According to Q4 earnings reports, T-Mobile has reported just 621,000 new customers for the final 3 months of 2008, a 35 percent drop in new subscribers from the same period in 2007. That brings T-Mobile’s total subscriber base to an estimated 32.8 million users.
Launching the T-Mobile G1 with Google’s Android platform during this quarter, T-Mobile may be slightly disappointed that more customers didn’t switch carriers to get their hands on the first commercially available Android handset. One huge factor at play here vs. AT&T and the iPhone’s pull is that Android is not tied to T-Mobile for any length of exclusivity, and may be seen on other carriers before the first half of 2009 is over. Android-loaded devices have been all but confirmed for Sprint in 2009, no definitive word on whether the OS will appear on AT&T.
Also to consider is the nation’s (world’s) current economic status and the impact it may be having toward customers’ willingness to purchase higher-end handsets and sign lengthy contracts. T-Mobile USA is reporting 57% of new customers are using pre-paid or contract-free plans, both typically using lower-end and subsidy-free handsets without the advanced features (and plan prices) of the G1.
[via GigaOm]
Like not having Java, no VK, SD support, etc etc
All the people they were looking to cross over, turned to other devices.
The G1/Android hype went right out the window.
Like not having Java, no VK, SD support, etc etc
All the people they were looking to cross over, turned to other devices.
The G1/Android hype went right out the window.
I have seen many phones modded. I myself have a Blackjack I which is overclocked running WM6.1 cooked ROM(selling if anyone is interested). A phone running a version of an OS that it was never intended to is one thing, however a phone being modded to do multi-touch then it was not something intended to be officially supported is another.
Bronze and White G1 owners have an issue with keyboard backlight making keys hard to see, someone writes an app to solve it. I love this phone as much for what it can be, as i do for what it is.
We have something special here. Anyone who let the early complaining keep them away needs to research for themselves and get on board. Sure you could wait for the G2, or another android phone...but do you think that Google, t-mobile or whomever else is involved are going to allow future products to have root access?
I say get while the gettin is good....
...and AT&T being the Devil may have had a small part with the switch
I have seen many phones modded. I myself have a Blackjack I which is overclocked running WM6.1 cooked ROM(selling if anyone is interested). A phone running a version of an OS that it was never intended to is one thing, however a phone being modded to do multi-touch then it was not something intended to be officially supported is another.
Bronze and White G1 owners have an issue with keyboard backlight making keys hard to see, someone writes an app to solve it. I love this phone as much for what it can be, as i do for what it is.
We have something special here. Anyone who let the early complaining keep them away needs to research for themselves and get on board. Sure you could wait for the G2, or another android phone...but do you think that Google, t-mobile or whomever else is involved are going to allow future products to have root access?
I say get while the gettin is good....
...and AT&T being the Devil may have had a small part with the switch
I like that, "get it while the get'n is good"
You're so right, I'm so content with my phone it's not even funny.
I'm just waiting on this "watch phone" to come down in price. (that's the only other phone I might purchase) <-
I agree...I think if you look across the board you will see new subscribers down...maybe not AT&t, because if lemmings won't stop for a cliff, why would they stop for the economy
I don't know about the rest of you, but I was not impressed with the advertising done to promote the phone. I feel like it was promoted as being just another "smart phone". Most people don't understand what Android really is, or the potential that goes along with that. Not only that, I really didn't see much advertising at all for it. I see a lot of iPhone and Blackberry commercials, but very few for the G1.
the name Apple advertises itself now adays with the ipods and iphones. and the displays they have for their product are top notch.
the G1 is available at wal-mart but its just there. next to all the regular phones. its not even a working model unlike the iphones they have
I was even on T-Mobile before! It's amazing how they didn't even send me a simple piece of paper in the mail stating that the G1 (and other phones, like the Samsung Omnia) were coming to T-Mobile considering i was currently on a Blackberry.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I was not impressed with the advertising done to promote the phone. I feel like it was promoted as being just another "smart phone". Most people don't understand what Android really is, or the potential that goes along with that. Not only that, I really didn't see much advertising at all for it. I see a lot of iPhone and Blackberry commercials, but very few for the G1.
I think the Android phones coming this year will be much different than the G1. I get the feeling that the other handset makers are all ready to release killer phones with custom interfaces, cutom multi-media apps etc.
Cu(s)tom multi-media apps? What is a custom multi-media app? Define.
I'm paying T-Mobile 65 bucks for an inferior data network and fewer features. BUT...I'm really impressed with the G1, and I like the open'ess of GSM networks vs. CDMA. My next device will (hopefully) be a Samsung running Android with a competent camera
Are you sure? For $37?
For $37? Yes?
Honestly, the things that make the Android such an appealing platform for people who visit sites like these usually don't translate well into marketing. T-Mobile should just copy everything Apple did
So let me get this straight. For $37 per month, you had unlimited 3G data, unlimited text/MMs/downloads/POP3/cloud email, unlimited custom (free) MP3 ringers and app downloads and you had a voice plan with at least 600 anytime minutes and free nights and weekends and you had equiptment protection, all under a 24 month or fewer contract and no deposit?
Are you sure? For $37?
For $37? Yes?
let me clarify what i get for 37/mo.
500 anytime min.
free m2m
nights @7pm
unlimited texts
unlimited data
phone insurance
NO DROPPED CALLS lol
crystal clear calls.
yes it is called sero
wow typing it out makes it way more easier to choose where to go. i turned in my g1 today after having it for 30 days. i do promise that i am an android now! i will never go back.
And as for this "SERO" plan: A) It's discontinued and B) Employee referral and discount programs are not a fair basis for comparison against full-market pricing plans. FAIL!
why did u leave sprint?
why did u leave sprint?
oh did we mention the fact that blackberry has an existing customer base, apple does as well and was the first easy to use consumer based smartphone. while android is actually an operating system that currently is only available on one phone? weird. I wonder if any of that has anything to do with these oddball comparisions?
AT&T has mastered that with the iphone and translating it to other phones. Pleople don't care too much about price that much when it comes to phones.
The G1; simiply un-sexy. Let me say anit sexy. Hard to sell. No slickness to it.
-
and for semi-actual proof, google "g1 outselling iphone" and see what happens. kind of hard to find. If you can show me the numbers please be my guest, and I will be happy to admit I am wrong.
But I am also sick of the potential argument for this phone.
Until it delivers on the sizzle and the superior applications, I can't be bothered. Oh and it also needs to get a Verizon version before it takes off. Sprint won't do much for its adoption, especially if the Palm Pre lands at the same price point and is much slicker.
Of course VZW is the strongest of all carriers in the US and has a vested interest in keeping such an open platform off its network, so I'm not holding my breath.
I own a Nokia N800 tablet and I can say after a year of knowing just how much raw potential this device has and how it's been completely squandered by a lack of applications to turn it into the killer portable computer it should be, potential doesn't do anything for a platform. Execution does. If you're not a super hacker you don't want an N800 and I think unless someone comes through with some killer applications on Android that aren't anywhere else the Android will land in the same space.
I'm a techy so I'd love an Android phone. But I can't afford to pay its 399 entry fee and monthly data plan.