Is Android really a winner?

So I knew from the get-go that I was going to be one of the targeted folks for Android, which basically is a cellphone operating system backed by Google. The take-home message of what they're trying to do is mostly allowing people and companies to write and install their own applications on the phone, which is nerdy music to my ears. (Even the cute robot mascot is perfect.)
Apple's been doing similar work with their iPhone App store, but some of the restrictions have been ridiculous, especially the way that they won't let people have a turn-by-turn navigation program even though it's more than possible with the device.
I think it's this freedom that's attracting a ton of people to want to try out the phone. So far, T-Mobile has had 1.5 million preorders, and if AT&T had a similar option I'd be all over it this February.
Let's hope it actually takes off and Google builds up enough of a following so that we can get a application ready smartphone not caught in the grips of MSFT or Apple.