Imagine a Smartphone with an open source operating system. With the integration of Googles open source operating system – Android – and T-Mobiles G1; consumers now have the ability to truly customize their experience. Additionally, 3G connectivity gives you that “always-on” experience that is so hard to come by.
Let’s touch on some standard features first. The touch-sensitive display, 3.2-inches with 320 x 480-pixel resolution, nearly takes up the entire front face of the phone. Directly below the display, you will find your standard functional buttons like home, back, call, and end. Additionally, you will find a trackball – similar to those on Blackberry phones – that gives you another form of navigation.
Sliding the display, or front face, of the phone slightly upwards will reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Rather than having an on screen keyboard, T-Mobile felt that a true QWERTY keyboard would allow consumers to be more efficient with their typing.
With a Google developed operating system, it is not surprise that many of the default applications are Google, like Gmail, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Google Maps, and even Google Chrome (web browser). Providing you are a Google fanatic, and already have accounts, this will not be a problem for you. Regardless, there are many other standard applications available, include some that your piers have developed.
The G1 is at the top of the line for Smartphones, and there is one reason for this – the operating system – Android. The operating system was created for consumers, so they could create applications that they want to use. Not only can consumers create their own applications, they can also share them with other Android users.
The G1 has 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. The combination of the two allows consumers to experience “always-on” connectivity. The phone will automatically switch between networks, as necessary, which goes completely unnoticed by users.
T-Mobiles G1 has many other features such as one-touch Google search, web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, and a 3.2-megapixel camera. The camera is a great feature on a geeked out phone. However, it does not function up to par. Due to the blurriness of pictures, and difficulty in capturing pictures, it would make more sense to carry another camera with you – until they can fix the issues with this one at least.
There are a number of quirks, on the G1. They are planning a release, towards the end of January 2009, which will hopefully fix some of the major issues. However, there is still no date as to when a new battery – with sufficient power – will be released. Other missing features, like on-screen keyboard, video recording, and stereo Bluetooth, may be fixed in a later release of the phone itself.
The G1 offers many features and applications, along with an open source operating system like no other. Surprisingly, for such new technologies, the price tag is low at $179.99 (with a new or extended contract with T-Mobile). While the phone has a few minor flaws, and missing features, it does provide consumers with a completely new experience in cell phones.