Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Specs:

http://androidguys.com/2008/08/26/mo...ke-a-stick-at/


Design:

http://androidguys.com/2008/08/26/no...from-t-mobile/


Looks good. 5 row qwerty keyboard, even. Not sure if it'll have ALL of the apps I want (decent RSS reader, OpenSSH with port forwarding, VNC client being the 3 big ones that I don't see listed already), but it could be promising. It'll be interesting to see how it ends up competing against the N810, especially for the crowd that wants an N810 with a GSM/UMTS radio.

The only things I immediately see as being drawbacks are that the screen size and resolution are smaller than the N810. But, then, the device itself is also smaller.

Depending on the apps, I could easily see this replacing my E61i and N810 as my "in pocket" device(s). And if it tethers, then maybe carry a Samsung Q1 Ultra with Ubuntu Mobile, in my bag, for the rest of my mobile needs.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

This is under active discussion in a thread in the Off-Topic forum.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Hm. When I was doing the title, it didn't come up in the search box. Besides, it should be in this forum, not the off-topic forum.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Actually... Being that it's a phone... Hmmm... :p

-T.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Ah if it doesn't run Vista I don't want it.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Yes, it's still a device that will compete with the NIT (at least, it will in my pocketbook; depending on a very few key add-ons (OpenSSH, VNC Viewer, and RSS), it could completely remove me from the NIT market).

So it is a "Competitor" and not "Off Topic".

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

RAM is low and screen is small.
otherwise it is great.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I agree, both of those numbers worry me. But, until I have it my hand, I wont know if those are "enough to replace my N810", you know?

It may be that I'd be happier with a G1 in my hand and for quick/dirty things, and a Samsung Q1 Ultra with Ubuntu for things that are too big for the G1. With that combination, I'm not sure where I'd see the N810 fitting in anymore.

And, it may turn out that the G1's screen and RAM would be just enough for me to replace the N810 alone (without addressing whether or not I need to get the Samsung).

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I was...being a little...snarky there. :p

-T.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

They revised the RAM spec. It's 128MB, not 64MB.

A little better than the Nokia E71, and twice as good as the E61i (my current phone).

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Hmm... there's porn now, thanks to engadget)))) and Helper on the iMobile Taiwan forum.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Ive been itching for the first android device, dream or not, for almost a year
I use my tablet as a media player first, internet tool second, so this would (will?) hopefully pair quite nicely

nothign like open source, aye

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

According to engadget)))), T-mobile is set to announce/unveil/make big noise about the Dream/G1/iSlayer next Tuesday.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Well, it's out. The one thing I really find to be a shortcoming of the phone is the lack of tethering support, but I expect someone will port something like joikuspot to it, and that'll fix that issue. I'm a little disappointed in the lack of Bluetooth HID, but that's ok.

But what I am most disappointed in is not the phone, but T-Mobile's handling of the phone. 1GB/mo data cap ... MUCH lower than the industry standard (in the US) 5GB ... and really, I find the idea of a data cap to be inappropriate at all. Then there's the way they've created these artificial bundles of data and messaging, which completely ignore whatever bundle you already have (I have unlimited voice, which comes with unlimited messages already).

So, despite how much I like the device, I wont be getting one until either T-Mobile changes things, or an android device shows up on AT&T. And, you have no idea how much it pains me to say that (that I'd willingly be an AT&T customer, over using this phone on T-Mobile right now).


Btw: Benson, was that you who replied to me on engadget? I figured it was, but I just wanted to be sure :-)

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I believe so. At least I've noticed a strong correlation between the fellow I replied to there and you in the past. ;)

I really should figure out how to set my avatar over there; the same one would serve nicely, but I don't frequent engadget comments enough to have bothered yet.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I didn't even notice I had double-posted. It had told me I was posting two messages too close together. I guess it took both anyway.

