Google makes phone

[Svaz]

Oh google, what fields will you seek to dominate next?

The G1 (official site, featuring grating voiceover at every click) is apparently a phone you need T-mobile to use. Being a verizon customer myself, I've never interfaced with this thing, and have no idea how alike it is to iPhone/AT&T. Here it is for purchase (there's a seperate link elsewhere for current T-mobile users but I'm too lazy to find it again).

Normally I don't really give a **** about phones, but now that google decided to get involved, I am filled with intrigue.

[Biff_tech]

Re: Google makes phone

Doesn't google already have a phone called the Android that's only in japan or the States or something?

[Svaz]

Re: Google makes phone

Sort of. It's still in development, and implements Google's Android technology, as does the G1. The company, DoCoMo, is purportedly doing it to compete with the Softcom, the Japanese company that launched the iPhone (and I suppose to hold their spot as Japan's biggest mobile carrier).

The Android technology is Linux based, and open source, leaving it very customizable, allowing the opportunity for it to have more features than the iPhone does. Purportedly the iPhone isn't doing that fantastically in the technologically advanced atmosphere innate to Japan.

ps: I swear I'm not a weeaboo ;_;

[syzergy]

Re: Google makes phone

Looks awesome lol. Verizon ftw!

[darkshark]

Re: Google makes phone

I had a chance to do more less a side by side comparison, between the iPhone and the G1.

The iPhone, is an amazing piece of art, I'm not one to praise apple, but I have to say, they did a great job on this phone, scrolls extremely smooth, responsive as hell, intuitive menus, all around good phone, just seems very delicate.

The G1 on the other hand, is setup like an iPhone, but tries to implement more of a windows app feel into it, it is by no means as responsive to touch like the iPhone, nor as smooth. The navigation tools are awkward, and they include a little mouse track ball on it as well which I never found a use for. The G1 flips open to a full keyboard, which may be a plus to some of you, but I actually enjoyed the iPhone's on-screen keyboard, mainly because the iPhone is responsive enough to handle it. I use T-mobile, and it's been a great network to be on, you get a lot of talk time for your money as opposed to the ATT network, and about equal in signal strength and reliability.

Overall, iPhone does indeed, kick some major ass. G1 tries to compete but, it seems they overthought their phone, and in turn it bogged it down. The G1 does have quite a few more features, but at a performance cost.

I'd go with the iPhone personally.

[stretchypanda]

Re: Google makes phone

I'm confused. Did I know about the release of some amazing piece of technology before you guys?

More importantly, did the radio show I listen to in the mornings know about this before you guys? Because I swear to God this was discussed months ago. Not that that matters.

Also, it's available through T-Mobile, which means it fails.

[rzr]

Re: Google makes phone

I'm perfectly content with my VirginMobile Shuttle. I don't really understand the "omg I gotta have the newest of everything!" philosophy. I mean, the technology is cool and impressive, but hell, it's a cell phone. It's mean for calling. Texting is useful, too. But seriously.

[pokelda]

Re: Google makes phone

at&t pretty much beats everyone else

[stretchypanda]

Re: Google makes phone

I am much more excited about Blackberry Storm, but it's on Verizon, so looks like I'm waiting. =(

[tsugomaru]

Re: Google makes phone

So I use my phone only to call people.

I really used to hate the iPhone because it was from Apple, but after playing with one for about an hour, I've come to appreciate it as an awesome gaming device. I've known for the longest time that the iPhone had better hardware than either the DS or the PSP, but I didn't expect it to be a good video game platform because of the lack of buttons. But after previewing different apps, I've come to appreciate it as a tool for innovative developers. Some of the games on the iPhone are really amazing. I don't know how good the iPhone is for calling people and I think it's complete crap for texting or web browsing because its hard to type on, but I appreciate it as a good gaming device.

~Tsugomaru

[bender5]

Re: Google makes phone

I am much more excited about Blackberry Storm, but it's on Verizon, so looks like I'm waiting. =(

It's not really that great, in comparison to the iPhone it really falls short. It's no where near as responsive. The onscreen keyboard is much harder to type with, and it's no where near as smooth.

Sure it's cool, and some people might really like it, but if you keep your phone for a few years when you upgrade like I do, it's not really worth getting.

Btw I really hate phones that have exclusivity. Why not just make universal phones that can be applied to the service of your choice? That way all the verison people can have iPhones too.

[sumzup]

Re: Google makes phone

Old news is old.

Anyways, the G1 was really a bad device for the first release of Android. It's ugly and sucks. Hopefully the next phone based on Android will be better. Also, in the future Android will blow the iPhone environment out of the water...Apple has closed the iPhone up so much that while the Android advances, the iPhone won't have room for innovation.

[Izzy]

Re: Google makes phone

Sort of. It's still in development, and implements Google's Android technology, as does the G1. The company, DoCoMo, is purportedly doing it to compete with the Softcom, the Japanese company that launched the iPhone (and I suppose to hold their spot as Japan's biggest mobile carrier).

The Android technology is Linux based, and open source, leaving it very customizable, allowing the opportunity for it to have more features than the iPhone does. Purportedly the iPhone isn't doing that fantastically in the technologically advanced atmosphere innate to Japan.

ps: I swear I'm not a weeaboo ;_;

Sounds like it could potentially be turned into a handheld computer. I want one.

[TC_llama499]

Re: Google makes phone

yeah i know a few people with the G1 and it has some very nice features on it, but like DS said the touch screen isnt as responsive as the iphone.

[OrganisM]

Re: Google makes phone

I love my iPhone, and all other phones I've come across are just pretenders.

PS - blackberries are garbage. I'm never using one ever again.