For now, the HTC Dream is still just a dream

News broke Monday that the FCC has finally given its seal of approval to the HTC Dream handset, which is purported to be the first cell phone to carry Android, Google's open platform for mobile handsets.

It appears that the HTC Dream will feature Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a "jogball"-type navigation toggle (similar to the trackball on the BlackBerry Pearl). There are even indications that it will support WCDMA 1700, T-Mobile's new 3G band.

Is the HTC Dream just a dream?

(Credit: Google)

Of course, the promise of the Android handset lies in its open platform. Earlier Monday, Google finally announced the first beta version of the Android SDK, which could send developers in a frenzy to develop applications in time for the Dream's release (which is purported to be some time in November, though there are rumors that it might debut as early as October).

But all of this still seems a bit pie in the sky. After almost a year of talk about the Google Phone, all we have are FCC sketches, prototype models, and demo screenshots of potential Android applications.

I understand it takes a long time for a product to come to fruition, but I'm afraid that by the time the Dream comes to market, it'll already be yesterday's news. Since it will face stiff competition by the likes of the iPhone 3G and the upcoming BlackBerry Bold, I think the HTC Dream will really have to pull out all the stops to compete on the same level.

So I pulled up my Google phone wishlist from November of last year. My list of must-have features were:

1) An easy-to-use operating system
2) Third-party application support
3) Select applications like a full HTML browser, POP e-mail, and a VoIP client
4) 3G and Wi-Fi
5) Full Bluetooth support that includes data tethering

It does sound like the Android OS will be close in fulfilling all five of my criteria, but even then, will the actual HTC Dream be a good phone? Will it be easy to use? Will the Android platform translate well to different kinds of hardware? And most importantly, will the applications be any good? There are more questions than answers right now, and I'm left feeling more skeptical than ever.

What do you, as early adopters and regular consumers, think of the Android OS and the HTC Dream? Do you think it will make a dent in the iPhone/BlackBerry/Windows Mobile arena? What do you want the HTC Dream to have in terms of design and features? Let us know in the comments below.

[bryanska111]

Um, why would a cell provider include VoIP? Wouldn't that let users easily avoid using minutes?

[mrdeeno]

VoIP not in the traditional sense, but as something like T-mo's UMA or hotspot service. Even if you don't have the service, the phone can still use wi-fi to make calls (although it will take from your minutes if you don't have the plan). This is an advantage for customers in buildings with wi-fi but poor cell signal reception, and is also good for the carrier by unloading bandwidth by utilizing wi-fi. I think Tmo's plan is $9.99 or something for unlimited minutes on wi-fi, so this is good for people who usually go way over their minutes or have family plans that are barely enough to sustain their teenagers.

I had this on my Blackberry (I did not have the plan) and it was 90% seamless when it switched from edge to UMA (switching between UMA and edge was buggy until an OS upgrade). I did not notice any difference in calls that were started and ended while in UMA.

[whogrant]

I would love to know how good the HTML browser will be - will it support enough JavaScript to be useful? And will it have full support of modern XML based standards?

I guess those who have been using the Android SDK will know and can chime in.

[everwanted2]

The browser on the Android is based on WebKit, so it has even more support (a little more than the iphone) in terms of standards and handled code. It can read web sites, they just need an easy to use web page navigation like zooming in, look the android browser on youtube, some good concepts.

[mrdeeno]

I was on a Blackberry 7130c, then a BB Pearl (8100), then a BB Curve (8320), and now switched to an iPhone 3g after falling into the hype (and believe me, it's all hype...people actually stood in line for this thing?)

The feature I miss the most after having Blackberries and moving to an iPhone is the customizability and the many, many small features that make it a KILLER corporate device. The iPhone 3G has a long long way to go to even begin to approach the corporate friendliness and efficiency of a blackberry. I love the iPhone for what it is, a consumer oriented cell phone with a cool UI with a great browser and media player, and very so-so PDA/email functions.

