It is a widely known fact that the platform openness drives hardware innovation. Of course it was not true in PC epoch when some PC models delivered better  and higher quality graphics and introduced faster CPUs than Apple did for its Mac lineup. But these were innovations aimed at luring consumers while Macs have offered higher quality components, better industrial design, and quite often delivered and made popular such new features as USB, FireWire, Gigabit Ethernet, optical digital audio, sudden motion sensors, and many other ones we are still enjoying today.
 
In terms of one platform hardware innovations bring consistency and economy of scale. Every forthcoming innovation logically complements earlier developments and the company has clearly set roadmaps where both hardware and software innovations dwell in harmony. In addition, the company does not have to spend some time to create its own UI which should single the gadget out of the crowd of the similar ones sharing the same software package. Many Android phones manufacturers still  spend time on it.  No doubt, things like Blur help to position the gadget as a smartphone with some identity  but the mentioned UIs considerably slow down the OS performance  and the overall tempo of the environment update. The Android team has to fight with it saving the platform from severe defragmentation while Apple enjoys a consistent policy in design, software development and hardware innovations. And a new Retina Display developed in Apple labs specifically for new iPhone 4 is a good point in that argument.

So, so far claims that iPhone 4 has serious competitors at the market look quite vague and more likely represent  hearty desires of Google and a range of handset manufacturers which produce their devices on that platform than a striking reality. Of course, many would state that they can compete presenting something that will rival  iPhone 4. It’s true, but nevertheless it will be just catching up not some sign of innovative smartphone development which seems to be Apple’s prerogative.