If the iPhone 3G still hasn’t bought you into the concept of next generation phones, perhaps the T-Mobile G1 will. Dubbed the “GooglePhone”, the G1 is the first smartphone to use the Android platform which was announced last year by Google and a few other partners. Based on Linux, Android is an open source project that has hundreds of developers who work on different applications any phone utilizing Android can use. T-Mobile and Google have partnered to bring us the Andriod handset, but the G1 integrates Google’s online services into the operation of the handset, which will probably pose a direct challenge to both Windows Smartphones and the Apple iPhone.
Hardware
The G1 is being made by HTC, who has a long history in the market of Windows Mobile devices and has had partnerships with T-Mobile and several other carriers. It’s very similar to the typical Windows smartphone in terms of the size. It has a 320 X 480 pixel screen which is touchscreen, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and of course, 3G and 3.5G support. Also included is the ability to use WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth, and USB 2.0. The G1 also has a microSD slot for expandable memory, up to 12GB. The G1 differs from regular Windows Mobiles as the functions are controlled with a trackball, similar to BlackBerry devices. In another nod to a T-Mobile device, the Sidekick, the G1 features a slide out QWERTY keyboard.
The processing power of the G1 clocks in at 528Mhz and features a Qualcomm MSM7201A which has 192MB of RAM. This specification is very similar to HTC’s other Windows devices. The G1 also support GPRS and EDGE data, and has both 802.11 b and g WiFi. The expected maximum talk time on 3G is around the 6 hour mark and has a whopping 16 day stand by time, partly due to the large 1150 mAh battery.
Software
While the phone is officially known as the “T-Mobile G1 by HTC”, it will probably end up being known better as the gPhone, or GooglePhone, because of the way Google has tightly integrated it’s applications into the device. The G1 features one touch access to Google Search, and has built in support for Gmail, YouTube, and even Google Talk. Google Maps also makes an appearance, with especially clever mapping technology which uses the compass to orientate the map in the direction you’re facing. The phone also includes support for Amazon’s MP3 service, as well as AOL and Windows Live messengers. Because of it’s Andriod base, the G1 is expected to have a ton of applications available from the Android Market.
While the G1 isn’t as sleek as some of the phones on the market today, it is quite small and minimalistic, something Google is known for. The device is a tad on the heavy size though, so be prepared to feel it in your pocket. Since the operating system is relatively new to the market, there is some speculations as to how buggy it will be once released, but many agree it’s a refreshing approach to adding something new in the field of high tech devices to suit power users, especially those who love Google.
The G1 is expected to be available in the US on October 22nd for around $179 with a two year contract. The UK will follow with a release in November.
{ 0 comments… add one now }