T-Mobile G1 hands on review

16 October 2008 - 11:48

After hearing Google would create an Open Source mobile platform, we’ve all be waiting for many months to see the first Android-powered handset. With only a week left until the T-Mobile G1 starts arriving at people’s doorsteps, reviews have started popping up overnight. At Android Community we were able to spend the last week testing it out in every-day situations.

The G1 has an iPhone-style capacitive touchscreen and a BlackBerry-inspired trackball that compliment each other very well, making navigating the interface a breeze. The G1 packs a full 5-row QWERTY keyboard that is very spaciously laid out, making this device ideal for sending text messages, email and instant messages. Under the hood the G1 has GPS, a compass feature, HSPA, Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi.

For more answers and the exclusive hands on review head over to Android Community for the T-mobile G1 review. A more in-depth review, photos and never-before-seen video footage is what you will find at Android Community.

Shawn Brown

33 Comments | Tags: Google Phone

Comments:

  1. I think the G1 is going to be very popular, not sure if they have sold the 1.5 Million as reported but a worthy competitor to the iPhone.

    Lots of reviews of the G1 are available on my blog: http://g1phone.blogspot.com

  2. bob hilburger says;
    19 Oct 2008 - 22:34

    how good is t-mobile as a carrier? will verizon ever compete with iphone-at&t or google-t-mobile?

  3. The G1 looks like a serious contender to the iPhone (finally). But, I’m going to wait till the buzz dies down a bit and Google works out all the bugs that WILL come out. Plus, my current AT&T contract isn’t up till May next year anyway. So, I have some time.

    I wonder what other carriers will get this phone. I’m absolutely sure AT&T will not, at least not as long as they service the iPhone. I wonder if the other big carriers will.

  4. Han Solo says;
    22 Oct 2008 - 15:49

    since it is written with open source code, is it vulnerable for virus? am i going to update security weekly like what i am doing with Vista?

  5. is it only gonna be for t-mobile or will it eventually be for all carriers?

  6. I want one when can I get one

  7. I’ve just seen the google phone on Tv.Please i’d like to buy one.Send for me the images of that phone and its specifications please.

  8. Raymond says;
    24 Oct 2008 - 14:38

    I’ve been waiting for one to come out but my current contract will end on February. Where can we see the specs of the phone. T-mobile is not putting the specs. I know the camera is 3mp but what about the music player? What formats does it play? Does it have a stereo bluetooth capability? How much gb of memory (memory card) can we put in? My current phone only supports 2gb. I tried a 4gb on it and it won’t recognize it. It won’t even format the card. It says memory card inserted but if you try to access the 4gb card it would give me errors. I was wondering if the phone would support more memory since it has more features on it.

  9. heywood jablomi says;
    27 Oct 2008 - 6:27

    will the gphone have an expandable antenna i can scratch my ass with?

  10. I’m looking to buy a new mobile phone, so I’ll take a closer look to decide if I’ll buy it or not.

    ( Google search: ” NilmaBostonRio ” ).

  11. I used to have Cingular and pretty much liked them until AT&T took over. I cannot wait to leave AT&T; I hate this company. Their service is not as advertised, at least not in “subprime markets” although they put these billboards up that say, “[YOUR CITY], we’ve got you covered.” Such BS. And my text message rate went from .05 to .20 each. This stuff is supposed to get CHEAPER, not the other way around.

    I am dropping AT&T like a dirty diaper as soon as the Android-powered handset of my dreams shows up. If it takes too much longer and I don’t hear a whoosh of rumors, I’ll go ahead and get with T-Mobile. The HTC Dream looks alright, it just seems like a waste of cash if more serious hardware is on the way.

  12. I’ve been a t-mobile customer since 2002.. honestly speaking, I have no complaints.. they value their customers (at least this has been my experience) and the service is good. Best of all, they are the cheapest in comparison to the other phone carriers… You get a lot of min. for a low price (ex. 1000 min $59.00 night/weekends free) and the newer phones have my favorite 5 (you would choose 5 numbers you call the most as a favorite 5 and you can talk to them how long/they call you/you call them, it doesn’t matter and this does not come out of your min…. and you can changed them each month if you wanted to… I just ordered the google phone (i-phone plans are too expensive… I would end up going over my min. plan and paying a load of $$$.. so I don’t have a review on the phone just yet… the reviews seem great though).. hope it lives up to the hype.

  13. ladiietray says;
    31 Oct 2008 - 18:40

    i will b getting mine today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. 啥时间到中国上市。。。

  15. 啊、、、、等不及了。。。不过话说中国也没个运营商提供服务。。
    哪象t-mobile …这么多好服务。。

  16. how good is t-mobile as a carrier? will verizon ever compete with iphone-at&t or google-t-mobile?

  17. I recently bout the G1 phone and can make ringtones but cant sync them with my texts and emails…is there an actual way to do this??

