T Mobile G1 Phone with Google Black T Mobile

Posted by Smartphone Review on December 1, 2009

T Mobile G1 Phone with Google Black T Mobile

The long-awaited T-Mobile G1 smartphone combines full touchscreen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes many Google tools you’ve come to rely on with your PC, including Google Maps Street View Gmail, and one-touch Google search. It’s also the first phone to be powered by Google’s new open-source Android operating system, which offers an intuitive interface easily customizable home screen. You can also purchase optional software via the Android Market to personalize your G1 with a variety of software applications like games, social networking, and on-the-go shopping.

Just tap the screen and go with access to all your favorite Google tools.

In addition to a vibrantly colorful 3.2-inch touchscreen, the G1’s hinged screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and closes to prevent accidental dialing. It runs on T-Mobile’s new and growing 3G network, and also offers Wi-Fi connectivity for surfing the web on your wireless network or at hotspots as well as Bluetooth for both handsfree communication and stereo music streaming. Other features include a 3-megapixel camera for still photos and video capture, a digital audio player (and easy access to Amazon’s MP3 store), an included 1 GB MicroSD memory card, and up to 5 hours of talk time.

T-Mobile Service
The T-Mobile G1 operates on GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks and is compatible with T-Mobile’s UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. T-Mobile is currently rolling out its 3G network, and it expects by year’s end that its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services. In those areas where 3G is not available, the phone will access data using T-Mobile’s EDGE network, which is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps). This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile t-zones content portal.

Call your favorite people with T-Mobile’s myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts–on any network, even landlines–without using any of your minutes. You’ll also get free domestic long distance and no digital roaming charges anywhere across the US on all calls. (All myFaves plans require a two-year contract.) Learn more about myFaves from T-Mobile.

Android OS and Market
The T-Mobile G1 with Google is the first phone to run on the Android operating system, which provides easy access to a wide assortment of messaging tools and Google apps. Additionally, this open source OS empowers developers to to create and offer applications that add value to the G1. The G1’s Home screen (seen at right) is your starting point for using all the applications on your phone. You can customize your Home screen to display applications, shortcuts, and widgets.

Just drag and drop any of your favorite applications, photos, or folders onto your home screen for quick access to what you use all the time (see larger version).

The Android Market hosts a wide variety of unique applications, and with the G1’s one-click access to it you can find and download a wide range of innovative software applications–from games to social networking and on-the-go shopping–to personalize your phone. Some examples of applications include:

With the comparative shopping ShopSavvy application, you can scan the UPC code of a product with your phone’s camera while shopping, and instantly compare prices from online merchants and nearby local stores.
Ecorio was developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and view what their carbon footprint looks like. With access to tips and tricks, Ecorio allows you to record the steps you take throughout their day to help offset your impact on the environment.
BreadCrumbz enables you to create a step-by-step visual map using photos. Create your own routes, share them with friends or with the world.

Additionally, the T-Mobile G1 comes pre-loaded with a new application developed by Amazon.com that provides easy access to the Amazon MP3 digital music download store with more than 6 million DRM-free MP3 tracks. You’ll be able to search, sample, purchase and download music from Amazon MP3 directly to the G1 (downloading music from Amazon MP3 using the T-Mobile G1 requires a Wi-Fi connection; searching, sampling and purchasing music can be done anywhere with a cellular connection).

Android 1.5 Operating System Update
The Android 1.5 (Cupcake) operating system update includes the following:

New Features

Bluetooth stereo music streaming
On-screen keyboard in addition to slide-out keyboard (seen at left)
Video recording and playback
Home screen widgets
Easy upload of photos to Picasa and videos to YouTube
Spanish language support

Improvements

Edit multiple messages in Gmail
Faster MyLocation acquisition in Google Maps
Faster web browsing with smoother page scrolling
Improved camera with faster start-up and image capture
In-call keypad timeout to eliminate face dialing

Phone Features
The T-Mobile G1’s vibrant, high-quality screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, great for communicating with friends online or using the phone’s email, IM and mobile messaging capabilities. As another option for accessing the device, the T-Mobile G1 comes equipped with a convenient trackball for more precise, one-handed navigation. The 3.2-inch touchscreen has a 320 x 480-pixel resolution and a 65K color depth. The T-Mobile G1’s touchscreen interface is unique, providing you with a more customizable, interactive touch experience. For example, you can set a signature gesture to unlock the screen (there are 30 million possible combinations). There are also different taps for different types of commands–for example, you can use a short touch to launch an application, or a long press on any screen will give you additional options, similar to that of a right click on a mouse.

