It’s here: the Google Phone. After years of speculation and months of waiting, the first Google Android OS-based smartphone has finally been released by T-Mobile USA. The device formally known as the G-1 and made by HTC has started to ship and will be made available to those who have pre-ordered the phone sometime today.
T-Mobile USA sent me a pre-release review unit, and after playing around with it for a few days, I have some observations, which might help you make a buying decision about this device. I am eschewing the traditional review format because there are dozens of very smart people who have reviewed the G-1 after putting it through its paces. Here are my major takeaways:
This isn’t an iPhone competitor. If you look at it, you can very quickly see that the G-1 is a Honda to iPhone’s BMW. After a few days of usage I have become increasingly convinced that people who like the Apple iPhone will find Google-based G-1 aesthetically lacking.
Maybe it’s because I have been so conditioned by the iPhone’s touch screen, but I don’t care for too much buttons on a phone that has touch-screen ability, though it makes navigating through a complex array of features relatively easy. I like the trackball, which makes flipping through features very easy as well.
The device is very easy to use overall. It took me less than an hour to figure out how to use the phone — most of its features including touch-screen abilities, surfing and setting up the network — without as much as referring to the accompanying handbook even once. Most people who use Windows XP or Vista for their daily computing will find the Google Android user interface remarkably familiar and find comfort using this device. In other words, it will sell a lot of units. And yes it is going to become a thorn in Windows Mobile’s side.
What I like about the G-1 Phone.
- It has the width of a normal phone, and still packs a big enough screen to make web browsing via a great Webkit-based browser a meaningful experience. (iPhone still has a better, bigger, crisper screen.)
- The keyboard makes it easier to sift through a lot of emails, whether they are coming to your Gmail account or from your IMAP account.
- Seamless instant messaging with Google Talk, Windows Live, AOL and Yahoo Messenger, and the cutest, funniest smiley icons based on the Android logo. This has to be the best Mobile IM client on the planet!
- Google Apps and Search are so tightly integrated into the phone that you often wonder why you don’t use these services more often.
- Amazingly robust operating system with little or no lag time. It makes Windows Mobile feel like a retiree; even the iPhone feels like a middle-aged person compared to Android OS.
- A simple, easy and comfortable keyboard designed with real people in mind. The keys are small but well spaced and comfortable to type with thumbs.
- Music player supports MP3, M4A (iTunes AAC, DRM-free), AMR, WMA, MIDI, WAV, OGG Vorbis.
- Phone part of this smartphone actually works like a phone, something I can’t unfortunately say about the iPhone.
- Multitasking of apps is the best amongst all mobile platforms.
What I hate about the G-1.
- G-1 feels bulky in hand, even though it has svelte dimensions. It is heavier than the iPhone: 5.6 ounces vs. the iPhone 3G, which weighs in at 4.7 ounces.
- Despite the heft, the battery life isn’t superior to the iPhone if you have all networks (including Wi-Fi) turned on
- Google Maps on G-1 feels like a poor cousin of the iPhone-based Google Maps and Microsoft Maps on Windows Mobile. Though I do like this feature, which uses the built-in compass on the phone to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand. G-1 also lacks turn-by-turn directions.
- Not enough built-in storage – the device comes with a puny 1GB MicroSD memory storage.
- The AppStore when compared to the iPhone lacks in user experience, and reminds me of the carrier decks, which are awkward and non-intuitive.
- And lastly, I hate the dialer on this phone. It just isn’t good enough.
So what is my verdict? Will I recommend this phone to anyone out there looking for a smartphone? The answer is yes, especially if you don’t much care for either Windows Mobile or Apple’s iPhone device.
[...] Om Malik has been testing the new Google Phone for the past few days. His take? This isn’t an iPhone competitor. If you look at it, you can very quickly see that G-1 is a Honda to iPhone’s BMW. After a few days of usage I have become increasingly convinced that for people who like the Apple iPhone, will find Google-based G-1 aesthetically lacking. Read his full review on GigaOm.com → [...]
