Android chips away at iPhone with G1 firmware update

T-Mobile G1 users are receiving notices that a new firmware update (version R33) is available to be pushed to their devices over-the-air. This is in contrast to Apple's approach which requires firmware updates be applied while physically cabled to a computer.

As a point of reference, most G1s today ship with firmware RC30 and it was RC29 hilariously runs everything as root.

According to early reports the RC33 firmware includes:

- Google's Voice search feature - Google Latitude and Google Maps 3.0 - "Check for upgrades" support - Spam reporting on offensive comments in Android Market - Save picture from MMS

RC33 also reportedly fixes a number of bugs:

- G1 screen hanging fixed - Fix for reminders in calendar - Forced WiFi logout on quitting IM - Messages Stability issue - Failure to download more than one e-mail.

While it isn't the on-screen keyboard everyone's waiting for in Cupcake, it's a nice update.

Update: Slashgear has more screenshots of the update.

If you're a G1 user in the northeast and looking for someone to test Latitude with, get in touch.