The phone has an internal 192 MB RAM/256 MB ROM memory, and it’s expandable via optional MicroSD memory cards up to 8 GB in size (a 1 GB MicroSD card comes with the phone).

The hinged screen slides open to reveal keypad and closes to prevent accidental dialing.

With one-click contextual search, you can search for relevant information in a flash with a touch of a finger. A full HTML Web browser allows users to see any Web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section by simply tapping on the screen. Built-in support for YouTube allows you to enjoy YouTube’s originally-created content, easily navigate through YouTube’s familiar video browsing categories or search for specific videos.

With Google Maps, Google’s groundbreaking maps service, you can instantly view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions, all from the phone’s easy-to-use touch interface. The T-Mobile G1 also includes Google Maps Street View, enabling you to explore cities at street-level virtually while on the go. Without taking a step, you can tour a far-away place as if they were there–standing on the street corner. Even better, the Google Maps feature syncs with a built-in compass on the phone–an industry first–to allow you to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with your hand.

Use the G1’s 3G and Wi-Fi connection to attach and share pictures over email and MMS or download music from your favorite web sites, as well as upload and post pictures to your personal blog.

The G1 features a rich HTML email client, which seamlessly syncs your email, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP email services. The Gmail application provides features such as conversation view, spam filtering, search, and labels that Gmail users enjoy on their computer while offering new features such as integration with the phone’s contact list. And it multitasks, so you can read a Web page while also downloading your email in the background.

It also combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk, as well as AOL, Yahoo! Messenger and Windows Live Messenger in the U.S., and IM presence allows you to see whether your friends are online, offline, away. The G1 also supports advanced text messaging features, enabling you to easily flag, delete or move groups of messages and keep track of group conversations through threaded text messaging. The Google Calendar app on the G1 syncs with the Web-based version, so any event that you add to your phone will show up on the Web-based Google Calendar (and vice versa).

Other features include:

3-megapixel camera with autofocus for still photos
Video recording and playback
Digital audio player with four categories (Artists, Albums, Songs, and Playlists) and support for MP3, M4A (iTunes AAC, DRM-free), AMR, WMA (8), WAF, and OGG Vorbis
Use digital audio songs as ringtone
Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control)
Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g)
Messaging: email (IMAP/POP3/SMTP), instant messaging, SMS text, MMS photo
Voice-recognition
USB 2.0 connectivity with USB mass storage capability

Vital Statistics
The T-Mobile G1 with Google weighs 5.6 ounces and measures 4.6 x 2.2 x 0.7 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 130 hours (5+ days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as the 1700/2100 MHz HSDPA 3G frequencies.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have to have a Google account to use T-Mobile G1?
A: Yes, customers must log into the phone using a Google account login when they first use the device. Once you do log into T-Mobile G1 using a Google account, your Gmail and Google Calendar will all sync to your phone providing secure, up-to-date access to your personal information. If you don’t already have an account, the startup process will walk you through creating one. Creating a Google account is free.

Q: Do customers need a voice and/or data plan to use T-Mobile G1?
A: Yes, when you purchase T-Mobile G1, you must add one of two T-Mobile G1-specific data plans to their account. This is similar to other all-in-one devices we offer like the T-Mobile Sidekick or the T-Mobile Shadow. Customers must also have a voice plan.

Q: Is the G1 compatible with your HotSpot @Home service?
A: No. Unlimited HotSpot Calling (formerly named T-Mobile HotSpot @Home) is not included in the T-Mobile G1, although the device can browse the Web over high-speed wireless connections including Wi-Fi and our 3G network.

