The Ion gives a taste of what to expect with the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)T-Mobile has finally unveiled its second Android phone, but how does it stack up with the carrier's first release? If you purchased a G1 back in October, is it time to upgrade? How were the major concerns of the first phone addressed?
The MyTouch 3G won't launch in the United States until August, but the phone has been available in other parts of the world for months. The Google Ion, which made the rounds at the Google I/O conference last month, is a limited edition version of the HTC Magic, and shares the same hardware and many features with the MyTouch 3G.
Battery life
One of the biggest complaints of the G1 concerned its limited battery life. Users were forced to disable many features in order to prolong use. Indeed, on my G1, I routinely had to disable Wi-Fi, GPS, and other features that I wasn't using. Normally, my phone would normally survive the day, but it was near dead when I placed it on the charger at night.
Luckily, the battery life is no longer an issue on the second Android phone. The Ion's 1300mAh battery offers increased capacity over its predecessor. Though it's only 13 percent larger than the G1's 1150mAh battery, it feels as if it has twice the capacity. Even if I leave all features turned on, my phone is still going strong at night. There have even been a few nights where I skipped charging the Ion, which is something that I could never do with the G1.... Read more
Rogers Wireless plans to release two Android phones, starting June 2.
(Credit: Screenshot by Stephen Shankland/CNET)Updated at 7:21 a.m. PDT with comment from Rogers.
Dominant Canadian carrier Rogers Wireless announced plans to release two phones in June built by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC and powered by Google's Android open-source operating system.
The HTC Dream, sold in the United States as the T-Mobile G1, was the first Android phone to go on sale last year, but now the newer HTC Magic, which lacks the G1's flip-out keyboard and uses a touch-screen software keyboard instead, has begun arriving in parts of the world. Rogers will sell both in June, the company said Thursday.
The HTC Magic phone, in this case sold through Vodafone, is coming to Canada via Rogers Wireless.
(Credit: Vodafone)"Both devices offer outstanding wireless Internet search capabilities and a full suite of applications that run two times faster on Canada's fastest mobile network," John Boynton, Rogers Wireless' chief marketing officer, boasted in a statement Thursday.
The Rogers Wireless Android phone Web site said the debut date is June 2, but the company offered no information about prices or subscription plans.
"Regarding pricing, it will be released soon, but in the meantime, I can confirm that customers who activate or upgrade to a HTC Dream or HTC Magic smartphone will be able to take advantage of Rogers Wireless' in-market pricing," spokeswoman Elizabeth Hamilton said. "And I can also confirm that customers can choose from contract or no-contract pricing."
Rogers' 3.5G network reaches 75 percent of Canada's population, she added.
... Read more
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.
T-Mobile G1 in white
(Credit: T-Mobile)On Monday, T-Mobile set free the white version of the T-Mobile G1, joining the previously released black and bronze models. The white G1 will cost the same as the others at $179.99 with a two-year contract and is available online and in stores.
According to Silicon Alley Insider and DigiTimes, HTC, the manufacturer of the first Google Android smartphone, expects to ship 1 million G1s by the end of 2008, which is 67 percent more than its original estimate of 600,000. It's unclear how the sales break down in terms of region and demographics, but it's certainly good news for HTC and T-Mobile.
That said, it's still got plenty of competition from the other hot touch-screen smartphones: the iPhone 3G and RIM BlackBerry Storm. Any guesses as to which phone will be the hottest seller this holiday season?
T-Mobile G1
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
I'm a month-to-month T-Mobile customer with a Nokia 6133 that is on its lest leg. I want to get a phone with a full Internet browser and I'm deciding between the iPhone and the T-Mobile G1. I'd also like access for my Yahoo mail, but I don't need my work e-mail. Which do you recommend? Also, I don't own an iPod or use iTunes (I usually use Amazon to purchase music), so I'm concerned about moving to an all-iTunes environment.
- EJ
That's a a very good question, EJ, and the answer depends on your individual needs and desires. Though the iPhone is the better overall device (at least right now) a person in your situation should seriously consider the G1. Here is why.
I always tell people who are considering purchasing an iPhone 3G that there are three reasons to buy one. Forget the slick design and the flashy and user-friendly interface; I recommend buying the iPhone for its Web browser, its media player, and (to a somewhat lesser extent) its support for third-party applications. These three areas are where the iPhone performs very well, so I advise basing your decision on a comparison of those points. Sure, the design and interface are important, but I'd treat them and the e-mail integration as secondary motivators. And of course, I wouldn't base my decision on call quality alone, as the iPhone 3G still suffers in that area.
