T-Mobile introduces the G1 Google Android phone

Its officially out!! T-Mobile will be introducing G1, the world's 1st Android powered mobile phone. Here is the official press release from Google :

Introducing the T-Mobile G1 with Google, the first phone powered by Android, an innovative mobile software platform. Available for T-Mobile customers spanning two continents, the T-Mobile G1 combines full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes popular Google services such as Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube and others.

With a fun and intuitive user interface and one-touch access to Google Web Search,
T-Mobile customers can now get instant answers on the go to all of their questions and stay connected in more ways than ever before. The T-Mobile G1 is also the first phone to provide access to Android Market, where customers can find and download unique applications to expand and personalize their phone to fit their lifestyle.

Key Features will include:

· Intuitive user interface and hinged touch screen that slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard

· Convenient trackball for one-handed navigation

· Three color options in the U.S. - white, brown and black

· One-click contextual search to instantly find relevant information with a touch of a finger

· Full HTML Web browser and zoom function that expands any page section by simply tapping on the screen

· One-touch access to popular Google applications including Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube and others

· Google Maps provides map information, satellite imagery, local business info and driving directions as well as MyLocation to let users know where they are; Google Maps Street View syncs with the built-in compass on the phone – an industry first – to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand

· Google Maps Street View for virtual street-level exploration while on the go

· Rich HTML email client, which seamlessly syncs e-mail from most other POP3 or IMAP mail services, including Gmail; displays photos and graphics right along with the text

· A beta version of Android Market for access to new, innovative software applications to personalize your device to fit your life from games, music and on-the-go shopping

· At-Launch Applications:

o ShopSavvy: designed to help people do comparative shopping

o Ecorio: developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and view what their carbon footprint looks like

o BreadCrumbz: enables people to create a step-by-step visual map using photos; customers can create their own routes, share them with friends or with the world

o Amazon MP3 Store (pre-installed on device): enables people to search DRM-free, full-track MP3 music and download that music from Amazon directly to their device using a Wi-Fi connection

· Built-in support for T-Mobile’s 3G (HSDPA) and EDGE network as well as Wi-Fi; T-Mobile G1 will seamlessly transfer between 3G and accessible Wi-Fi networks including T-Mobile HotSpot locations worldwide

· Built-in support for YouTube allows customers to enjoy the website’s originally-created content, easily navigate through YouTube’s familiar video browsing categories or search for specific videos

· Built-in instant messaging client with support for Google Talk, AOL, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger

· Support for advanced text messaging features to easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging

· 3-megapixel camera with photo-sharing capabilities

· Music player supports MP3, M4A (iTunes AAC, DRM-free), AMR, WMA, MIDI, WAV, OGG Vorbis

· Pre-installed 1 GB Micro SD memory card that can hold approximately 500 songs (device supports up to an 8GB memory card)

· 11 pre-loaded songs including tracks from The Helio Sequence, Kinski and Flight of the Conchords

· Bluetooth-enabled

· myFaves-enabled

· GPS capabilities

· Voice recognition, voice dialing and speakerphone

· GSM/GPRS/EDGE/Wi-Fi and UMTS/HSDPA

· 850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100Mhz

· Up to 130 hours standby, up to 5 hours talk time

· Dimensions: 4.60” x 2.16” x 0.62”; Weight: 5.6 ounces; Display: 3.17 inches

What I find most odd about the reported details of the G1 to date is its price of $199.

At this price point Android goes directly up against the iPhone which has been around for around 15 months and has sold millions of units. In addition, the iPhone has a slicker interface and is much “sexier”. As Android will be addressing a very similar market to the iPhone, i.e. early adopter, wealthy, high tech users thus, it's unlikely that we will see Gphones in the emerging or mass markets any time soon.

So T-Mobile and Google are going to need to work harder to persuade punters not to buy an iPhone. Much as alpha geeks salivate at the prospect of applications on their mobile, normal mobile users wont care less.

Alongside today’s T-Mobile G1 announcement, Google has also released v1.0 of the Android SDK to the masses. With this release, developers can make sure the compatibility of their development.

Unfortunately i m not able to provide much review of the phone as i have yet to try it out myself. I would love to get my hands on one as I m sure its going to be made available soon in China.

For demonstration on how Google-powered Android apps work pls check out the video below.



For specific information on pricing and availability, please visit www.t-mobileg1.com.