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T-Mobile G1 launch day roundup
Sure, our front page got stacked with news on the launch of the world's first Android phone -- the G1 -- but if you missed any of the action (and there was quite a bit), we've put together this helpful roundup. Below you'll find an easy-to-use guide to all the goings-on about the T-Mobile device, complete with galleries and videos that will delight and enthrall any healthy viewer. Keep an eye on this post as we'll be updating with a few other bits and pieces today that you'll most definitely want a look at.Update: We've added a link to our initial impressions, a more detailed look at the device and software.The liveblog:Live from T-Mobile's Android event in New York CityHands-on coverage:T-Mobile G1 first hands-on (updated)Video: Android walkthrough on T-Mobile G1Product announcement:The T-Mobile G1In-depth / details:T-Mobile's CTO on G1 unlocking and tethering -- plus a few details you might have missedT-Mobile soft capping 3G data at 1GB per monthConfirmed: T-Mobile G1 has no 3.5mm headphone jackT-Mobile G1 site goes live for real, first ad appearsT-Mobile G1 has push Gmail with Google Talk presenceT-Mobile G1 impressions: what we love, what we don't
T-Mobile's CTO on G1 unlocking and tethering -- plus a few details you might have missed
While there was a flurry (actually, a full on snowstorm) of news today about the G1, there's a few bits of info you might not have heard, largely because no one is reporting them. We had a chance to speak with T-Mobile CTO Cole Brodman after the event today, and he had some illuminating -- and frankly refreshing -- takes on some of our more pressing questions. When asked about what T-Mobile's reaction would be to users creating tethering or unlocking apps for the phone, he was surprisingly even-keeled, noting that while the company didn't encourage the practice, they wouldn't lock down the OS or update the software to break those applications. Our impression was that as long as their use was relegated to a small percentage of owners, T-Mobile likely wouldn't take action, though he did voice concerns over tethering apps and their effect on the network, with a clearly guarded eye to letting users have free reign. More interestingly, buyers would be able to have access to a "contract free" G1 (with a price point of $399), and could unlock the device with T-Mobile's blessing after 90 days. Brodman also said that the company's policy of unlocking phones for customers in good standing wouldn't change for this phone.
T-Mobile G1 first hands-on (updated)
Yep -- there it is. We finally, finally got our mitts all over the very first Android device, the T-Mobile G1 -- hanging out in the crowd, waiting for the official announce, naturally -- and so far we like what we see. The phone is surprisingly thinner than we thought it would be, and it feels pretty solid in your hand (though they've opted for an almost all plastic device, no metal here). The keyboard seems usable and reasonably well thought-out, and the slider action is like butter, with a nice little swoop for good effect. But really, the pictures tell the whole story, so check out the gallery below!%Gallery-32488%Update: We're adding another gallery as we speak. Here's some initial observations: the browser is much choppier than the iPhone's, there seem to be two separate mail apps, one for Gmail and a separate IMAP app, and there seems to be no multitouch functionality. Check out the gallery below for a lot more views, and we'll be updating this as necessary!%Gallery-32498%
Live from T-Mobile's Android event in New York City
9:49AM We're here, and we're waiting out front for the big party to start. Stay tuned for more info as it happens!10:07AM We're inside and we've got some very exciting happenings afoot... stay tuned.10:12AM That's right folks -- we've already managed to get our hands on the G1 (see post above), and we're in the process of handling some other colors right now (there's also white and brown). We're hanging out with a few of the developers for the device, and they're being very gracious with their phones. Thanks guys!10:17AM We just heard that for the first 90 days after purchase, all apps from the T-Mobile Marketplace (or whatever they're calling their App Store) will be free for phone buyers. That's a nice incentive... now how about some free Amazon MP3s?10:19AM Announcement: ladies and gentlemen, we'll be starting 10 minutes. Also, there's some smooth jazz playing here that's a little too smooth, and not enough jazz.
Amazon: 6 million DRM-free songs on T-Mobile G1
It's true, Amazon just announced that its MP3 music store will be pre-loaded as an application on the T-Mobile G1. Users will be able to search, download, buy and play music from Amazon MP3 -- that's a selection of 6 million DRM-free MP3 songs from all four major labels and many independents. The pre-loaded Amazon MP3 application provides G1 owners with a phone-optimised view of the Amazon MP3 store -- WiFi is required to download music, but searching, browsing, and listening to samples can be done over 3G "the T-Mobile network." Tracks cost around $0.89 with most albums priced between $5.99 and $9.99. How you like them Apples, Apple.