Q: Are there any advantages to using Gmail on the device versus another type of personal (POP3 or IMAP) account?
A: Yes. After first logging into their Google account, you will have all your Gmail, Google Contacts, Calendar and Talk data automatically synchronize with the phone. Anything you do on the phone with these products will seconds later become available on the computer and vice versa. If you were to ever lose their phone, their information will still be available and seamlessly synchronize with a replacement G1. You will also benefit from push email and calendar alerts (this is also available for the multi-headed email client). Finally, Gmail’s contacts are synchronized automatically with the phone’s contact list.

Q: What is the “search from everywhere” feature?
A: “Search from everywhere” provides customers the ability to do contextual searches. T-Mobile G1 has a hard key on the QWERTY keyboard that you can touch in order to start a search within any application you are in. For example, if you are in your contact list and hit the search key, the device will search your contact list. If you are in your email and you hit the search key, the device will search your email. You can also start a search within each application through a search option within the application.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Poor quality hardware
Awesome phone, but 4 days after the warranty expired one of the boards fried. Now my phone can not charge my battery. Making my phone a brick. Replacing the whole phone is a $400 dollar affair. I will not shell out $400 a year even for this phone.

1 Star HORRIBLE STAY AWAY!!!
I swear… I’ve never owned a phone that took this long to startup. If you’re an average user this phone sucks royally. It needs too much tweaking for it to be awesome. Once you’ve made all the adjustments to make it cool you’ve found that you’d be better off spending your money on the HTC Touch pro 2 (Sadly it doesn’t have android on it) but don’t get the GSM version because it lacks a 3.5 headphone jack like this one unless you don’t mind using an extra wire just to hook up your headphones. Also has crappy battery life even with most of the features you may want to use most shut off. A higher capacity battery turns this phone into a netbook for midgets. Whats worse is some cellphone providers try to shoehorn you into believing you need to sign a contract for the data plan you might not necessarily need especially if you already have a wireless connection at home and accessible hotspots in the places you may frequent most. You only need a data connection & a gmail account initially to get to the main desktop of the phone. Of course there are other ways to get to the desktop but its too techy to deal with. Overall if you’re a collector and just gotta have one you’d probably be better off scoring one on Ebay but don’t get tricked into a contract with this one you’ll hate yourself for it and buyers remorse will definitely set in as you glare at your monthly bill.

2 Stars Arrrgh!!!! Where do i start? Just wait for the g2 tegra version…
This phone actually does a few things better than the iphone. U can use it as a lowjack and track your kid, wife, husband, side piece….. If you are technically savy. The iphone cant track the sun, the stars, the satellites, in the sky like this phone can. I dont need turn by turn, i can look at your doorstep with gmaps before i get to your house. I remember checking out someones neighbor’s solstice in his driveway with this application. Nice keyboard..i can hurt peoples feelings quickly with my witty texts. Nicer resolution than the iphone.The G stands for geek. This phone is not for normal people. the Iphone is better…. more robust for the average human.Battery life sucks gooseggs.I like this phone!!!! 2 stars for the force closes, battery life,crappy games and NO HEADPHONE JACK.But mark my words………us G 1 geeks are anxiously waiting for the arrival of the G2!!!!

4 Stars Potential Not Fully Met - Its Better Then The MyTouch 3G Phone
I hope everyone reads my review with an open mind.

I am a former iPhone user, turned Blackberry, and now the G1. I have been drooling over the G1 for quite sometime. I think its internet, menu system, and qwerty keyboard make it a worthwhile investment. It’s definitely for any cell phone crowd that’s heavy into texting and emailing. I held off on buying a G1 because of the physical design. I found the bottom chin of the phone to be a massive turn off. Plus, everyone that I knew who had the G1 kept telling me how horrid the battery life was. From that comment, I figured out why they were always carrying their charger with them.

Here we are, almost a year later and the G2 has been released. Known as the HTC Magic in Europe and the MyTouch 3G here in the US on T-Mobile. I was so excited to get this phone & as soon as I got home & fiddled around with it - I immediately lost interest after 10 mins. I thought the integration with the Gmail address was great. I sent my Gmail address an email from my AOL account to see how long it would be before I received the email & needless to say, it took over 30 mins. Even when I went into the account and clicked REFRESH, it still wouldn’t come through. I added in my AOL account & it was the same. You can set the phone to check for emails every five mins, ten mins, fifteen mins, and so forth. Certain emails took a whole day before I even received it. This was not a good sign.

