@tone
If you choose a custom UI like Sense or MotoBlur and devices without Google branding, it's just a risk you have to run. It makes logical sense that custom UI will make it harder to update a phone compared to vanilla Android.

@HighestRanked
Incompatible apps are automatically filtered out in Android Market, so I don't think that is too big of a problem.

I don't think Google has much control over manufacturer speed in updates because every update is dependent on the manufacturer due to driver support (this is true of all the mobile OSs). Again, the analogy is waiting for a driver when you get a new OS on your PC. This is just due to the non-standardized nature of phones (so you can't just have an OS with generic device drivers).

As a consumer, for more consistency, look for the Google branded phones. Custom UIs like the Sense on the HTC Hero obviously will make it harder to get the update since the manufacturer will have to make the skin work with the new version. Also, keeping in mind updates are manufacturer dependent, it is a good idea to pick a manufacturer with a track record of doing consistent and timely updates.

@(Unverified)
But consumers want updates as soon as possible. And competitors won't be standing still waiting for you to update all your devices; just look at what is happening to WinMo.

I think Google is already doing what they can to give tools to developers to handle the different versions and different device specs. Certainly not the ideal situation, but I don't think it's too bad. It's a bit more hassle, but in the end it doesn't really take up much relative time in the development cycle to support more devices and versions.

Good stuff Sam, looking forward to the written first drive review.

I can back downtoearth on this:
The Jetta TDI is rated in Europe 36.2mpg urban / 54.7mpg extra urban (after converting l/100km to mpg).

The EPA rating is 30 city / 41 highway.

I don't think ABG is trying to mislead though. That's the numbers given and the only fair thing to do is to do a direct conversion. The European and UK ratings are always going to be higher due to using different cycles and there is no legit way to "deflate" them back to the same numbers as the EPA unless you actually test the car on the EPA cycle.

@(Unverified)
It's up to manufacturers to update their phones. This is because phones are not standardized, so Google can't just release an update that works for all phones. It's kind of like waiting for drivers for a new OS on a PC.

As far as I know, all the newer versions are backwards compatible, so if you want to support the most phones, then build support for 1.5. The newer emulator allows you to test you code on all the different versions (even 1.0 and 1.1) as well as different device specs.

Significant breakthroughs aside, batteries have been improving. It's just we are spoiled by the speeds transistors improve.

As for major breakthroughs, many are promising but few have reached commercialization.

Insideline (Edmunds) was also given access.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yssYHbwrOnM

Jalopnik is frequently given access to do testing of cars and they always disclose it. It just comes with the territory when you are an auto journalist. I don't see the problem as long as there is a disclosure on the review that the automaker provided the accommodations.

It's called a rant for a reason (and he admits he feels guilty for taking the offers). Still funny though.

And he's not really a journalist,;he's an actor/presenter. I don't think he has ever written for any publication (besides from a book about his own career). Kind of like Hammond. But Jeremy Clarkson and James May both have columns in actual newspapers. As long as Robert discloses that automakers have given him these cars, I think it's okay (kind of like how Jalopnik discloses every time an automaker flies them over to a place to test their cars).

As for Top Gear, it's purely an entertainment show, so we can't really expect it to be objective and present all the information, but it is very influential given how many people watch it, so that's kind of bad. As long as people keep in mind it's an entertainment show, then I guess that's okay though.

Well they aren't going to commit to anything if we don't. The chances of any serious commitment in Copenhagen by the US doesn't seem very likely. It seems people still have the economy at the front of their minds.