For starters, the T-Mobile G1 has a brand new operating system, Google’s Android that has been highly anticipated for quite some time. It has the unique distinction of being open-source, which means developers from all over can update and modify the OS. The Android Market is also going to go live, which features apps from all walks of life.

The phone itself features Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G (where available). It features a 3-megapixel camera and 1GB of storage by means of a removable memory card, which can be expanded up to 8GB. The G1 has a touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard that is revealed by means of a nifty sliding mechanism. We can expect the G1 from T-Mobile on October 22 and current T-Mobile customers can pre-order it for $179.

On the flip side, we have the iPhone 3G. It’s been out for nearly three months and while it looks nice, it hasn’t been without its drama. Some people don’t get 3G reception, there were a few security issues, and the App Store appears to be highly monitored so certain apps are rejected. But as far as specs go, the iPhone has Wi-Fi, a limited GPS function, a 2-megapixel camera, 8GB or 16GB of storage and a 3.5″ touchscreen that supports multi-touch gestures. It currently costs $199.

When it comes to looks, the iPhone 3G definitely wins. It’s glossy back, large screen smooth touch capabilities all lend it a sense of style. The T-Mobile G1 is also decent-looking, though what was previously described as the “chin” and the bulkier feel bring it down a notch.

But looks aside, who comes out on top here? Well, Apple has been criticized recently for its excessive monitoring of apps in the iTunes App Store, and the Android Market will be rule-free, in effect. But is that a good idea, either? What about malware apps or other annoying programs that intend to harm your G1 or obtain your personal information? What will be done in these cases?

The limited storage capacity is also a bit of a problem, especially for those that want to load up on music. A plus, however, is that Android uses Amazon MP3, which offers DRM-free tracks, often a point of contention with iTunes.

During the announcement yesterday, I would have said the G1 has a leg up because it only costs $179, but many users of our Android Community are reporting differently, noting pre-order price tags of $299 or more!

In the end, I find myself torn. While the iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1 are similar in that they are smartphones with touchscreens and app stores, they couldn’t be more different. The iPhone 3G is a phone made by Apple that runs on Apple software. When it comes to the G1, we’re dealing with a phone made by HTC, carried by T-Mobile that runs on an OS by Google.

Could an Android-based handset be the always talked about “iPhone killer?” Sure. But that handset is not the G1. Until Google makes their own phone that runs on Android, I don’t think we’ll see all that the very impressive OS from the search engine mogul can do.

“Once you have devices out there from Motorola, HTC, Samsung, and so on, there’s a much larger potential market on Android than for the iPhone. [Apple is] a single manufacturer, it’s targeted at a particular demographic, and it falls far short of the 1 billion mobile phones sold every year worldwide” Rich Miner, Google

“There are things I saw people doing with the first version of the Android SDK that it seems like you can’t do with the iPhone at least at the moment” Rich Miner, Google

Strong words, you could say, from a company yet to ship a single handset to a consumer; last month, Google revealed that the Android SDK had been downloaded 750,000 times since its November launch. Apple’s iPhone SDK was downloaded 100,000 times in its first four days of availability.

According to Miner, of the four main handset manufacturers signed up to Android – Motorola, LG, Samsung and HTC – one is expected to reach the market with a device before the others; industry sources suggest that will be a smartphone variant from HTC.

Still, after roundly critiquing the iPhone’s sales, sales potential and the capacity of its SDK, Miner saved some love for last:

“It’s not a competitive thing — it’s great that people are finally building tools so all of these third-party applications can be built and get out there. If I were a developer] I’d certainly be looking at the iPhone, and if you believe there will be lots of Android phones out there, as we do, I’d be developing for both platforms” Rich Miner, Google

[Via Google: We’ll far outsell iPhone; our SDK lets you do more - PHONE Magazine]

With plans to roll out the improved UI to international versions of the iPhone, as well as other handsets “that offer similar usability and browser capabilities”, this will only add fuel to the rumors that Google see the iPhone as a test-bed for internet-based applications eventually to be found on their own Android cellphone platform.

You can access the new version by visiting www.google.com on your iPhone.

[via TechCrunch]

Both are pitting themselves against traditional carrier assumptions: Apple, that the network should have executive control over functions as well as long-term revenue, and Google, that the network should lock down the mobile OS in order to preserve the “sanctity” of the spectrum (and, coincidentally of course, their lucrative revenue streams too). 

“We believe Google is working with, not against, Apple in the mobile world” Gene Munster, Analyst, Piper Jaffray & Co.

