T-Mobile G1 (or whatever it's called) takes in some fresh air

Why wait for next Tuesday's grand unveiling? Well, the short answer is that most of us have no other option -- but a small handful of exceptionally lucky individuals are getting their Android on just a little early. This particular example of the G1 (or Dream, Nightmare, Slumber, whatever the hell it's going to end up being called) allegedly hails from a Google staffer, looking a little less... shall we say, "controversial" than other shots have made it out to be. Yeah, we're jealous, we admit. Anyone want to give theirs up for a few hours?

[Via Talk Android]

[Adderz @ Sep 19th 2008 12:28PM]

God its hideous, but hot dang it, i want one.

[spass @ Sep 19th 2008 12:33PM]

So you're saying it's hideous, but you still want one.
Why?

[Nik @ Sep 19th 2008 12:38PM]

Are you kidding me? You buy a phone based on looks alone? Not because this thing will be the first ever Android Device? Not because it has everything and more that the Iphone has? Exactly.

[Adderz @ Sep 19th 2008 12:45PM]

I'm thinking they got the design inspiration for this phone from a brick.

Bah who needs style when its coming with Android!

They should of fought tooth and nail for the Touch HD to be the launch device.

[BluesK1d @ Sep 19th 2008 12:52PM]

Dont fret. It's just the same unpolished sample that has already been floating around for quite a while. See the generic serial number along the bottom. The one seen in London the other day is the real deal.

[Danny Boy @ Sep 19th 2008 1:06PM]

Yeah, I would cut off my balls and sell them on ebay for a Touch HD running Android.

[johann @ Sep 19th 2008 1:16PM]

Danny boy
gotta have some before you can do that

[Xzavier @ Sep 19th 2008 2:04PM]

Damn... That thing looks light!

[Danny Boy @ Sep 19th 2008 2:13PM]

@ johann

Tell your wife to cough up a pair and send em' on over.

[johann @ Sep 19th 2008 2:43PM]

@danny boy
hehe nice

[MBN @ Sep 19th 2008 3:32PM]

I want a black one! I don't want Fisher Price calling, asking for their phone back.

[Danny Boy @ Sep 19th 2008 4:05PM]

@ johann

Likewise. Nothing personal. ;)

[DssTrainer @ Sep 19th 2008 12:30PM]

Looks like a sidekick almost.. which explains why t-mo wanted it first. Hopefully they will add some style in the Sprint versions. Really I think they could just release the software to replace all the WinMo roms on the existing phones.

[Hush @ Sep 19th 2008 1:03PM]

Oh yeah that would be great. No application support for anyone. Let's do it. Show me the list of available apps for Android. Show me!

[jorvay @ Sep 19th 2008 1:12PM]

@Hush

Okay: http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/28/google-talks-android-market-app-store/

besides, it's open-source. Say what you will, but when there's any sort of real demand for stuff on an open source platform, it appears fast. Really fast.

[Hush @ Sep 19th 2008 1:34PM]

Okay so we got iPhone fanboys, WinMo fanboys and now apparently Android fanboys... What about the Blackberry and S60 fanboys? Do they have their own threads to crap on?

Low rank in 3, 2, 1...

[jorvay @ Sep 19th 2008 2:10PM]

I'm not an android fanboy. I resent that!

I'm an open source fanboy! It just so happens that android is the best open source effort put forth in the wireless industry to date.

[striggity @ Sep 19th 2008 12:33PM]

*scratches head trying to figure out what's so hideous about it*

only thing ugly about the phone is the branding. I will NEVER own a T-Mobile device again.

[Derry Quinn @ Sep 19th 2008 1:25PM]

Me too, i think it looks slick!

[Macha88 @ Sep 19th 2008 11:25PM]

scotch tape and salt takes it off quite well...

[Titanium Man @ Sep 19th 2008 12:36PM]

I think they uglified the handset on purpose, so only geeks will buy it.
They probably want a low key introduction until they sort out the bugs, and more apps are developed.
I'll be surprised if they make commercials for this like the iphone or the htc touches.

[jorvay @ Sep 19th 2008 1:14PM]

Kindof like the introduction of gmail? Sounds like a half-decent idea actually. Especially for a company that can afford to take a while to get it right rather than risk blowing it out of the start gate.

[Seanross @ Sep 19th 2008 2:28PM]

Makes sense, I was using Gmail back when it was invite only, and was constantly spreading the word about how awesome it was and always sending out invites wondering why I never ran out even with the xx invites left lol.

People already in the know are hyped up because of one of two reasons. 1. Its Google 2. It's open source.

For all others not in the know, they will be soon enough.

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 19th 2008 12:37PM]

It doesn't looks as ugly in these pictures than it does in the last one... no wait... it does.

[TareX @ Sep 19th 2008 2:08PM]

It's the generic unpolished version with a serial number printed down.

The black polished one at London is the most authentic, so far.

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 19th 2008 2:22PM]

Well, I hope you're correct, TareX.

[7on @ Sep 19th 2008 12:39PM]

Arrrg, th' beauty be gettin' a new phone this Novembree... Maybe she`ll want an Android?

[JerryA @ Sep 19th 2008 1:55PM]

I be glad t' be seein' someone else takin' their holidays seriously!

[Mike C @ Sep 19th 2008 1:59PM]

yarrrrrrgh, those who not be knownin it be International Pirate Day be a bunch of wenches!