[...] October 16, 2008 · Print This Article Om Malik has been examining the new Google Phone for the past few days. His take? This isn’t an iPhone competitor. whether you look at it, you can very quickly see that G-1 is a Honda to iPhone’s BMW. After a few days of usage I have become increasingly convinced that for humans who like the Apple iPhone, will find Google-based G-1 aesthetically lost. Read his full review on GigaOm.com → [...]
[...] And both plans include free use of T-Mobile’s Wi-Fi hotspots. Read the reviews: Walt Mossberg , Om Malik, Engadget Technorati Tags: [...]
Very good review, I can’t wait to get hold on that one!. By the way I just found out tmobile g1 fan website that nobody talked about. Probably because it’s in construction. See this one http://www.tmobileg1fans.com (I heard the guy is going to release many apps for android, he is one of the developers)
Any idea how long will it be….before India gets it?
Excellent review. Can’t wait to see one for myself in person. I don’t like the iPhone it is rather too slick and is missing a keyboard. So this G-1 should be good.
Thanks for the early review Om. Interesting to note that the OS is more responsive than WinMo and even iPhone.
hope you get to keep the review unit ;) [you know where to ship it to me ;) ]
[...] gigOM Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)T-Mobile Kills The Idea of 1GB Data Cap for G1 Android Phone The latest news in gadgets, gear, clothes, culture and more from men.style.comGoogle phone is nice but not a game-changerGoogle, T-Mobile Unveil New Phone [...]
[...] [fonte: gigaom] [...]
nice article about the Android platform
http://is.gd/3dou
Great review, i tend to agree, I have both the iPhone and the Android.
Some applications though do look better on the Android. I downloaded TuneWiki yesterday, I use it a lot on my jailbroken iPhone. You just can not compare. The application is so much richer and exciting including video with lyrics and translation capabilities on the fly.
I think that because the android is so much more open. You can expect the applications to outperform the iPhone, as long as Apple keeps the good apps out from the iPhone.
I like you comparison to Honda and BMW and I agree with you. The engine of the android is just phenomenal and I expect to see Toyota and Nissan comming around and taking over the market from WinMo and Symbian … on the other hand …looking at the new models coming out from HTC,Samsung and LG …I would not be surprised if Lexus will not come over very soon and …leave the BMW far behind…
Om,
That was a very simplistic, political verdict. Of course ppl who don’t care about iPhone versus Windows Mobile have no-taste whatsoever in smartphones.
The real deal is people who have used or played with iPhone. Will they switch or buy one?
[...] • Om Malik: Will I recommend this phone to anyone out there looking for a smart phone? The answer is yes, especially if you don’t much care for either Windows Mobile or Apple’s iPhone…. [...]
[...] pas avant le printemps 2009, et encore… En attendant, vous trouverez le reste du test ici: http://gigaom.com/2008/10/15/google-phone-review-the-good-the-bad-ugly-about-tmobile-g1/ Tags: android, G1, google, mobile Category: Technologies You can follow any responses to this [...]
@ COP
It’s political because everybody are afraid of GOOGLE! Including OM.
[...] Gmail application is reported to perform 90% of all the actions you use on the desktop application. Om Malik went as far as referring to the Android IM client as “the best Mobile IM client on the planet” which [...]
[...] The Google Phone Review: What I Love & Hate About T-Mobile G-1 This isn’t an iPhone competitor. If you look at it, you can very quickly see that G-1 is a Honda to iPhone’s BMW. After a few days of usage I have become increasingly convinced that for people who like the Apple iPhone, will find Google-based G-1 aesthetically lacking. [...]
[...] Om Malik / GigaOM [...]
[...] The Google Phone Review: What I Love & Hate About T-Mobile G-1 [...]
[...] Phonedog Androidcommunity Phonenews Mobilecrunch Mobileburn PCmag PCWorld Lifehacker GigaOM Walt Mossberg Msnbc Yahoo [...]
