TechBloggin.com

Filed under: Cellphones

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.

The liveblog:

Live from T-Mobile’s Android event in New York City

Hands-on coverage:

T-Mobile G1 first hands-on (updated)
Video: Android walkthrough on T-Mobile G1

Product announcement:

The T-Mobile G1

In-depth / details:

T-Mobile’s CTO on G1 unlocking and tethering — plus a few details you might have missed
T-Mobile soft capping 3G data at 1GB per month
Confirmed: T-Mobile G1 has no 3.5mm headphone jack
T-Mobile G1 site goes live for real, first ad appears
T-Mobile G1 has push Gmail with Google Talk presence

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Joshua Topolsky

written by

Filed under: Cellphones

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/T_Mobile_G1_first_hands_on_with_Googlephone’; 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!

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 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!

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Joshua Topolsky

written by

Filed under: Cellphones

As any avid Engadget reader knows, the persistent Google Phone rumor — begun so many eons ago (er, last year) — has been on the fast track as of late, with varying reports coming in concerning specific information such as launch date, OS, and the existence of prototypes. Well, now it looks like we’ve got another handful of data to add to the veritable mini-mountain of specs / info we’ve ascertained about the presently-vaporous device. According to “reliable sources,” specific aspects of the GPhone are coming to light — the first suggesting that the phone will run on a Linux variant (which is nothing new), and will be Java Virtual Machine-capable. Additionally, the OS of the phone will be Java-based (as well as the all phone apps itself), and performance is said to be “very responsive.” The browser for the phone will be new (though some say it’s based on the WebKit core, which Safari is built atop) and will tout “pan-and-browse” capabilities. Finally, the word is that HTC is manufacturing the handsets, and instead of a single form-factor for the prototype, there are a variety of phones, all with QWERTY keyboards (one article suggests the phone will be “simpler” and less “flashy” than the iPhone, with less screen space, and a BlackBerry / Treo form-factor). Certainly a lot of information, though — just as certainly — speculation and rumor right now, and if the past year has taught any lesson, it’s to proceed with extreme skepticism.

Read — Five Facts About Google Phone
Read — Introducing the Google Phone

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Joshua Topolsky

written by

Filed under: Cellphones, Features

Can it be true? Is the Googlephone nigh at hand? Not that we haven’t been hearing this time after time (after time after time, etc.), but we’ve actually got some hot news from a number of very trustworthy sources about Google’s plans for the mobile space. Namely, Google’s mobile device platform is well on its way, and will be announced in the very near future.

We understand that the “Gphone OS” (our name for it, not theirs) began development after Google’s very quiet 2005 acquisition of mobile software company Android, started by Danger cofounder and former-prez / CEO Andy Rubin. At Google, Andy’s team has developed a Linux-based mobile device OS (no surprise) which they’re currently shopping around to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, customizable system — with really great Google integration, of course.

As for the timeframe on this thing, we keep hearing Google will announce its mobile plans some time post-Labor Day (September 3rd); from what we’ve heard Google isn’t necessarily working on hardware of its own, but is definitely working with OEMs and ODMs to get them to put the Gphone OS on upcoming devices. Think of it more in terms of Windows Mobile or Palm OS (in the early days) — Google wants to supply the platform, but we don’t think they want to sell hardware. Still, don’t entirely rule out the idea. Andy Rubin knows how to make a device and put it in peoples’ hands, so nothing is impossible on the hardware side. Either way, we’re totally stoked to peep the software, we’ve been waiting for the Googlephone for years on years.

Still, we can’t help wondering what El Jobso thinks about all this. Apple has been so buddy-buddy with Google lately, especially on the iPhone — and now Apple’s mobile team is on the verge of outright competition with one of its closest partners. We know that’s how the industry works, but it’s got to sting a little, you know?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Ryan Block

written by

Filed under: Cellphones

According to reports out of India, Google is currently in talks with country’s first and third largest telecos, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, concerning everyone’s favorite mobile rumor: the Google Phone. Based on information coming from Rediff’s India Abroad, an exclusive launch — happening in a highly questionable two weeks — is being discussed between the companies, and would tie into a simultaneous debut of the Gphone in both the US and Europe, coupled with announcements in India and other parts of the world. The only hurdle, they say, is approval from regulatory agencies (such as the FCC, we would assume). The report goes on to suggest that Google has plans to invest $7-8 billion in its telephony plot, though there has been practically zero confirmation from the company. When asked about the possibility of the Google mobile phone making an appearance soon, a spokesperson for the search-portal-giant said, “We don’t comment on market rumour or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day.” So, while you can never, truly rule out a sudden showing of the Gphone, definitely don’t go banking on it either.

[Thanks, Binil]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Joshua Topolsky

written by

Filed under: Cellphones

We all know that when rumors start to heat up, well, it just means there’s more to speculate about. Nevertheless, new reports from both the BBC and The Wall Street Journal do a fine job of getting our hopes up, as it’s noted that Google refused to outrightly deny handset rumors; rather, it simply reiterated that its users and partners are saying that “they want Google search and Google applications on mobile, and it is working hard every day to deliver that.” Furthermore, it’s now believed that the search giant is “showing the prototype to cellphone manufacturers and network operators as it continues to hone the technical specifications.” Make of that what you will, but it sounds pretty enticing over here.

[Thanks, Omar A. and Ala A.]
Read - Google sidesteps mobile reports
Read - Google shows phone prototype to manufacturers

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Darren Murph

written by

Filed under: Cellphones

Rumors about about a possible Google phone have run so hot and cold recently that it’s hard to keep up, but AppleInsider is reporting that the big G is making a big push in developing their own handset. AI says that investment guidance firm Anian has issued a report quoting a development budget in the “hundreds of millions” of dollars and that HTC is being tapped to build a Linux-based Gphone to be launched on T-Mobile in the US in early 2008, with Orange getting the exclusive in France and other countries. Anian also says Google has been in talks with Verizon and AT&T, and that Verizon has already shot the big G down — much like it did with Apple and the iPhone. As always, rumors are just rumors, so we’ll wait and see, but it’s hard to ignore the amount of buzz that the Gphone’s been getting.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: Nilay Patel

written by