With all of the recent tests, benchmarks, comparisons of Android verses Apple. Last week I wrote is the Apple iPhone better than Android? This week its my take on why you should use Android instead of using an iPhone. These are my 3 Reasons Why Google’s Android is Better than Apple’s iOS.
Customize Your Android Experience
You can customize your Android experience to just about anything. With the plethora of different Launchers, Widgets, Applications etc. you can change the look and behavior of Android. You can also add Live Wallpapers (not recommended) or change the Lock Screen and Wallpaper to different images.
Read More: Android Smartphone – Common Sense Tips to Extend Your Battery Life
Widgets
With Android you can customize your phone experience using Widgets. Although they do take up additional resources and communicate constantly possibly draining your data plan. You will always have updated information at the ready instead of having to start an application and wait to have it updated.
Custom Launchers
You can change the way you organize your applications and how they are launched through the use of custom launchers. The two main favorites at the moment are: x and x. One of the ones I used Launcher Pro is still an excellent app but has fallen to the way side by hard core Android users who prefer Astro and blank.
Live Wallpapers
Although I don’t suggest using them as they are a great way to kill your phone’s battery. They are still pretty nifty and an option you won’t get with Apple’s iOS.
Custom ROMs and Rooting
Warning: You do this at your own risk! Whatever Warranty you had will now be voided if you decide to flash a custom ROM onto your phone.
Custom ROMs
Although this is not for those who are technically challenged. You can in most instances with your new phone flash custom ROMs people have created. Cyanogen and MIUI are two examples that are highly popular and are on both ends of the spectrum. Cyanogen is a AOKP ROM that will try and give you that “pure Google experience” while MIUI will do the exact opposite and give you their own twist on the best of both Android and iOS worlds.
I’ve used both ROM’s and both are completely 100% awesome! But – there are a ton of options. I would highly suggest in doing your research and go hang out at XDA-Developers to see what the community has to offer!
Rooting
I’ve already talked about rooting your phone. Is it necessary? No. But this option is there if you want it. I suggest reading the article I wrote below on whether it is for you though!
Read More: Should you Root Your Android or iPhone Smartphone?
Google Maps and Navigation
You get Google Maps and Navigation. And unlike Apples version in iOS 6 they actually work. Instead of being stuck with what is essentially an unfinished product. You can know that your navigation won’t turn you off of a cliff.
Google Maps
Yup the awesome experience Google has provided for years now. You not only get the “stock” view but you can select Traffic, Satellite, Terrain, Transit Lines, Latitude, Pictures, Bicycling and Wikipedia!
Google Directions
I have always liked Google’s directions. I have used many in the past like Microsoft or even Mapquest. But in the end when I kept doing side-by-side comparisons of the services? Google usually seems to come out on top.
Google Navigation
Although Apple has been touting their “free turn-by-turn directions” with iOS6? Google Android has already been offering this since its early days! And I can tell you that it works pretty good. I haven’t had it lead me in the wrong direction. And as long as your device has decent reception and working GPS? It will re-route itself on the fly if you happen to make a wrong turn or decide to take a shortcut along the way!
Your Not Tethered to a Computer
With Android you never really have to plug your phone into your computer to manage it. Besides having to plug it in to charge it. With iOS 6 and iPhone you are stuck using iTunes. If you need to update anything on your phone you are stuck syncing with iTunes.
With Android you can do all of these tasks OTA (over the air) using Wireless or your Phone’s 3G/LTE connection. This even includes updating your phone’s version of Android to the latest version*.
* While this is true for the most part. There are times when the size of the update forces you to connect to your computer or use wireless only. But this has been pretty rare.
Android Really is Better than Apple?
Ultimately you’ll have to decide for yourself. I only put up the positives of what makes Android great. There are a few negative aspects as well – but I’m not writing about those in this article 
As you can see there are some definite benefits to switching to Android. Did I miss something? Or do you think I’m completely wrong? Leave me a comment and tell me about it!
Image courtesy of: Joey Corbins
