T-Mobile G1 software update to be pushed out tomorrow

Well, it looks like G1 owners (or some, at least) will be getting a bit of an unexpected surprise when they turn on their brand new device tomorrow, as T-Mobile is apparently already set to start pushing out the very first OTA software update for the phone. Nothing too major, it seems, but the update will include a fix for a bug that has prevented folks from listening to songs on Amazon, as well as a number of other unspecified "enhancements." As with all OTA updates, however, it's likely everyone won't get their fix at once, and T-Mobile helpfully recommends that you simply just "wait," or "wait a little longer" to make sure you get yours, or check your software version to see if you may have gotten the update without noticing (the new release is version RC28).

[Via TmoNews]

[OneLove @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:24PM]

Will this make the phone less ugly? :)

[hyptest @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:41PM]

Release Candidate means a build that is being considered for release. This most definitely does NOT mean it's a beta. It means that it's a build which could be released assuming no problems worthy of blocking shipment are found.

[plm5002 @ Oct 22nd 2008 11:46PM]

Does anybody know a site where I can look for updates about Android? Specifically getting it to run on new hardware?
I am trying to hold off on a new device purchase until there is a good, solid android-capable device to try out.

[McPOW @ Oct 23rd 2008 3:57AM]

wow you are a boring, predictable troll. congrats!

[Kris @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:27PM]

RC28? That wouldn't stand for Release Candidate now would it? If so, that's pretty lame that T-Mobile's and Google's customers are basically beta testers.

[Cardbored @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:31PM]

It's Google, everything is a Beta

[Cardbored @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:31PM]

It's Google, everything is a beta

[Justin Laster @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:40PM]

It honestly looks _A LOT_ better in person.

[Justin Laster @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:41PM]

Above comment is meant for the post above this one.

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:50PM]

2 comment system fails in 1 reply!

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:50PM]

2 comment system fails in 1 reply!

[grull27 @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:52PM]

You act as if I and millions of others didn't act as beta testers with the iPhone 3G's 2.0.1 and 2.0.2 firmware.

*rolls eyes*

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:36PM]

@Justin....

I had completely dismissed the though of getting a G1 due to the ugly stick factor, but I did actually take your (and others) word for it and at LEAST go see it in person...

It's scheduled for overnight delivery... (Goodbye iPwn 3G)

[rex2745 @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:27PM]

but damn a firmware already? i barely ordered my phone today was gonna wait for the white color but damn i just couldnt they said it will be coming like around thanksgiving and i cant wait dat long since i sold my dash and have this really cheap phone rite now

[Blazeitup123 @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:29PM]

first in a list of gayness!

[jorvay @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:05PM]

Most of the gay guys I know have great fashion sense...I guess that means this is one fancy-lookin' phone after all.

[Jinto @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:35PM]

first to fail.

[Wii @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:41PM]

Man that is one butt ugly phone, HTC HD here I come

[Temo @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:42PM]

I thought the HD was only for the Euro nation...

[Sarig @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:16PM]

There's a Euro nation?

[Daniel Holt @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:37PM]

i am putting my G1 up for sale... FTW!!!!

anyone interested? lol

[jorvay @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:56PM]

Man, if you can unlock that shit I'd be tempted. I don't think we'll be seeing these things legitimately in Canada for a good while yet.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:56PM]

How much?

[H, Gonzalez @ Oct 23rd 2008 1:03AM]

How much are you selling it for?

[andy @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:35PM]

It's amazing that the Gphone gets a software upgrade within a few weeks of release and I've been putzing along for five years with a lousy Palm OS. I'm ready to jump ship...just can't decide which ship to jump to. A better phone released on Sprint for this OS and some contacts and calendar syncing sure would be nice to have. I'm impressed with the updates but I guess that's the difference between open source and the cavemen that run Palm.

[EYEGOTAJOB4YASTEVE @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:39PM]

the update, is technically on the 2nd day of national retail release. i love how t-mobile and or google and or htc have and are handling any bug fixes or updated that need to be released. oh and there is calender and contact syncing for free in the market.

[sleet01 @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:23PM]

Android reminds me a lot of the older (3.0-4.5) Palm OS revs. It's pretty minimal to start with, but the opportunity for OS enhancements from 3rd-party developers is awesome. Mind you, if I could get this OS onto Touch HD hardware but in the formfactor of my dear, departed Zodiac II I would probably sell a kidney to do so.

[ben123 @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:43PM]

Have any of you seen the actual device? or just the pictures....

I have one in my hand right now. It looks fantastic. period.

For some reason, this thing is incredibly unphotogenic, and I agree...it looks like ass in photos. But take a look at it in person. It's incredibly small, and a nice blend of professionalism and sex appeal. You wouldn't know if from the photos online...

[Kinger @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:27PM]

I really really really really hope you are right sir

[fistpittingnork @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:00PM]

I thought the same thing until I opened mine yesterday. Looks much, much better in hand. It's still not the sexiest handset on the market, but def underrated in pics and videos.

[Scott St. Pierre @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:14PM]

I'm holding mine in my hands. He really really is. I think Brown is the ugliest in photos, but I ended up taking home that one. I really really really don't want to compare it to the iPhone in a negative way, but it feels better in my hands than the iPhone.




and ShopSavy is the Effing bomb.

