T-Mobile launches HTC G1, 1st Android phone


T-Mobile HTC G1 Android phone

Finally, the first-ever Android phone, the T-Mobile HTC G1, has been launched and we’re giving you the rundown on this latest smartphone. It’s a touchscreen-enabled mobile phone with a full QWERTY keypad hidden underneath its decently-sized screen. While it has indeed been launched, it only go on sale starting October 22 and will be exclusively available on T-Mobile only. So now that we’ve gotten those important details aside, let’s head on to the good and bad aspects of the phone itself.

Click to enlarge

The good news is that it’ll only cost $ 179 making it one of the most affordable mobile phones in its category. For that price, you get a phone equipped with a 3.17-inch HVGA 480×320 display, 3.1-megapixel camera, WiFi, A-GPS, 3G/HSDPA and of course, the Android OS. It’s a pretty loaded phone based on its specs alone, but as much as we would like to believe it’s perfect, it’s definitely not.

Comparison courtesy of Gizmodo

The not-so-good side of it is that there’s no desktop sync app for you to use. Everything will be done online through Google contacts and cal, and even though it does have a camera, it doesn’t allow you to record videos much less support video playback. It also lacks a simple 3.5mm headphone jack which might not bother some, but will definitely be a hassle for those who prefer using their own headphones on the phone. A microSD card is also a requirement for you to download music. Without one present in the phone, you can’t perform the said task.

Nevertheless, Google isn’t closing the doors on improvement with regards to the Android OS system. Aside from the missing 3.5mm headphone jack, most of its misgivings are software related which can easily be address by 3rd party applications or future updates to the OS. So, given this balanced preview of the HTC G1, are you still inclined to get one or are you willing to wait for the rest of the Android-based cavalry to arrive first?

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September 25th, 2008
19 Responses
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Reader Comments

Comment Number:
1
Written by:
William Lacy
Posted on:
9/25/2008 at 3:00 am

The Google Android, being Linux and under the GPL, will have super-cool apps added soon. OGG multimedia will be one of the cool features of this smartphone. Sites like OGGTV will be available with OGG/THEORA mobile content, to the Android users, and Linux programs will make their way from the desktop, -to the mobile device.

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Mike
Posted on:
9/25/2008 at 4:55 am

Dear lord does this phone suck.

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Ross
Posted on:
9/25/2008 at 5:09 am

I’m definitely excited for the G1, but I’m not so sure about its long-term viability versus an Apple or RIM phone. Then again, Google will be putting its weight behind this device. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. . .
gazelle.com

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
pengo
Posted on:
9/25/2008 at 5:57 am

Yes. I’m looking forward to this. The software platform achieves a higher level of functional integration than possibly anyone but Apple … it’ll be a good phone to write software for.

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
Bob
Posted on:
9/26/2008 at 9:12 am

I Cant help but to wonder if these sites are endorsed by apple or what when we hear things like
It only has a 1gb micro SD - K first of all this is a good thing it can be swapped out and already can hold up to 8gb and in the near future 16gb via a software patch.
No video recording?-That’s because the guys at google made the basics for this phone and are using the community to help form the programs for this baby you will see a video recorder soon after the launch
Not only will you see this phone surpass what the iphone can do but you will see it open a new doorway for phones of the future and set a standard of Free open source software.

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
Ray
Posted on:
9/26/2008 at 11:49 am

Well foe us existing T Mobile customers it will cost us $299 plus $35 for a two year data/internet aggreement.

Strike 1

1GB of memory for music?
HORRIBLE!

Strike 2

Cant record any video and wont play any and no headphone jack? Are you kidding me?

Strike 3

There are a lot of things to like about this phone but it has too many misgivings for me to buy one.

When they improve it and add stuff to make it comparable to the iPhone, ill be very intersted but not right now.

Comment Number:
7
Written by:
Jmo
Posted on:
9/30/2008 at 4:03 am

excuse me if this question is stupid… Ive been a T-mobile and ATT customer, and both carriers have horrible reception at my house. What is the likelihood that voice over wi-fi will be available on either platform in the near future, and will I have to pay for it?

Comment Number:
8
Written by:
mamalovesvolvos
Posted on:
9/30/2008 at 1:28 pm

I am excited about this phone and being a loyal t mobile customer I have to admit I want it … However my blackberry curve does what I need it to do and does it without bugs or issues . I think I will wait and see how popular this phone becomes over the next year.

