Can anyone help me understand Android!?!?!?

[drumfreek8]

Im in the market for a new phone and every says that I should get an android phone. I don't understand why android is so special? Its not as simple as the iPhone, and it doesn't have the business edge that the Windows Phones have. Everyone says its so customizable but I don't get it? I have a galaxy tab that I use as a mobile hotspot and for gaming while I travel, so if you guys can tell me how to customize that so I could see if I want to get an android phone. Everyone says android is "open source" and you can "root" them, but I don't know what that means.Can anyone help me?