T-Mobile confirms it'll have an Android device sometime this year

The first Android devices were always scheduled to arrive later this year, and while we've already seen a couple prototypes and hacked ports floating around, it looks like T-Mobile is the first out of the gate to confirm that it'll have phones based on Google's mobile OS. Speaking at the Wireless Innovations 2008 conference, T-Mo's VP of broadband and new business division Joe Sims said he'd played with an early version of T-Mobile's first Android phone and that it would ship in the fourth quarter of this year. Sims said that although he was initially skeptical of Android, he's now "impressed," and that T-Mobile would eventually have "more than one" Android phone. Now, if someone would just let us know what this magical phone actually is, we'd be happy -- HTC Dream, anyone?

[Via IntoMobile]

[Seth @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:27PM]

Sweet, good job T-Mobile. Now if only AT&T was as "hip" as T-Mobile.

[toleraen @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:50PM]

I'll settle for AT&Ts boring 3G coverage compared to T-Mobile's trendy EDGE. Doesn't matter who releases it, there'll be a SIM unlock in no time. Besides, isn't this the first good/new phone T-Mobile USA has announced in ages?

[Bassir @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:54PM]

Surely you can't be serious.

[rechnen @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:27PM]

He is serious...and don't call him Shirley.

[Nicky-Larson @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:36PM]

Where is my 3G T-Mobile,you seem to be the only one lacking in that domain. With your reasonable prices and all, we would love to see you sail the 3G waves as well. But this is good to know, if only someone will show us a phone prototype for once. But that HTC Dream does look pretty sweet

[dagamer34 @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:56PM]

T-Mobile can't just flip on it's 3G service like it would like to because the US government hasn't completely vacated it yet. However, it should be turned on around May-ish?

[mister XR @ Apr 24th 2008 12:44PM]

The "3G by mid-may" claim I heard last year - they keep pushing the date back! Nobody knows what is going on!

Sucks because I've had my phone for over two years and it's UMTS1700-capable! GPRS is better than nothing(mine doesn't do edge), but I can't wait forever!

[Derbeste @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:45PM]

I see that "Android" has an "o" in it. Aren't they worried about getting sued by T-Mobile?

I think it's pretty clear T-Mobile had an "o" in its name first.

They can't BOTH have an "o". Someone might get confused.

[Greg @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:52PM]

i dont get it.

[Seth @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:58PM]

It's from Engadget Mobile's whole "magenta" deal. Look it up, April 1 was the time of it all going down.

[Abuzar @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:01PM]

Dude, they share an "i" too! That just can't be a coincidence.

[ethana2 @ Apr 23rd 2008 6:04PM]

The fact that they're both right next to each other on my home row would indicate otherwise.

[theninthcloud @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:34PM]

I thought that T-Mobile did legally trademark the color pink for cell phone services the same way UPS has trademarked that shade of brown for shipping related stuff. Engadgetmobile using that same shade of pink to report on mobile services and potentially earning revenue off click-thrus, therefore puts the site in a gray area.

[Derbeste @ Apr 24th 2008 10:38AM]

So then everytime Fedex or any other carrier uses brown wrapping paper, they are in violation of copyright?

[anonymouspimp @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:49PM]

This pleases me.

I hope we know what it is by August... because I was going to get a new phone then... but if this mystery phone is worth waiting for...

[SKI @ Apr 23rd 2008 4:51PM]

Wake me when there's a more concrete date.

[zbot @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:12PM]

PS3guy: T-Mobile sucks until you realize that i can get 1000 anytime minutes (unlimited nights/weekends) and unlimited data/email for less than 50 bucks/mo. No other carrier is even close. Now, they are pathetically lacking on 3G rollout, i will admit.

[phanbouy @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:19PM]

you also forgot about that thing known as coverage

[zbot @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:21PM]

coverage is stellar in my neck of socal, phanbuoy...by far superior to AT&T.

[BlowURmindBowel @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:46PM]

hrmm... I can't speak for the coverage beyond my state, but I hear people bitching about Sprint and AT&T coverage all the time here...

I have T-Mob and get 5 bars in my basement! ;P

Oh, and in your mom's basement too!

[Loki @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:34PM]

How do you figure? $60 will get you 1000 anytime (no nights and weekends) and Unlimited Data. Not for $50, no free nights and weekends

[zbot @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:44PM]

easily.

you missed out on the 1000 minute anytime plus free nts/wkns for 39.99. add on t-zones for 5.99, and i'm easily below 50 bucks.

iphone on t-mo at this price = heaven.

