False alarm: Android-powered phones are coming in 2008

Phew. Not the closest call we've seen, but close enough to get us sweating ever-so-slightly. We had a strange feeling some wires were crossed when a report surfaced stating that the "Gphone" wouldn't be shipping until 2009, but for whatever it's worth, Google has now addressed the issue and affirmed that it is "still on track to announce Android-powered phones this year." The spokesperson continued by proclaiming that "some of [its] partners were publicly stating that they plan to ship Android phones in the fourth quarter," which leads us to say: crisis averted, carry on.

[Via CNET]

[Seth @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:44PM]

Phew, my day has just been relieved.
gPhone '08 for President.

[Rafer @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:00PM]

Thank god... my v3razor wont last much longer.

[Seth @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:25PM]

Same, here, I've got a V3 RAZR, and I can't wait for the day when I can snap it in half (it's been very tempting lately...)

[Striker @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:39PM]

@Rafer and Seth

Happily texting away on my 3G RAZR V3xx.

[kccboy2004 @ Jun 3rd 2008 7:15AM]

Seth,
I agree with you. For those of us that have been following Android's development, especially over the past year, Android's arrival really does herald the end to the proprietary phone wars.

Clearly the Razr broke new ground with its design. But its UI really was not good (at all). The HTC touch then marked the start of a new phone revolution. Apple then blatently copied the Touch, (hardly innovation)

Android really presents the sky as the limit.

Clearly this is the end of the Apple phone and may mark the end of Apple itself. With a better phone, a UI that is not defined by anyone, applications galore, Apple will not be able to compete.

(and now with the next portable computer battefield, namely the netbook, having been set with Apple not in sight, this leaves Apple trying to keep alive by creating over the air back-up utilities, desperately).

The end of Apple. Which I personally think is a pity. Clearly they never really made a dent on real computer companies like HP and Dell, but I made a lot of money out of Apple. But the short slippery slide is a foot.

I will still walk in to Apple stores to listen to people complaining at the "Genius bar". (Now that's entertainment !)

[Johan S @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:48PM]

Yeah but what I heard is that the resolution will suck (HVGA and lower, instead of WVGA and higher).

[Mike Cerm @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:01PM]

The iPhone is HVGA, and on a phone that size, it's fine. I can't imagine anyone ever buying a phone larger than the iPhone (or that any company would even bother building one). When WVGA screens become available in smaller sizes for affordable prices, I'm sure they'll find their way into phones. Until then, HVGA is fine.

[MBS @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:01PM]

What you "heard" is wrong.

[monkfishbandana @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:50PM]

Thank goodness. I've been holding off getting a new phone for a long time now - let's just hope they'll be as good as they sound.

And maybe a little tweaking in the GUI here and there. And I've used the emulator and seen the previews - whichever phone arrives first with Android, give it good 3D capabilities for crying out loud.

[derX @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:56PM]

Phew, that was scary.

*exits bomb shelter*

[Cscamp20 @ Jun 2nd 2008 7:58PM]

i hope thats not the gphone! thats one ugly phone...it aint i phone killer as well

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:04PM]

Aw, shucks. Probably still not ready for prime time. Where does Krakow get his information from?

[Ruben @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:19PM]

All those in favor of banning, say I.

[grull27 @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:05PM]

Does anybody know what carrier the first Android-powered phones will be on?

[Mark @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:09PM]

don't think anyone knows yet but here's hoping it's T-Mobile(probably most likely since they've been most open in the past)

[oZ @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:22PM]

T-Mobile is for sure getting an Android phone this fall, so that seems to be the logical destination. I'm pretty sure Verizon wants in on it, too.

[Seth @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:24PM]

It's logical to say that Apple will go big bully and tell AT&T "NO ANDROID FOR YOU!"

But, I'm crossing my fingers for AT&T. =)

[Bob @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:45PM]

@ Seth...

What do you mean? I highly doubt Apple has any say in what phones AT&T offers just because they gave them exclusive US iPhone rights. If so, and the T-Mobile hunch is true, it doesn't matter anyway because T-Mobile is GSM. Hence, someone can just buy an unlocked T-Mobile phone and use it with AT&T's network.