  18. bullshit bill says;
    17 Nov 2008 - 14:44

    fuck my ass im ghey

  19. TempleMonkey says;
    10 Dec 2008 - 16:49

    T-Mobile has been an above average service provider. I travel professionally and have had few issues. When my current contract expires I plan on trading my current Sidekick for the current G1. OpenSource is the icing on the hardware cake.

  20. DHARMENDRA says;
    11 Dec 2008 - 16:19

    I LOVE T-MOBILE I HAVE ONLY HAD ONE ISSUE WITH THEM, BUT I TOOK CARE OF THAT….I’M A DIE HARD BLACK BERRY FAN, AND WISHED T-MOBILE GOT THE BLACK BERRY STORM INSTEAD, BUT ONCE I CAN GET A NEW PHONE I’LL GET THE G1 MOS DEF

  21. TEXASMADE1978 says;
    17 Dec 2008 - 9:54

    You can set specific ringtones to texts and emails.. Go to the market and download RingsExtended thids allows you to set any ring to anything you want.

  22. srinivas says;
    19 Dec 2008 - 0:55

    wats the cost?

  23. i bought g1 please guide how can i start the phone i am living in poland

  24. andy edelman says;
    21 Dec 2008 - 20:27

    I read the initial reviews of the g-1 and was shocked by the numerous critics complaining about the design…comparing it to 1980s russian manufacturing. Only a cheese loving hipster with dreams of glossy, bling adorned technology could have such an opinion.
    The G-1 is a well made machine. Flat black, streamlined and to the point. function over form. I have had the phone over a month and it has functioned flawlessly. I have only one wish and that would be for a touch screen keypad. I had preferred the blackberry for texting. As for dialing…and its phone interface….it blows the iphone out of the water. The keypad is large and easy to use. As for new apps….download the free night clock software. It looks just like an alarm clock and works great.The backgrounds app…also free allows you to have a favorites screen selection which will change your display every 1/2 hr or so while in slideshow mode. Pkt auctions ebay, sends alerts when your auctions are about to end…also free. T-monile has been my carrier for over 5 years bith in NYC and in LA. I have traveled extensively across the u.s and have had no service issues. The at and t plan for unlimited text, web and phone would cost 150.00 per month puls tax. the t-mobile plan with unlimited web,text and 1000 minutes my fav costs me 85.00 a month. my 5 numbers i select as my favs are unlimited…..which i usually call for an additional 1000 minutes free….oh and its nights and weekends are free too. att doesnt come close to those rates. If they did……..I would have joined the iphone brigade……glad i held out for the challenger

  25. jignesh says;
    25 Dec 2008 - 3:37

    hello,,,,

    how can i use this phone in india ?
    if i dont want to take the services of google by its internet package then can i use it ?

  26. I need some addons for the browsers of G1 :(
    For example, windows media player :P

    where can I find a better forum for that?

  27. Charlie says;
    27 Dec 2008 - 1:32

    Google is about 50% better than all the information dispensing platforms. I started with Cingular, dropped them because of dropouts both at home and work, went to T-Mobil hated the phone but loved the service, switched to a Blackberry, hated juggling two providers, went to Sprint, hated their area coverage, discovered that Sprint-Nextel is basically that … two separate companies. Eventually I went back to T-Mobil with a HTC smartphone. It’s great except for two complaints. The new G phone seems to be an improvement on the T-Mobil Wing, which I have. I considered returning the Wing I have because of battery problems. It refuses to charge with the phone on. Phone off it charges back up in less than an hour. That’s what I do. I’ll get the new G phone when my contract lets me, IF they’ve dealt with the battery problem by then. It’s an HTC problem. Also I can’t find a decent car charger. They must have one available by then. Other than that of the 4 companies I’ve been with in the last 10 years T-Mobil is by far the best, paired with Google that should be a can’t lose combination.

  28. Charlie says;
    27 Dec 2008 - 1:37

    Ah yes that’s the other thing. Their my faves billing system, plus not having the extra blackberry charges, has already saved me hundreds of dollars. Just don’t attempt to use it from overses though, best thing overseas is to do whatever the locals are doing. Everybody is very sophisticated all over the world now, electronically.

  29. hey guys if u r looking for android application developers for hire contact me at nitichandra@mofirst.com

  30. Amro Awad says;
    06 Feb 2009 - 6:47

    Hello
    I just have my new Google G1 phone but I cna’t download msn massenger or yahoo masinger or even skype .. and anyone help me ..
    plz reply to my Email :- amrsakr@gmail.com
    thanks

  31. how to download msn messenger?

  32. justin mtui says;
    17 Feb 2009 - 4:26

    i damn need to buy the phone!can you please send me the procedure how to do that?

  33. justin mtui says;
    17 Feb 2009 - 4:28

    i damn need to buy the phone!can u please send me the procedure how to get it ?

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