HTC, Google, and T-Mobile Announce first Android Device: G1
Well, folks, it’s been a long time coming and we all knew this day would come, but T-Mobile, Google, and HTC made it official: The G1 featuring Google Android is here! From first looks, it certainly doesn’t disappoint – Android is amazing! First, the phone itself is really neat with the slide-out screen revealing a full QWERTY keyboard, a large, vivid touch screen, and simple soft keys and trackball for some wicked easy navigation. As far as connectivity, we already know that T-Mobile has been flooding the States with 3G and the device has WiFi for easy hotspot access. Remember, because this device is sporting Android, you can bet that everyting Google will be available for this phone: GMail, Google Maps with Street View, and so much more. If that weren’t enough, the app store that T-Mobile will be releasing will bring a host of new reasons to grab this phone – just this morning we were getting e-mails from developers who saw the first few minutes of Android footage and were excited beyond belief to get on it and launch their own apps. For everyone who just couldn’t hold their a minute longer, these awesome devices are available for pre-order today! And, as of October 22, the G1 will be available in store for you to get your fingers on and snag for $179 with a new contract (voice and data agreement). That’s right – $179. Can anyone really say that that isn’t a good deal without being facetious?
Rock on, T.
about time tmobile gets some good phone my buddy that works there said this is one of 5 phones that will be released this year.. including the bold!!!!
i cant wait
Sweeeeet! Ordered.
The upgrade link is live now once you log into My T-Mob. Black & brown only at this time for some reason.
Also… the fine print claims that IMs count towards your “messaging” total, so the built-in GTalk must use SMS. Surely there’ll be other IM clients that aren’t SMS-based. The $25 plan includes 400 messages, the $35 is unlimited.
When i log on the price is $299 anyone else get this?
$35 for unlimited doesn’t seem so bad. Still cheaper than other carriers. I’m sure glad that T-Mobile didn’t try to charge that much for data only.
Tmobile’s Preorder link seems to be timing out…anyone else gettin this? I can only assume everyone and their mother is trying to order this thing
Why is it that Google and T-Mobile can announce a phone, complete with pricing and availability, and RIM/AT&T still haven’t announced pricing or availability on the BB Bold when it’s been announced for months now?
Even Apple was able to announce a firm price and date when they first announced the iPhone 3G. Come on RIM, get with the program!
Has anybody been able to preorder yet??
I’ve been trying to pre-order this phone, too (at $299). I haven’t been this excited in a very long time. Very frustrating that the site times out. I get this message:
We’re sorry, but online handset upgrades are temporarily unavailable. Please try again later.
The site is likely bogged down with approximately 2.5 gazillion people probably on it right now.
mmm $20 cheaper and it only comes with 1GB memory (expandable to a max of 8GB), and it doesn’t have a standard headphone jack….
I think that I’ll stick with my iPhone for now.
In the long run I’m sure that Android will be a great platform – though this particular device seems to be missing a little too much for me.
Paul great post…The pics point out great promise and it looks great, with good specs as well but I too believe that it is lacking certain things, like the 3.5mm headset jack you mentioned and a higher capacity of onboard memory. However, the app store is a great plus and I’m sure once it get’s ported to other networks the google OS is going to outpace mobile OSX simply because more people will have accessibility to it. I can’t wait til it lands on the CDMA side of things
I agree its not the most optimal design. With a couple key things lacking. However I have sold wireless for 5 years across sprint/nextel, t-mobile, att and I would like to mention that the target markets are slightly different. Obviously since apples business was saved by the release of an ipod it would be expected for the phone to have a 3.5 MM headset jack. HTC doesnt offer 3.5mm headset jacks on nearly any of their handsets if any the addition of a qwerty keypad will open this handset to a much wider variety of customers based on what it brings to the table. Reality is that ppl who have blackberries likely never use the 3.5 mm headset jack and would generally not accept and iphone in substitution. In translation this device will do just fine for the launch or it would have not been allowed by such great companys like google tmobile and htc who have innovated and brought a lot to the table in what they do over the past years.
not to mention the lower cost monthly opposed to att. As well as both jd power and consumer reports rate att coverage in the toilet in all markets across the U.S. and tmobile better, I guess after doin actualy research I fail to see how this is such a bad deal as you guys put it? And as far as cdma thats just a wireless joke in my opinion and it will finally be over with the migration to LTE.
Chris – I never said that it was a bad deal – just that this particular device is missing some things that I consider important.
I already have over 10GB of things stored on my iPhone, and I like to use my own Shure brand headphones – and dont want to have to carry around an adapter to use them.
AT&T could be better – although the coverage has been better than I expected.
Interesting device. Assuming it’s possible, how soon before some Android developer figures out a way for people to have iTunes on their HTC handset? Of course the headset jack would be needed.
Your probly not eligible for an upgrade.
I was able to order it on Tmo’s site at 9AM PST. Price for me was also $299. I’m guessing the $179 price was for new customers entering a 2 year contract whereas the $299 was for existing customers as an upgrade (even though adding 2 years)…
Does anyone know if we will be able to buy this thing without a contract? I much rather throw up some extra cash for a non-subsidized contract free phone.
Ok I put in my pre-order as well just about an half hour ago.
About the 8gb memory…on amazon 8gb microSD is like $21 so that brings you up to the iphone 8gb as well. Yes no 3.5mm is a big bummer but then again its HTC and their other phones dont have it.
A2DP is a matter of time since it wasn’t include due to security risks so we can expect it in android 1.1 or something like that. I think the sync of this phone with everything google puts it light years ahead of the failed mobile me experiment
Let the iphone vs android wars begin
Just found out, 399 without a contract. Can be unlocked after 90 days just like all of t-mobiles phones.
Don’t care what the cost was…. just preordered mine as an upgrade and according to T-MO, it will be on my doorstep October 22nd. Can’t wait to see it hands-on!
ONE GIG OF storage? How can they say it should compete with iphones?
I got on and was able to order for 179 but after seeing the lack of storage, limited to whatever micro sd card you put in it.
I would say it is no more than the first open source phone.
Ok I just got off the phone with a t-mobile customer service rep. Even though the only two colors available now for the G1 preorder (which i have completed) are black and brown if a new color becomes available i.e. ‘white’ you will have 14 days within receiving your phone to go to the store and trade it in.
So in my case I picked the black one but I really wanted the white one more, if I bring my G1 to the store within 14 days I will be refunded the entire purchase price including the upgrade fee to buy the G1 in White.