The smartphone is quickly becoming the handset of choice for consumers around the world. The iPhone changed the game, but Google’s Android OS is quickly capturing the hearts of consumers looking for change.

We know that Rogers will be releasing Canada’s first Android handsets on June 2nd, when HTC Dream and Magic phones hit shelves coast to coast, including your local Future Shop and Best Buy.

However, just an Open Source OS like Android doesn’t make the phone–applications do. That’s why Android Market, which is Android’s version of Apple’s massive App Store, will help bring the Android experience for Canadians up to another level.

Android Market will be accessible to Canadians on June 2nd, the same day phones are launched. As you can see from the Android Market website, there are both paid and free apps. As of May 15th, there are 3200 available apps at the Android Market.

You compare this to the 30,000 apps that Apple has in their App Store and you can really feel the advantage the iPhone has. But Android is reaching out to a niche market of people who want more control over their phone, versus Apple’s closed interface when it comes to hardware and software.

Here is a shot of the top paid apps…

and the top free apps…

Anyone out there already using the Android Market out there? How do you find the apps so far?