Poll: Is the T-Mobile G1 a must-have gadget?

News.com Poll

T-Mobile G1: Hot or not?
Will you run out to get the first Google Android phone?

I already preordered one.
Heck, yeah. I'm on my way to T-Mobile now.
No, thanks.
I'm waiting for other Android devices.

View results

There's been plenty of buzz and anticipation over the T-Mobile G1, dating back to the day when Google Android was first announced and the smartphone was known as the HTC Dream. What would the Android platform offer? What would the Google phone look like? Could it be better than the iPhone?

Well, we got our answer a few days ago, along with a number of other tech sites (check out TG Daily for a nice roundup), and I think it'd be fair to say we all came away with the same general consensus: lackluster design and not quite ready for mass consumption, but huge potential for the Android platform.

That's just our take on it though, and now, we want to hear from you. With the G1 officially on sale at T-Mobile stores nationwide and online, we want to know how many of you will be buying the device or taking a pass.

Take our simple poll here--and in our talk-back section, please share your reasons for why or why not you're going to get the G1. Also, G1 owners, I'll be asking for your help in a couple of weeks to find out what you like and don't like about your smartphone, so take note.

[justdaven]

I definitely would like one. I am a T-Mobile subscriber, and I use the HTC Dash. It is a decent phone, but has some standard smartphone features that are not available. (Plus I want to have 3G)

I am looking forward to what folks have to say about it and I may pick one up in a month or so. The only real complaint that I have is that the price for the phone for people who are already T-Mobile, but are "not yet eligible for a discount" is quite high. What is this? Airline Travel? The price for a phone should be the price for a phone. We should not let companies get away with charging their own (faithful) customers more than they would anyone else...

[surflizard]

I love my G1, but applications are disparately needed. A video player and ebook reader are critical. And landscape viewing without having the keyboard open would be nice.

[winthrop.hayes]

The phone is great -- T-Mobile coverage is the deal breaker...

[Crunchy Doodle]

For me, the half-life of high-tech phones is way too short. The 1 or 2 year contracts you have to sign up for are much too long for the rate of technology advance. I have my two-year old Nokia that just makes and receeves calls. It does nothing else, and will continue that simple task for many years. My PDA handles documents contacts, photos, videos and appointments just fine. If I want to take a picture, I have a state-of-art P&S as well as a DSLR. For shooting video, I have an HD SDHC based camcorder, as well as a small SD SDHC model. I will change out whichever gadget doesn't please me on its own schedule. It's not all tied up in a slick new cell phone with a long contract.

[stigmattaman]

@ Crunchy Doodle - Completely agreed about the contract being too long. For heck's sake, I'm still waiting out my Helio contract because I just HAD to have the Ocean. The G1's nice and all, but I have no doubt there will be better, sleeker Android phones in a relatively short amount of time.

[hapygirl]

I'm going to wait a while even though I absolutely love new gadgets/phones. I really liked my T-Mobile Dash but it broke and I went with a basic phone for now. I get a new phone every year, and I have a personal cell and a work cell so that adds up to an abundance of phones over the course of a couple years. I totally agree with justdaven, why do loyal customers have to pay so much for new technology?

[techfan_08]

I can't imagine wanting to switch from the iPhone to the G1. I need my iTunes Remote app!

[storm14k]

There is already an ITunes remote app for the G1.

[storm14k]

I RARELY dive into anything new like this but something told me this device would be worth it. And after only a day with it I say it was VERY well worth it.

As soon as I opened the box I saw that all the articles calling it ugly were BS. Its no head turner but its far from ugly and my highly critical wife felt the form factor was very functional anyway. From all the articles I just swore this phone was going to be huge and I was surprised to find it fits nicely in my hand and even pocket. And even with the few applications that are available in the market I have found quite a few that are very useful. In fact I am challenging myself to see if I can replace my laptop with this phone for everything outside of keyboard intensive work like programming or working with documents.

I don't know where you saw lackluster design and thats certainly not the consensus I got across the internet. But the phones design appears to be just fine and I don't see any reason it wouldn't be ready for mass consumption. Its already head and shoulders above almost all cell phone offerings out there besides the IPhone.

[bkerrins]

I was hoping the poll would be more like the first comments. I would buy it because 1) it's from Google and 2) it's not from Apple. Apple does make really cool products, but they are too tied to iTunes. I don't want to have only one source for my music, calendar, applications, etc. I also use my phone in a corporate environment, and while the G1 doesn't support Exchange yet (deal killer) I don't think Apple ever will because of their relationship with Microsoft.

