When it comes to phones and the platforms we have available to us, most people have a preference on which platform they like to use. Clearly these preferences are subject to change depending on the updates, the features, etc. of what the different platforms have to offer us. Out of the four major platforms that we have available to us, I’ve only owned phones that have used three; I’ve never owned a Windows Phone 7 (or 8) device. Starting with BlackBerry, then switching to Android, and finally landing me where I am now with iOS, I can safely say that my platform of choice has to be Android, with iOS coming in at a close second.

What initially made me change from Android to iOS was two reasons: number one was I had never experienced iOS before, and I wanted to know what was so great about the iPhone. I’ve stated before that I really enjoy how smoothly the device runs, and it is pretty straight forward. I had an easier time learning my way around iOS than I did around Android, but that might have been because I’d already experienced Android and it’s the same concept. After spending nearly a year with iOS, I’m starting to get jealous of the features of Android again. Even after reading Taylor’s post about LockerPro I couldn’t help but think, “I wish my lock screen looked that cool.” I miss the amount of freedom I had with Android.

I already know that when I eventually switch back to Android that there’s going to be some things about iOS that I miss. A lot of my friends use iOS, so the option to iMessage goes right out the window. Also, a lot of the apps on my phone are purchased, and while I can still use them on my iPad if I really want to, I really only use my iPad for shopping and drawings. Whatever phone I’m using becomes my main source of entertainment. The same can be said for Android, though. Despite the large selection of free apps that the Play Store has to offer, there were quite a few that I preferred to purchase instead. In fact, I could say the same about BlackBerry. I actually purchased apps from the BlackBerry App World as well. I suppose that’s going to be a problem no matter which platform I use.

Speaking of BlackBerry, I could honestly say I don’t ever see myself willingly switching to BlackBerry again. I did once, and it was one of the biggest mistakes I think I could have made. At first I was happy because I missed having the physical keyboard, but I quickly remembered that the physical keyboard on a BlackBerry wasn’t one of my favorites. When it comes to software, after you’ve experienced smartphones that use iOS or Android, you realize that everything BlackBerry had to offer was lackluster, for lack of a better term. The web was slow, and even alternative browsers didn’t seem to work that well. The trackpad, although once cherished by many, has become a much outdated method of navigating your way through the phone. The platform lacked an appropriate response time for commands, and in many cases became more frustrating than useful. The one good thing about BlackBerry, however, was the security of the device. At least all is not lost when it comes to BlackBerry, and to be fair, they did have their time when their devices were considered top notch.

I switch platforms every once in a while just to change it up. For the most part I’m not a big fan of change, but when it comes to phone, change is necessary in order to stay in the know. To be perfectly honest, if Sprint offered a Windows Phone 8 device I would have gone for that instead. Hopefully they release one by July when my upgrade is available, but until then I’ll have to keep my sights set on Android.

The last Android phone I owned technically only updated up to Gingerbread, although I had Ice Cream Sandwich rooted on the device. With Jelly Bean being the current running version of Android, I’m falling behind when it comes to my hands-on knowledge of Android. The same could be said for BlackBerry, and I definitely don’t have as much knowledge of Windows Phone as I would like. Keeping up with the ever-changing technology that our phones go through is the number one reason why I change platforms when I do.

So readers, why do or why don’t you change platforms? Let me know what you think in the comments!