T Mobile G1 Phone with Google Black T Mobile
T Mobile G1 Phone with Google Black T Mobile
The long-awaited T-Mobile G1 smartphone combines full touchscreen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes many Google tools you’ve come to rely on with your PC, including Google Maps Street View Gmail, and one-touch Google search. It’s also the first phone to be powered by Google’s new open-source Android operating system, which offers an intuitive interface easily customizable home screen. You can also purchase optional software via the Android Market to personalize your G1 with a variety of software applications like games, social networking, and on-the-go shopping.
Just tap the screen and go with access to all your favorite Google tools. |
In addition to a vibrantly colorful 3.2-inch touchscreen, the G1’s hinged screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and closes to prevent accidental dialing. It runs on T-Mobile’s new and growing 3G network, and also offers Wi-Fi connectivity for surfing the web on your wireless network or at hotspots as well as Bluetooth for handsfree communication. Other features include a 3-megapixel camera for still photos, a digital audio player (and easy access to Amazon’s MP3 store), an included 1 GB MicroSD memory card, and up to 5 hours of talk time.
T-Mobile Service
The T-Mobile G1 operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and is compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. T-Mobile is currently rolling out its 3G network, and it expects by year’s end that its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services. In those areas where 3G is not available, the phone will access data using T-Mobile’s EDGE network, which is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps). This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile t-zones content portal.
Call your favorite people with T-Mobile’s myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts–on any network, even landlines–without using any of your minutes. You’ll also get free domestic long distance and no digital roaming charges anywhere across the US on all calls. (All myFaves plans require a two-year contract.) Learn more about myFaves from T-Mobile.
Android OS and Market
The T-Mobile G1 with Google is the first phone to run on the Android operating system, which provides easy access to a wide assortment of messaging tools and Google apps. Additionally, this open source OS empowers developers to to create and offer applications that add value to the G1. The G1’s Home screen (seen at right) is your starting point for using all the applications on your phone. You can customize your Home screen to display applications, shortcuts, and widgets.
Just drag and drop any of your favorite applications, photos, or folders onto your home screen for quick access to what you use all the time (see larger version). |
The Android Market hosts a wide variety of unique applications, and with the G1’s one-click access to it you can find and download a wide range of innovative software applications–from games to social networking and on-the-go shopping–to personalize your phone. Some examples of applications include:
- With the comparative shopping ShopSavvy application, you can scan the UPC code of a product with your phone’s camera while shopping, and instantly compare prices from online merchants and nearby local stores.
- Ecorio was 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 you to record the steps you take throughout their day to help offset your impact on the environment.
- BreadCrumbz enables you to create a step-by-step visual map using photos. Create your own routes, share them with friends or with the world.
Additionally, the T-Mobile G1 comes pre-loaded with a new application developed by Amazon.com that provides easy access to the Amazon MP3 digital music download store with more than 6 million DRM-free MP3 tracks. You’ll be able to search, sample, purchase and download music from Amazon MP3 directly to the G1 (downloading music from Amazon MP3 using the T-Mobile G1 requires a Wi-Fi connection; searching, sampling and purchasing music can be done anywhere with a cellular connection).
Phone Features
The T-Mobile G1’s vibrant, high-quality screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, great for communicating with friends online or using the phone’s email, IM and mobile messaging capabilities. As another option for accessing the device, the T-Mobile G1 comes equipped with a convenient trackball for more precise, one-handed navigation. The 3.2-inch touchscreen has a 320 x 480-pixel resolution and a 65K color depth. The T-Mobile G1’s touchscreen interface is unique, providing you with a more customizable, interactive touch experience. For example, you can set a signature gesture to unlock the screen (there are 30 million possible combinations). There are also different taps for different types of commands–for example, you can use a short touch to launch an application, or a long press on any screen will give you additional options, similar to that of a right click on a mouse.
The phone has an internal 192 MB RAM/256 MB ROM memory, and it’s expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards up to 8 GB in size (a 1 GB MicroSD card comes with the phone).
The hinged screen slides open to reveal keypad and closes to prevent accidental dialing. |
With one-click contextual search, you can search for relevant information in a flash with a touch of a finger. A full HTML Web browser allows users to see any Web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section by simply tapping on the screen. Built-in support for YouTube allows you to enjoy YouTube’s originally-created content, easily navigate through YouTube’s familiar video browsing categories or search for specific videos.
