Meet the T-Mobile G1
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Sep 22nd 2008 10:47PM
posted Sep 22nd 2008 10:47PM
Update: TmoNews has just uncovered new specs and info on the phone. Here's what they've got so far: the phone is 4.6 x 2.16 x 0.63 inches, weighs 5.6 ounces, features a 480 x 320 HVGA display, sports 3G (obviously), GPS, has a 3.1-megapixel camera, supports up to 8GB of memory (though no format is mentioned), and will feature 5 hours of talktime with 130 hours of standby. Strangely, the phone won't do video capture (what?), won't have stereo Bluetooth, will require a Gmail account, and won't be sold at stores outside of a 2-5 mile radius of T-Mobile's 3G coverage area. That last bit sounds a little odd to us, but we're guessing a lot of the functionality of this device will be shot in non-3G areas.
[Thanks, Luis; Via TmoNews]
But it's for....T-Mobile. Eeeewwwwww...
I wonder if a AT&T sim would work in it....
Only if you unlock the phone.
An Android phone is locked?! I thought the whole idea of Android was it's open source'ness.
@Hush:
Only the hardware is locked. The openness of the Android only goes as far as the software/OS.
Unfortunately for Android, the hardware is crap. I had high hopes for the Android platform, and the pathetic [T-mobile's 3G] network and HTC's design (why?!) pretty much crushed it. I'm still hopeful that despite these issues, more Android phones will come out, and on the AT&T network (I'm stuck, family plan and all).
:'(
It will be locked to T-Mobile so unless you can figure it out how to unlock it, it will not work on at&t.
What's with "no video capture" geez... first the iPhone now this? That's disgusting... there will probably be a future third party app that will allow you to do this... but this is just stupid! >_
Anyone else think this phone is a bit ugly? The interface between the fixed part with the buttons and the sliding part just looks horrible to me.
I think it's a smart design. It's sort of like a mini computer what with the keyboard at hand and the touch screen for the mouse. It seems convenient in my opinion. It looks weird in black. If I were to get this phone (which is very likely), I'd get the white one.
I'm sure someone will eventually unlock the phone, but even then, the T-Mo and AT&T frequencies for 3G are different. You'd be stuck on ATT's EDGE. :) I'm waiting for the HTC HD device to come out, hopefully with a US 3G flavor by the end of this year. Should make a nice Christmas present for myself.
AT&T and T-Mobile use different frequencies in some markets but the same in others.
Eric- You are missing some important details. T-Mobile USA and AT&T do use the same frequencies in many markets... for 2G. Regarding 3G, AT&T (along with the rest of the world) uses 1900 and 2100 MHz for 3G. T-Mobile USA uses 1700 and 2100 MHz exclusively for 3G. Now this does not necessarily preclude the G1 from working on AT&T's 3G network. You see, T-Mobile uses 1900 and 2100 MHz for 3G in Europe, and it is already confirmed that T-Mobile will be launching the G1 in Europe too. I think it is a safe wager that they are running the same hardware, just with differing localized regional software. This would lead me to believe that the G1 will support 3G on 1700, 1900, and 2100 MHz.
can i know what's meaning of "sports 3G (obviously)" please!
It means that it will have 3G.
It just means that the phone has 3G (High speed) data frequency support.
This sucks! At first I was like "YESSSSSSSSSSSSS iPhone competitor," then I saw the leaked pictures and I was like "Well, even if it's fugly its features will whip the iPhone's ass." Now I find out it's the fatass version of the iPhone with no video capture OR BLUETOOTH STEREO?!!!??!?!?! FAIL FAIL FAIL!
To be fair, it has a physical QWERTY, that's what's making it so unusual. And besides, Android is the platform, not the phone. I don't think it was every officially stated that the G1 would compete with the iPhone, although IMO, I think it will, but I guess it depends on your taste. I personally like the physical keyboard and I don't mind for the non-slim design (but it still looks pretty slim.) I'd choose this over the iPhone any day.
... and is locked to a network that DOESN'T have 3G coverage except for ONE city so far. No thanks.
Skyshock21- Surely you jest! 3G in only ONE city?! Where have you been for the past few months? T-Mobile currently has 3G operational in 13 markets, with another eight scheduled to be online in time for the G1's availability. There will be nearly 30 markets with 3G by the end of 2008, and at the rate they've been cracking them out lately (two to three markets per week) it shouldn't be an issue for long... unless you live next to the Squidbillies!
honestly, am i the only one who has yet to see anything about wifi on the phone?
I'll wait for some later, hopefully more robust, hardware revisions backed up by a more mature 3G network.
Good to see the first steps finally being taken.
