T-Mobile's G1 Android Smart Phone

Google Technology to Rival Apple's iPhone, BlackBerry Storm

Oct 20, 2008

With a web browser, add-on capabilities, and a large touch-screen T-Mobiles's G1 cell phone, based on Google technology, has similarities and differences from the iPhone.

Fresh on the heels of its 10th birthday, Google has yet another internet goodie for the world's consumption: Android.

T-Mobile Makes G1 Out of Google Android Technology

The first carrier to snap up Google's operating system is T-Mobile, who has packaged the promising OS in its new G1 smart phone. The US release date for the T-Mobile G1 is October 22, 2008 and it will be priced at $179 with a 2-year T-Mobile contract, $399 without.

The G1 requires a Gmail account for use and is only currently available for T-Mobile customers. It appears to be ideal for the heavy internet/cell phone user but little else. The G1 connects best to a Wi-Fi or 3G network, but may also connect with only a T-Mobile signal. The G1 includes the standard instant-messaging clients, a Maps program with street-level views, a open-source web browser and, similar to the iPhone yet less clever, a tap zoom-in icon for browsing.

T-Mobile's G1 Requires Google Account

Though it is fully useful to the heavy Google user, T-Mobile's G1 is missing notably useful features for a more general smart phone user. The G1 is fully integrated with Gmail, Google Docs, Google Video and most other Google Applications.

However, the G1 doesn't allow for automatic syncing of photos, music, and videos from a computer. The G1 is also missing a task-list or to-do bar. As TechMeme noted in their blog, the G1 lacks internal memory for video or music storage. Adding such files on the G1 requires a SD card.

Best G1 Feature: Android Market

The most promising feature of the first of what is sure to be many incarnations of Google's Android technology is the Android Market. With numerous add-ons (free to T-Mobile customers for the 90 days), and a large potential for more, many of G1's missing features are sure to soon be available for download at the Android Market.

The Android Market will compete with the iPhone Apps store, especially with rumors of innovative programs such as ShopSavvy, which transforms the G1 into a barcode scanner for instant price comparison.

Upon its release, the G1 will available for full inspection by consumers. Tech reviewers have come to a general consensus, which is well summed up in Rob Pegorano's Oregonian article "Google's New Phone Still Has Bugs." Pegorano gives 5 reasons why you want a T-Mobile G1...and 5 reasons you don't:

T-Mobile G1 Pros

T-Mobile G1 Cons

Other users are frustrated with the general Google-world adherence the G1 encourages. However, despite its flaws, the G1 is generally cheaper, both in initial plan and monthly cost (T-Mobile plans are $30-$60 while iPhone's are $70+) and given that the G1 is version 1.0 of Android technology, there is certainly plenty of time for improvement.

The copyright of the article T-Mobile's G1 Android Smart Phone in Cell Phones is owned by Stephanie Cox. Permission to republish T-Mobile's G1 Android Smart Phone in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.