Image Gallery: A look at the T-Mobile G1 Google Android hardware

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    The T-Mobile G1 will be coming soon and is the first Google Android device. HTC has been making devices for years and you can see aspects of their touch, flair, and quality on the device. The G1 was codenamed the HTC Dream and for some it may be a dream come true. The hardware is solid and functional, but it is also a first generation device that is not perfect.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    The back of the box shows the back of the box with the Google branding clearly shown.

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    The T-Mobile G1 is packed into a nice box with colorful graphics.

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    The inner box front shows some of the types of information on the device.

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    When you open the box, you will see that the manuals are contained in the top (left side) with the device prominently sitting in a nice foam opening.

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    You will find a decent manual, tips & tricks pamphlet, and the warranty card in the top part of the box. There is no CD included or needed.

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    The white bed that the G1 rests on is soft and secure.

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    The A/C adapter, USB cable, stereo headset, and slip case are found under the G1.

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    Here is a shot of the cables and accessories outside of their plastic bags.

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    The G1 uses the HTC bottom port for the headset so you will need an adapter to use a standard 3.5mm headset.

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    A basic slip case with a soft rubberized outside covering is included in the box.

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    The G1 slips securely into the case and does offer some basic protection.

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    The Nokia E71, T-Mobile G1, and original Apple iPhone size comparison.

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    Here is another view of the G1 in comparison to my other devices.

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    The G1 and iPhone have about the same length, but the G1 is a bit narrower and thicker than the iPhone.

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    The iPhone, G1, and Nokia E71 stacked up with the left side shown.

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    Here you can see the thickness of G1.

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    The G1 has a large display and actually feels great in your hand. It is more attractive in person than many photos show.

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    You will see send and end keys, a Home button, a back button, the trackball, and a menu button below the display.

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    The buttons are well spaced so they are not accidentally pushed.

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    The trackball is textured and gives you great control over your device. I love this on the Curve and like it even better on the G1.

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    The microphone opening and a rubber cover for the miniUSB/HTC port are the only things on the bottom.

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    The USB cover is secured by a small piece of rubber and easily flips down for usage. I imagine this piece will eventually fall off, but so far it seems to be holding up well.

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    There is a plastic door that covers the microSD card slot. The device supports the high density cards that are currently up to 16GB.

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    You need to slide up the display to access the microSD card slot door.

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    The HTC label is on the left side close to the volume rocker. I like that you can quickly switch to vibrate or silent mode just be pressing and holding the volume controller.

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    The device has a slight angle along the bottom that actually seems to help you hold it when using the keyboard.

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    On the right side you will find the camera button and see the angle on the opposite side.

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    The 3 megapixel camera is very basic and does not have flash. There is a single, mono speaker on the back of the device. The speakerphone could definitely be louder than it currently is.

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    It is clear on the rubberized back that Google is a part of the device.

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    The back has nice soft touch material and feels great in your hand.

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    The T-Mobile logo appears below the phone speaker and indicator light bar.

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    You need to slide up the display and then pull back on the latch to remove the entire back cover.

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    The display slides up to reveal the QWERTY keyboard, much like the Sidekick Slide.

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    The G1 has a 5 row keyboard with dedicated number row. The keys are well spaced too.

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    There are shift and Alt keys on both the left and right side of the G1.

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    There is a menu key and a Google Search quick launch button (the magnifying glass icon).

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    Here you can see the space bar and layout of the keyboard.

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    There is a number row so you don't have to press any special keys to enter numbers.

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    I tried to use this image to show how flat the keyboard is. There is a decent amount of feedback even though the buttons are almost flush.

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    These keyboards both have 5 rows and have similar flat keys and feedback. The CLIE keyboard is about twice the size though.

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    They backlight is fair in dark conditions, but it comes on all the time and in low light conditions you can barely see any keys on the keyboard.

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    Even in dark conditions, the period and some other keys are way too dark to be easily used.

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    The hinge lets the display swing out and up in a small arc. It locks the display in place securely too.

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    I think the hinge will hold up, but only time will tell.

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    The display rests against the bottom piece and is starting to creak now after 5 days of heavy usage.

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    This view shows the back of the device with the display slid up.

    Caption by: Matthew Miller

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    There is an arced opening on the back of the device.

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    As you slide the display up and down, you can see the display ribbon roll up and down too.

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    The G1 feels great in your hand with a bit narrower form factor than some other devices.

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    The entire back of the device comes off to access the battery and SIM card.

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    The battery has a rating of 1150 mAh. It seems to do OK, but with my power usage I can kill the device in 4 to 5 hours.

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    HTC Innovation is stamped on the back of the battery.

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    The SIM card slides easily into the back slot.

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    The camera and speaker are visible in this view under the back cover.

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    The device was named HTC Dream before T-Mobile branded it with the G1 name.

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The trackball is textured and gives you great control over your device. I love this on the Curve and like it even better on the G1.

Caption by: Matthew Miller

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