21 things we know about the G1

[Tmobile Dream]

1. Built by HTC who call it the Dream, and sold exclusively by T-Mobile as the G1

2. G1 to be launched in New York tomorrow (Tuesday 23rd September 2008) at 3:30pm GMT+1

3. Launch event to be webcast live.

4. Available in the US in October

5. Available in the UK in November and Germany early 2009

6. 34 other companies working on other Google Android devices

7. T-Mobile see the G1 as their answer to the iPhone (AT&T),LG Dare (Verizon) and the Samsung Instinct (Sprint)

8. It's expected to cost $200

9. Strategy Analytics estimate it'll capture 4% of the smartphone market by the end of 2008

10. Gartner estimate it'll capture 10% by 2011

11. Android platform completely open - every Android handset developer must keep their device open,enabling developers to build whatever they want for whatever Android app they're developing. This differs significantly from Apple's approach, who keep the iPhone tightly locked and even remove applications from the iPhone's App storewith no notice or explanation

12. Android OS built on Linux

13. Android apps developed using Google's own Java foundation classes called Dalvik

14. Android is entirely open source and can be used for free with no licensing costs

15. Android platform contains some 8 million lines of code

16. Second-generation Android phone expected in the first half of 2009

17. G1 to come with full QWERTY keyboard, 3 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, Google Maps, instant messaging, email, video recorder and player, MP3 player and seamless access to YouTube.

18. Also comes with touchscreen with haptic interface and dedicated Web browsing buttons

19. Android Market offers a central place to find and download Android apps

20. Android platform set to expand beyond mobile phones into areas such as devices for cars, PMPs, GPS units, etc.

21. T-Mobile rumoured to be bundling GMail with the G1 for free, meaning you can use email without any data costs