Interesting.  I don't agree with your view of Google or MS.  Seems quite backward, at least in the mobile spectrum.  I don't build computers, but most of my free time (what little I have) is spent reading news/research on Android/iOS/Windows Phone (no time for any others right now).

Also interesting about the idea of being a beta tester.  I'd equate it to being given a blank canvas vs paint by numbers.  You know what you're going to get with the one that doesn't let you go outside the lines.  I suppose I find that boring and monotonous.  I've never felt like a beta tester with my phone.  Can't think of an instance when it didn't "just work".  I wonder how much of that is perception vs reality.  For example, if you have an error with an app on Android, it tells you there was an error. On iOS the app will freeze, then close without notice and you have to reopen it.  If you weren't paying attention, you might not notice it happened at all.  In reality, the same thing occured in the two environments, but the perception that an error occurred on one but not the other is completely different.  I've noticed these "tricks" on iOS these past few weeks as I've had an iPhone 4 as my primary device.

Always interesting to see another person's perspective, whether you agree with it or not.  It's nice to have a choice on what you use and don't use.  That's really what it comes down to for me:  having the freedom of choice.  I like to have the most choices possible.  It's overwhelming/tiresome for some, definitely not for me.  And I can appreciate not wanting to have to deal with all those choices, too.