<p>Android is quickly becoming the superior platform. First off, apps and compatibility. In a developer survey, the majority of app developers said they were “very interested” in developing for Android in the future, higher than the percentage for iOS. This means more apps, and higher quality apps. Also, the fragmentation and lag in software updates. Android 4.0.1, codenamed Ice Cream Sandwich, is a breath of fresh air. It is genuinely a pleasure to use, innovative and buttery smooth, along a with a slick new design scheme unifying the tablet and phone platforms. I won’t elaborate as a simple google seach will suffice and there are way too many things to cover on the software itself. Google has also recently implemented stricter control on Android, meaning apps will be higher quality, and that phone manufacturers must comply with certain base standards, especially if they want to use Ice Cream Sandwich. Bottom line is that hardware and software are quickly increasing in quality. Hardware: Android, being based on an open source repository, AOSP (Android Open Source Project), is employed by a variety of phone manufacturers. As such, Android hardware is top of the line, as compared to the iPhone which is refreshed, at most, twice a year. For example, Android phones were the first to support NFC (Near Field Communication; ex. wirelessly use your phone to pay for things, transfer files to other nearby devices), duel core and now quad core processors, and Samsung’s AMOLED screens are heralded as superior to the iPhone’s Retina display in many key categories. (Have you seen how vivid they are? The blacks can be so deep it is hard to tell where the screen ends and the bezel begins.) In addition, Androids have more hardware variety; they cover all price points and formats, enabling the consumer more choices. Want a physical keyboard? Check. Big screen? Check. Smaller screen? Check. etc etc. Continued support: Where as Apple is simply resting on its laurels (iPhone 4s. Really?), Google and its cabinet of partners (phone manufacturers) are pinning big bucks onto Android, and the results are clear. Especially with Google’s excellent software and integration of its many services (Gmail, Search, YouTube, Calender, Chrome, Docs, Maps, etc etc) Android has a undeniable advantage. Lastly, its customization is unparalleled. Unlike iOS, an elementary grid of icons, Android/Google doesn’t dictate how you use YOUR phone; the phone adapts to you, not the other way around. With dozens of baked in options, like live wallpapers to widgets, to changing the icons and number of homescreens, to even a full on replacement of the home screen software itself (I recommend Launcher Pro and Go Launcher EX), Android is willing to conform to the user, rather than Apple confining you to a plain 4x4 grid. Hell, you could and can make Android look like and iPhone. And for the more ambitious, the “underground” modding community of programmers and geeks is enourmous and extremely helpful, cranking out custom ROMs to completely overhaul Android to skins, themes, apps and tutorials. This is why Android is better. Can’t handle it? Then run to the walled garden of Apple, but boy are you missing out. Enough reasons stressedouttt?</p>