Thanks for your observations Om! *sigh* If this phone had UMA, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. I think I’ll wait a bit to see how other Android handsets pan out.
great video.. Liz: you puppy is just chillin in the background…
:-)
I have a phone t-mobile gave me for review and I am an iPhone user for a year now. So I put them side by side and try. Yes, the iPhone look is perfect, G1 is so-so – but boy, do I LOVE the G1 keyboard!
There is no comparison to the iPhone because first and foremost the G1 is a PHONE. You can actually make calls and hear what people saying. Try that on an iPhone – phone calls with iPhone is as good as any computer that can alos make calls: pretty bad.
For the most important functionality – make a phone call
G1: 1 iPhone: 0
As far as application goes – well, let’s take the number 1 application the iPhone brought to market – the iPod vs the TuneWiki on G1 (you have to download TuneWiki from the App Store to use it first – it is available).
iPod on iPhone just play music. yeah, it has this cool cover flipping. How many times YOU flipped thru 1000 album covers on the iPod? I don’t. But that is the only thing iPhone can do that G1 can not. on the other hand iPhone can’t show you lyrics, can’t show you music maps and don’t have any community connected to it. Did I mentioned YouTube music video that actually play on the G1 with a single click? try that on the iPhone, you will not try it twice as you can’t find the music video or it just stutter playing back!
For the most innovative iPhone functionality – listen to music
G1: 2 iPhone: 0
Let’s talk email. Or anything else that need to communicate with characters (this is a communication device, remember?). The iPhone keyboard is… well it does not have one! typing on that painted keyboard is annoying! the automatic spelling of the iPhone is pitiful. On the G1 – pull the keyboard, run your blackberry – trained thumbs and off you fly. What a pleasure.
For the second most important functionality – SMS, emails and so on:
G1: 3 iPhone: 0
I can continue. Third party innovation – iPhone restrict developers and not let them compete against Apple sometime sad offering. Google – hey, they don’t care if my sister write software to the G1 – and sell it or give it away, and even replacing Google search!
For the future innovation and more functionality of any kind:
G1: 4 iPhone: 0
I am ditching my iPhone on eBay, kissing AT&T goodbye and buying a G1. Thank you Google, T-mobile and HTC for having the guts.
@Android User,
Dude, you just made my mind up. I have been a Palm Treo user for the past 4 years and loved my phone but when my son was able to get a G1 thru his mom, I did the research and was duly impressed. I am in line for a new phone and was debating the HTC Pro, The G1 or something else. After reading all the hubbub and your review, I am sold. The G1 it is, i’m telling wifey to put the order in for the phone. She’s been with T-Mobile for forever so a 150 gift will pretty much pay for the phone. Thanks for the honest appraisal. BTW, I raced motocross for over 20 years so slow machines are NOT something I get along well with.
Easywriter882
[...] has also decreed that you can’t run anything that competes with iTunes. Google says you can run whatever you like on your phone, and will even allow software developers to rewrite some of the phone’s [...]
[...] started to ship and will be made available to those who have pre-ordered the phone sometime today. Source Share and [...]
[...] started to ship and will be made available to those who have pre-ordered the phone sometime today. Source Share and [...]
Thanks for the “human being” review, Om.
Only a few fanboy haters/liars in the comments list. You’re not reaching out enough. :)
Om, how can you do a review of any modern phone and not mention two of the four more important elements of a phone: Calendar and Contacts.
Does it sync with Exchange? Is the Calendar integrated w/ Google Calendar? is the contacts integrated w/ GMail?
Now it does via ContatcsCalendarSync: http://www.wrike.com/g1-exchange-sync.html. The price was lowered for a two-week period. Why not take advantage of it?
[...] “Will I recommend this phone to anyone out there looking for a smartphone? The answer is yes, especially if you don’t much care for either Windows Mobile or Apple’s iPhone device.” GigaOm [...]
