Google and T-Mobile Unveil the First Android-Based Smartphone

After literally years of rumors and speculation, the first smartphone running an operating system developed by Google is now official.

T-Mobile announced the G1 today and will release it in the U.S. early next month. This device will offer an HVGA touchscreen, a QWERTY keyboard, GPS, and multiple Wi-Fi options.

Its Android operating system will include a full-featured Web browser and support for Google services such as Google Maps Street View, Gmail, YouTube and others.

Consumers Not Business Users

For email, users will naturally be able to access their Gmail accounts, -- with Push email -- but they will also have the option of using other email services. This does not include Exchange, as Android does not include support for this corporate email system.

This brings up an important point about the G1: it has been designed for consumers,not enterprise users. This comes through in many ways. For example, it will have a built-in music store, but no applications for editing Microsoft Office documents.

Still, Google is emphasizing that this is a very open platform. If companies want to write business software for Android they are more than welcome to do so.

Detailed Information

This quad-band phone will be able to connect to T-Mobile's 3G (HSDPA) and EDGE network as well as Wi-Fi. It will even automatically transfer between 3G and accessible Wi-Fi networks.

This smartphone's built-in instant messaging client with support for Google Talk, AOL, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger.

Additional specifications include:

• GSM/GPRS/EDGE/Wi-Fi and UMTS/HSDPA
  850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100 MHz
• Dimensions: 4.60" x 2.16" x 0.62"
• Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Display: 3.17 inches
• Battery Life: Up to 130 hours standby, up to 5 hours talk time

Pricing and Availability

The T-Mobile G1 will debut in the U.S. on October 22. It will cost $180 with a two-year voice and data agreement.

In addition, this device will also be available in the United Kingdom beginning in November, and across Europe in the first quarter of 2009. Countries include Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.