Don't discount the Dream just yet

Come on, give it a chance.

(Credit: FCC)

It's been only a day since the HTC Dream, aka the first Google Android phone, won approval by the Federal Communications Commission. That's why I think it's a little early to start naming reasons why the iPhone is better.

Sure, comparisons between the two devices are obvious, but I'd prefer to wait until I have the Dream in my hands to make my own. Despite the iPhone's success and popularity, it's both possible and acceptable for another cell phone to compete against it.

Here are a few reasons why I'm excited for both the HTC Dream and Google Android. As my CNET colleague Nicole Lee said Monday, actual details remain sketchy, but we still can, ahem, dream.

• The Dream promises an open platform with Android.
• Android won't be limited to one manufacturer or (hopefully) just one carrier.
• Android will operate on multiple devices that will offer varying designs and features.
• You can bet that the Dream will have basic cell phone features like multimedia messaging, voice dialing, and video recording, all of which are lacking on the iPhone.
• Google applications galore.

So until the HTC Dream rolls out of T-Mobile's doors, let's keep an open mind. It could be a bomb, or it could go on to be one cool device that shows the iPhone some serious competition. And just for the record, I loathe the term "iPhone killer."

[mrbofus]

To the best of my knowledge, the HTC Dream is a device; yet you say it will operate on multiple devices? Are you referring to the Android platform or the HTC Dream for that bullet point?

[dude7895]

Considering all they problems with the iphone, it won't be hard for the android to surpass it.

[Markus2008]

Two things:

1. "basic cell phone features like multimedia messaging, voice dialing, and video recording"
I'm pretty sure basic cell phone features are pretty much limited to making phone calls and having a contacts list.

2. "comparisons between the two devices are obvious"
Am I missing something? The schematics just show a phone-shaped device (barely). Can you elaborate on the obvious comparisons?

You can bet this will be the same old struggle between a closed system (Apple) and a more open system (Android, Microsoft). Some will prefer one over the other.

[Kreuzer33]

It has been a very big week for Android and all of the consumers who have been waiting for the product to arrive. Let's see if Google can deliver or if the public will be unimpressed once it finally arrives.

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

[mr_bartelby]

I'm a test engineer. I have the first gen Iphone, I've held a prototype of the Dream w/ an early software build of android. I'm more impressed with the Dream phone than I was when I first got my Iphone. There will be more offerings of android on different platforms, a more open SDK making it attractive to sw developers. I look forward to seeing the different form factors android will be available on, that's why I've held off from getting the 3G iphone. I'm glad I did seeing it's problems.

[jCounsel]

I can't wait either. However, I am concerned about Android hardware developers who may not keep their product up to some level of "quality" that everyone expects. I hope everyone realizes that certain hardware vendors may be to blame for failures rather than the platform...

[MickBurke]

The fact that the iPhone is 'locked down by the man' is enough to make android better. I don't know for sure why the hippies love iPhones so much when a) you can't get your own apps for them b) any music you buy from the itunes store can ONLY be played on an ipod (thereby locking you into steve jobs pocket for the rest of your life) c) It costs 99¢ to use a song you already purchased from him as a ring tone. Face it, steve jobs is the new bill gates... Except he's cool or something.

[jCounsel]

You could buy, where available, the "+" versions which are "open" mp3 files--no DRM. Of course, not all music is available in the "+" format, but saying "ONLY" is rather misleading...

[LiveStronger]

Apple has only ever excelled in 2 things: elegance & hype. Their products look pretty, but are all really expensive, and usually terrible to work with. iTunes stands tall as the most used program with the worst code and interface known to mankind today. The iPhone only really caught my attention when the jailbreaking started happening, but it still didn't make up for the fact that there were so many features, considered standard by today's mobile handsets the it Didn't have.
What the poor faux-journalist on that webmonkey article didn't realize is free beats expensive any day. Even now, I'm having trouble deciding which I should me more excited about: the archos 5 or the HTC Dream. Prices will be the big clencher

[jCounsel]

I am not sure how free beats expensive "any day..." While free, a wanna-be hack of a phone may not do anything--even make a call. I'd rather pay for something than have something for free that is useless.

It may be argued that nothing is free. OSS, like Snort, Zimbra server, etc., are all "free," but I dare say that most people outside of the IT-inclined could get it installed, configured, or running. For that, those developers who release "free" stuff charge consulting fees. Most people would rather pay $50.00 for software that "just works" rather than have to pay some to install, configure, and manage their server (or phone...).

[jCounsel]

The "open" platform for Android Apps concerns me to some extent. While the iPhone hack to "open" the device isn't always a 1-click process, an already functioning Android phone could be used by someone as a black-hat device. The last thing I need is some scripts for Android that make my life more difficult. Is anyone screening the apps or acting as a repository?

While I don't like Apple's "blacklist" idea, any company without one is liable for damages. How is Google/Android going to self-police?