Here come the T-Mobile G1
The long awaited Android phone finally arrives. In press conference in New York, T-Mobile announced the first ever Android-powered phone, the T-Mobile G1. Made by the infamous Taiwan’s HTC, the phone will hit the market by October 22. The price? As predicted, finally T-Mobile G1 is “cheaper” than iPhone 3G. For two years contract, you can buy at US$ 179 price tag or US$ 399 if you want to have contract-free package. US30 per month for unlimited data and messaging. It said to be locked for T-Mobile network only. Wonder if anyone will unlock that. I think in a month, we will hear news about jailbroken G1 *lol*
What T-Mobile G1 has:
- HSDPA 1700 / 2100 plus quadband EDGE (T-Mobile’s AWS 3G)
- WiFi
- 3D graphics acceleration
- 3-megapixel camera
- 1GB integrated storage plus microSD expansion
- Android Market for on-device app purchases
- Amazon MP3 app for on-device music purchases
- Push Gmail support with full HTML client
- Bluetooth
- Google Maps with Street View
- Built-in Google Talk
What T-Mobile G1 doesn’t have:
- A2DP profile for Stereo Bluetooth
- Microsoft Exchange support
- Desktop synchronization (done over the air)
- 3.5 mm headset jack (it has own customized HTC port)
- Video capture (no clear information about it)
As we can see, the form factor is quite plasticy, compared to other HTC-made phones that looks more metalized shiny, like HTC Touch series. Also, beside black, G1 also has white variant. Clean and nice look. Many people are quite dissapointed with the outer impression, yet I reckon the strongest part of the phone is the OS and applications inside. For example, to login, you need to enter Google/Gmail account first (what if there is no 3G/GPRS/WiFi around?). Then you need to configure 9 buttons for “PIN”. Quite complicated, huh?
Probably, this phone is for geeks. Maybe I am a geeks. Yet, for me, the phone appeals more than iPhone 3G. At least, I would like to try it, a little bit. Although, if can be compared, I would pretty much prefer BlackBerry Bold. I think Google has made “super jump” from software maker only, to become more as electronics company.
Google is now an electronics company. Welcome Android to the mobility world and we’ll expect to see more Android-based phones in near future (Samsung, LG, and Motorola made). Anyway, beside in the US, the phone also going to be launched in UK on November and selected European countries in 2009. Will this phone come to Asia region, especially Indonesia? Indonesia is a very potential market, so please consider it, Sergey and Larry!
For now, take a look at this Google’s advertisement. G1 anyone?
GO GO HTC 
September 24th, 2008 at 11:26 am
I am rather confused about the market that Google (or HTC) is trying to accomplished. $179 with contract or $399 is definitely a sign that they are trying to go with the iPhone market. But with that plastic case, they’re definitely goes on a reverse side of the way the iPhone are made.
Apple takes on shapes and beauty first, functionality suffers. This one goes for functionality first. Hm.. guess we can see who’s right early one next year
September 24th, 2008 at 11:45 am
@Aria Rajasa. Love with your bottom-line: “Apple takes on shapes and beauty first, functionality suffers. This one goes for functionality first…”
For me, personally, I always chase the most functionality gadget, but it also has a good shape, why not