T-Mobile and Google Launch the G1 Cellphone
Posted on September 23, 2008
T-Mobile and Google have announced the G1, the first Android-powered cellphone. Android is Google's new cellphone operating system. Using Android the G1 is made to work smoothly with Google software like Gmail and Google Maps.
G1 users will also be able to use applications created by others in the Android Market. This concept is similar to the iPhone's App store. The G1 will be available this October and will cost $199 with a two-year contract.
One of the exciting features of the G1 and Adroid is that developers can create their own applications without some of the censorship issues that have appeared with iPhone apps. Gizmodo has already posted a list of ten exciting Android apps. One potential drawback with the phone being reported is that T-Mobile is warning G1 customers they may get slowed down to 50 kbps or less if they use more than 1GB of data in a billing cycle.
A comment from one of Google's developers acknowledges how mobile devices are becoming much more than phones. They have become information gateways and mini-computers. Andy Rubin, senior director of mobile platforms for Google, says, "Increasingly, connectivity does not just mean a phone call, but rather access to the world's information. Today's news signifies an important first step for the Open Handset Alliance: With Android, we've opened the mobile Web not only for millions of users, but also to mobilize the developer community that understands the next most important platform in the world rests in the palm of our hand."
It's going to be difficult for Google and T-Mobile to compete with the iPhone right away, especially with this just being version 1.0 of the phone. The G1 is expected to sell under 500,000 units this year according to Bloomberg because it is not as well branded as the Apple iPhone. The iPhone had already sold over 1 million units shortly after launching the 2.0 version of the phone. 10 million iPhones are excepted to be sold this year. People may also be reluctant to buy a less tested phone like the G1 with more established and consumer-tested mobile devices like the iPhone, Palm Centro, Blackberry and Razr already in use.
You can see a demonstration of the G1 in the video below. Take a look: