Yesterday, Google announced that it would stop supporting the H.264 video codec in Chrome, and in the process, praised the concept of openness.  That approach isn’t always popular, however, and a Trend Micro exec cited it when stating that Android devices are less secure than the iPhone.

Trend Micro founder and chairman Steve Chang explained to Tim Culpan, "Android is open-source, which means the hacker can also understand the underlying architecture and source code.  We have to give credit to Apple, because they are very careful about it."

Chang later continued, "Apple has a sandbox concept that isolates the platform, which prevents certain viruses that want to replicate themselves or decompose and recompose to avoid virus scanners."

Those comments could make the iPhone look much more appealing to potential buyers, especially considering that they now have a choice when it comes to networks.

Of course, while no one’s questioning Trend Micro’s expertise in security, those comments may also represent a bit of salesmanship, considering that the company made its first Android app available for purchase late last week.

In any event, for the sake of mobile users, let’s hope hackers don’t have much luck with either Android or the iPhone.