The problem with Android
I am really digging what Google has done with Android. Froyo (the just released update to Android) features beautiful iconography, smooth transitions, and just about everything you could want from a modern mobile OS. The problem is that a lot of the third party manufacturers that are releasing Android devices insist on adding their own third party skin to differentiate their offering. HTC offers Sense, Motorola offers Blur, and Samsung offers a horrible new skin with their Galaxy S device. While some of these are nice, they really are not much better than Froyo (I actually prefer Froyo to all of these skins). And, these skins really slow the upgrade time when new versions of Android come out. So, my question is why do this at all? I personally will not purchase a device that does not feature stock Froyo. And, I know that a lot of Android enthusiasts feel the same way. I really think that the way for manufacturers to differentiate their offerings in the Android ecosystem is via responsive upgrades, hardware specs, industrial design, and apps/widgets that work with the stock Android offering. I really think that all of these custom UIs are bad for the manufacturers and really bad for the Android ecosystem.
As a side note, what is Samsung thinking? Their hardware for the new Galaxy S looks great, but this new UI is just horrible. Does anyone is S. Korea really think this looks better than stock Froyo. Really? I am pulling for you guys because you make some awesome TVs, but you have to rethink this strategy.
Update: I was reading more about Sense UI (and other add-ons) and apparently you can at least disable them. But, I still think it would be pretty annoying if you have to wait to upgrade every time Google releases an update to Android.
Another Update: Case in point, here is yet-another-horrible UI on top of Android. What is Acer thinking? Are design aesthetics really that much different across the pond?