You’re not really complaining about lack of space are you? A microSD slot means more *potential* space than any iPhone can dream of. There are 16GB microSD cards available now, and that number is ever-increasing. I believe the SDHC spec supports up to 128GB. Not to mention that you of course have the option of carrying multiple of them with you and switching them out at will.
[...] GigaOM [...]
I am waiting on my G1 and very nervous on how my experience would be (and the contract extension that I have done for this). My decision to go for G1 has been primarily the Honda vs BMW, yes I want a BMW but I dont want to pay the premium for the basic functionality I am going to use. (not the upfront cost, but the recurring cost of a family plan under $50/month) Unfortunately I could not really test drive before making a decision on this and jumping in really blind! So, just some of these reviews giving passing mark is a relief for me. I wish some of the simple things were taken care like regular headphone jack, desktop sync etc. Well, all I can say is “Hope for the best!”. In the past, I have wasted couple of hundred dollars on Sharp’s linux based PDA which also touted as the game changer but never changed anything. I am just hoping that my experience now would be little different than that.
After reading all the comments, I now know wht’s the difference between BMW and Honda!
the inevitable debate will be, is t phone business ready?? but with its full power browser, it might well be. id love to try my HyperOffice mobile collaboration suite on it.
[...] Malik, GigaOm: This isn’t an iPhone competitor. If you look at it, you can very quickly see that the G-1 is a [...]
[...] review is by Om Malik of GigaOm who has this to say about the phone: This isn’t an iPhone competitor. If you look at it, you can [...]
[...] Malik weighs in with a very independent “What I Love & Hate About T-Mobile G-1 “. In particular, Om disagrees with most of the other reviewers on the G1′s IM ap saying “This has [...]
Just so you know when on a 3g connection it only plays lower res video’s to save time, but if your over wifi it’ll download the high res video.
[...] The first phone to run on Google’s Android — G1, which is being offered by wireless service provider, T-Mobile — will be launched on October 22nd in the US. The reviews have now started coming in thick and fast. Accoridng to Om Malik “G-1 is a Honda to iPhone’s BMW”. [...]
Some good pictures of T-Mobile G1 http://raiyaraj.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/google-phone-t-mobile-g1-htc-pictures/
Hi Om,
Any idea on the schedule of T-Mobile 3g network roll-outs across the country?
I’ve seen a list of 27 cities that should be up already, but what if you don’t live in one of these places. How do you know when you will have 3g capability?
I also have questions about the camera on this device. Is the lack of a flash significant? Can the inability to record video be overcome with software from the Android marketplace?
I hope you never got this boner of a phone. No features, nothing. It was released as a hopeful prod to developers, but heck, it still won’t do anything. What a waste of money.
Kinda late, but it seems the next update – cupcake will enable video recording on g1.
re. flash, photos are definitely much better if you take them out in the sun, but
are kinda ok inside too. much better than iphone camera, and in fact due to
autofocus scanning barcodes is a breeze while i can spend ten minutes trying
to scan something with iphone and give up at the end.
[...] a phone than the iPhone says Zdnet. It’s a perception that often depends on the user, though; Gigaom argues that it feels bulky in the [...]
I’ll take the ‘Honda’ over the ‘BMW’.
But the best thing about Android is that I wont have to – The ‘motor’ of this ‘Honda’ will be thrown into everything from ‘Kias’ to ‘Maseratis’ and then I’ll maybe upgrade… to an ‘Acura’.
…and when I want to swap the ‘tires’, upgrade the ‘stereo’, or add a cheesy ‘spoiler’ … I won’t have to run it by ‘BMW’ first and hope to have the ‘blessing of the gods’.
Open source baby !
Open source, but who cares when the phone doesn’t really do anything to start with?! Is this the first mobile phone you’ve ever had? No TV, no video??, no settable paramaters on the camera, this phone is filled with no’s. And it’s heavy as a brick.
I am very curious about the users who found this useful. What do you use your phone for besides talking to people and very basic net browses?