I think if a "gPhone" can combine the best of both these worlds, then they will have a killer on their hand. I miss not having "instant-wake" or sleep when pulling my BB out or putting it into the holster. I miss not automaticaly jumping to a new message when you wake it up out of the holster. I miss not having the ability to set a custom alert tone to each individual mail account and other events, or having apps run in the background, or consolidating emails and messages into the same folders, or easily setting up push email/calendar/contacts. If the gPhone offers customizability that can approach BB's with a cool UI and usability of an iPhone with decent 3rd party support/offerings in both the hardware and software side, then maybe, just maybe, it'll be highly successful.

[davidhoude]

Why would you want VOIP? For the very reason you just stated, why use minutes when you can use wifi? I think that is a very important feature, and while service providers might not benefit, the end users would.

Service providers cannot always tell you what you can and can not do, especially with your own computer.

[antonmelser]

For info, the browser is a modified (memory optimised I believe) Webkit (so the same core as Safari). But I think the true shame of Android, and a big reason why it won't have the bang it should do, is the fact that they didn't release the source early enough. I myself have been wanting to install it on a phone, but without the source (which they say they're going to release just "after") it's virtually impossible to play properly. With all the geeks, and even companies out there, there have only been very few people that have managed to get it installed anywhere. So people have been using the (very nice) emulator. But an emulator is just that, and presents none of the real-world challenges. The beauty of Linux (the OS underneath) is being able to install pretty much anywhere, and Android needs to steer well clear of phone vendor lockin for people to get really excited. So why not just release the damn source!
ps. Pretty much any wifi-capable phone can do VOIP, you just need to find the right software, and be able to install it...

[hiya168]

2 things needed to make the Dream a killer Smart phone are:

- Camera in the front with software support for group video conferencing.
- Outlook support is a must.

[darthnater]

I think the Android phones will do well. I know for someone like me, though I would like to have an iPhone I am unwilling to switch to ATT. I think people that don't want to switch to ATT but want a phone that can compete with the iPhone will be all over handsets such as the HTC Dream.

[AppleSuxLeo]

A FULLY BAKED pie in the sky is better than a half-baked , buggy pie from a company that is secretive , lies , and DENIES there are any problems.

[esp275]

One component, and this will be the type of phone/platform to rule them all: WiMax (with a provider like Xohm).

[lacfnc06]

i dont really want a dream but since i heard about android i made a very detailed list on what I want on my android phone. here it is and i hope you enjoy!!

multitouch interface. bluetooth. >1.9 mp camera. video recording. mms. internet download capable. full webpage viewing. acceleterometer. all android applications usable. camera flash. visual voicemail. onscreen unlock. web flash support. cutomizable desktop/ shortcut menu. yahoo! email capapable. wifi email syncable. memory card slot. computer backup capable. 3g. music player. gps. google maps street view capable. google maps walking direction capable. google earth capable? google maps turn-by-turn directions. 3.5mm headphone jack. and radio?

wow thats a lot.. any questions??

[AppleSuxLeo]

Android seems pretty good...but I`m holding out for the ANADROL OS ! Or whatever Usain Bolt is using...;)

[BowieBorder]

Must have Exchange push e-mail capabilities.
VOIP or T-Mobile @ Home compatibility would be pretty cool but not a must.

[Kreuzer33]

Let's see what happens when the product is available to the consumers. Then we will have the opportunity to see how great Android truly is.

http://kreuzer33.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/google-android-all-hands-on-deck/

[David01110]

This article mentions that the Dream will have a ""jogball"-type navigation toggle." Does this mean that it's not destined to have a multi-touch screen?

[ayoung45]

probably not

[ayoung45]

If the Android can create a solid mobile operating system with high quality basic smartphone features (email/calendar/contacts, web browser, UI, profile customization, etc.), THEN it would make a statement against all the different mobile OSs running around the industry.