[Melissa Good]

Saw the G1 while I was waiting for a SIM card replacement at Tmo today. It's okay. I didn't like the keyboard - too easy to miss the keys, and the design was meh. For some reason, it reminded me of the Kindle, and the swing up screen reminded me of the Sidekick. No dis to the kick, I owned all versions of it from the B/W to the current, but the G1 just felt a little undercooked.

[TheeMobileGoD]

Melissa... this is nothing like the sidekick, though it has similarities, but it's far from it. In addition, the comment you made about being undercooked can basically confirm to any technology extremist youre not very computer literate, because what drives this smart mobile device apart from it's awesome internal hardware is it's phenomenal software (Android OS). when have you ever heard of a cellular device that can scan your eyes so no intruders can access your personal information (This software is called BIOWALLET), also what app do you know can scan any item with with a barcode and tell you where to find it at within 50+ MILES of where you're standiing useing GPS and giives you the option of purchaseing it via online (software is called ShopSavvy) and there's plenty more exciting apps. For the record, im not offended by your comment, just giggled from your lack of knowledge based on this device. do research next time and if you havent it's a great time to start. LoL.

[TheeMobileGoD]

Hands down after useing this device it destroys the Iphone! NOW THAT THE market is up and runninng and I spent countless hours on the G1, I've came to the conclusion there's no cell that can top this smart phone OMG! Man its one wicked device. I cannot leave the device alone and its addictive from typing on the gorgeous keyboard, to touching the screen, even utilizing 3 quaters of the apps in the marketplace makes this smart device so fun as google would say "Funnerer". Take from me as the geek of mobile devices and technology, this device is not an Iphone, I have to say "technology it kills the Iphone and any other previous cell device and I assume most of the comments posted previously to this haven't used the G1, or they're Iphoners who's pretending like G1 owners, or simply unexperienced and can't wrap their minds around useing a device that's phenamonal such as the G1. Anyhow, I love the internet speed, quick response, sleek and steardy design, it appears very strong and its definately runs head to head if not a step in front of the Iphone 3rd generation device. Tunewiki, Imeem mobile, Imap, Pacman, Shopsavvy and much more such as Google maps (streetview) and etc are so so so awesome. Please don't listen to these reviewers, go play with the smart phone yourself... its so awesome. By the way, I wrote this comment on the G1 comfortably and useing the zoom out feature to view the box as I type is kool and quick. Please do yourself a favor and buy one, switch carriers if needed because it's definately worth it.

[goodmanbrown]

I'm typing this on my G1. I think the reviews have underrated this phone...I've been pleasantly surprised. I am excited to see what better apps and firmware could bring, but this thing is great out of the box.

Things overlooked in many reviews:
-you can fast switch between all open apps by holding home key...really handy for getting around.
-touch screen navigation is great, but the trackball is wonderful for delicate jobs, like editing text. I don't see why it gets a bad rep, or why some say too many inputs are confusing.
-the notification drop down is extremely usefull. It shows you new emails, messages, download status, and some apps data (like what song is playing).
-this phone runs fast fast fast!

I think Apple's always going to have it's following, but I will be surprised if Android doesn't take off.

[nnfoster]

I bought a G1 on 10/22.
I love it...EXCEPT the battery life :(
The phone does all it is advertised to and more :)
Clarity, intuitive use all wonder !
Battery life = frustrating :(
I charged overnight...left house at 7am today...wifi off, sent one email, read a few emails, and made a few phone calls.
11:30 am---battery dead
4.5 hours is not enough :(
Can't run home at lunch time to charge my phone or go driving around town to car charge :(
I think I will reluctantly return the G1 and hope future versions have more battery :(

[TheeMobileGoD]

What's up nnfoster, I have to tell you the truth, as smart devices become more useful the battery life will decrease due to the power it consumes. There is no other device that's smart like this, contrary to the Iphone which isn't even close to performing the things this device does. Anyhow, compared to any device, such as the Iphone, the battery life won't be any difference... so by returning it back you're simply giving up on all smart devices because you don't have the patience or sense to bring your charger, or you can't afford a car charger. Just sell it on Ebay and tell them about battery life and watch as they grin grievously as the G1 overwhelm them with its powerful capability, I'm sure you'll get your money back by selling it there. Going through the geek mind will certainly be, "Jack butt" Get smart dude. They can make a battery that lasts longer (lol). That's so minor to be sending it back. Just sell it online, peace.