T-Mobile G1

There's been quite a buzz about the world's first Google Android powered phone, the T-Mobile G1. Android is an open source phone operating system developed by Google, and the OS runs on the Linux 2.6 kernel with Java applications on top. Since the platform is open and customizable by manufacturers and carriers, we expect to see a wide variety of Android phones running the gamut from feature phone to smartphone. The G1 isn't quite your standard smartphone-- it's more like the SideKick grown up. There are smartphone elements: a serious HTML web browser, syncing (limited) and the ability to install 3rd party applications. However, there's no Office suite, no syncing with Outlook or Exchange and no support for VPN or corporate email running on Exchange or BlackBerry Enterprise Server.

Specs:

Display: Color TFT 3.2", 320 x 480 resolution capacitive touch screen that supports both portrait and landscape modes.

Battery: Lithium Ion rechargeable. Battery is user replaceable. 1150 mA. Claimed talk time: 5.8 hours on 3G and 6.76 hours on GSM.

Conclusion :

The T-Mobile is a good start for Google's first Android phone. While it might lack features like video recording, A2DP and a built-in video player, the core functions work well: phone, web and basic email. The G1 isn't a good fit for business users given its lack of desktop and Exchange syncing and its Gmail, POP3 and IMAP-only email support. But for the casual phone user who wants a good touch interface and more application expandability than a feature phone offers, the G1 is a good choice. It's not the multimedia maven that the iPhone is, but it does have copy and paste and you can add your own ringtones easily .

Pro: Responsive, easy to use, easy to download applications via the Android Market directly to the phone. Very good display, good camera photo quality and obviously excellent Gmail support.

Con: No 3.5mm headphone jack, can't shoot video, no A2DP, keyboard on brown model lacks contrast. On-board multimedia applications are weak other than the good mobile YouTube player. No desktop or Exchange syncing.

Price: $179 with 2 year contract

Performance: 528 MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A processor. 192 MB built-in RAM. 256 MB Flash ROM.

Size: 4.60 x 2.16 x 0.62 inches. Weight: 5.6 ounces.

Phone: GSM quad band with EDGE, dual band 3G HSDPA on the 1700/2100MHz bands. Up to 7.2 Mbps download with support for 2.0 Mbps HSUPA uploads. Sold SIM locked to T-Mobile.

GPS: Yes, internal GPS and can use tower triangulation as well.

Camera: 3.2 MP with autofocus lens.

Audio: Built in speaker, mic and HTC ExtUSB stereo headphone jack. Music player included. Ringtone formats supported: AC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MIDI, MP3, WMA, WMV.

Networking: Integrated WiFi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 +EDR.

Software: Google Android operating system running on Linux 2.6 kernel (open source). Software included: alarm clock, calendar, contacts, g-mail application, e-mail application (POP3 and IMAP), music player, youtube player, web browser, Google Maps, Android Market, IM client, SMS client, MyFaves, Amazon MP3 store, calculator, voice dialing, photo viewer and settings.

Expansion: 1 microSD card slot, SDHC high capacity card compatible.

In the box: G1 phone, slip case, world charger, stereo earbud headset, strap, getting started

guide.