So i exchanged it for the G1 so in order to have a real keyboard.

The camera is only 3.2 megapixel and it’s not the best, but it does the trick. The camcorder is really lacking features. It’s simple & there are no options or settings changes allowed. The battery leaves little to be desired.

Pros:

Keyboard

3G

Threaded Text Message

Responsive Touch Screen

Cons:

This phone had massive potential, but a lot of it was not met!

No 3.5 MM headphone jack

E-Mail is not the best

Not the sexiest cell phone out there

5 Stars Android, and how!
Phone and apps are fast and reliable on the 3G Network; on Edge they’re pokey and frustrating–be aware of that before you buy. But, if you have good 3G coverage, you are in for a treat. The new updates to the phone’s operating system (like the onscreen keyboard) and the integration of the powerful Google search engine with all the apps from Google and other developers create an incredible, fun, and useful experience that has left my iPhone-using friends in amazement.

In particular, I love how all my contacts from GMail sync wirelessly and instantly to the phone (an account is set up for you when you activate the phone). And, because they’re safely stored by Google, they’ll be intantly available on a new phone when I upgrade, or in case I loose this one. They’re even accessable via the web in the event I don’t have the replacement phone yet. Now, instead of having some contact info in a cell phone, others in an address book, some on bits and scraps of paper, I have everything consolidated in one place where it can be easily updated. Plus, entering the contacts in the Gmail site via my laptop is much easier than using a phone (though the slide out keyboard is very functional and extremely easy to type on).

Once your contacts are entered, you can click on any you have included an address for, and Google will map it instantly. Another click produces turn by turn directions to that address, based on your current position as determined by the built in GPS. Now that’s a useful app! Of course, you can also easily map and get directions to and from addresses you have stored, or enter by the keyboard.

You can also get maps and GPS-assisted directions through other apps that show you local restaurants, stores, hotels, gas stations, etc. I’ve found a couple of new places near my neighborhood this way.

Ever wonder what stars are overhead? Aim phone at the sky, and you’ll see the names of the stars and diagrams of their constellations on the phone’s screen. The display changes as you move the phone. It’s like having an astonomer in your pocket.

Can’t decide to buy that sale item you came across in the store? Use the camera to scan its barcode, and Google will tell you what the product costs in other stores, online, and if you can get it for less. You can also instantly learn all kinds of information about it.

If you use your Google scheduler to keep track of appointments and events, you can access them and update them from both the phone or a computer, and changes will synch instantly. Google also sends an email to remind you about each event. You don’t have to check your calendar as often, as it checks with you!

That’s just a little bit of the stuff that I’ve used the phone for. It’s also a music and video player, web browser, camera and video recorder (both only fair), etc.

The phone is a little thicker than many others (maybe an 2 or 3 eighths of inch?), but I find the size very comfortable and reassuring. I kept dropping my previous, thinner phone. I have yet to drop this one.

Cross your fingers–that’s how I broke my previous phone!

Also, if you use a lot of GPS or web enabled apps, you will have to recharge the phone in the early evening to continue using it, as they slurp up the power quickly. Aftermarket long life batteries are readily available from a variety of sources.

I know these things change frequently, but when researching service plans before I bought the G1, I found that T-Mobil’s were among the most, if not the most economical, though that may depend somewhat on your particular needs. Free calling to 5 numbers with the $39 MyFaves plan takes care of the bulk of my my calling, and still leaves 300 Anytime minutes to use for other calls. The Android data plan is $25 for unlimted use.

I’m really impressed with this phone and its apps, and look forward to more of what all the inventive app designers and programmers will do with the open source Andriod format.

Buy/More Info

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Filed Under: Wireless

Tags: Digital Audio Player, Edge Network, Full Qwerty Keyboard, Gmail, Google, Google Maps, Google Search, Google Tools, Gsm 850, High Speed Data, Hsdpa, Intuitive Interface, Megapixel Camera, Mobile Web, Optional Software, Social Networking, Stereo Music, Still Photos, Street View, Web Experience

T Mobile G1 Phone with Google Black T Mobile

Posted by Smartphone Review on November 24, 2009