[ECG @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:32PM]

It's open source so that means you can install it on whatever you want right?

[paul @ Jun 3rd 2008 12:06AM]

It's T-Mobile. From what I understand the first few handsets are GSM only. No Sprint/Verizon. Which is interesting since Sprint is a partner in the Open Handset Alliance.

[grull27 @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:24PM]

I hope it comes to Verizon since it's the strongest network of all and because I'm in it. :D

[hooeezit @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:46PM]

Verizon has joined the LiMo (http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/14/new-players-team-up-with-limo-foundation/) foundation, which is a contender to Android. So, it's very unlikely that VZW will carry an Android phone.

[Bob @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:47PM]

Yes, because Verizon says they are the strongest, that must be a fact, even though every other carrier says they are the "strongest" as well.

[Christian Lippert @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:31PM]

Phew, close call... that pic is just a photo shopped blackjack right?

[King @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:38PM]

Any smart phones work with the Google site. Why a Google phone is necessary? It's a waste of resources for Google. I see a once great empire is on the way to fall.

[Bob @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:52PM]

King, King King...

I must ask this great question... Why hath not the "great Sony empire" failed? Sony actually just "stamps" their name on quite a few different brands of hardware (Ex: LG Brand), so with your logic, they should have been dead years ago.

[grull27 @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:39PM]

lol

It looks exactly like the Blackjack II; IDK if that's the real phone or it's photoshopped.

[Frank Furter @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:39PM]

Ahh yes, the Android - vaporware iPhone killer. Prediction - this ain't gonna come even -close- to livin' up to the hype. Apple is the only company I've seen with the ability to back up their own hype. Google should stick to search engines and beta releases of mail apps.

[phanbouy @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:42PM]

uhhh.... yeah. competition is bad.


mmkay?

[Scentedflame @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:05PM]

"Google should stick to search engines and beta releases of mail apps."

Yeah, as a consumer that benefits from competition...I hate it and wish Google would not compete with other phone manufacturers, possibly causing them to be more competitive with their phones' prices and features. Google will be better off if they don't try this, and I want the best for them.

There should only be one phone. It should cost $200 a month per person with no discounts, and hopefully it will not have any unnecessary extra features like memory or a screen.

[Frank Furter @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:18PM]

Don't think you get it. Google has come to believe their own hype, that they somehow have this magic dust that people our clamoring after. They don't.

Competition is great, and helps me as an iPhone owner (and Apple zealot). But leave it to the iPhone wanna-be's of the world, like HTC. They're increasingly successful at copying Apple. But Android? Please. It's like the Linux of mobile phones. The only people that want it are Apple haters and geeks.

So in your hatred of all things Apple, rest assured that yes, Android will be a flop, like Linux on the desktop, but it will continue to give you something to cling on to, although inside you really want an iPhone. You just can't tell your IT buddies that or you'd get ostracized.

[Scentedflame @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:30PM]

I love most Apple products. I really like the iphone. Does that kind of ruin your point?

Here is one thing I like that you don't...competition. It just doesn't make sense to be a "zealot" for a company that does things in its own best interest, not your own. If you want a piece of their success and to own part of the company, buy their stock.

You look silly when you act like competition is a bad thing. Whether or not Google succeeds, it can only benefit you as a consumer, not harm you. If Android becomes a real threat to the iphone...guess what? YOU the consumer benefits!

Apple is a great company. But...competition is better.

Now why do you want Google to fail again?

[Frank Furter @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:35PM]

You're bizarre. Never said I wanted Google to fail, you might try -reading- my replies. And boy, you sure have Apple pegged. They don't know WHAT they're doing! Mind control, I tell you. Nobody's buying their crap!

And when I say "Competition is great", that usually means someone LIKES something, or is in favor of it.

But really, who's saying Apple doesn't do things in my best interest? I mean, what company does? Ford? GE? Microsoft? GOOGLE? No. These are businesses that wouldn't exist if they didn't make money. Just so happens that Apple makes outstanding products, time and time again. And whaddya know, most of us love everything they make. Why? They 'get it'. Google, try as they may, 'doesn't'.