When boiled down to those three points, the G1 offers a compelling alternative to the iPhone. It also has a Web browser and media player and it supports third-party apps. While those apps are limited for now, more will come in the future. And as Bonnie Cha and Nicole Lee reported in their G1 review, the media player and browser offered satisfying performance. Sure, they may not be as good as on the iPhone, but they may be good enough for you. And here's another advantage for you: the G1's integration with the Amazon MP3 store means you wouldn't have to switch over to iTunes. And on a similar note, the G1 would enable you to stay with T-Mobile if you're happy with its service.
... Read more
While speaking in Washington last week,Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said that Sprint is not ready for the Google Android OS just yet. According to Reuters, Hesse said that at present Android is not "good enough to put the Sprint brand on it."
Yet, Hesse promised that the carrier would sell a phone powered by Android "at some time in the future." Sprint is a member of the Open Handset Alliance, which developed Android in partnership in Google. Hesse did not elaborate on when that would be or on what kind of Android handset it would sell.
Personally, I think Sprint needs Android more than Android needs it. As I wrote earlier this month, Sprint has done a poor job with its brand development over the past year. You don't really know what the company stands for, and its selection of phones and services is relatively uninspiring. An Android phone could only give the carrier a little cachet and serve as an alternative to T-Mobile's G1. Sure, I'll agree that the Android we see on the G1 didn't knock our socks off, but it's a good start on an intriguing concept.
(Credit:
Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
If you're thinking of buying a T-Mobile G1, you might want to run to the nearest Wal-Mart instead of a T-Mobile store. According to CNNMoney.com, Wal-Mart will sell the first Google Android smartphone in 550 stores nationwide starting Wednesday and for a lower price.
T-Mobile currently sells the G1 for $179.99 with a two-year contract, but Wal-Mart will offer the device for $148.88 to new customers or current subscribers who are eligible for an upgrade. You'll, of course, still have to commit to a two-year service agreement.
(Credit:
T-Mobile)
Ever since Apple's iPhone hit the market, some people have loved using a virtual keypad. Others have hated it.
Owners of Google's new G1 Android phones could soon have a choice to use either the existing slide-out QWERTY keyboard or a virtual keyboard like the iPhone's.
Google has added "soft keyboards" to its road map of future software releases. The new software hook is expected to be available for phone manufacturers as part of the source code in the first three months of 2009.
While there are many features to love about the G1, which is the first Android phone to hit the market, there are several items missing. A virtual keypad is one of them.
Without the touchscreen keypad, people have to slide out the QWERTY keypad to send text messages, IMs, and e-mail.
(Credit:
Joyity)
Wednesday marks the release of the HTC Dream T-Mobile G1 featuring Google Android. If you're planning to pick one up, you're probably going to want to do something other than make calls and send texts. I mean it is a phone, for crying out loud.
On the same day, Zelfi will release a new software development and gaming platform for Google Android, called Joyity.
Once you have it installed, you'll be able to play a number of games designed for the platform. Joyity games are unique in that they are physically interactive and some require you to actually walk or run around your city in order to play.
In one of the games, called YouCatch, you play with other people while they're using their phones. Once you start, you'll get a quick picture of your target (another player) and then will have walk or run around your city (within a predetermined radius) to find him/her. At the same time, other players will be looking for you.
The games will make use of the GPS and location-based services on the phone. Using the platform, you'll also be able to design your own games and then share them with the Joyity user community.
The gaming software can be downloaded, free of charge, for HTC G1 with Google Android at the Android Market.
This sounds a lot like Geocaching actually. It could be fun, if you don't mind looking like an idiot running down the street chasing random strangers. But, if you're into that sort of thing, at least now you'll have a legitimate excuse.
The T-Mobile G1 is more than just a phone.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)By now, you might have read Bonnie Cha and Nicole Lee's review of the T-Mobile G1, which goes on sale Wednesday. As one of the most anticipated cell phones of the year, the G1 had me on the edge of my seat the moment T-Mobile announced it. I wasn't part of the formal CNET review, but I relished the opportunity to get some one-on-one time with the device.
As Bonnie and Nicole rightfully point out, the G1's design isn't the most inspiring, and it lacks some needed features, but I still applaud HTC and T-Mobile for taking this step. Though it isn't perfect, and I can't think of a phone that is, the G1 is a great start on a new way to think about the mobile industry. It is much more than just another phone; the G1's real appeal lies in its promise of an open-source device that puts control in the hands of users. Whether the G1 will really deliver on that promise remains to be seen, but I think it has a lot of potential to do so.
The "walled garden" is a concept you hear a lot in the cell phone world. Basically, it describes an environment where one party controls every aspect of the user experience, from the handset to the service to the applications. For much of the mobile phone industry's life in the United States, that party has been the carrier. Yet, ever since the iPhone burst onto the scene 15 months ago, that concept has begun to change.
... Read more
