For all you NON-Android phone users, you might not know or understand exactly what an Android phone is.  When some tells you they have an iPhone, you know it was made by Apple, and they have one of 4 phones, the original, the 3G, the 3GS or the current iPhone 4.  Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007 and it revolutionized what people think a smartphone should be like.  It was by far ahead of anything currently on the market – no one was close!

Well, even before the iPhone even came out, in 2005 Google bought the company that created the Android operating system.  But they didn’t build a phone like Apple, rather, they turned it into an operating system that would be free for any phone manufacturer and carrier to use.  So when you buy an “Android” phone, it might be made by Samsung, HTC, Motorola or LG – and sold by Spring, T-Mobile, Verizon or AT&T.  You probably have seen the Verizon commercials for their version of the Android phone called simply the “Droid”.  And they now have the Droid Incredible, the Droid 2 and the Droid X, all with different features but based on the Android operating system.  Sprint”s number one Android phone is the HTC EVO 4G (my personal phone of choice)  and they have a new one called the EVO Shift 4G which is smaller with a slide-out keyboard.  T-Mobile and AT&T have their Android-based phones also.

So if you want to buy an iPhone, your decision is simple – there is only one and it’s made by Apple.  AT&T has had an exclusive for the last 4 years, but starting Feb. 3rd you can pre-order one from Verizon and actually get one one on February 10th.

If you want an Android phone, it’s a little more confusing – not so different from buying a Mac or buying a PC.  If you want a Mac, only one company makes them – Apple.   They have a few laptops and a couple of desktops and that’s it.  If you want a PC, you have a dozen or more companies that sell Windows-based computers in all kinds of different configurations, which can make it very difficult to tell which one is the right one to buy.

In many ways the Android operating system is better than the iPhone, it multi-tasks better and providers (other than AT&T) are happy to let you use the built-in GPS turn-by-turn directions that comes with Android, if you want to do that with your iPhone AT&T wants to charge you extra.  The Android operating system also lets you run “widgets” which are programs that actually run right there on your screen.  For example, on Android you can have it display your calendar right there on your screen without having to do a thing  AND tell you how much battery life you have left– on the iPhone you must OPEN the calendar app to see your calendar.  EVERYTHING on the iPhone is an app, you can tell the time and that’s about it.  With widgets you can in one look see your calendar, the weather forecast and your last voice-mail message without touching anything.

The iPhone is simpler, and for a lot of people that’s a good thing.  Many people don’t want to have to figure things out, and that is where Apple excels – they make it simple.  But if you’re willing to put in some effort to figure out how to get the most out of your phone, then Android is waiting for you.  Pick the carrier that has the best coverage in your area and then pick your phone – there will be several to choose from.

Now, I’m a geek and proudly admit it – and am glad to say I sold my iPhone 7 months ago to a client and now have an EVO 4G and the both of us are happy.  I think Android offers you more but requires more from you to make everything work.

Apple brings out a new iPhone once a year, there is a new Android phone coming out almost every month.  So before you buy the iPhone because “that’s the best phone” (according to what you’ve heard), ask about the Android phones your carrier has.  Android is a great operating system and may provide you with more  capabilities than even that iPhone can.