Assessing Android's potential in 2009

T-Mobile G1

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

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 the smart phone market, not to mention the Apple iPhone and RIM's line of BlackBerrys.

Still, there are several indications that 2009 might be the year Android truly comes into its own. We've heard news that Sony Ericsson and HTC are planning new Android phones in time for summer next year; Chinese company Huawei is developing an Android smart phone; and Samsung has revealed plans for a "full touch screen" Android handset by next year as well.

But even more than that is the ever-evolving nature of the Android operating system itself--because it is an open-source platform, it's built to be nimble and open to change. Already, we've seen plans to add stereo Bluetooth support, video capture, and the ability to save MMS attachments to the next Android build, a mere two to three months after the G1's release.

But with that potential come the limitations of hardware and carrier restrictions. We mentioned in our review of the G1 that we weren't too thrilled with the odd placement of the keyboard and the lack of a standard headphone jack. So here's hoping future Android devices will resolve these issues, and perhaps add a little more flexibility--the ability to do data tethering would be nice --so that the OS can truly shine.

What do you readers think? Are you looking forward to an Android phone next year? What would you want out of it? Let us know.

[Mary7Lynn]

Is Android supported by LifeInPocket?

[JwL3394]

I want an Android phone badly. My phone's microphone is broken, and I am *GASP* willing to wait a couple months for an Android phone. I'm on an AT&T family plan with thousands of rollover minutes, and there's no way I'll be able to convince my parents to switch carriers, so I pray one comes to AT&T, and sometime soon. I want Android to be good enough to be able to compete with the iPhone, just for the consumer's (my) sake.

[Niftyware]

You can actually get an Android phone next month. Kogan, from Australia, has released an Android phone called the Agora that is also available in the US. The phone is not locked or limited to a specific network.

[ceoce]

...Looks like Android techn. is gona be major technology in smart phone industry, a lot of todays cell phones will desapeer
from the face of the eart. ceoce.

[tech_junkie14]

I think that the Android OS has enormous potential. It has the power to influence because of the fact that it is 'Open'. 2009 will undoubtedly unleash Android's wrath. I wouldn't be surprised if it out performs the iPhone. Hopefully, it will push Apple to release upgrades to the iPhone OS that would allow it to have copy-and-paste, video recording, and MMS. If anything, it will be beneficial to the industry in general and push the limits of smart phones and create new innovations. I can't wait. I'm really waiting for Apple to burst and release copy-and-paste, and video recording. Maybe, I can dual-boot my iPhone to work with Android...... Hey, a guy can dream. Can't he?

[jmackowi]

I am not asking for much. A decent camera with flash and a 3.5mm headphone jack. If those were on the G1, I'd have one. I avoid Apple at all costs, but the iPhone is getting tempting. I'm with TMobile and have been happy for 6 1/2 years now, but their selection of phones does not keep up with the competition.

[spikoman]

> A decent camera with flash and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

These will come some day. I think that's power of a open platform. The software will more or less be the same. Phone companies can add custom software but they will have to be more responsive to people's hardware demands.

I am really curious why HTC didn't put in a 3.5mm jack. I assume they aren't dummies but I could be wrong. At least with support for AD2P in cupcake, you can listen to music wirelessly via Bluetooth. I would be the prefer way to listen to music in my car.

[Niftyware]

The G2 is suppose to have a 5 megapixel camera and a flash. The phone should arrive at least by April 2009.

[walkingdead1]

when i preordered the g1 i knew that by june there would be a better android phone. but i just had to have this one... even as bulky as it is i would take a thousand g1's over the i phone 3g. but if you can wait i would suggest you do that, but android is going to be fantastic by this time next year.

[rickwc1]

I have a G1 and I think that in this day and age it is appalling that you can neither open or even download a PDF file.
Before I purchased the G1, I had a Samsung Instinct.
It could not open PDF files, but at least I could download them to my sd card and then open them on my laptop if I so desired.
You would think that with the resources that Google has at it's disposal, simple documents could be downloaded and viewed.
Is this too much to ask?
I also can't understand why the I-phone and the Instinct have a working visual voice mail and the G1 doe not.
To say the least, I am greatly disappointed!

[rickwc1]

To address the comment by walkingdead1, how many people buy a device thinking that it is the "newest, best thing" and then have to wait a year to have it come to fulfillment?
Most intelligent people know that technology based items (i.e. computers and the like) are obsolete three months after you purchase them!
Is this what Google and T-Mobile are offering?