You've given me a reason to upload an avatar on here, though :-} (same one I use on engadget)

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Well, good news if you like the G1 and don't like T-mobile contracts. It costs $399 unsubsidized; presumably regular Flexpay plans apply like other phones. (Though I'm completely unsure which (if any) non-AWS 3G bands it supports...)

Of course, they probably have only a month or two exclusive deal on it, so maybe it's better to just wait till AT&T/Centennial/whoever has the same or similar one.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/t...s-a-few-detai/

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

It's not the _contract_ I dislike. I mean, yes, I'd rather have a "pay per day" plan that did $1 per day for M2M and N&W (like the current pay per day), $1/day for Edge-Data + Messaging, $1.33/day for 3G-data + Messaging. (so, the latter is like the sidekick plan, with a $.33/day increase if you access 3G). That gets them $30 - $40 per month for data+messaging if you use them every day, which is slightly more than their current plans, but in a way that makes a lot more sense (it's all unlimited, but you only really pay for the days you use it, and you don't pay for 3G if you're in an EDGE area).

Flexpay, though, is just the same as the contract rates. And, like I said, the thing I'm objecting to with the G1 plans isn't the contract. It's the fact that as they're currently stated, you may have to pay for messaging twice. That, and the 1G/mo cap. The 1G/mo cap just has to go, IMO. I much prefer dynamic limites (instantaneous speed limits based upon local network congestion) and/or per-day limits (ie. exceed a given threshold in a day and they throttle you, but tomorrow you're back to full speed). And, I think that if they're going to throttle you, they should drop you down to EDGE, not 50Kbps (EDGE having the potential to be up to 5x that speed). They're clearly currently able to support unlimited data on EDGE, so they shouldn't have a problem with that.


But, yeah, maybe I'll just wait for AT&T's offering and see what that looks like. Maybe they'll have something like the Tilt (meaning "side slide qwerty with tilt screen"), updated, with Android and a touch screen. And maybe with the look of the new Touch based ones (like the Touch Pro, but not the funky faceted backside of the Touch Diamond).

Or, if Nokia got into the Android game, an E75 without the number pad (so its face is like the E66), and a tilt screen. Though, if Nokia released a linux based phone, I'd be just as happy to see it be Maemo based as Android based. I think it'd behoove them to at least be Android compatible at this point, though (for phones and future ITs).

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I'm disappointed that it won't support UMA so I can use it with my T-Mobile HotSpot@home service. I don't get good celll service in my home so for $10 a month my cheap Nokia flip phone can make voice calls over my WiFi connection seamlessly. Works beautifully. You'd think the latest bells and whistles device would support this feature, but, NO UMA on the G1. BOOO!!!

On another note,
will we be able to use MaemoMapper on the G1? Will it link via bluetooth to a BT GPS device?

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

From what I've read, there's no BT serial port profile support yet. Someone can correct me...

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Well... they fixed the 1GB/mo limit, so I ordered pre-ordered it :-)

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

please let us know how it feels, and the applications available.
as it seems that the n900 is not coming out soon, i am also considering buying one.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Burnette/?p=590

bottom of page...

that does not stop t-mobile from disabling it tho...

(wont be the first or last time some operator disables something like that iirc)...

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Yep. From the Q&A at T-Mobile's launch event:

Q: Will it work as a tethered modem
A: No tethering

Sources:
http://live.gearlog.com/2008/09/tmob...id_phone_l.php
http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/2...oid-phone.html

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Some video (sorry if somebody posted it)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inRMILwJa-U

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I've seen a lot of info that Android is supposed to be completely open, and that the carriers aren't going to lock down the devices like they do with other phones. Does this openness only extend to the Android API, or can you get a shell / root shell on these devices? I'm interested if you will be able to dump Android from them and put together your own environment (based on Maemo, or OpenMoko, or QT Phone edition, for example).

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

It will be open source, though it is not yet :) No need to dump.