Comment Number:
9
Written by:
ivan
Posted on:
10/14/2008 at 2:27 pm

This isn’t even available in the Philippines yet. It seems the author merely googled for information. Seeing that you are an inquirer blogger, I think you’re blogging for the wrong audience.

Comment Number:
10
Written by:
Allan David Reyes
Posted on:
10/14/2008 at 3:57 pm

@ivan

You’re right, it’s not available in the Philippines yet, but the news of the very first Android-based phone is news worthy, and with the internet, the world is a little bit smaller nowadays making it possible to purchase phones exclusively available to the US market even if you’re half-way around the world.

Just look at the iPhone phenomenon. That’s why it’s in the Mobile Philippines blog even if it’s not yet available locally.

Comment Number:
11
Written by:
king
Posted on:
10/24/2008 at 11:39 am

well its a great phone!!! wish that we can see it here in the philippines

Comment Number:
12
Written by:
dave
Posted on:
10/26/2008 at 11:37 pm

It truly is a great phone, I’m very happy i bought it.

Had a small problem with internet connection, this was the solution for it
http://www.fixya.com/support/p983981-htc_g1

Otherwise this phone is amazing!!!!

Comment Number:
13
Written by:
Dale
Posted on:
10/29/2008 at 1:25 am

Sounds like a great phone. Hopefully enough members of the open-source community would take notice and create great applications for it. Wish I could have one but, considering the costs of mobile internet in my country, maybe in a couple more years.

Comment Number:
14
Written by:
candy tuazon
Posted on:
2/12/2009 at 8:04 pm

hi,

i just bought the htc g1 phone…ang problema is di ko alam how to make it work with my present sim. i know this has been unlocked. but i cant configure it using my globe sim or sun sim….

Comment Number:
15
Written by:
amber
Posted on:
2/12/2009 at 10:09 pm

excited about the g1? c’mon.. i took a trip to greenhills on day and i met around 5 guys selling g1 for 20K.. but what if you broke your g1? there are no spare parts yet available.. tssss! and there are lots of issues regarding g1 (touch screen detection, stucked/ sunken trackball, internet) i know these things bec i’ve been a customer care rep for t-mobile.. and we can’t do anything.. we just transfer calls of upset customers to technical support for g1.. and usually, they just exchange the broken phone for a new one.. the good thing about this phone is it has android platform.. unlike iphone that uses mac-only softwares/ programs. but with g1, u can use diff softwares.. the only thing i love with this g1 is it’s unique slide up.. lolz! plus t-mobile offers diff colors: bronze and white.. pretty cool i must say.. also youtube is installed already there.. lolz! but then again, it is a really mapormang phone for pinoys!

Comment Number:
16
Written by:
Rochelle
Posted on:
3/2/2009 at 12:53 am

To those who are already using their G1s: i just bought my own G1
phone from the US 3 wks ago and it’s been sitting in my drawer
since. i can’t use it :( i had it unlocked already, but it can’t
get access to the internet and would always say i have a problem
with my sim (i’m using SMART). i can’t figure out the APN settings.
i think i need to set it manually but i don’t know how. if anybody
knows how i can activate and finally use my G1 phone, pls be an
angel and email me at joei_f@yahoo.com..i will very much appreciate
it. thanks:)

Comment Number:
17
Written by:
Nennette
Posted on:
3/11/2009 at 1:29 am

Hi! Anybody .. can u help me how can i use my G1. I have the same PROBLEM just like Candy ‘n Rochelle di ko rin magamit ang G1 ko.

Thank you for giving this matter your prompt attention and we are looking forward to your favorable response to my concern.

Please email at omdelasalas@yahoo.com - Thank u very much

Comment Number:
18
Written by:
larra
Posted on:
3/15/2009 at 9:45 pm

how much is this t-mobile phone in philippine peso?
i want to buy it!,,only if there’s a sidekick 3 phone available here in the philippines,,,

Comment Number:
19
Written by:
rea6an
Posted on:
7/30/2009 at 2:13 am

Well i have a G1 it works perfectly, na jail break ko na ang even updated my firmware to HERO.. ipa unlocked nyo if hindi pa na unlocked. all features anre great the android o.s is so good. lots of contributor not unlike the other phones. :)