[peestandingup @ Apr 24th 2008 12:20AM]

"you also forgot about that thing known as coverage"

Ever hear of UMA calling via WiFi?? Probably not if you're on AT&T.

[john @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:22PM]

Hopefully their Android phone will be 3G.

[PS3guy @ Apr 23rd 2008 5:26PM]

T Mobile suck, I'll go with AT&T or Verizon

[mexdodge @ Apr 26th 2008 2:25PM]

i work for AT&T and i have a T-Mobile Wing. I love it.

[Yuri @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:00PM]

I have no use for the Android phone, but I won't knock T-Mobile's service.

I've been with them since they were "Voice Stream" a few years ago.

Sure, we're lacking in the 3G and our choice of phones sucks ass, but I love how I'm the only person in my village (Yes, I live in a village >.>), that gets coverage no matter what.

Plus my father works in a surface mine, and he's the only one in his hole that gets service. Everyone else has Verizon or AT&T

I think I dropped a call once about 4 years ago?

[mister XR @ Apr 24th 2008 1:32PM]

I don't get it... everyone and their mom is coming out to say how great the coverage is in t-mobile!

I have t-mobile(in los angeles), and the only thing I get "more" of are dropped calls... my friends ridicule me! I don't get reception at home, and during my daily train ride, there are THREE places where my calls drop every time! I really think that all the people posting glowing reviews are actually t-mobile employees.

[Matthew @ Apr 26th 2008 9:58PM]

Been with them since they were Powertel, 1999. Truth, the coverage does suck when you enter the county. But truth, why would anyone do that anyways? T-Mobile does have sucky phones, though. I have their only good current phone, Blackberry Curve. Prices are spectacular. 29.99 for cheapest voice (includes unlimited weekend) and 19.99 for data is about as cheap as you can get for a smart phone package. Works for me. Can't wait to see what Android phone they roll out. I was waiting on OpenMoko but that's seeming less and less likely to ever happen.

[Viakenny @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:40PM]

will T-Mobile USA start using the (kinda) new T-Mobile Europe color scheme?
that's white and black on pink, instead of pink and gray on white.
(just look at t-mobile.de or t-mobile.co.uk)

BTW, the color schemes for other Deutsche Telekom divisions is:
Deutsche Telekom corporate: pink on white
T-Home (landline, DSL, IPTV): pink and gray on black
T-Systems (enterprise services): pink and black on gray

[Bassir @ Apr 23rd 2008 7:55PM]

I still want to know what phone that is in the picture, it shows up with every Android phone.

And I want it more than Android itself.

[iofthestorm @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:29PM]

I think that's what the Android Emulator from the Android SDK looks like.

[paul @ Apr 23rd 2008 8:25PM]

Right now only two players on the Open Handset Allliance are T-Mobile and Sprint/Nextel. Does that mean we'll get the phone on Sprint as well? I really hope so because T-Mobile's coverage is pretty much non-existent where I live (suburb bordering a major city).

[7on @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:16PM]

is happy he's with T-mobile :) Very VOIP friendly, open, and has

[7on @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:18PM]

great customer service

[scionguy05 @ Apr 23rd 2008 10:13PM]

tmobile is great! no complaints form me, i get coveage were ever i go, and useing unlocked phones with them is no problem like it was when i had at&t! Yeah they dont have the 3g network up yet but it really isnt there fault, the goverment is holdn them up. Anyone who likes a non gms cell phone carrier(like sprint, verzion,alltel) is smoking some serious crack!!

[singlespeeder @ Apr 24th 2008 12:02AM]

do you really think tmo would release an android phone and not have it running in 3g? c'mon now hehe

[Heineken77 @ Apr 24th 2008 11:47AM]

Can someone please explain to me what android is, and why it's suppose to be so amazing?

I see so much talk about it, but have no idea what the big deal of this is. The phone pictured above doesn't look so hot... what does it do?

[CMYK @ Apr 28th 2008 7:44PM]

I've been on the T-Mob scene since 2001 and i pay 39.00 - 3.99 tzones with proxy settings changed... I've had four unlocked phones with out a problem.

I think i'm at 600min but would have liked the 1000min...

@zbot do you know of anysite that will email me when the price comes down?