T-Mobile G1

TSMC deal offers glimpse of Intel future

Intel is making a bid to become a force in smartphones. This will test its ability to compete in arguably the most important chip market outside of PCs.

The deal struck this week with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. will put the Intel architecture into the same factories that churn out chips for companies like Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, which use an alternative architecture called ARM--the choice for many small devices, cell phones, and most smartphones, including the Apple iPhone, BlackBerry Storm, and Google-based Android phones.

ARM has always been a thorn in Intel's side. So much so that Intel … Read more

TeleNav GPS Navigator coming to T-Mobile G1

On Thursday, TeleNav announced that starting February 24, it will make its location-based service, TeleNav GPS Navigator, available to T-Mobile G1 owners, bringing real-time turn-by-turn navigation to the Google Android smartphone.

In addition to turn-by-turn driving directions, TeleNav GPS Navigator offers traffic alerts with one-click rerouting, business searches (with more than 10 million listings), gas prices, weather updates, and restaurant reviews.

Speech recognition is also supported, meaning that you'll be able to press a button on the G1, dictate an address or business, and TeleNav will then route to the destination. Alternatively, you can preplan trips through TeleNav's … Read more

Firmware update coming to T-Mobile G1 owners

Updated Feb. 4, 12:13 p.m., PT: This post has been updated with more details about the fixes and new features included in the RC33 firmware update.

On Tuesday, T-Mobile announced that it will start rolling out maintenance release (1.1 RC33) to T-Mobile G1 customers this week. The update will be delivered over the air and should reach all owners within the next two weeks, the carrier said.

Unfortunately, what it didn't reveal are the exact details of what's included in the release, simply stating that it would provide "new features and software updates." … Read more

T-Mobile confirms more Android, 3G devices in 2009

We've heard rumors of the T-Mobile G2, but we're always weary of such speculation until we get the official word from the carriers or cell phone manufacturer. However, the likelihood of a T-Mobile G1 successor is high and now, it's all but just been about confirmed by T-Mobile.

In an interview with Fierce Wireless, Neville Ray, T-Mobile's senior VP of engineering, revealed that the carrier is planning to release more 3G-capable smartphones and Google Android devices in 2009. "As the year progresses there will be a significant number of HSPA-capable smartphones. We will be launching … Read more

All T-Mobile retail stores to carry G1

When the T-Mobile G1 first went on sale back in October, the only way you could get the device in stores was if you lived in one of the carrier's 3G markets. Sure, you could have purchased one online, but there was no way to actually go in and check out the goods before buying. Now that's all about to change.

Starting on Saturday, January 24, T-Mobile will offer the Google Android smartphone at all of its retail stores and eligible retail partner locations nationwide, whether you live in a 3G market or not. Currently, the T-Mobile G1 … Read more

Dialed In 64: T-Mobile G2 on its way?

There are rumors that HTC and T-Mobile are planning on the T-Mobile G2, and apparently it won't have a physical keyboard. We discuss that, as well as the Samsung Instinct's new calendar syncing, LG's breakthrough sales in 2008, plus a few new phones. And, of course, we tell you about the latest reviews and answer your e-mail too. Listen now: Download today's podcast

News Rumor of the week: T-Mobile G2? LG ships 100 million handsets in 2008 U.S. Cellular reveals LG Wine Instinct's calendar syncing put to the test Moto Tundra goes on sale … Read more

Next-gen Android phone coming soon?

HTC and T-Mobile are readying a new version of the G1 Android phone, according to the gadget blog Gizmodo.

On Wednesday, Gizmodo posted pictures of what is supposed to be the new Android "G2," which the blog says is expected in May. The new device is much thinner than the previous G1 because its slide keyboard is gone. Instead, HTC has taken a page out of the Apple iPhone playbook and will only offer a virtual keypad.

Pictures of the new G2 also show that it will have a 3.2 megapixel camera. The new phone will operate … Read more

An end to the Google bonus fairytale?

Clarification added December 30 (see text below).

For Googlers eagerly awaiting their famous holiday bonuses, be warned: Santa is tightening his belt too.

Google employees, some of whom have reportedly grown used to fairytale-like cash bonuses on the north side of $20,000, apparently got coal in their stockings this year. Certainly that's the takeaway for gossip blog Valleywag, which in a headline likened this year's bonus to "dogfood"--a euphemism for in-house testing--because Google would like some feedback. (Clarification: A few Google employees have contacted me to suggest that Valleywag's report on holiday bonus … Read more

Rumor has Android G2 in the works

On the heels of Google revealing enhancements to its Android mobile platform, rumors are circulating that we may soon be seeing a new Android device.

The T-Mobile G2, as the device will reportedly be called, will debut on January 26, according to "rumors" reported by Cell Phone Signal. The new device is expected to have a 5-megapixel autofocus camera, VGA camera for video calls, a full touch screen, and Wi-Fi connectivity, according to the blog.

Boy Genius Report has reported a follow-up rumor that says those specs are pretty accurate, but that the release date will actually be … Read more

Assessing Android's potential in 2009

Perhaps one of the most exciting developments in the cell phone industry this year was the final release of the T-Mobile G1 (also known as the HTC Dream), and with it, the first commercial version of the Android operating system.

Even though we thought the G1 itself left much to be desired, we were impressed overall at the potential of the Android OS, and encouraged that Google's Open Handset Alliance might finally move the open-source platform forward. But, of course, Google faces great challenges ahead just in terms of market share--Symbian and Windows Mobile have a huge stake in … Read more