Google stuffs staffers' stockings with the G1

Google's gift to staffers: the HTC Dream, or G1, smartphone.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET Networks)

Google Australia employees--and those in many other countries--received an HTC Dream Android phone as a holiday gift.

"We've never developed anything like the Android software before, so this represented a unique opportunity to celebrate that achievement," a Google representative told ZDNet Australia on Monday.

Apart from spreading holiday cheer, having all the employees using the phone would help make Android better, the representative added. "Giving the Dream phone to Googlers also allows us to once again dog-food a product and make it even better."

Other Australians won't have to wait long for their own Android phone, with the Agora from Kogan Technologies set to hit Australia on January 29.

Those wanting the HTC Dream will have to wait, however. There are still no official plans yet as to when the Dream will come Down Under, a representative for the handset manufacturer said Monday.

Suzanne Tindal of ZDNet Australia reported from Sydney.

[samkass]

Gotta figure out something to do with the G1 inventory. Seems like a reasonable way to get rid of stock.

[luigiv1]

Sell them to me

[joetesta70]

Great, now everyone has the same crappy phone, Google t-shirt and smug look on.

[rshah29]

Yeah right. They just want to increase the number of G1 users for their sales figures.

Lame sales strategy.

[lmasanti]

quote:
"Apart from spreading holiday cheer, having all the employees using the phone would help make Android better, the representative added. "

Well... Apple did that when introduce the first version of the iPhone!

[slecalvez]

what a lame way to increase market share... Google is trying to create a new revenue streams in desperate ways...

[pjhenry1216]

The market share increase will be negligible. This is actually a fantastic idea. Why wouldn't you want the people making the product to also use the product? They'll understand it from a user point of view as well as from a developer point of view. This is actually a great idea. How is that so hard to comprehend? To even think that it has something to do with market share is somewhat ridiculous. The number of employees versus the number of people in the country or the world is insignificant.

[dragonbite]

What a great way for Google to get back valid, real-world feedback without having to hound and track down people! Good thinking.

[forever4now]

I think it is a great idea...from a product dev standpoint.

With thousands of employees using the phones, they'll probably generate tons of new ideas and improvements for Android.

Then, the following year, they can hand out the next generation Android phone and start the cycle all over again.

[ywkhgqo]

its actually an awesome idea, i don't know why everyone is bashing them so hard. Apple did the same thing with the ipod/iphone and microsoft with the zune. Lay off Google, they are a fantastic company. They don't just give up and ignore feed back. (Apple, STILL NO MMS messaging on the iphone? how is that even possible?)

[Pete Bardo]

Well, the last article I read on cnet was comparing Google, Microsoft, Yahoo and AOL to GM, Ford and Chrysler. If Google followed the big car companies, they would make it mandatory for all employees to use an Android phone or leave it at home. Hey, people who work for Coca-Cola can get fired for bringing a Pepsi to work! AT least they didn't require all their employees to buy one of those phones!