[RevDave @ Oct 22nd 2008 5:36PM]

I completely agree. I pre-ordered one and was all worried as more and more press came out but now that it's arrived I'm much happier with the device than I expected to be.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:34PM]

I think all of these devices look huge in photos. The iPhone looked totally unwieldy too, which is why I refused to jump on the "G1 is ugly" train until I can see one in person. Maybe it's the blown up size of the pictures, or they use models with freakishly small hands or something.. who knows.

[patsy @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:53PM]

I agree with everything except the size statement. I don't think it's incredibly small. It's narrower than my Dash, but considerably longer and thicker, and feels quite a bit heavier. That said, I'm still getting one because of the awesomeness of the software.

[Student Driver @ Oct 22nd 2008 9:01PM]

Ditto. I was a bit concerned by the pictures, but it does look a lot better in person. It's also a lot faster than I thought it would be.

[)law( @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:43PM]

Agreed the phone is physically ugly however the software could make up for it

[rex2745 @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:47PM]

hd is only for the euro nation i think we r gonna have to wait until next year so forget dat

[barry99705 @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:21PM]

HTC said it will never hit the US.

[barb @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:52PM]

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones? I had no problems listening to music from Amazon. But I guess I get no say since it will be pushed out tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how the firmware upgrade will be pushed though.

[nerdtalker @ Oct 22nd 2008 2:55PM]

Please die in a car fire.

[michas_pi @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:00PM]

Well, yes, this is the first software update for the G1.

[EYEGOTAJOB4YASTEVE @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:14PM]

the phone is really beautiful in person. its like if the iphone and sidekick had a baby. thats right this device is a baby, and imo, much better on day 1 than the iphone was. its actually skinnier than my old sidekick slide and a lot more hand friendly than my dash. im just waiting on a video app, some new gps apps, and a camera/video app ( i want to be able to change capture settings). im sure all of this will come soon enough, as have plenty of fun and useful apps. score about 5 for the G1 and none for the iphone, wow even the name is sexier, iphone sounds so robotic. i am not anit-apple, just anti ipod, itunes, and anything else "i" oriented.

[ryker321 @ Oct 22nd 2008 7:58PM]

That phone is so ugly, I think it turned someone in my office to stone. Either that, or there was always a full-size marble statue in the office, but I don't remember seeing it there before.

[Jon Nelson @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:42PM]

@ ryker321

That was an undeniably lame joke.

[ryker321 @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:54PM]

Lame jokes are my specialty.

I think G1 users should embrace its unattractiveness -- some already have.

Maybe Google and T-Mobile should launch an ad campaign based on the concept.

Like this one from the '80s:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROUc70GaU9Y

[Testies, Testies, 1, 2... 3? @ Oct 22nd 2008 3:15PM]

So, do you think this update will disable fetch for future updates?

[itest @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:08PM]

Just checked this out at the TMobile Store.
First off, I have to disagree with most peoples perspectives here: this phone is not aesthetic in person at all. Seriously, i took out my curve and compared it to this device and wanted to stick to my curve.
When i compare my curve to the iPhone...i mean give me a break!
If this wasn't the google phone, no one would even be talking about it.
I seriously can not believe how badly they messed up here.
iphone is much easier to navigate, better looking, and uses itunes to complete sync

[drtarantula @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:15PM]

I don't know what your talking about. But I personally find from what I've seen so far that the Android Software is nicer and easier. And iTunes?! Seriously?! One of the most overrated, bloated piece of crap software. My Zune 3.0 Software runs 10x faster then iTunes 8. Oh well whatever. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion.

[patsy @ Oct 22nd 2008 8:58PM]

OK, the last line just undid any credibility you had, especially the iTunes remark.

[Famous by Marital-Association @ Oct 22nd 2008 4:10PM]

I got mine last Friday (the 17th) and it looks and feels WAY better than I had expected. All the comments speculating that it is "Ugly" or "Resembles a Fisher-Price Toy" can only be from folks who have yet to hold one for themselves. I remember everyone saying the HTC Dash was ugly, and then when I first held one in person I knew everyone who'd said it was "Ugly compared to a Motorola Q" was wrong- and had never seen one in person or notice how it sat comfortably in your hand compared to the harsh edges of the other phones in its segment.

The G1 doesn't look like a sidekick in person. When you hold it, the "chin" as it is called makes the phone cradle in your right hand comfortably and provides a surface for your thumb to hold the device securely while you use your left hand on the touch screen. Additionally, it is much thinner than what you'd expect from the images. The screen is VERY vivid/bright and the audio quality for apps, media and calls is clear- and can be VERY loud if you wish it to be.

As for the firmware update- it makes sense that it would roll out sooner than later. I don't know why anyone would be *spooked* by the notion that Google, T-Mobile and HTC wouldn't want to make the device run more solidly as quickly as possible! Just give me a pop-up window telling me it's available, and I'll press "OK" and be all the merrier. I don't need a 'Key Note" speech and a press conference scheduled a week or two out before a company rolls out updates for my product as soon as they are available- do you???