You're the Pundit: Why is Android ugly?

When it comes to analyzing the next big thing, we turn to our secret weapon: the TUAW braintrust. We put the question to you and let you have your go at it. Today's topic is Android.

Why doesn't Google put as much of a design emphasis into its Android releases as Apple does with iOS? Is the open source process inimical to strong design principles? Or are iOS users just prejudiced against Android design patterns on principle, rather than understanding their strengths and innate beauty?

Consider the following screenshots from a recent Business Insider write-up. Apple's insistence on control over font choices, standard GUI elements, and presentations that respect real-world finger sizes provides a slicker overall look than the Android equivalent elements, which look rather Eastern Block Cold War in comparison.

Why isn't this kind of standardized high-quality design part of the Android experience as well? Is it Apple's central control? Android's need to be open to third party changes?

You tell us. Place your vote in this poll and then join in the comments with all your analysis.

Why is Android ugly?
Android is not ugly. You Apple drones are so drinking the Kool-aid that you've forgotten there are other design perspectives.373 (11.2%)
"Do no evil" != "Do awesome good". Google needs to hire more design evangelists and create interface design guides that better respect human physicality and limitations.1182 (35.5%)
Apple gets away with its strong design because it has people with actual whips and other bondage implements willing to enforce that quality. Fear and pain *work*.402 (12.1%)
There is no way for good design to happen by committee.932 (28.0%)
Design just has to be "good enough" to be functional. Anything beyond that is self indulgent. If the car drives and has good mileage, I'm satisfied.115 (3.5%)
It's the device specs that matter, not the interface.36 (1.1%)
I like gingerbread and ice cream and jellybeans. Bring on the Insulin!100 (3.0%)
Something else. I'll tell you in the comments.192 (5.8%)

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