[steven @ Sep 19th 2008 6:38PM]

Argh! I'm Steve the Pirate!

[Mikey @ Sep 19th 2008 12:42PM]

Dang it... it really is ugly. At least compared to the Touch Pro, the Touch HD, the Expera X1, the iPhone. I have been patiently waiting, hoping TMo would come up with a decent smartphone to replace my BB Curve. I just don't know if this will cut it. I'll check it out at my local TMo store, but I'm not too optimistic, especially since I won't get any kind of discount because I'm still in the middle of a 2 year contract. *Sigh*

[chefgon_ign @ Sep 19th 2008 12:46PM]

You are eligible for a fully discounted phone after the first 12 months of your two year contract. If you truly are in the middle of your two year contract then you do indeed qualify for the lower price of a new phone if you sign the two year extension.

[BluesK1d @ Sep 19th 2008 12:57PM]

Imagine the Touch Pro with a totally dull, prototypish outter shell. It would look just as bad as this. Don't worry, the retail version will have that nice HTC sheen.

[Mikey @ Sep 19th 2008 1:11PM]

@ BluesK1d: I really hope you're right, and all these pictures have just been an uglified demo. But, I'm growing more and more fearful that this isn't true.

@ chefgon_ign: I should have been more clear, I definitely do NOT want to extend my contract. I think a 2 year mobile phone contract is ridiculous, and I avoid them as much as possible. The only reason I'm in one now is because I needed a Blackberry for work, but I had just started my job and couldn't afford a full-priced Curve. I would much rather pay full price than be locked in for another 2 years... but full price on the G1 is supposed to be $400-$450, and I don't really want to pay that much for a fugly phone.

[fistpittingnork @ Sep 19th 2008 1:44PM]

Simple solution: Tell T-Mobile you can either pay $200 to cancel or $200 for this new phone (assuming this is released at the assumed $199 mark).

[chefgon_ign @ Sep 19th 2008 12:44PM]

It's looking MUCH prettier than the overused spy photos, I have a feeling it's going to look awesome in person. It's just about the same size as the iPhone. I can't wait for this thing.

[foo @ Sep 19th 2008 12:44PM]

it will come in different colors, the white is a bit off but black is always a classic.

[gSuspicious @ Sep 19th 2008 12:45PM]

Doesn't anyone out there have the strange feeling that these shots have all been intentionally leaked from google and that in reality the first Android powered phone won't be some clunky spin off of a has been design? I mean, when you have devices like the touch HD out there, why launch a mobile OS on something so less sexy?

[Matt @ Sep 22nd 2008 3:52PM]

In addition, why on the fourth largest carrier in the US? Maybe this theory about a low-key entry has some merit...

[Valicore @ Sep 19th 2008 2:23PM]

I've been praying for that to be the case since I saw this thing. Hopefully this is all a big gimmick to throw competitors off so they'll get their asses kicked by the über-secret REAL GooglePhone, which is über-awesome and mindblowing (crossing fingers).

[Tumbleweed @ Sep 19th 2008 12:48PM]

The mockup someone did of this in black actually looked pretty nice. Let's hope it's available in other colours.

Gotta say, though, I'm with others in wanting Android on a Touch HD.

[projekt84 @ Sep 19th 2008 12:51PM]

Anyone who says this thing is ugly is just being an internet cool-guy.

If you say this is ugly but the iPhone is a masterful piece of beauty than you're looking too far into things. A brick with a screen with a chrome outline and a big button on it fits right in line with a white brick with a screen with four buttons on it.

Srsly.

[Jack Storm @ Sep 19th 2008 1:01PM]

Anyone that says srsly instead of seriously is just being an internet cool-guy.

This phone is so ugly, yet so interesting.

[Mikey @ Sep 19th 2008 1:15PM]

It's ugly like acid-wash jeans and parachute pants are ugly, because it is soooo outdated looking. This design would have been the height of cool a few years ago (OK, maybe 8 to 10 years ago), but now it just looks out of place.

I fully agree that function is more important than form... but that doesn't mean the designer should completely give up on form.

[Deed @ Sep 19th 2008 1:18PM]

He may be a twat for saying srsly (especially as a one-word sentence/statement rather than in-passing, jocularly), but really. Aside from the dull grey keypad, I can't see anything that makes this phone "ugly." It's smooth, shiny and generally looks clean.

[ChicoProrrogas @ Sep 19th 2008 12:55PM]

Do you think this phone will be available unlocked so I can buy it and use it with any GSM carrier? how about 3G? Thanks.

[jorvay @ Sep 19th 2008 1:28PM]

with an open-source operating system, I struggle to see how they could lock the phone...though I'm less clear than some on whether the lock is at the bios level or the software level. If it's at the bios level, then it could be locked in a closed-source bios.

[fh @ Sep 19th 2008 1:43PM]

Software unlocked does not necessarily mean carrier unlocked.

Yes it will have 3G, but we won't know what the exact specs are until Tuesday. So the only thing we can assume is 1700/2100mhz support (T-mobile US 3G); all other 3G support (850/1900 or 900/2100) is anybody's guess.

[le Chen @ Sep 19th 2008 12:55PM]

sidekick made by Sharp
G1 made by HTC

[Engadgetier @ Sep 19th 2008 12:56PM]

it has a Gorgeous design.....