T-Mobile goes live with G1 website
It's one thing to appear on a website before being officially outed. It's another to have a web portal designed specifically for a handset. On the eve of its official debut in the Big Apple, T-Mobile has launched the definitive G1 website, complete with a G1 logo, the time and date of tomorrow's press event, a few tabs sure to be chock full of juicy details just as soon as said event closes, and most importantly, a pre-order button (of sorts) in order to sign up for what we can only fathom to be a notification of availability. 10:30AM tomorrow morning -- we'll be there, you'll be there.
Don't forget, T-Mobile and Google unveil the first Android phone tomorrow!
Just a reminder, we're going to be at the Android and T-Mobile event tomorrow morning, so be sure and set your alarms. You can (finally) expect the big unveil of the first commercially available Android device (we don't want to ruin it, but it's going to be the G1 -- or Dream as we used to call it). We wanted to give you another heads up so you'll know where and when it's going down. Pertinent info below.Where you'll need to be:Live from T-Mobile's Android event in New York CityTime zones: 04:30AM - Hawaii07:30AM - Pacific08:30AM - Mountain09:30AM - Central10:30AM - Eastern03:30PM - London04:30PM - Paris06:30PM - Moscow11:30PM - Tokyo
G1 appears on T-Mobile's site
Snap -- looks like the Android-powered T-Mobile G1 is peeking out a little early in the form of a non-working pre-registration link on the my.t-mobile.com customer portal. No specs or info, but if you had any doubt this thing was coming on Tuesday we'd say it just got cleared up. Get ready for the Googlephone, kids.[Thanks, RionSTL and Mike]
T-Mobile's September 23rd Android event: we'll be there live
If you're feeling those butterflies-in-the-stomach over next Tuesday's Android and T-Mobile announcement, hold tight. We're going to be there live, blogging away like you know we do and hopefully handling (or at least seriously photographing) the first official Android phones. We wanted to give you a heads up so you'll know where to be, so join us at 10:30AM EDT for all the good news!
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]
T-Mobile plans to be serving 21 markets with 3G by middle of next month
How convenient, T-mobile. That $199, Android-flaunting, 3G HTC G1, to be officially unveiled next week, is supposed to start selling on October 17th, just when the carrier plans to flip the HSDPA switch on eight new markets: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Orlando, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Seattle. T-Mobile plans to follow those up with Birmingham, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis and Tampa by the end of the year, covering about two-thirds of its customers with 3G before 2009 rolls around. It's been a rough few years for the T-Mobile faithful, but it looks an end is in sight -- at least for the urban among us.
Android-powered HTC Dream to sell for $199 on T-Mobile
With under a week to go before the HTC Dream is officially unveiled in the Big Apple, the Wall Street Journal has given us something juicy to gnaw on for the time being: a price. Unsurprisingly positioned to compete directly with the iPhone 3G, the Android-powered HTC Dream / G1 will go for a cool $199 (with 2-year contract, obviously) when it launches on T-Mobile, though there's no word yet on what it'll run sans subsidization. So, how do you like dem Apples?[Via Fortune]
T-Mobile G1 said to be landing October 17th, Sprint Android phone out by 2009?
We've already been hearing that the HTC G1 (otherwise known as the Dream) would be landing on T-Mobile in late October, but VentureBeat now claims that it has further pegged the actual release date down to October 17th (it'll apparently start shipping on the 13th), which would be a tad earlier than most had expected. What's more, the site is also citing "multiple sources" claiming that Sprint's own Android phone will "definitely" be out by 2009, and that it will have "other functionality" than the Dream / G1. Ah, the endless cycle of speculation. Place your bets, folks.[Via The Boy Genius Report]
It's official: T-Mobile unveiling first Android handset next Tuesday
So it's really no big secret at this point, but we've now received confirmation that T-Mobile will be unveiling its first Android handset -- presumably the Dream, G1, or whatever they decide to call it -- at a press event in New York City on September 23. The event is a whole shindig, too, kicking off in the morning and featuring "presentations from T-Mobile, Google and other company executives" followed by hands-ons with the real deal. Naturally, we'll be on hand in full force, so stay tuned!
