T-Mobile and Google unveiled the first smartphone powered by the Android environment. The T-Mobile G1 combines touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes Google Maps Street View, Gmail, Google Calendar, YouTube and other Google applications. Some key points of the global launch:
- Manufactured by Taiwan's HTC
- Quad-band 3G and Wi-Fi connections
- 3-megapixel camera
- In the U.S., the T-Mobile G1 has a price of $179 with a two-year voice and data agreement. The T-Mobile G1 will also be available in the United Kingdom beginning in November, and across Europe in the first quarter of 2009. Countries include Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.
- A full HTML Web browser
- Google Maps enables users to instantly view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions, all from the phone's easy-to-use touch interface. The T-Mobile G1 also includes Google Maps Street View, allowing customers to explore cities at street-level.
- HTML e-mail client, which offer push sync e-mail, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. The app combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger in the U.S.
- 1GB of internal memory, plus expansion slot
- Pre-loaded with a music application and access to Amazon.com's digital music download store, which features more than 6 million DRM-free MP3 tracks.
- Access to Android Market, which hosts unique applications and mash ups of existing and new services from developers around the world.
- ShopSavvy: an application designed to help people do comparative shopping. Users scan the UPC code of a product with their phone's camera while they are shopping, and can instantly compare prices from online merchants and nearby local stores.
- Ecorio: a new application developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and view what their carbon footprint looks like. With access to tips and tricks, Ecorio allows users to record the steps they take throughout their day to help offset their impact on the environment.
- BreadCrumbz: a new application that enables people to create a step-by-step visual map using photos. Customers can create their own routes, share them with friends or with the world.
