Live coverage of the T-Mobile G-1 Google Android announcement
I have to say it does look nice, but as people have said recently it is really a new feature phone (like the iPhone) and not a high powered mobile device like Windows Mobile and S60 devices. The iPhone now has more enterprise functionality than the G1. The G1 is highly dependent on developers who may be able to take it to the enterprise level. Signing off live coverage. I will post hands-on pics and videos later.
1115: G1 has accelerometer too. That is it so off to play with the device now.
1110: Online presence in Google phonebook (this is a first), no Skype client, quad-band GSM, dual-band UMTS. Google founders on stage now.
1107: No tethering, no out-of-box Exchange, voice plan required, no desktop application and no central sync page (use with you data in the cloud only), no A2DP or keyboard via BT.
1058: Q&A starting. Price is US$179 and T-Mobile US customers can pre-order today. Data for $25 and $35 per month for unlimited data with different messaging plans. I am ordering mine as soon as I can.
1052: 3rd party apps and openness again being emphasized. Developer video now being shown.
1050:Music player lets you easily see related YouTube videos or Google search results. Drag and drop on OS, looks fluid. Nice browser controls. Dedicated Google search button on keyboard. Android market shown with games.
1045:More detailed video coming. We get lots of hands-on time soon.
1043:Teaser reel shown. I saw Amazon MP3 store, Google street view, and lots more. Looks very cool so far.
1040: Peter Chou, HTC, gave thanks to others. G1 will appeal to wide number of people. Sort statement again.
1037:Andy did not say much. G1 is open and future-proof. That is about it.
1036:History and thanks being made. Andy Rubin coming up.
1030: Intros are being made (I am 2 rows back from the speakers.) Christopher up speaking now. Launching both in US and Europe at the same time.
I spent the last few years flying all over the place and have lots of airline miles so I decided to go a bit crazy and fly out to New York for the day to cover the T-Mobile Google Android announcement taking place here this morning. I packed light so I brought my Fujitsu U810 tethered to a Nokia E71 for live blogging. I have my Nokia N95 to capture video that I plan to upload to YouTube and include here along with some other photos from the N95. Product photos will be taken with my older Pentax camera that actually takes very good macro shots. Stay tuned for coverage from New York.
1020: I like to make sure I don't miss out on things and don't mind standing in lines so to make sure I was able to get a decent seat at the 10:30 to 11:15 event I arrived 45 minutes early to get in line. There were only about 20 of us so I have a good seat up towards the front.
Here is the Agenda:
10:30 to 11:15 Press Conference and Q&A:
- Cole Brodman: Chief Technology and Innovations Officer, T-Mobile USA
- Christopher Schlaffer: Group Product and Innovation Officer, Deutsche Telecom
- Andy Rubin: Senior Director of Mobile Platforms, Google
- Peter Chou: CEO, HTC
Then from 11:15 to 1:00 pm is the hands-on demos. Stay tuned and follow the event live here via video. I will try to add commentary as I can.