of your OS. Well basically: in Android you have choice. Choice a manufacturer that gives steady updates.
At a certain point old phones will not be upgraded anymore. But the same is true for any platform, including IOS. (iOS5 doesnt run on 1st gen IPhones)
My last point:
Android is a much broader platform than IOS.
Android runs on TV's, range of tablets,
range of phones, and even in your car (New Audi A3).
And supports a range of hardware characteristics
(single core, quad cores, big screens, small screens, hardware keys etc)
This comes with some kind of "fragmentation" as people call it. But its better to see it as diversity.
However as a developer there are actually three big different category of versions:
It is very easy to develop for either A&B, or B&C. But developing for all of them is indeed harder.However that is not really needed since you have a majority in B&C. With the compatibility packages you can create a full blown android 4.0 app that also works on Android 2.2.
And the cool point is: Your app will also work on Tablets! (Yes 1 app, for OS 2.2 2.3, 2.4 3, and 4.0 that works on different phone resolutions on phones and on tablets) IOS is inferior compared to this point.
So as a developer: It doesnt really matter!
As a user: I can understand that you want the latest version of your OS. Well basically: in Android you have choice. Choice a manufacturer that gives steady updates.
At a certain point old phones will not be upgraded anymore. But the same is true for any platform, including IOS. (iOS5 doesnt run on 1st gen IPhones)
My last point:
This comes with some kind of "fragmentation" as people call it. But its better to see it as diversity.