Has Android Got What It Takes?

There's no question that, when it comes to the battle of the smartphones, the iPhone is the current king. Most people know at least one person who has one of these sought-after handsets, if not several, and it's clear that their popularity is showing no sign of waning. Blasting rival Microsoft out of the water with its innovative iPhone operating system, Apple seems to be on top of the world.

That is, until you consider Google. Currently working on an operating system of its own, it perhaps only seemed like so long before the Mountain View search engine got its claws into the world of mobile. After all, with millions of people accessing Google Maps, Google Docs and Gmail on their smartphones every day, it would make sense for Google to leap in with both feet and create its very own phone.

The HTC G1 was a success when it came out, though was met with some mixed reviews. Much anticipated as a needed alternative to the iPhone, the Google phone was a welcome reprieve in a market that was growing in Apple dominance. Run with Google's Android operating system, the phone was snapped up by millions and has proved to be quite a hit so far.

Has Android got what it takes to beat Apple once and for all? Android certainly does offer users a lot - a smooth, well-integrated OS with plenty of apps and a wide range of features. However, it's also still in its early stages, meaning there are some wrinkles that still need to be ironed out. Once such tweaks are made, however, it's very possible that Google will be left with an 'iPhone killer' on its hands and, in the end, it will all be down to the taste of the user to decide which phone they like best.

With a handful of the world's top manufacturers on its side, though - Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and LG have all expressed desire to design their own handsets that will run the Android operating system - it looks like Android will take the lead when it comes to choice. Because, while the iPhone is massively popular, there's no denying that users aren't offered much choice when it comes to choosing their handset.

With Android's offerings, though, choosing between contract or cheap pay as you go deals will be the least of your worries, as a world of choice opens up while the technology develops.