Undoubtedly the iPhone and those Android handsets currently predicted cater to different (in various shades of subtlety) consumers; the Apple handset, for all the posturing, is lacking the flexibility and high-end features of a traditional smartphone but has undoubted attraction in a way which transcends fashion or function, while Android appears to be targeting both the very high-end (with HTC) and the budget end (with manufacturers taking advantage of the ‘free’ OS to lower production costs).  Until those markets converge, the two are unlikely to come to blows.

I am especially listening since its risky business talking negatively, or too positively, about a pair of companies who both have handsets either in production, or in the works that are based on his processors. The iPhone has several ARM chips, and we found out during the Android conference call that the minimum requirements for the Android based OS is a 200MHz ARM processor.

Mr. East does have some good points though, citing the very distant release of any Android based phone as a major downside, for a couple reasons, first, other companies will have plenty of time with both the info and the SDK to create their own version of the OS, and secondly because the chances are high that Apple will have another iPhone out by then. Smartphone sales this year have hit 200 million this year, and with a new iPhone and the GPhone we could see 300 million by the end of next year, and if Apple has their way, at least 10 of that will be from their handsets alone.

ARM exec: Google no threat to iPhone [via electronista]

Sure, they probably aren’t anticipating the mobile wireless world becoming open as in source, but such a move means they are at least willing to accept it, and move on. Add on to that the fact that they are dealing with Google to make use of their impending mobile OS which should allow for cheaper phones since that OS is open sourced.

Then Sprint with the unlocking case, they just caved, didn’t even give much of a fight when they were slapped with a class action lawsuit concerning mobile phone unlocking. So far the only other major wireless service provider we haven’t seen any strange behavior from is T-Mobile, and I am sure that’s coming soon, then again, maybe not since they are getting the iPhone, just not here. Its kind of funny to see all this strange behavior coming from these companies ever since the release of the iPhone, the handset that sold a million+ units in 74 days.

Verizon kicking it into high gear thanks to the iPhone [crunchgear]

“Apple is taking responsibility for “the user interface and people.” It’s designing the devices themselves, which will be typically elegant machines that run versions of OS X. While Apple puts together the front end of the integrated network-computing system, Google provides “the perfect back end” – the supercomputer that provides the bulk of the data-processing might and storage capacity for the devices” Nicholas Carr

It’s a concept based on the same principles of the low-cost, relatively closed ecosystem ASUS Eee and the sort of advertisement-funded service that many predict will flavour Google’s potential expansion into cellular wireless.  Carr envisages a highly efficient, low maintenance appliance client that stores and backups its media on Google’s all-seeing servers.

Not exactly a new idea, per se, but one with gathering momentum and ever-more potential truth to it.  Imagine, for instance, if Google won the 700MHz auction come January 2008 – then, you wouldn’t even have to rent broadband from your local telco, your simple internet appliance would just connect whenever, wherever.

What do you think, would you buy into the Google/Apple ecosystem?  Or do you reckon that the natural tendency of many to want to tweak and hack – as shown with Jailbreak and the rush to bring third-party apps to the iPhone – will prevail stronger than people’s desire for a stable, perhaps locked down experience?  Let us know in the comments.

[via Life on the Wicked Stage]

The Google phone project currently consists of creating numerous prototype phones and software, costing in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Much of the development work is being conducted at a facility in Boston, and is centred on working on sophisticated new Web browser technology for cellphones.

People who have seen Google’s prototype devices say they aren’t as revolutionary as the iPhone. One was likened to a slim Nokia Corp. phone with a keyboard that slides out. Another phone format presented by Google looked more like a Treo or a BlackBerry. It’s not clear which manufacturers might build Google wireless devices, though people familiar with the project say LG Electronics Co. of South Korea is one company that has held talks with Google. Google has already lined up a series of hardware component and software partners and signaled to carriers that it’s open to various degrees of cooperation on their part, the people say.

LG Electronics is one of many partners Google worked with to developed prototype phones, while carrier partners in Europe consist of T-Mobile and Orange. It’s also speculated that Verizon rejected Google’s plans in the US because they wanted shared revenue. HTC, a Taiwanese company, is expected to design a Linux-based phone for launch sometime in the first quarter of 2008. Google seemed to be generous enough to waive licensing fees while it has suggested the phones could carry the Google brand alongside the brand of the operator or leave it out.

Other fancies include a 3-megapixel camera, 50MB of internal memory with a microSD slot to augment it, Bluetooth 2.0 (supporting A2DP – are you listening, Apple?), WiFi with UMA, a document viewer and a flip-case that looks similar to the company’s earlier designs which had extended batteries built in. The P520 under its own steam can manage up to 180 minutes talk time or 220 hours standby.

