First Google Android phone unveiled

On Tuesday, Google and T-Mobile unveiled the first handset to use the Android platform: the T-Mobile G1, also known as HTC's Dream.

Android is a full mobile stack, from operating system to applications. It is the handiwork of the Google-led Open Handset Alliance and an enthusiastic developer community that has embraced what both hope will be a viable alternative to the current crop of largely proprietary mobile platforms, such as the iPhone and Windows Mobile.

The T-Mobile G1 has touchscreen functionality and a Qwerty keyboard, and will be the first phone to provide access to Android Market, which will allow customers to find and download applications, including mashups.

Jim Hyde, chief executive of T-Mobile UK, said: "The T-Mobile G1 is the first device to run on the Android platform, giving customers unprecedented ability to make their mobile work just the way they want."

T-Mobile said the G1 will be available in the UK before Christmas this year.

The G1 will have built-in support for T-Mobile's 3G (HSDPA) network as well as Wi-Fi, and will transfer between 3G and accessible Wi-Fi networks. The handset will also feature a rich HTML email client, to synchronise email, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as other POP3 or IMAP mail services.