I have never owned an iOS device, but this is the one area that competitors have not been able to match, and I don't fully understand why. Google tried with the Handset Alliance but that basically didn't work at all. Microsoft tried to make carriers allow them to release updates directly but they couldn't get that to work either.
It seems like only Apple has enough money-making power for carriers to tell the carrier to go screw themselves.
It seems like only Apple has enough money-making power for carriers to tell the carrier to go screw themselves.