There’s been some talk about whether this could be a potential Google Phone, and while it’s tempting to believe that the search company would partner with someone producing a handset similar in design to the celebrated iPhone but with all the joy of Google’s online applications, the lack of 3G seems like the biggest indicator that it’s not. Plus, I think Google – if they do produce a handset – would be looking for one with a bigger screen to make the most of that online experience.

[via SlashPhone]

Where traditional wireless carriers such as AT&T and Verizon (also expected to bid) are relatively content to wait for the spectrum to become available, Google has demanded a few provisos from the FCC. Namely, it’s looking for “openness” in the same manner as net-neutrality: any company would be free to make hardware and software products that would work on the network.

Google also want to see wholesale access rates for smaller communication firms that they could then resell, in effect making it more easy for startups like Helio – an MVNO which does not have their own network but instead buys access from an existing telco – to introduce new options for customers. They seem pretty adamant, too; Richard Whitt, who is the telecom and media counsel for Google in Washington, is pointing to the provisos as potential deal-breakers:

“If there is no openness requirement there, Google won’t go”

The competing carriers lack Google’s enthusiasm, however. A spokesman for CTIA called it a “scheme to have the auction rigged” while Verizon called the conditions “corporate welfare for Google”. They may have a point; unlike the relatively open nature of online advertising and product positioning, the wireless industry is ruled by a small number of operators who cautiously – some might say jealously – limit the amount of external input from others. It’s a market Google has had less success engaging, leading to rumours that they are planning their own Google-based cellphone with calls and line rental subsidised according to some form of their traditional advertising plan.

Actually, word from inside Google is that, if they won, they would be more likely to leave others to operate wireless networks. It’s a move that obviously threatens the existing financial model of current carriers, as would the proposed openness clauses should they be adopted and even if Google were not to win:

“Google’s filing urges the F.C.C. to adopt rules that force all bidders to implement Google’s business plan — which would reduce the incentives for other players to bid” Thomas J. Tauke, Verizon

Whoever wins, with the coffers of the government predicted to swell by more than $10 billion from the proceeds of the auction it’ll be an expensive investment. What will be perhaps most important are the services on offer, else customers will be slow in coming.

[via The Boston Globe and New York Times]

Remember, the MY iTablet community is quick and easy to sign up to – just click the Community button at the top of the page and take a minute to register.

These cleaning solutions may end up eating away at the protective coating, resulting in you doing more harm than you think. Click over for video.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eon04ZDTju0[/youtube]

Thanks for sending in the video Ryan!

Overall, the phone looks ok, nothing to get all hot-n-bothered over. It sports a red-on-black color scheme, with a 2-inch widescreen LCD and 3G-connectivity.

There’s also an FM radio and an MP3 player, all controlled with dedicated playback keys. There’s also Bluetooth stereo support along with 3D sound enhancement. LG even said the KU-580 has a song-writing app built-in. On the back is a 2-megapixel camera and a smaller one on the front for video calls.

The Google phone is now available in France and Italy. German and other European countries should have it soon. Base on what I can tell from the pictures, Vodafone will be the carrier.

LG locates Google phone in Europe [via Reg Hardware]

I seriously doubt that this will actually be a Google Phone. They describe it as a product for mobiles, which leads me to believe that it will just be a piece of software to be used on a mobile phone, not a piece of hardware.

Hopefully they will make a statement at the event to officially confirm or deny their intentions to make a Google phone. They’ve done this in the past, but they always contradict themselves within a few days. Maybe tomorrow we can get some closure on the matter.

Google Phone Tomorrow? [via wired]

They have compiled all of the information we currently have on the rumored Google phone into three simple categories: Fact, Fiction and Unconfirmed. This lets you know what information has actually been confirmed by Google, the rumors that have been smashed and those that have yet to be confirmed or denied.

I think it’s safe to say at this point that Google is up to something in the mobile phone business. As always, we’ll keep you up to date on any new information regarding the iPhone and its potential competitors.

The Google Phone: Fact, Fiction and a Huge Link List [via dailywireless]

Richard Kimber, managing director of Google South-East Asia kind of says they’re not working on one. “At this point in time, we are very focused on the software, not the phone.” My interpretation is that they are working a phone, they’re just developing the software that it will run on first. They’ll worry about the hardware later.

I find it rather strange that these are coming from different parts of the world. I’d really like to hear what someone from the main Google HQ over here in the US have to say about this. There’s just something reassuring about information that comes from the horse’s mouth.

Google plays down phone rumors [via appleinsider]