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Ways Android beats the iPhone

A year and several devices after its introduction, the Google Andorid operating system has emerged as a powerful piece in the smartphone world. Are there ways it can top the iPhone? Absolutely there are.

Kent German
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
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1 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Multitasking

Unlike the iPhone, Android devices like the Nexus One by HTC (pictured here) can multitask and run background processes. And how much do we love that notifications bar? A lot.
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2 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Google integration

As you'd expect from an operating system by Google, Android offers seamless integration with a variety of Google services including Gmail, Google Talk, Google Goggles, YouTube, Google Calendar, Google Maps, and Google Search. Sure, the iPhone integrates with some of these services too, but Android does it better.
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3 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Widgets and desktop

Android offers more freedom with icon customization on the home screen. You can add shortcuts at will and organize related serves into folders. Widgets for Facebook, Twitter, news, and weather also surface a range of information at the top level. What's more, you you can access connectivity options like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi right on the home screen.
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4 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Android Market

Though the Android Market may have fewer apps than the iTunes App Store, Google does not take a heavy hand in removing apps that it doesn't like. While Apple continues to proactively remove or deny apps for various reasons, Google offers developers much more freedom.
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5 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

PC syncing and memory

Unlike the iPhone, Android handsets offer removable memory cards and true PC syncing that doesn't require you to go through the bottleneck of iTunes.
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6 of 10 Josh Miller/CNET

Browser

The basic Android browser is just as easy to use and feature-rich as the iPhone's Safari browser, particularly on those handsets that have full multitouch. Don't like the standard Android browser? Don't worry, because you also can use another option like Opera. And what about Flash Lite? You won't find that on the iPhone.
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7 of 10 Dino Salee/CNET

More carriers

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting an iPhone user who's unhappy with AT&T. With Android, however, you can choose Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. And if you prefer AT&T, you always can choose the Motorola Backflip (not that you should).
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8 of 10 Dino Salee/CNET

Range of devices

The iPhone is a well-designed device, but you're stuck with that hardware if you want what is inside. With Android you can choose from a broad range of handsets that come in a variety of shapes and sizes. And if you prefer a real keyboard, then Android is your bet.
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9 of 10 Google

Open OS

Android allows people to really customize and change handsets to their liking. Similarly, developers can add to the OS and enrich the larger Android community through their own design and feature enhancements. And speaking of personalization, most Android phones offer more camera editing features.
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10 of 10 Kent German/CNET

Removable battery

You won't have to ship your phone away to get the battery changed, thanks to a removable battery. And when you buy the new battery, you don't have to pay someone else to change it.

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