With the New Year here I decided I wanted a new smartphone and so the battle of smartphones began ñ Android vs. iPhone.

For one, I already have a contract with T-Mobile, so getting a Samsung Galaxy S made sense. Secondly, I just can’t get on board with the iPhone craze. I don’t own a Macbook, or an iPad so it seemed silly to own an iPhone. An odd reasoning of sorts, I know. Maybe I’m missing out on all the fun but nonetheless, for now, I’m happily sticking with my Android.

What is an Android Smartphone?

Android is the world’s most popular smartphone platform that makes using Android-powered phones and tablets easy to use and personalize. Most importantly, Android combines the best of what’s out there in an easy way. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about easy. My phone is always by my side, it contains photos of my kids and work emails and everything else under the sun. It’s the first thing I look at in the morning.

As an aside, Google partnered with the High Tech Computer Corporation (HTCC) to make hardware for the G1 cellphone, the very first cellphone to run the Android platform. In 2008, T-Mobile premiered the G1 Android.

Slim Design

The slim design of the Samsung Galaxy is favorable, it’s light and fast. My first smartphone was a BlackBerrya and it was big and clunky, smartphones are now slimmer than ever which makes them easier to handle and the quality is impressive.

Cool Android Apps

The Samsung Galaxy S comes preloaded with several super cool free apps that every user will love and use including Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, and there’s several more to choose from. In fact, there are more than 300,000 apps with nearly all of them being FREE. Those just happen to be a few of our favorites. Installing new apps is ridiculously easy and quick, while browsing web pages.

Another favorite Android feature, Google Music ñ shop for music from your favorite artists ñ Bon Jovi anyone? Ok, perhaps Bruno Mars instead. You can store up to 20,000 songs for free which is a nice perk. Also, for any song purchased from Android Market, you can share a free listen with your friends on Google+.

Android Features that Help my Business

I own my own business which involves dealing with a lot of people on any given day. As such there are some apps that make my job easier. A few of my favorite features are the calendar which helps me keep track of my appointments and set reminders so that I’m not late.

Mobile video chat allows chat face-to-face on the go which is a huge help when I am not at my desk but need to connect with a client.

My smartphone is also mobile hotspot ready and you can share your phone’s Internet connection with your laptop, eReaders and other Wi-Fi enabled devices. However, please note there is an additional cost for this feature, be sure to check with your carrier.

I love Visual Voicemail. I can listen to my messages in any order and quickly respond with one click without every dialing into the network.

In Closing

At the end of the day, which smartphone you pick comes down to what features is most important to you. There are so many smartphones and cellphones on the market that the choice can be quite overwhelming so take your time and compare features. For now I am going to stay in camp Android until another phone catches my eye.

Personally I tend to stay with my cellphones awhile, I’m not one to run out and constantly upgrade to the newest, greatest model. Until very recently I was married to my BlackBerry for quite a long time.

About the Author: Chrissie Cole is a freelance writer for various blogs, including Speedy Incorporation, which helps new small business owners incorporate online as well as offering advice and information about running their business successfully via their small business blog.