The Google Phone, at last

T-Mobile unveiled yesterday the world's first cell phone to run on Google's Android operating system, a modified version of the Linux operating system used on a small, but growing number of computers, set-top boxes, and other devices. Android's claim to fame is that its "open" architecture will encourage a broad community of software developers to create applications that run on the phone. We shall see.

The phone itself, called the T-Mobile G1 and made by HTC, will be available on October 22 at $179, including a 2-year contract. It's a touch-screen model that features a bright, 3.17-in display, a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard, built-in Wi-Fi, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. It's also one of the few phones that supports T-Mobile's fledgling 3G data network. Emphasizing Web connectivity, the phone comes preloaded with a full HTML version of the Safari Web browser and icons for launching—not surprisingly—Google Maps, YouTube, and easy access to Google Mail as well as other POP3 and IMAP e-mail services. You can easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging.

The phone (click on the image for a closer look) is a tad on the bulky side, measuring 4.60 in. x 2.16 in.  x 0.62 in.; it weighs a hefty 5.6 ounces. The claimed talk time is an unimpressive 5 hours. But the G1 does have an intriguing array of features, including a GPS-assisted internal compass that aligns Google Maps with the surrounding terrain, regardless of the phone's position. The G1 supports T-Mobile Hotspot @Home service that automatically switches the phone from the cell network to "free" VoIP service whenever it's in Wi-Fi range at home or when you're out.

In our brief time with the phone on the demo floor, we found the built-in keyboard well spaced the G1 controls easy to access. The keyboard features two unique buttons that work "contextually" with any program you have open. For example, the "magnifying glass" key launches Google search when you're in the Web browser, initiates a text search when you're in a word-processing program. Consequently, the "menu" button launches the main menu of whatever application you have open. It's easy to maneuver on the page with a poke or swipe of your finger, and the G1's trackball makes simple work of selecting text and other page elements when you're editing.

Other preloads include AmazonMP3, Amazon.com's digital music service that claims a catalog of six million songs, many of them less than the 99 cents typically charged by iTunes. But you can download music and videos only over the Wi-Fi connection.

T-Mobile also previewed a handful of applications that G1 owners can download from Google's Android Marketplace, an online shop similar to the App store Apple set up for the iPhone and Touch. The most useful was a program called ShopSavvy, which turns the G1's camera into a barcode scanner to help you shop for the cheapest prices. Just scan any item's UPC code with the G1 and it will search the Web and all of the stores near your GPS location for the best prices on the product. You'll also get user reviews. Neat. These and other Android applications, now in the beta stage of testing, will be free at launch. But expect to pay up to $10 or more in a few months.

The Android operating system, like Windows Mobile, let's you run multiple applications simultaneously. But they're not as well integrated as those on the iPhone or Samsung Instinct. For example, searching for local business and getting numbers and driving directions—a breeze on the iPhone and Instinct—was a multi-step extravaganza on the on the G1. The phone is technically a smart phone, but it doesn't yet let you handle Office documents. These will come in time, the on-floor rep told us, because Android makes it easy for developers to create applications. Again, we shall see.

—Mike Gikas

Comments

[Speechless]

Has anyone compared the G1 to the Instinct? I am in the process of making my final decisions and am having a hard time. I like the key pad and the Google Apps that are downloadable with the G1 however, the Instinct seems to be a more popular phone.

[Brian A]

@ Dawn, DStark:
T-Mobile customer service bad? Are you nuts? Their customer service is the best! I've been with Sprint and AT&T in the past and I've never been happier than I have been with T-Mobile. Their rate plans are among the best and I almost never get dropped calls. I made my wife a convert (she left Verizon) and she too thinks that T-Mobile is awesome. The only complaint I ever had was the lack of choices available when it came to high-end phones, but now that is no longer an issue. I've been with T-Mobile for 6 years now and will probably be with them for at least 6 more.

[Pig]

Ok what's the "hype" about this G1 Phone, is it really better than sliced bread or what? My 14 year old going on 15 believes this phone will be the ideal Bday gift. Personally, I don't think it's practicle enough for daily use; the implication being drop tested. Need some real feedback before I commit to purchasing this device. Certainly the potential for insurance is probable, but I too know how less than or equal to marginal the services of T-Mobile such as dropped calls, and patchy coverage areas. What's the bottom-line?

[Thomas]

Buy T-Mobile. I've been w/them 10 years. Great coverage, customer service, and best rate plans.

[DStark]

Ditto on the posting from Dawn Crider | Oct 23, 2008 5:44:07 PM

YOU DO NOT WANT T-MOBILE phone service. The customer service and their dishonesty is appalling. Every time I have had an issue it is always a problem. Last week my handset stopped working. They told me to call back to exchange it. When I called back, I was told it was out of warranty by three days. What a racket. THE END with these guys. I have been through hours wasting MY time with these guys.

[Dawn Crider]

This is a cute phone but believe me YOU DO NOT WANT T-MOBILE phone service. I have had it sine July and it is the worst service I have ever had. The coverage stinks but I could look past that. It's the customer service and dishonesty that really gets you. My order was all screwed up It took hours and several phone calls to correct. The service terms were never correctly explained and trust me do not order with T-mobile over the phone. You will have no verification of what they told you that you ordered and agreed to and in the long run you will get screwed.

[dublo7]

I saw on the debut video that this phone will have Bluetooth. However I never see that mentioned in feature listings. Does bluetooth have to be acquired separatel via the 'open market' or can I just buy a bluetooth earpiece for talking/listening?

[Tim Leonard]

The T-mobile G1 phone does have WIFI but DOES NOT have UMA the technology T-mobile requires to place calls with VOIP so the hotspot feature isn't an option with the G1.

Funny, at T-Mobile’s preview of the G1, the tech/demonstrator told me the phone would support VoIP. I'm aware that T-Mobile execs contradicted this a few days ago. Our CU advocates challenged them on this, and T-Mobile told us we'll have "good news" regarding VoIP support today. Bottom line: We'll just have to see what the phone does when the final product debuts later this month.--Mike Gikas

[Vern]

5 hours of talktime? My phone battery sucks and I still have at least 8 or 9 hours of talktime left on the phone.

[Tim]

I believe this phone will be more of a competitor to the Windows Mobile smart phones out there than it will to the iPhone. The Google phone looks clean and the display seems good, but it still has a long ways to go before it will replace my first generation iPhone. That said, I am an 'open source' advocate, and I'm really hoping this phone will finally bring 'open source' software to the mainstream. Microsoft's monopoly on the computing world must come to an end. As for this new phone, I look forward to CR's testing. The two basic functions that my iPhone lacks is call quality and photo quality. And I'm sure this new Google phone will make its way to other vendors by spring, so if they can work out the bugs and put better software on it (openoffice.org mobile???), I MIGHT think about replacing my iPhone.

[alba]

Too big and bulky for me. I don't want to have to wear a big leather case on my belt - I want to be able to put the phone in my pocket.