With Google Maps, Google’s groundbreaking maps service, you can 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, enabling you to explore cities at street-level virtually while on the go. Without taking a step, you can tour a far-away place as if they were there–standing on the street corner. Even better, the Google Maps feature syncs with a built-in compass on the phone–an industry first–to allow you to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with your hand.
Use the G1’s 3G and Wi-Fi connection to attach and share pictures over email and MMS or download music from your favorite web sites, as well as upload and post pictures to your personal blog.
The G1 features a rich HTML email client, which seamlessly syncs your email, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP email services. The Gmail application provides features such as conversation view, spam filtering, search, and labels that Gmail users enjoy on their computer while offering new features such as integration with the phone’s contact list. And it multitasks, so you can read a Web page while also downloading your email in the background.
It also combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger in the U.S., and IM presence allows you to see whether your friends are online, offline, away. The G1 also supports advanced text messaging features, enabling you to easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging. The Google Calendar app on the G1 syncs with the Web-based version, so any event that you add to your phone will show up on the Web-based Google Calendar (and vice versa).
Other features include:
- 3-megapixel camera with autofocus for still photos (no video recording)
- Digital audio player with four categories (Artists, Albums, Songs, and Playlists) and support for MP3, M4A (iTunes AAC, DRM-free), AMR, WMA (8), WAF, and OGG Vorbis
- Use digital audio songs as ringtone
- Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets)
- Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g)
- Messaging: email (IMAP/POP3/SMTP), instant messaging, SMS text, MMS photo
- Voice-recognition
- USB 2.0 connectivity with USB mass storage capability
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Vital Statistics
The T-Mobile G1 with Google weighs 5.6 ounces and measures 4.6 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 130 hours (5+ days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as the 1700/2100 MHz HSDPA 3G frequencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have to have a Google account to use T-Mobile G1?
A: Yes, customers must log into the phone using a Google account login when they first use the device. Once you do log into T-Mobile G1 using a Google account, your Gmail and Google Calendar will all sync to your phone providing secure, up-to-date access to your personal information. If you don’t already have an account, the startup process will walk you through creating one. Creating a Google account is free.
Q: Do customers need a voice and/or data plan to use T-Mobile G1?
A: Yes, when you purchase T-Mobile G1, you must add one of two T-Mobile G1-specific data plans to their account. This is similar to other all-in-one devices we offer like the T-Mobile Sidekick or the T-Mobile Shadow. Customers must also have a voice plan.
Q: Is the G1 compatible with your HotSpot @Home service?
A: No. Unlimited HotSpot Calling (formerly named T-Mobile HotSpot @Home) is not included in the T-Mobile G1, although the device can browse the Web over high-speed wireless connections including Wi-Fi and our 3G network.
Q: Are there any advantages to using Gmail on the device versus another type of personal (POP3 or IMAP) account?
A: Yes. After first logging into their Google account, you will have all your Gmail, Google Contacts, Calendar and Talk data automatically synchronize with the phone. Anything you do on the phone with these products will seconds later become available on the computer and vice versa. If you were to ever lose their phone, their information will still be available and seamlessly synchronize with a replacement G1. You will also benefit from push email and calendar alerts (this is also available for the multi-headed email client). Finally, Gmail’s contacts are synchronized automatically with the phone’s contact list.
Q: What is the “search from everywhere” feature?
A: “Search from everywhere” provides customers the ability to do contextual searches. T-Mobile G1 has a hard key on the QWERTY keyboard that you can touch in order to start a search within any application you are in. For example, if you are in your contact list and hit the search key, the device will search your contact list. If you are in your email and you hit the search key, the device will search your email. You can also start a search within each application through a search option within the application.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Get the G1 or a Cinco Fone
I love my G1. I love my G1 even better with the Cupcake update that I received this morning. I would have to agree with some of the other reviewers that say get it for the Android operating system. However, if you can wait for the next generation of Android phones, perhaps that is just as well. Great call quality on both ends (even had complements about how clear I am), great signal most of the time. Did I mention sturdy? Sturdy like a solidly built housewife. Nice and big and heavy. Kind of embarrassing to show the guys, but still a fantastic phone with AMAZING features. Not like that damn sexy iPhone (sighhhh). Anyway it does EVERYTHING that the iPhone does and more. How does that old song go? “…If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, make an ugly woman your wife…” I don’t have a wife, but I do have a very sturdy and homely (but amazing) G1. Oh, and if you get the G1, definetly get the 2600 extended life battery and a 16gig memory card. You WILL NOT regret it.
