T-Mobile has unveiled Google’s answer to the iPhone. The G1 uses Google’s Android operating system. The T-Mobile G1 features a touch-screen, slick software, and a software store that makes it appear a strong competitor to other smart phones. It arrives October 23rd at a competitive price of $180 with a two year contract from T-Mobile
Though the T-Mobile G1 is not as sleek as the iPhone it does promises to give mobile-phone users a lot of freedom and flexibility. One of the biggest difference from the iPhone is that the G1 s addition of a physical keyboard, which slides out from underneath the touchscreen. The G1 has just a touchscreen, which means it can’t track multiple simultaneous gestures, while the iPhone 3G has a multi-touch screen. The G1 doesn’t have true video playback capabilities, although it does have video-streaming capabilities via YouTube while the iPhone 3G does. Apple’s reported battery life for iPhone 3G on standby time is significantly longer than the G1′s. The G1 offers multimedia messaging, copying and paste, voice dialing and a removable battery which the iPhone notably lacks.
There is also the Android Market, which is Google’s answer to the Apple App Store. Where many Apple apps cost money (typically anywhere from $0.99 to $9.99), at launch all Android Market apps will be free. Where Apple takes hard line to any App development, they approve every App to their store Google will allow creators to upload any application to the Android Market without its review.
Certainly T-Mobile has an uphill battle, but it’s strong features and subtle differences could be the boom that the smart phone market needs for Apple to find a true rival.