Want a G1? Now, you can make payments

Now, here's a nifty little way for T-Mobile and Google to beef up the numbers on the G1, the first smartphone built on Android, Google's mobile operating system - an installment plan.

If the $179 is too much for you in the economically-challenging times and yet you still have the need to have the latest gadget in-hand, T-Mobile will let you pay buy a G1 and pay for it over four months - if you're credit worthy, that is.

MobileCrunch had the details in a blog post but no links to any site that advertised the promotion. I also scoured the T-Mobile and Google Web sites for some details - but there were no mention of a payment plan anywhere. So I did some digging the old-fashioned way. I called a T-Mobile store and asked. And sure enough, the gal who answered the phone confirmed it.

For some, the cost of a new phone itself is the biggest deterrent to an upgrade. Verizon allowed me to charge my new Blackberry Storm to my wireless account - which is kind of cool because, if I decide to return it within the first 30 days, it's all just reversed from my account with never a dime leaving my pocket. But if I decide to keep it, my bill next month will be pretty hefty.