At an event in New York today, T-Mobile USA Inc. and Google Inc. executives took the wraps off the G1, a device built by HTC Corp. that features Google Inc.’s Android operating system. The phone, which sports a QWERTY keyboard, touchscreen and Wi-Fi and 3G support, will sell for $180 starting next month with a voice and data contract.
T-Mobile USA will offer unlimited data plus a limited amount of messaging for $25 per month for the device, and at $35 users get unlimited data and messaging.
The new device features direct access to many of Google’s services, including GMail, Maps and YouTube. The device is also the first to feature a new application developed by Amazon.com that provides access to Amazon MP3, Amazon.com’s DRM-free digital music download store. The device, however, will not be able to load music from Apple Inc.’s iTunes, unless the songs have been unlocked.
Click here for a video of the G1’s user interface
In terms of supporting Microsoft Corp.’s Office applications, the G1 can read Word documents, PDF documents and Excel documents, but it will not have Exchange compatibility. T-Mobile USA hinted that Exchange support could come from a third-party developer.
Because T-Mobile USA supports SIM cards, the question of unlocking phones came up. The carrier said the G1 will be locked to T-Mobile USA as it rolls out.
“[There are] no guarantees in technology,” said Cole Brodman, CTO of T-Mobile. “We want to make sure [it’s used] on the network we’ve optimized it for.”
T-Mobile USA has been busy rolling out its 3G network in the past few months, in preparation for the device. The G1 supports GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA, and runs on Qualcomm Inc.’s dual-core chipset.
The G1 press conference in New York acted as stomping ground for video demonstrations, photo ops and Q&A on the device. About half way through the presentation, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin stumbled on stage to voice their excitement, with Brin comparing working with the G1 to how he created computer programs in college.
“I’m a bit of a geek, I really like tinkering with things,” Brin said.
Further, T-Mobile USA said the marketing campaign for the G1, set to begin in October, will be the biggest the carrier has ever launched.
The G1 faces stiff competition however. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. has been riding a wave of success with its new consumer-focused strategy, and according to a Gartner Inc. media report, smartphone sales grew 16% in the second quarter of this year. This might not be a huge concern for T-Mobile USA and its precious G1, however, the carrier said they are focusing on appealing to youth and family segments.
“It’s more of a consumer device; not an enterprise device,” Brodman said.
And let’s not forget Apple’s iPhone 3G, which has garnered a wave of interest. Although that device was not referred to directly during the press conference, it’s the known competitor. And the rest of the handset market is sure to put forth its best foot during the critical, upcoming holiday shopping season.
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