Probably not easy root though, most of the executable code will run on Google's Java VM.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

hmm, reviews as trickling in, and the most interesting is the number of im networks supported out of the box.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I am not sure I understand...does this mean we cannot connect to the internet via the G1? Or have I misunderstood the term 'tether'?:confused:

Yep, just about answered my own question with some more searching, and it doesn't look promising...

I should have paid more attention when pre-ordering...oh well I am not turning back now. I have always been in early, so to speak, so this will be interesting. I don't often connect my N810 to the net using my razr, but it's nice to have that option...

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

"tethering" is what some people call "Phone as Modem" type capability. The ability to act as a communication gateway for other devices.

The G1 will be able to connect itself to the internet, but it will not be able to "share" that internet connection with your laptop, NIT, etc. At least not until a software update later on possibly allows tethering of some kind.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Thanks for confirming johnkzin. It just seemed like such a basic option that I didn't think it would or even could be 'disabled' :(

I would hope they'd make this available at release, but I guess they are trying to drive the market through the G1, so to speak.

As for BT, now I'm wondering if it allows for file transfer, or is the only reason for having it to enable wireless headphones?

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

@Greyghost:

http://icrontic.com/news/android_v10...tooth_or_gtalk

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Thanks eiffel, now it makes sense. I'm willing to wait for something that works correctly. Given Google's track record, I expect the update to come fairly quickly...say by the first of the year, do you think?

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

1st: I was just speaking to the T-Mobile rep about this phone. First he says it launches and is available "tomorrow" 10/21 but I always take what they say with a grain of salt.

2nd: T-Mobiles 3G network is supposedly already in place for some cities (check their website for the list). I live in Sacramento California and it is already in place according to him just no phone is able to use it until the G1 is launched.

3rd: They say the 3G plan is $24.99 per month for the 3G internet speed, T-Mobile hotspots and EDGE/GPRS as a bundle. The EDGE/GPRS is for those unlucky people outside of the 3G area. Oh, and if you want unlimited text messaging it was an additional $5 per month.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

Hmm, T-mobile touts several phones in its lineup that can take advantage of it's 3G network.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

I look forward to the day when everyone's running standard IM clients on their phones, and phone companies can no longer charge extra for "text messaging". That's gotta big one of the biggest rip-offs since bottled water.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

standard im? sure, but whos standard? ;)

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

a) which of them is the standard? Jabber has some issues (so far, I haven't found one that lets you set your status to invisible, for example), and I'd rather not be tied into Microsoft for MSN's chat program. That leaves Yahoo vs AIM. Which one is "the standard"?

b) I have yet to see any phone based IM client whose interface and user experience was as nice as the SMS/MMS messaging interface. For example, on my Nokia E61i, the IM client options are all complete crap when compared to how easy and straight forward it is to use/manage/etc. the SMS/MMS interface.

c) For some carriers, the "rip-off" applies to both IM and SMS/MMS. (T-Mobile USA groups them together into one service, so "unlimited messaging" applies to both IM and SMS/MMS ... as does "pay per message", so there's no real advantage to picking IM over SMS/MMS in terms of cost).

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

a) Sorry, two people tripped over my use of the word "standard". I'm hoping the answer to the IM "standard" question would be, "all of them". Including Jabber, MSN, AIM, ICQ, whatever your friends are on.

b) I wonder why phones would have crappy interfaces on free services, but nice ones on paid services? Strange!

c) This is what I meant by "standard," you should be able to run a "standard" IM client (non-proprietary) that works over TCP/IP, so the carrier cannot charge you extra for extremely tiny blips of data. It sounds like T-Mobile has been very clever, creating an IM client that reports use to the carrier. Those clever bastards.

Re: Google/Android/T-Moblie G1
 

There is now a Flash based emulator of the T-Mobile G1 located below. It gives you an idea of how it will work but they probably shouldn't call it an "emulator" but rather a look-a-like.:

http://tmobile.modeaondemand.com/htc/g1/