Jordan McCollum 2008-09-24
The much-discussed, oft-denied-until-confirmed Google Android "Gphone" is . . . here. Almost. Today's announcement doesn't come from the pages of the Wall Street Journal (okay, well, I did see it there, too), but from Google itself.
The announcement? T-Mobile has the first Google Android "Gphone," the G1. If you pre-order the phone for $179.99 (plus taxes and fees; two-year agreement required), it will be delivered to your door-"as early as" 22 October 2008.
Comparisons to the iPhone are inevitable, but can I just say my jaw actually dropped watching the Flash movie with its features?
- Touch screen
- Customizable home screen
- Phone flips open for a full QWERTY keyboard
- Three megapixel camera
- Google Maps Street View-this is where my jaw dropped. You can pan in the Street View photos by just moving the phone in the direction you want the image to turn. (!)
- One-touch Google search
Full QWERTY keyboard
3 megapixel camera
As they've long said, the platform is open to developers. They've already run developer contests and have more than 1700 apps ready to go.
Business Week also reports that Qualcomm is working on a Gphone, as are four other companies which may include Samsung, LG, and Motorola. All five Gphones are due out in the next six months.
The rumors began in December 2006 and persisted, denied by Google until they finally seemed confirmed as Android, a mobile OS, in October 2007.
Google promised its OS this Fall (which, if you've forgotten, started yesterday). In June the WSJ said Android would be later than Google promised. If the phone does arrive on schedule, it will just barely beat the WSJ's Q4 prediction.
Read the full history of our Gphone/Android coverage.
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