The T Mobile G1 arrives … so what's the big deal?

Posted: 21 October 2008

The collaboration between Google, HTC and T Mobile has resulted in one of the most eagerly-anticipated mobile phones of the year so far and with models slipping out to reviewers and gadget fans across the globe, many have been quick to offer their opinion.

Following its launch last month at a press event in New York, the UK has been anxiously holding its breath for the T Mobile G1 - the first handset of its type to have been launched using Google's next generation Android operating system (OS). Built by HTC, the manufacturer behind a number of popular handsets including the Touch, Touch Diamond and TyTn, the new gadget is set for release later this month and early reviews suggest buyers could be in for a treat.

Looking ahead to the T Mobile G1, Josh Rubin writes on the Cool Hunting website that the phone is just about the only thing that can match the excitement generated by the impending launch of the Apple iPhone 3G earlier this year, and although he states this does not mean he is ready to trade in his Apple handset, he has been "really impressed" by the Google OS.

He praises the styling of the handset and draws particular attention to the slide-out keyboard and HTC-designed screen. Once logged on using a Google account, Mr Rubin states he was treated to the immediate download of a range of related services, allowing all relevant information to be made available at the touch of a button. He also notes that as this is all done through EDGE, 3G and Wi-Fi, buyers can expect it to be extra fast.

"Android is an incredibly fast operating system. I have yet to see a pinwheel, spinny beach ball or delay of any sort," he writes. "The use of animation is modest but effective and layers are easily accessed for the main application menu and the notifications panel."

However, he states the current applications that are compatible with the T Mobile G1 are limited in number, but adds that once the phone hits the market properly this is "sure to change". Spare Parts, an animation controller, as well as application handler Task Switcher and geographic ringtone feature Locale were among the things first road-tested and says that it is the latter that is the most impressive.

"So yeah, I'm excited about the G1 and Android. I'm not quite ready to ditch my iPhone for it, but have willingly carried both devices for a couple weeks and intend to do so for as long as T Mobile lets me keep the review unit," Mr Rubin concludes in his article.

However, Tech Radar's Dan Grabham was one of the writers who took the opportunity last month to list a number of ways in which the Google OS would topple its rival, stating that the Android platform would beat the Apple iPhone 3G in terms of a wider selection of apps, as well as offering improved integration with web features due to the connection with the search engine company's existing products.

"Apple has banned several apps from the App Store, including the Murderdome adult comic. You won't get so many restrictions with Android," Mr Grabham added.

In its own recent tour of the Google Android OS, Info World chose to look at some of the features on offer in the T Mobile G1 which are likely to be enjoyed by those developing software for the mobile phones once they are in the hands of the general public. The article agreed that early limitations of the device are likely to be "overcome by Google and open source developers much sooner than the year it took Apple to turn iPhone into the enterprise-friendly iPhone 2.0".

"While the G1 is not yet as well suited to corporate fleet deployment as BlackBerry or iPhone, it is a solid handset for professionals, highly-demanding consumers and developers," it said, adding that even at full price with a two-year 3G contract, the "T-Mobile G1 shines as the best available handset for consumer and individual professionals this side of Windows Mobile".

So with mobile phone enthusiasts eagerly-awaiting the device and experts suggesting that once the phone is out there it will stand up to its competitors as a useful business handset, what of the general day-to-day consumer?

Well, Phones Review says today that with the official launch of the new phone "only days away", it had emerged that MySpace Mobile has announced it will make its services available to G1 users on its release. The news is sure to please the many people across the UK who use social networking on a daily basis and although it is recognised that MySpace has been quick to beat its fiercest rivals to prepare for the Google OS - this is unlikely to be a long-term problem.

"FaceBook no doubt have their app ready and waiting as well, but this new MySpace Mobile does seem to be very polished and smoother than previous incarnations," it concluded.

One shock report this week notes however that despite initial reports the G1 would be available on October 30th - followed by another date of October 22nd - some buyers have been taking receipt of their brand new mobile phones two days earlier than they were expecting to. Product Reviews states that a shipping error has resulted in a number of G1 mobile phones making their way to their new owners. However, it also states that this will not be a popular mistake with everyone.

"This error is certain to annoy not only T-Mobile, but Google as well; this means that we will start to see real hands on reviews of the handset," the article reports.

Following its prediction of an October 30th launch, techradar said the new Google Android-powered T Mobile G1 had attracted the interest of some 25,000 people, who took the opportunity to register their interest in the handset soon after it appeared online. "It's estimated up to 600,000 T Mobile G1 handsets … will be sold by the end of the year, which would outstrip even the level of demand for the first Apple iPhone," the site added.

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