Well, since we are so pitted against Apple, for some reason, we’re not sure, but what we do love, is the boxing ring. In the corners tonight are, Google’s Android OS vs. the iPhone. Ok, lets give Apple some slack, the iPhone is a shiny TV remote, which, as All Apple products are, simple, no buttons, just sleek materials.

But is that really enough to keep other phone operating systems at bay? We think not.

So the iPhone, well, its nothing short of popular, and is loaded with many things to do, from downloadable apps, to movies on the go. We can see Apple has done a good job ensuring that there are lots of apps ready to keep the public happy. But, what about device flexibility? Can the apple iPhone really offer so much that the public can’t put it down?.

Up until 2009, most companies just didn’t offer the wow factor with phones like Apple did, however, we find the iPhone a tad boring, with its built to boot OS, that once again offers little in the way for hackers, and modders alike. We were very pleased when Google’s HTC lineup was the first to boast the new Android operating system.

Finally, a contender who stepped into the ring ready to put up a fight against the iPhone.

Sadly, the android didn’t get the start it deserved, mainly because of its small entrance into the marketplace, with fewer then 8 phones offering android, most of which were not attractive to say the least, which we thought was a shame. But thanks to those crazy guys at HTC, we saw a new lineup of powerful smart phones that really did give Android a kick start.

In our tests, we made use of the sturdy and fairly well built HTC G1, which offered us the first line up in Android, version 1.1 of its operating system. We loved the apps, and we loved how quickly Android populated new apps thanks to its open source which allowed pretty much anyone to build their own applications.

Android vs the iPhone, round 1? Yes, well, Apple didn’t make application development a priority, nor did the market share a wealth of applications built for the public by the public. The android OS quickly took hold offering loads of Google based services from Gmail to Google Maps. Not long after Androids initial release, we saw new versions of the OS coming out, namely Android Cupcake, Doughnut and Cyanogen. Complete overhauls of the OS were on offer, and whats more, we didn’t need a new phone, it was a quick, and easy process to whack on a newer version of the OS, which offered new features, more fun, and an enourmous app store which grew by the day.

Android has set itself apart from the iPhone OS, Symbian Operating systems and other platforms, namely because it was made open source, and a developer SDK was on offer from Google. Hackers couldn’t wait to get stuck in, and yes, before long, eyes turned fully on Android, leaving the iPhone to sit on the shelf.

We hate the Apple lock in system, that forces an OS to remain consistent, made updates awkward and tried to prevent apps from the public from entering the market place. We love Androids open source, because we can see our phone frequently learn a new skill. Just the other week, we managed to turn our HTC G1 into a mobile wireless tether, which meants that computers in our office were soon surfing the net through a WIFI connection from the G1 tether, and we loved it.

iPhone on the other hand, prevents such tethering technology, which is highly enforced by the iPhones primary market, O2.

Before long, we come across hundreds of altered operating systems for Android, most with new tweaks, more powerful features, and lots more widgets. We think that this has given Android a leading edge over the iPhone, and we think its a matter of time before the android platform really does take mobile phone usage to the next level.

On android, we downloaded games, utilities, gadgets, tracking applications, tethering utilties and lots more. Although the iPhone market boasts a wide range of apps, we don’t think it cuts the mustard just yet.