5 Stars Love the Phone
I purchased the G1 back in January, and love it.
Pros:
-Awesome features such as GPS, Wi-fi, and Internet Browsing
-The flip out display/keyboard is great. I have an iPod Touch (similar to the iPhone for keyboard), and the G1 keyboard is much better. You can actually compose emails on it instead of short blurbs, “yes,” “agreed,” etc. because the keyboard is easier for typing.
-The Android Marketplace provides lots of cool applications, games, etc. that you can download for free (some you have to purchase), and it really helps extend the usefulness of the phone.
–Applications such as ShopSavvy let you scan a barecode UPC of a product in a store and it will tell you if the product can be found for less down the street or online! The MyTracks application is cool for joggers, the SkyMap app is incredible(name the constellations in the sky based on where you point the phone), and there’s always the metal detector app.
-Integration with Google. The phone provides great integration with Google services such as GMail, Google Maps, etc., but you can also set up the email program to download work email through IMAP.
Cons:
-Just a little bulky, but it’s not that big a deal for what you get
-The battery life isn’t the greatest. Install the Batter Manager app from the Android Marketplace, and turn down the screen brightness. It’s really a small computer you’re holding, and if you use it more like a computer than a phone, the battery is going to need recharging more often.
-With the flip out design, there’s not a good case that I’ve found that will protect the phone, but also let the phone display flip out while still in the case. My phone came with a case (more like a pouch), and I still use it, and it works okay.
Overall:
Love the phone, glad I have it. I paid a little more for it back in January, but that’s the price of getting it early.
5 Stars Close to Perfection
This phone does every thing I need. The cupcake firmware update makes it even better, with the stereo blue tooth and soft keyboard (onscreen). Internet is faster than a lot of other phones thanks to 3G. Getting root access on the phone makes it even better. Only complaint is battery life.
2 Stars Go for an I-phone
Really neat phone but….the applications are limited to whatever android (the operating system) adds for you to use. The main problem is that they do not have adobe flash player on the phone and without that most of a websites additional features don’t work. You could save your money and get a less expensive phone which does about the same.
I also would like to see MLB Gameday ( live baseball) which the I-Phone has and since they (android.com) haven’t developed the application for T-Mobile g1 phone I’m at a loss.
Save you money on this one until the operating system catches up with a consumers usage.
1 Star Too many problems
Of course the phone is more amazing than your average cell phone, but really it’s not as good as other smart phones on the market. The only compliments I can give the phone is that it has a full QWERTY keyboard, which is what initially sold me. But the complaints I have bug me every time I pick up my phone, even the keyboard kind of annoys me, the keys are just small(but I expected that, what can you do). My major complaints are first of all the phone service, which was completely fine on my old phones, but now has a bit of a static sound and a strange clicking, also G3 doesn’t seem very fast. Then there’s the battery. If you want to use any of the cool features like the internet or GPS you’ll have to charge multiple times a day. You can feel it seriously heating up in your hand, they should probably try to market it as a hand warmer. The touch screen dialing gets annoying pretty often, like during the kind of calls where you have to “press 1(or whatever) to continue”, think about it that includes any time you check your messages. It’s because the screen saver turns on during calls so while you’re listening to a message or automaton(or whatever they’re called, you know the robot menu people), then when you tap it to wake it up, you now just typed the wrong number and your getting spoken to in robo-esponol. Also the way the screen slides out just feels so flimsy, the hinge is just a weak thin piece of plastic, a baby could easily break it. You really need to see a picture of it in mid swing to know what I mean. Also the dialer/call list/missed call/phone book menu just feels annoying, not very intuitive. For example lets say me and a friend are hanging out, their phone is in the other room, so they ask to use mine. They try for a second then they’ll be like, “you know, I’ll just go get mine”. If I didn’t occasionally find access to the internet,(which I often wont even have) so useful, I’d probably go back to my old phone. To top it all off the camera sucks, it cant even record video. That’s basically a step backwards in phone technology. I can’t even play video messages, but stupidly enough I can play bad quality youTube videos. That just makes no sense.
