Android and the G1

The G1 has a 3.2-inch 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution capacitive touchscreen, a flip-out full QWERTY keyboard, dual-band UMTS HSPA, quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth. There’s also a 3.2-megapixel fixed-focus camera, microSD slot (with a 1GB card provided and up to 8GB supported) and a trackball for navigation.


The G1 was released about a month ago and while it probably doesn't stand a chance against the iPhone, it does have appeal to some. Not bad considering the phone lacks the polish of the iPhone and its slick interface.

Some of the differences of the G1 and why I'm considering purchasing one:

1. Price
T-mobile is probably the cheapest (and probably the worst) of the carriers. I can handle a dropped call here and there if I'm not paying a lot each month, like I would be with AT&T. I have 1500 anytime minutes + free LD for $49/mo. You are required to sign up for the data plan with T-Mobile which is either $25 (limited) or $35 (unlimited).

2. The Android OS
The flexibility of the Android operating system backed by major carriers and the developer community will ensure that many applications [and phones] will be built. Any developer can sell their software through the Android Marketplace and Google will not take a cut of the proceeds unlike Apple's AppStore.

3. GPS & Google Maps
The phone works seamlessly with Google maps and has a built in GPS. Many of the applications created for Android will center around this functionality.

4. Full slide out QWERTY keyboard
Texting is a pain in the ass using my current Motorola phone. Using the QWERTY keyboard for texting and emailing will be much easier.

5. It's time for a new phone.
My Motorola phone is scratched up, beat up, old and it's about time to get a new phone. For just a little bit more ($179), I can have a phone that does a whole lot more than the average phone.

Some of the reasons why I may not purchase the G1:

1. NY Times considers the G1 the Zune of phones.
2. Ugly phone. Just about review mentions how ugly the phone and even the lack of a consistent icon design in the phone.
3. First generation. Never buy first generation.
4. No video (YET). I think you can view youtube videos out of the box but there is no ability to record your own or view other formats.
5. Camera sucks. I don't care so much about this but many of the reviews say that the camera lacks a lot.
6. Odd headphone jack. It is now shipping with an adapter.
7. I like only paying $49/mo. vs $90 I will pay.
8. Many of the apps will be home brew and may use all of the memory resources of the phone causing it to run sluggishly.
9. No killer app for the G1 yet. For me, it would be a turn by turn GPS application. Update: IMEEM now has a app that allows streaming radio!
10. Battery Life. There are ways to increase battery life..

Tech Crunch's Top Android Market Apps
1. imeem Mobile: It’s a jukebox in your pocket, and the progressive download means that your song doesn’t skip when you go into an elevator, ’nuff said.

2. ShopSavvy: From Big in Japan, this turns your phone into a barcode scanner and then gives you price comparisons both online and in nearby retail stores. In my tests, the product database is good for household items, but can stumble with obscure products. But this is a killer app once the product database becomes more comprehensive. (Also try CompareEverywhere, which does the same thing).

3. Pac-Man: The original arcade game from Namco. Free on the Android (it costs $7.99 on the iPhone). The rollerball is an excellent joystick.

4. BreadCrumbz: You can leave photo and voice marker breadcrumbz along any route that others can then follow later on. Ties into the phone’s GPS, maps, camera, and microphone.

5. Wikitude: A travel guide that pulls up information from Wikipedia about nearby locations and puts them on a map, along with photos from Panoramio. Really useful geo-mashup.

6. Shazam: Put the phone up to a radio or speaker playing a song and Shazam will tell you the name and the artist, just like the iPhone app.

7. SplashPlay: Teaches you how to play the guitar by playing music and showing a fret board that you can play on the screen in sync with the music. The app is marketing for a similar tutorial device you can buy for your guitar, but it really teaches you how to play.

8. iSkoot for Skype: Lets you use your Skype account to IM your contacts, make Skype calls over the Internet, and uses the phone for SkypeOut calls (this is one of the apps that was taken down, but should go up again. Update: It’s available now)

9. MyCloset: This one’s more for the ladies, but a very nicely done app. You take apicture of every article of clothes in your closet, categorize them (top, bottom, shoes, accessories, etc.), select months when they can be worn, and then you can mix and match to plan out your outfits. The only thing it needs is some way to note weather a piece of clothing is clean or not.

10. Cab4Me Light: A simple app that gives you phone numbers of cab companies based on where you are.


Links:
http://www.android.com/
http://www.android.com/market/
http://androidcommunity.com/
http://www.talkandroid.com/android-forums/

Videos:
Android Team Videos
APP: Amazon Music Store
APP: CompareEverywhere
Accessing maps during a phone call