[...] release of the Google Phone tomorrow. It looks remarkably like the iPhone-version on Facebook. (Check out my review in case you are interested in buying the [...]
[...] upon Android itself. Its availability comes a day ahead of the launch of T-Mobile’s G-1 handset. (Read my review.) And it marks the first step towards making Android a ubiquitous [...]
[...] Gigaom has a lengthy review of the Google phone from TMobile. And guess what? It’s a positive [...]
[...] GigaOM [...]
[...] to create a social networking-oriented phone to be released Q2 of 09. Om Malik wrote up a good post on how the G1 is not a direct iPhone competitor, but more of a direct threat to the Microsoft mobile [...]
[...] Om Malik (GigaOm) opina: [...]
[...] at 3:27 PM PT Comments (0) Some folks downloaded a lot of stuff from the app market for the Google phone, aka the T-Mobile G1, in the first 24 hours after it opened its doors, according to mobile ad and [...]
[...] I learned about the G1 I’m sharing with you. Like the wise Om Malik, I prefer a less formal review format because there are many fine reviewers out there who’ve been [...]
[...] GigaOM [...]
[...] information, follow/unfollow a user, and directly integrated photo-posting from camera. If you have the T-Mobile G-1 device, and you love Twitter, then give this app a try. For iPhone users I recommend Twinkle and for [...]
[...] GigaOm: The Google Phone Review: What I Love & Hate About T-Mobile G-1 [...]
[...] about that Google Phone. What’s it really like? Check out the Gigaom [...]
Wow.
So I have had the iPhone for 2 years now and this new G1 phone finally comes out; and I’m switching asap.
First – AT&T charges extremely too much monthly.
For the Apple iPhone you must have an AT&T plan, plus an iPhone Data Plan which is $30, plus if you want unlimited text messaging it is an EXTRA $20. Completely Ridiculous! I have the minimal plan, with unlimited text messaging and I have at least a $110 bill every month. AND THATS JUST FOR MY PHONE – ITS AN INDIVIDUAL PLAN.
Second – The G1 keyboard is what sold me.
The iPhone keyboard is not that bad, but it gets annoying. Everything you type it tries to correct, yes everything. You also cannot forward text messages thru an iPhone. Nor can you send/receive picture messages. I have no idea why they would leave these little features out??
Third – Most good Apps from the iPhone App Store are not free.
Many apps cost about .99-10.00 and these are not charged to your phone bill but to your credit card associated with your iTunes account.
– Yes the iPhone is great, its sleek and shiny and has appeal. It also has good customer support and they replace phones with no problem ( you can buy for a veryyyyy low price- insurance for the G1 ). They iPod application on the iPhone is really what its good for, thats about it. SAVE YOURSELF THE ENORMOUS PHONE BILLS & ITUNES BILLS AND BUY AN IPOD TOUCH IF YOU WANT THE FEATURES. The iPhone is hardly customizable as far as colors, themes, clocks, and everything goes which is another thing I hate. If the screen breaks on iPhone you must pay about 175 to replace it [ might as well buy a new one ].
– I do not have the G1 phone yet, however I will within this week. The sleek designs and shiny appearance of the iPhone only get you so far. This google phone has a keyboard, a search bar on the screen, SMS text messages are wayy easier to access than on the iPhone, and applications are cooler and less money if not free. The google phone has touch screen just like the iPhone ( which is sometimes too sensitive and you call people by accident ) and one other thing it has is a send & end button.
The G1 is worth it. Cheaper, phone with a keyboard that does the same thing with a way lower bill :]
My gmail calendar synchs into the G1 phone but the G1 in not synch…ing back. Anyone knows how to fix that?
Until Google stops cooperating with the Feds to review email, I will not trust them in anyway. Android or not, go I-Phone. At least we know that Big Brother is not undermining Apple.
What do you mean my Google and govt reading e-mails? I havent heard of this before. I have a gmail account and this worries me… Can you tell me more?
