Wow! 500k Daily Android Activations: Reasons how Google Toppled Apple's iPhone

The exploding popularity of Android has made it a force to be reckoned with. Google reported that its daily activations have reached 500,000, and Google's vice president of mobile tweeted that this rate is increasing 4.4% each week. The increased number of smartphones running the Android OS have placed Google at the top of the Smartphone market over its reigning competitor, the iPhone.

Android's success has been an amazing surge to the top thanks to Google's contrasting ethos with Apple on opening up the OS platform. Android's flexibility to work with all carriers was rewarded with a seemingly endless supply of new smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices. Virtually all carriers now have Android in their lineup of devices. This shows great potential, as only 28% of wireless users own smartphones, leaving a large untapped slice of the market for future Android devices.

The iPhone will still remain a serious contender, but many of their customers are considered high-range smartphone users leaving behind the mid-range customers. Google's Android has already catered to the group with LG, Samsung, and Motorola, introducing devices in the low or mid pricing range. No contract Android smartphones are also available through MetroPCS and offers flexibility to a wider range of customers on a budget.

The flexibility doesn't stop at budget. The choice of different style phones and specs are endless with Android OS-run devices. The option of screensize, QWERTY keyboards, and performance offers more selection to customers. Those who are stuck with certain wireless companies still have options to own an Android device from their carriers. Apple is working to expand its availability.

Other reasons how Google Android devices and OS features were preferred over Apple's iPhone early on could be the ability to operate multiple apps and multi-tasking. Apple offered this feature in the iOS 4 release, but Android enabled multi-tasking from its first version. The seamless switch allows Android users to run any of their multiple apps and change on the fly.

The homescreen interface has also been a benefit to Android users with apps such as Launcher Pro, a variety of customizations can be done on Google OS devices. Android users have the ability to resize widgets to instantly view data on the homescreen. The iPhone would require users to open the application and load in order to begin viewing data.

Notifications have also been a stronger feature on the Android, though Apple is releasing their enhanced feature on the iOS 5. But again, Apple lags behind Android in this area. Android still holds the most pleasant notification system utilizing its display bar that without annoying popups.

Overall, Android's wider availability for all audiences has placed given Google an advantage where Apple has been catering to the high-end smartphone market. Rumors have reported that Apple is seeking to break into the mid range market with a possible iPhone 4GS in September, but that has not yet been confirmed.