[Scentedflame @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:58PM]

Well, ok...admittedly I took what you said a little far to make a point. My point was that you should want Google to succeed so that Apple has more pressure to make even better products at better prices. You didn't seem to want google to succeed.

You misinterpreted the "Apple is great...competition is better" part of my post. I meant competition in a general sense...as in competition as a concept is better than any single company no matter how great they are.

Once again, now I can see that you do appreciate competition but you chose Apple because you believe they have the best products. That is fine...that is not what I garnered from your first post however (and neither did phanbouy).

My other point was that no company does things for the consumer's best interest.

While I disagree that Google doesn't 'get it'...that is just one opinion against another. I agree that Apple makes great products...but because of their dominance in various areas...they NEED to have competition to stay accountable for their prices and quality. I think Google is a worthy competitor...but as far as phones go...this is all speculation.

I believe we are on the same page now, yes?

[JMMGoalster @ Jun 2nd 2008 8:42PM]

dude you give epic fail a whole new meaning....

[Matthew @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:11PM]

Am I the only person who read the article?

"to announce Android-powered phones this year."

They announce phones months before releasing anything. I'm predicting first Android phone q1 2009. Probably the first with a full qwerty in q2.

[ohmammy2003 @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:21PM]

obviously you skipped the part of the article where they continued by saying that companies were planning on shipping phones q4

[Joshua Walters @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:12PM]

Please be on Verizon, please be on Verizon!

Im up for a new phone at the end of November...

[ECG @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:30PM]

If the Xperia x1 turns out to be as good as I think it will, Android would be great on it.

[PEZ @ Jun 2nd 2008 9:31PM]

Yeah no kidding thanks - Tmobile already said they will have one by Q3. Nice detective work. Read your own posts, will ya.

[HalfJoey @ Jun 2nd 2008 10:59PM]

I'll go to whatever carrier offers a good phone and Android. I'm willing to leave Verizon for T-Mobile and Sprint the second a great phone comes out for either one. I've only had one or two times in my 5 years as a Verizon customer where i couldnt get a signal, but their cell phone selection is getting laughably bad. I've never heard any good thing about AT&T other than they have the iPhone. I would love to get a 2nd Gen iPhone, but i dont care for AT&T

[Wii60Warrior @ Jun 2nd 2008 11:43PM]

I'm truly curious/interested in what Google has to offer and what all this Android fuss/craze is about but I hope to high heaven that the actual phone does NOT look like that ugly piece of sh*t above...

Thats just painful to view...

As for potential networks is it possible it could be on Sprint? After that I say AT&T or Verizon...since I plan on joining either one of those assuming Sprint has nothing good in terms of phones by end of this year.

[LaRainette @ Jun 3rd 2008 2:38AM]

Could we please stop this iphone-killer non-sense ?

how comes whatever topic the news is about it always comes down to iphone/ipod/iwhatevercrapappleisgoingtorealeseinthenext10years.. ?

Serioulsy ?

I came down with 2 theories but i cannot choose so please vote :
#1 : most of Apple research and devellopment team members actually spend their days on engadget and such. This way they can fulfill the second mission they've been given : more advertising (understand : more advertising than the one that is already provided by the HUGE Apple advertising team).

#2 There actually are Apple bootcamps in some remotes areas all over the U.S. where fanboys are slowly but surely brainwashed and trained to spread the words of The Steve !

Now please Apple, I know the second one is kinda hard to believe, that you are going to deny it, but you cannot tell me the first one is true can you ?

[poopy_pants @ Jun 3rd 2008 4:05AM]

sweet... my nokia is on it's last leg. i'm betting on a new android phone come late this year!

[Itspronunced Trayoh @ Jun 3rd 2008 5:41AM]

"Seasoned pundit" Krakow once again proves his worth.

(and they PAY him for this!)

[BluesK1d @ Jun 3rd 2008 10:31AM]

Since the US is like a third world country when it comes to mobile devices, has anyone heard of any ETA on availability of Android phones via US carriers? The announcements are vague and just indicate that somewhere in the galaxy, Android phones will be available this year.

[andrew @ Jun 3rd 2008 8:07PM]

does anyone else think the gphone looks EXACTLY like a blackjack 2 only with a better os?