[...] • Om Malik: Will I recommend this phone to anyone out there looking for a smart phone? The answer is yes, especially if you don’t much care for either Windows Mobile or Apple’s iPhone…. [...]
Sadly All I can give is an opinion on the android. This seems like a fantastic and forward moving product, but was released way too early. I tried calling 150 TMobiles customer care and was met by a recording asking me to press 1 2 .. options. The android either needs to be opened or press the call button for keypad. Now 1st and foremost pressing any keys on this number does not work sooo you’ll be stuck in a loop trying to select an option. Then here comes the good part you have to try not to use it as a phone cause it’s a mini unix laptop. If you dare put it near ur ears and speak .. you will end up calling all sorts of random numbers as the phone rubs against ur ears. Then there is text massaging ooohhh.. TRY FORWARDING one to anybody but the person who sent it??? TRY saving a picture into ur pictures etc.. This product has not been tested using mobile phone 101 for dummies soo google I luv u guys to bits n all but… Wassup??
I gotta disagree about the maps. I tried out the g1 for 14 days as per T mobile’s return policy and the superiority of the maps is one of the main reasons I switched
[...] legitimate competitor coming from an unexpected rival that being the first ever mobile phone from Google the Android from T-Mobile. Your first decision should be what phone network you are willing to work with as the [...]
I owned the G1 phone for 10 days from the blackberry curve. the guy at the tmobile store told me the g1 phone was “heads and shoulders” above any other phone etc…so i got it not knowing that its kind of a mess of a phone. First off, these android apps- pac man, a restaurant finder, whopee, not a reason to buy this phone whatsoever.
Pros- internet is beautiful.
cons- horrific battery life, i mean the worst you will have to charge all day at all times and worry yourself sick over it.
the flip up to txt is annoying. everytime you have to move the phone off its platform to txt. its also heavy for its size. you cant receive any email but gmail….
this is not a phone you need. the blackberry curve is sooooo much better…
I agree with you!!! I don’t think I ever made it with more than a 16 hours battery life and the apps weren’t all that great either. After a few months I’ve switched because it wasn’t worth all the hype tmobile gave it…
I tryed out g1, iphone, and storm. I do love the keyboard,and ease of operation without going to the book bor call for help. The storm really upset me for days, and many calls aand lookup of help. Storm has better pix n but no wi fi and slow screen scroll, but like the iphone typing is real bad. Really like g1 keyboard…..
I think g1 is the homeliest ( ugly ) of all by 10 fold. Going with storm ,not as many app. By far, but the click keyboard is better. and verizons service is unmatched in the rural areaas, they also use alltel towers.
I never could have sent this on iphone or storm without getting upset. All are great,pix is not great on g1. And it is suppose to accept an 8 gig sd card. Advise novice bye g1.
[...] phones (we like to call them superphones ) — the Samsung Instinct, the BlackBerry Bold, the Google Phone, and Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X-1 — that use 3G wireless networks has now shifted that [...]
[...] Om Malik | Sunday, December 21, 2008 | 9:27 PM PT | 0 comments Whether the (unofficial) Google Phone, a.k.a. the T-Mobile G-1, is going to set sales records or not, remains to be seen. But Google is doing its part. My source says that on Friday, the Mountain View, Calif.-based search and online advertising company gave away a special unlocked version of the Android-powered G-1 device (with an Android logo etched on its back) to its employees. It’s nice for more people to get familiar with a device that represents a big part of the company’s future. In related news, there has been some talk about a new G-2 version of the device. (Related Post: What I Love & Hate About T-Mobile G-1.) [...]
[...] weren’t willing to switch carriers in order to be the first to get their hands on the the G1 “Google phone” that T-Mobile released during the fourth quarter. Perhaps it’s because other phones running Android are due to be [...]
I hear you on the button + touch screen issue. Why bother with both?
i had google phone i can’t access the phone .i live in Ethiopia.what shal i do?
this is the worst phone i have had. can’t get my email,heavy, awkard. i have called,gone to the store numerous timees and nothing. yeaterday i got a blackberry, had one before and thought the google was the answer. oh , how sorry i am i switched. i am so happy to have a blackberry back. DON’T GET THE GOOGLE 1 PHONE – the company doesn’t have the answer and the store admitted they have had numerous problems with customers complaints.
