So Apple will add another row or two of icons? Be interesting how well it will go over with the 10 year old girls, might be to big for their hands. I have big hands and a 5" screen is pretty darn big, I can't imaging the Samsung Note...
Unfortantly the only way to get the newest OS is to have the latest phone or a nexus phone. This is big problem with Android, there are 10 different versions of the OS on 100 different phones. I choose to root and install CM10 on my phones so I can have all the latest goodies.
Also if you don't like the look of your phone you can change any part of it. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mycolorscreen.themer is a new app that makes it easy to change the whole look of the OS. It is in beta and you'll need to sign up for a code but it is so much easier just clicking on a theme then trying to install all the components individually.
PS. Swype is the bomb! it is one of the few things I've paid for on my phone.