Wow. I'm sure there are examples that might prove your point, but those are some of ugliest icons I've ever seen. The second one looks like it's straight from Windows 3.1.

What's important is that HE likes them. You don't have to agree :)

Yes, but it runs counter to his own implication that more freedom -> higher quality, which is what he was pointing out.

I did not mean to imply that. But even if I did, quality is a subjective measure.

This is what the app (a game) looks like: https://lh3.ggpht.com/YYpdtrkXsIPU-I_CW3_vbYHXk1av1Qug4EYsrP...

The icon is a perfect representation of the game. I don't have to guess what it might be.

I chose icons I consider good looking. If you think they are ugly, that is a subjective matter. Also keep in mind that they are displayed much smaller on the screen.

The point I was trying to imply is that icons can much better represent their app if they are not forced to abide to a standard of shape or style.

Yeah. Someone in one of the earlier iOS 7 threads was complaining that Android icons didn't have consistent outlines like on iOS, but giving them their own distinctive silhouettes seems to be Android's icon style.