Android Shines As A Mobile Platform

Andrew Fraser | sctimes.com | February 9, 2013

Android captured a reported 70 percent of the global smartphone share in the last quarter of 2012, solidifying its position as a popular and solid Apple iOS alternative.

Though Apple and its iOS devices get most of the press, Android and its partners have turned their alternative ecosystem into a serious competitor. Android devices span almost every form factor and tablet/smartphone market, from branded devices such as the Kindle Fire and Barnes & Noble Nook to the open, tinker-friendly tablets such as the Nexus 7 and 10.

In October, the Google Play store matched Apple’s App Store in content quantity. While app quality is what matters, Google Play’s continued growth shows how far Android has come. With the popularity of Android devices as gifts, I thought it might be nice to highlight popular software and customizations available to Android device owners. Here’s a look at what’s out there...