After a week of playing with Google and HTC’s new Android phone, I can say that there’s a huge promise with the platform. See unboxing photos here and specs here.
Let’s break it down to two main components and focus there — hardware and operating system.
Hardware Construction and Design. Off the bat, the G1 phone is hideous — period. We’ve seen a lot of phones coming out of HTC but the HTC Dream is a really odd one. I think this model was conceptualized way back in 2003. And despite the plastic body, it still feels heavy and bulky to the hands.
A number of people asked me why the phone is angled at the bottom end. I realized the slight protrusion was done to give a better grip when handled horizontally and positioned to take pictures.
The well-spaced qwerty keyboard benefited from the wide body of the G1. Since the keypads are hidden from the slider, the individual keys are buried into the pad you don’t get much feedback when typing on them. The keyboard is also oriented heavily on the left side that your right thumb will have a hard time reaching the middle keys.
In the front panel, there are 5 buttons and a trackball that serves as main navigation and shortcuts for phone use. The trackball at they middle is very easy to use especially when running thru long lists like your Contacts or Playlist and crawling thru objects and links when browsing. It also serves as an Ok button.
At first glance, the lever that supports the slider looks like it’s made of plastic and could be a problem when it breaks off. However, the spring mechanism is constructed in metal so it may last prolonged usage. The phone makes some squeaking noise when applied with pressure or when flipped — sounds like walking over a bamboo floor.
The UI and Operating System. This is the first time I’ve used a new OS on a mobile phone. We’re already pretty familiar with the Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, Palm OS and iPhone OS. The Google Android platform performs better for a first generation OS. It’s fast, it’s responsive and integrates really well with Google Apps.
The main interfaces works like a desktop with icons scattered across 3 panes. It’s like an extended desktop you can flick across (similar to the iPhone but only limited to 3). There’s also a sidebar that extends across the screen which contains shortcuts to a lot functions or installed apps. What’s really nice is that alerts are non-intrusive — there’s a small one-liner ticker that slides at the top of the screen to indicate SMS and other notifications (along with a vibrate and buzzing sound).
The iPhone OS of Apple works seemlessly with the iPhone because the plaform was tailor-made for it. Likewise, Android was also tailor-made for the G1 and thus, you get an optimized UI and performance. The menus are intuitive and responds very well. There are some minor quirks here and there but overall, the OS performs in top shape.
Imagine having this platform on your favorite phone? The T-Mobile G1 is just a test model. Once we see more and more models go out with Android in it, the clearer it becomes to us that the platform is truly a solid contender against the iPhone OS.
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android is really a Smart Phone
http://www.topblogs.com.ph/out/6820
Horrible aesthetics, competent functionality. I wish they would’ve made it look nicer.
so would it be possible to install Android someday on a Windows Mobile device phone? i am on WM6.1 and I hate hate it.
@iko - yes, Google might do one for WM devices in the future.
wow..naman
yes since open source ang g1 phone, really interesting phone ang g1.:)
pls have a review on samsung m8800
I should get me one of these babies. Is this better than the iPhone?
A big thankx to the Android platform, Nokia reacted with open source Symbians starting 2009. a good news for nokia symbian fans.
It will be much better if it doesn’t look “so plastic.” I want it to have a sleeker and shinier body.
it is better kung much cheaper or 30% ang baba nya kaysa sa ibang smartphones. Bibili na ako nyan. i think it is good and nice i don’t the other features.
do any of you know where this phone can be bought in the phil? thanks!
Try Virra Mall in Greenhills.
To those who are already using their G1s: i just bought my own G1 phone from the US and it’s been sitting in my drawer for 3 wks now coz i can’t use it. i had it unlocked already, but it can’t access to the internet and would always say i have a problem with my sim (i’m using SMART). i can’t figure out the APN settings. i think i need to set it manually but i don’t know how. if anybody knows how i can activate and finally use my G1 phone, pls be an angel and email me at joei_f@yahoo.com..i will very much appreciate it. thanks:)
I’m having the same problem as Rochelle…I can’t get past the activation screen. To those using the G1 with Globe, what are the APN settings?
Anyone out there! can u help me how can i use my G1. I have the same PROBLEM just like N ‘n Rochelle di ko rin magamit ang G1 ko.
Thank you for giving this matter your prompt attention and we are looking forward to your favorable response to my concern.
Looks like Google is on to something. Look, the USS Enterprise looks like a sink (when viewed from the top), but it can travel at light speeds. This phone, ugly or otherwise, sure delivers.
is the g1 already available in the philippines? and if it is, how much will it cost me?
i have one now …. and its great …..
have a g1 but accidentally restored everything to factory settings now i cant get pass the activation thingy.. anyone knows APN settings for globe? i only know the smart one, for Rochelle try this..
MMS Settings
MMSC: 10.102.61.238:8002
Proxy: 10.102.61.46:8080
MMS-APN: mms
Username: Leave it blank
Password: Leave it /> EDGE-APN: internet
Username: Leave it blank
Password: Leave it blank
saan po ba kayu nag pa open lyn ng g1 phone… nees help talga… tnx…
email me dwl_lim1988@yahoo.com
saan po ba kayu nag pa open lyn ng g1 phone… nees help talga… tnx…
nag automatic connect sa net. magasto sa load..
Just want to know kung pwd ba ma open ang G1 ko sa pinas? saan? Please help me @ mfcbranch@yahoo.com