I had the g1 for a long time at frist I did not know how to used it now I love it I don’t care I like the g1 better then the i phone. The last thing google need to come out with a next google phone for tmobile and don’t look like the LX
pls how do i use my htc g1 cos i have already unlocked the phone but it has not recognise my local network as i am unable to loggon to google even when i already have a google account
[...] Post: What I Love and Hate About Google’s G-1 Phone. [...]
switch to edge for long battery life
Well I have had my g1 since November and I really like my g1 it a real phone unlike the iphone and it takes u to a whole new world unlike regular windows mobile phone (so Wack) and the iPhone that controls u FYI people u should have to control your phone not have it control u my g1 is the buisness n if any 1 has a problem with it take it up with me.
Big old thumbs down on the G1. Wow, for something so bulky and clunky-looking, how could it ALSO slap us with utterly no features or user settings? What a piece of junk.
No tip calculator, no voice recorder, NO VIDEO?, can’t set up ANYTHING for a photo (where to save it, white balance, effects, photo editing, photo dimensions, this is a huge disappointment), no world clock, no way to send colored/moving/gif text–this phone is a huge rip-off, and unless you have never in your life had a mobile phone, how could you be impressed? I guess after this phone, anything would seem feature-laden. No TV, which I guess is still considered “exotic” in the US. Makes me want to get a ticket out, unless I can find a lightweight, long-running phone with some features I haven’t heard of and begged for.
It lasted about 72 hours with me, and I traded it in for a Samsung, which is just slightly better. I guess I’m just ruined by having a Japanese handset appliance for the last five years. I never even used half of the functionality of that thing. I was always discovering new features. Softbank 410.
[...] The folks at Google must to be pretty pleased with themselves — G-1, a moderately useful phone using their Android mobile operating system, has sold a million handsets since it launched last October. Of course Apple, by comparison, sold a million handsets around the planet during the launch weekend while Verizon sold that number of BlackBerry Storms in about three months. One way or the other, the G-1 has been pretty good to T-Mobile USA as it’s pushed up the mobile web usage of subscribers. (Recommended reading: My Google Phone Review.) [...]
I’m a user of the G1 and while I enjoy having the touch screen I don’t enjoy the fact that I was not aware that I had to have the internet in order to have the phone and to make calls. For someone needing to cut back costs because I’m in college it was very disappointing that I needed to purchase a different phone in order to cut my mothly costs. Had I know about the internet issue prior I would have selected a different phone when I resigned my contract…
pls how did you get pass logging into the google account and are you on t mobile plan
This phone is awesome, can’t wait for the g2
When it will be launched in India ?
I like the g1 can’t wait for the g2 phone
pls i recently purchased an HTC G1 T-MOBILE phone in the united states and have it unlocked so i can use with a network in nigeria the problem is even though i already have a google account which the phone is requesting to be logged on with before usage , mine keep returning message failed to log in message so now my phone is lying useless and there is no t-mobile service in africa (nigeria) please whats the solution
I got the G-1 about a week ago And I found it to be a really good device buy! there are some thing I don’t like about it also.
I notice it has the setting for spell checker but it does not have spell check how’s that?
It is also not user friendly meaning it’s not not using Windows Mobile.
I purchased G1 from eBay but it doesnt work with my O2 sim card. Can anybody help me?
T phone GI! Oh my. Some one to send me one as i prepare to celebrate my daughter’s first birthday on 8 october. Its cool
Cant wait to buy the phone I only need twenty bucks and the G1 is mine! :)
[...] The launch of the Google G1 phone, which the firm Mike and Maaike helped Google design, came after years of speculation and months of waiting. Now the San Francisco-based design firm that had such influence on the look of the G1 has come up [...]
