Posted on 09/23/2008 11:21:14 PM PDT by anymouse
When Google announced the Open Handset Alliance (a group of wireless industry players looking to get their names associated with Google's Android open mobile platform project), true open-source smartphones were a great idea that seemed far from commercial realization. This will change on October 22, when the T-Mobile G1 – the product of an exclusive partnership among T-Mobile, Google, and Asian handset manufacturer HTC -- becomes the first shipping mobile device based on the Android platform.
The Android platform is open source -- Google has committed to publishing the source code for the entire platform, not just an application-level SDK. In the words of one developer interviewed for the T-Mobile launch event, "There's nobody telling you 'you can't do that'."
In truth, T-Mobile is placing limits on T-Mobile G1 users and developers. While the device is open to international roaming within T-Mobile networks, and its baseband radio is compatible with standards used by other GSM and UMTS networks worldwide, the G1 will be locked to T-Mobile networks. T-Mobile has also decided to prohibit the device's use as a so-called "Internet modem," a service that the industry refers to as tethering. Some other handsets, including Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and Nokia models, will tether to laptops and other Bluetooth and USB-equipped computers to a cellular data network. If Android is a truly open platform, a rookie programmer could work around the tethering restriction. To put teeth in the tethering ban, provisions in T-Mobile's data plans subject subscribers who transfer more than 1GB of data per month to dial-up speed limitations as well as possible suspension of their coverage. Some users will bristle at being subjected to any limit, but 1GB is extremely generous for a mobile device, and at least T-Mobile's limit is explicitly stated unlike some competitors'. With its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, home and office networks, as well as airport and restaurant hot spots, will satisfy T-Mobile G1 users' appetite for downloadable media without eating into their monthly bit budget.
Carrier locking, T-Mobile's temporary Android exclusive, and prohibition of tethered use will generate controversy among open-source fans who will likely dominate the T-Mobile G1's initial market. Even so, these protections are needed. Without them, Android has grim commercial prospects because T-Mobile and Google, neither of which is a non-profit operation, have underwritten this effort for three years, and they need assured payback on their R & D. If gray market T-Mobile G1 (a.k.a. HTC Dream) handsets become available that are unlocked to operate on competing networks, T-Mobile and Google, along with all of the third parties that hope to charge for Android software and services offered through Google's Android Market, will end up in the red, and Android will flop. It behooves Android developers who want the device to succeed to further, not thwart, T-Mobile's and Google's efforts to make money with this and future devices.
T-Mobile and Google went out of their way to drain the potentially intimidating geek factor out of the G1. They want this to be a mainstream, slightly upscale consumer phone befitting its subsidized price of $179. T-Mobile was careful to demonstrate the handset's consumer-friendly driving experience using a video laden with jump-cuts, and in which a finger prominently obscured the display. T-Mobile hastened to qualify the video as a "just a teaser." It ushered attendees of the launch event to rooms downstairs where devices were available to touch and drive. I will find my own way to drive the G1 between now and the launch date. YouTube renderings of the experience will abound in the meantime. If they're not shot with T-Mobile's press conference table in the background, suspect it as a fake.
If you've already decided that you want a T-Mobile G1, as I said at the top of this story, the magic begins on October 22. I like that T-Mobile's existing customers, which ranks include myself (through T-Mobile's goodwill), will be able to pre-order the G1 on-line. Everybody else can queue up at T-Mobile stores and authorized retailers when the phone goes on sale. Don't expect any shortages, real or otherwise; T-Mobile G1 won't be a million-seller in its first weekend. Expect G1 to pick up steam as apps come on-line and early consumers start addressing usability. If Google keeps to its promise to open Android to all, the platform will evolve at a pace that thrills customers and shows T-Mobile and Google that their bets were well placed.
“Android”? Does this mean that eventually our phones will rise up against us?
Cool! Would look a whole lot cooler with FR in the window.
Do I win an award for being the quickest?
Calling all the Android fans, who said that Android would immediately leapfrog the iPhone - here’s your phone and it comes with a MASSIVE helping of FAIL!
http://www.electronista.com/articles/08/09/23/t.mobile.g1.limitations/
G1 limits: data throttled, no earphone jack
T-Mobile’s heavily-touted G1 will carry multiple crucial limitations that may put it out of direct contention with the iPhone, a closer inspection of the Android phone shows. Notably, the company includes a disclaimer on its product page that warns T-Mobile’s described unlimited plan only offers its full speed for the first 1GB of data transfered in one month. Service past this cap is throttled back to 50Kbps, making it difficult to use video and most other data-intensive services.
The carrier also warns that it may temporarily or permanently cut service if a subscriber’s heavy use interferes with the network, though it doesn’t establish when this is likely to occur or if customers have any remedies to the problem. Tethering for using the phone’s data on a PC is also off-limits.
In comparison, AT&T currently shares the same tethering limit for its normal smartphone plans but has no publicized bandwidth cap or throttling policies.
HTC has also designed the G1 to fit in with the remainder of its phones and doesn’t include a 3.5mm headphone jack as with the iPhone or other rivals. As with its own Touch Diamond and most of its lineup, the new smartphone instead uses a proprietary ExtUSB port that will require most users to start with HTC’s proprietary earbuds and swap these out for power or a USB cable when syncing the device at home.
****
Hmm... no earphone jack, a proprietary USB connection that *nobody’s* ever heard of, and hard data limits. Yeah.... that’s *really* going to go over well.
This may be so bad that Android may never take off. Historical example: Newton Messagepad 1.0.
Looks Great!!
However they do need to work on the appearance of the handset itself. I know the OS is the key thing here, but the next step is to make the hardware to look better than it currently does. Anyways, good job.
Yeehaw!! Go TEXAS!!
My Photoshopping is not lame! :)
Your Photoshopping is not lame, but Photoshopping screens onto unreleased equipment is kind of lame in and of itself.
Nice PS skills, though. :D
Take it up with Jim Rob - he asked for it! :)
how NOT to market a phone.
iphone was done right
google phone IS example number one on how NOT to market a phone.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.