No video? Really? That's surprising. Huh. And stereo bluetooth? Is that similar to just regular bluetooth or are they referring to bluetooth for other devices? I'm so confused. You'd think this phone would have everything. I mean, no video? My Instinct sucks but at least it has video. Well, not that I use it that much so.. hm. Maybe I'll wait for more Android devices to surface before I make a choice?
P.S., Are we sure that these are the official specs and not just a rumored one?
By stereo Bluetooth, they mean the functionality to use Bluetooth profiles like A2DP to say, stream Bluetooth audio to another device. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this means no Bluetooth headsets either.
By lack of stereo Bluetooth itself, I will not get this device. I stream music from my phone (currently a Nokia N82) to my car, which features a Pioneer DEH-P980BT Bluetooth-enabled head unit.
Ho ho. So the iphone's going up in smoke, is it? Not up against specs like those it ain't. Not for a looong time to come.
What's wrong with the specs..?
yup, right up until the time the HD comes out. then game over.
Size comparison: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/apple-iphone-3g-vs-htc-dreamt-mobile-g1/
The lower part looks like a little low-end...
I'm curious.... I still haven't seen anything confirmed on whether these will support EDGE networks or not... For those of us that are willing to use it on EDGE until we get UMTS available.
I just want the pros at xda-dev to rip android off this thing and we can put it on a good looking phone like the Diamond or Touch HD.... Then we will make our own iPhone killer .... or at least the WinMo killer.. that is all I ask.
Back button is to the RIGHT of the nav stick... terrible idea!
And it is screamingly UGLY!!!!
I know, since Ugly Betty or so Ugly might be the new beautiful, but whoever designed it at T-Mobile or HTC has probably designed the Palast der Republik or the Trabant Car earlier?!;-/
It looks like one of those cheap iClone handsets from China. Seriously, what were they thinking?
One question: Will those Google applications work with Google Apps accounts? I remember that some of Google's mobile applications, like the Java-based Gmail mobile client, doesn't work with Google Apps.
So, its basically the same thing as the Sidekick. Alrighty then.
no video capture what?
Plus i want a real headphone jack.. why can't i get that.
"won't be sold at stores outside of a 2-5 mile radius of T-Mobile's 3G coverage area"
That means, with T-Mobile's user base, what tens of these should be sold by year end?
"will require a Gmail account"
Am I the only one that doesn't like this tie in? Why would this be a legitimate requirement?
I agree. I was ready to pre-order this phone, but these points make it somewhat disenchanting to say the least.
I am in DC, where this is no 3G. Does this make the phone worthless to me?
The gmail requirement is very disappointing as well. Not the "openness" I was hoping for with the Android platform. Very Apple-esque.
It is not a REQUIREMENT to live within 2-5 miles of a 3G market, it's just that those are the only stores that will stock it. Everyone else is able to order online and cope with EDGE, and WiFi when available.
...not be sold within 2-5 miles of 3G coverage. What?!
You T-Mobile sons of bitches! Why are you punishing us for your decision not to build 3G in our market until 2009? I'm fine with EDGE/Wi-Fi until you get it, but let me buy the phone!
Maybe I jumped the gun, there's no indicator I could find on T-Mobile's site that non 3G markets can't get the phone at launch. It even mentions EDGE usage on the G1.
http://www.t-mobileg1.com/3g.aspx
Just preordered one on the T-Mobile site. http://omegaredirect.com/g1.jpg
I bet it's really easy to unlock with one of those Turbo SIMs.
Maybe someone will write software / hack to allow video recording. I don't see why not in theory.
I'm sure better hardware will come out running Android.
I'm glad to see competition for the weedy iPhone and support for Open Source.
Seeing that the OS is open source, I'm sure we'll see a soft unlock within weeks, if not days, of the G1's release.
What the hell? No UMA? This might be a deal breaker for me. Isn't that the big push T Mobile is trying to make? I know my dealer tells me T Mobile is telling him to push the service, then their Pride of the Fleet doesn't have it? Any explanation why not? It has WiFi.
What the?!
No, the SK has stereo bluetooth, video recording and the OS is completely locked. The SK does not have 3g, touchscreen, 3mp camera or run Android.
The only thing they have in common is a qwerty keyboard and they are both on T-Mobiles network.
Jayden- see the first sentence on this page: http://www.t-mobileg1.com/3G.aspx
Yes it supports EDGE... You just won't be able to stroll into a store and purchase one unless you're in a 3G market- you have to order it online or through Customer Care. See: http://www.t-mobileg1.com/3G.aspx#moreinfo
Personally I agree that the 'Back' button should be on the left, but the righty Back button hasn't exactly sent Blackberry into obscurity yet...