I am an iPhone supporter, 100%!!! I tried out a friends G1 the other night, and I have to say that I like it more than the Palm Pre. I thought it was very easy to use, and it felt good in my hand. I am recommending it to people that ask my opinion…not that many people do (-:
WELL THE REASON THE I PHONE HAS NOT ENOUGH RATINGS IS THERES NOT SATELITES LIKE IN NEBRASKA OR PLACES
I have had the G1 phone for about 6 months. I thought, like most people, that the open market for apps meant the quality of the phone would excell. The opposite is true. There are very few useful apps. Despite taking all proper steps, the internet is slowing down. After the last “upgrade”, there are MANY videos and websites that are not viewable. (I am not talking about porn, although I have heard this complaint.) I am talking about regular websites and news programs. These things are no longer viewable. The battery has an average life of 4 hours, sometimes less! The keys are too close together and the letters are not visible unless you are typing in the dark. The camera is awful. If you have the G1, you can’t access group-listing for your contacts. Also, even though I have unlimited minutes, MY BILL IS ALWAYS MUCH, MUCH HIGHER THAN IT SHOULD BE! There are always excuses for this. And to top it off, google is openly accessible to government tracking. There are news stories on this currently. Since my “added charges” equal or surpass the charges of iphone, I am switching as soon as I can. This phone was completely premature. The “open market” is a gimmick. Over the last several months, the websites and videos you can view are dwindling down to a very small number. Again, this phone has become a gimmick.
I can relate to the BMW to Honda reference. Just not in quite the same manner. I have owned one BMW, one Honda and one Toyota. I probably wont buy another BMW unless I just want to impress my friends. I will buy another Honda or Toyota if I want to impress myself tho. Bottom line, buy what you want and dont worry about what other people think.
[...] was a talk of a Google Phone which turned out to be Android, Google’s mobile operating system targeting handset makers such as HTC, Motorola and Samsung. Now there is word that Google might actually be looking to make their own [...]
the g1 phone is ok but if u put 2 much stuff of it slows down and some times it dnt load the thing u whon 2 load or it will say fore close
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Come on Om, how could your verdict be FOR Google phone? Sorry man Google Sucks at making phones. Please…..
Google phone is second class and is not cool! Id rather not have an Iphone.
Lets be honest… what phone do YOU use? I’ll bet my a-s-s its not a Google phone
Take it easy…
Love reading your reviews!
Come on Om, how could your verdict be FOR Google phone? Sorry man Google Sucks at making phones. Please…..
Google phone is second class and is not cool! Id rather have an Iphone.
Lets be honest… what phone do YOU use? I’ll bet my a-s-s its not a Google phone
Take it easy…
Love reading your reviews!
I love this phone!!!!!!!!!! I hate the iphone because you have to pay for everything! plus if you like phones thats just not all touch this is great
[...] can hit them up over the next several days before I return the review unit. Meanwhile, you can see what Om thinks of the T-Mobile G1 as well. I should have known he had one… the tip-off was the little Android icon in the IM [...]
[...] Unfortunately, it takes time for all of the pieces of a great smartphone to come together — time to test, design, integrate and build. A chip manufacturer, for example, can’t provide a new chipset from scratch in just a few months time. And developing or upgrading a platform to run atop such chips is no small task, either — it took Google more than three years from the time it purchased Android to deliver its first phone, the G1, in October of 2008. [...]
The T-Mobile G1 may not have the visual panache and artistry of Apple’s UI, but in terms of navigating the phone’s myriad and diverse feature set, Google has created an interface in Android that is fun, intuitive and quite powerful.
[...] rise to prominence is nothing short of meteoric, considering the platform debuted on mediocre hardware and few third-party applications to speak of in October 2008. In that short time, the platform and [...]
Not good for Uganda can,t get my g_mail account to start the phone
[...] it really been two years since the original G1 handset launched on T-Mobile’s network, beginning Google’s entry into the smartphone race? Indeed it has, and now a successor is [...]