Google shows off masked Android handset
It looks like Google was doing its best to spread Android fever in London this morning, with it taking advantage of its Developer Day event to show off a working Android phone for the first time in Europe. While Google apparently wasn't quite ready to take all the wraps off the suspiciously Dream-like handset itself, PC Pro reports that it looked "far more polished" than it did in earlier leaked videos, and that by all accounts it was actually a "finished commercial device." Google's Mike Jennings was, on the other hand, more than eager to talk about the OS, and he even dropped a tantalizing "why not?" when asked if Android could be used on devices other than phones. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any video of the event available, but you can check out a few first hand reports by hitting up the links below. Read - TechRadar, "Google shows off final Android handset" Read - PC Pro, "Android handset hits London" Read - PC Pro, "Will Apple or Android get in my pocket?" Update: Video of the event has been found (thanks, rxgator). Head on past the break to check it out. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
T-Mobile to sell Dream starting late October, sez WSJ
Lining up nicely with most (but not all) of what we've been hearing, the Wall Street Journal is spouting off about some "people familiar with the matter" who are claiming that the Android-christening Dream will go on sale late in the month of October. What's more, these same folks say that we can expect a formal announcement about the worst kept secret in Seattle on September 23, though exact pricing is yet to be determined. That would leave about a month for anticipation -- "Dream Fever," if you will -- to build to a nice, rolling boil, which is important considering rumors that HTC looks to push somewhere between 600,000 and 700,000 Dreams before the year's out. Assuming the sticker shock is kept to a minimum, there's only one question left to be answered: white, black, or brown?
T-Mobile to offer Android handset "soon," Reuters reports
It's not exactly a huge surprise, but Reuters is now reporting that T-Mobile will start selling a "mobile phone based on Google Inc's Android software" (otherwise known to everyone else as the HTC Dream) "within weeks," citing people familiar with the matter. The official announcement will apparently happen in New York City this month, with two sources further pegging the date for the announcement down to September 23rd, which mostly lines up with the details The New York Times reported last month. Buckle up, folks. Things are about to get interesting.
T-Mobile G1 gets SKU'd in three colors?
There's still seriously no telling what T-Mobile and HTC plan to call the Dream at retail -- it could still be "Dream" for all we know -- but evidence is building that "G1" might be the real deal. A purported clandestine shot (which would be utterly impossible to fake, mind you) of SKU listings for G1 retail packages has turned up, showing that T-Mobile's inaugural Android box could launch in black, white, and brown -- another rumor we'd heard before that's starting to build some steam. All indications still point to a fall launch, but we still don't have anything remotely approaching official word on a date or a price, so let's just all keep our hopes way, way up, yeah?
HTC Dream coming to T-Mobile UK in November?
We don't have any idea where this information came from, but the Telegraph is reporting today that the HTC Dream will launch on T-Mobile UK sometime in November. That's the same time frame we've heard before, and it certainly seems like El Goog's first Android phone is close to its debut, so it's definitely plausible, but we'd still take this one with a grain of salt -- even though we want this thing yesterday. [Via Talk Android; thanks Chris]
More murmurs from the mobile front
Blizzplanet continues to track down hints at what Blizzard might be planning in the mobile space, i.e. on the iPhone or another mobile computing platform (that Android Dream demo looked pretty sweet, too). Recently, Blizzard posted a job opening for a web software engineer, and while of course that could be for improvements to the Armory, or for the upcoming changes to Battle.net, but considering that many mobile apps are web apps nowadays, that position could definitely be put to work developing a web interface specifically for mobile platforms.And the second hint is a little more concrete: our sister site Massively has mentioned Vollee before -- they're a company that claims to be able to stream a PC game experience to a mobile platform like the iPhone. They've already created a Second Life client, and Blizzplanet notes that in one of their recent press releases, they mention that they've been working with Activision Blizzard on a partnership. There are a lot of games under the Activision Blizzard banner nowadays, of course, but WoW is the biggest one of them, and it's definitely the MMO Vollee would want to be working on.Blizzard hasn't officially announced any version or WoW application for any mobile platforms, of course, and even if one was in the planning stages, there's no guarantee we'd ever see it in an releaseable form. But there's definitely a call to bring facets of World of Warcraft to mobile computing, and if they can work it out in a form they find acceptable, it would undoubtedly be popular.
