In general G1 owners are finding the phone to be better than they imagined, overlooking any flaws that may be present. Almost everyone has skipped over going through the phone and headed straight to the Android Market to test out the applications they have been reading about for weeks. There have been several questions arising from the “chin” being hot to why there are so few applications in the Android Market.

One questions several people have personally asked me over and over is how to enable “compass mode” in Google Maps Street View. To enable this mode just open Google Maps, hit the menu key, select map mode and then at the bottom yo will find Street View. Once in street view, Google Maps will map out in blue the streets that are viewable in this mode. Just scroll to the area you wish to see and press down on the scroll ball to select that location. If compass mode is not enabled at this point just press the menu button and select compass mode to turn it on.

Photo courtesy of Android Community member heyitsnan.

Given the great anticipation and the heavy pre-sale demand for the T-Mobile G1 with Google, we nearly tripled the number of phones initially available for delivery on our Oct. 22 launch date, and have sold through them all.  However, to accommodate additional T-Mobile customers who want to pre-order a device, they now have the opportunity to place a pre-order through Oct. 21, for delivery at a later date.

Also, people can still pre-register on the T-Mobile G1 Web site to be notified prior to launch where they can purchase the device beginning Oct. 22.  Details are available on the T-Mobile G1 Web site, www.T-MobileG1.com.

UPDATE: T-Mobile customers who want to pre-order a device, they now have the opportunity to place a pre-order through Oct. 21, for delivery sometime in early November 10th time frame.

Thanks Kristen, T-Mobile Spokesperson

“We have completed tests, and the new SanDisk 16GB card will run on the current version of Android.  No new firmware required.” -Google Spokesperson

SanDisk’s 16GB microSDHC card has an MSRP of $99.99 and will be available at Best Buy Mobile stores in October and Verizon Wireless stores in November – the only major retailers in the United States to carry this mobile storage capacity in 2008.

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

The G1 phone was quick and responsive as when we played with it at the launch event last week. We were able to get hands on time with the full version of ShopSavvy. We scanned a barcode (for demonstration purposes, a Logitech webcam) and were able to compare prices online as well as at many stores in the area.

No word on when the application will be released, or if it will be a free application or one in which you must purchase. We can imagine it would be particularly useful for all the Christmas shopping coming up over the next few months.  One particularly useful feature is price alert, allowing you to save products to a wish-list that updates you when the product is discounted into your pre-set price range. Check out the video interview we did with Big In Japan here.

Android comes full of much loved features such as Youtube, and the Android equivalent to iTunes “Amazon MP3″. The clean interface on these applications give them the edge over competitors applications of the same nature. Google’s new mobile version of Street View is a feature that all people will find useful. Visa has been at work creating an application that will offer account notifications, merchant offers and ATM locations.

It appears that the white G1 was held back from pre-orders, rumor is the white paint used to coat the device was chipping. The white version was even scarcely seen at T-Mobile’s G1 announcement. The G1 “Getting Started” guide got out a few weeks early revealing a lot more about the device including the box contents. Also released this week was the long awaited official Android SDK 1.0. Not much new to see in this polished version.

Photo of the dressed up Android is courtesy of Android Community’s member htc_dreamer.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kngcp0ooDig[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3omdLHn6YM[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSCOGxh5LEk[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZoxIqZtYJ4[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POI1n0v-GDA[/youtube]

“The T-Mobile G1 microsite experienced a technical glitch this morning, and is now back up and running.  Since Tuesday’s announcement, we’ve experienced heavy demand for the device.  A small quantity of T-Mobile G1s are still available at this time for T-Mobile customers. Please visit http://www.T-MobileG1.com for details.” -thanks Kristen!

Note that there are only a small quantity of the T-Mobile G1s are available.  That means if you want a G1, you better hurry because T-Mobile is running out!

With the overwhelming response to the announcement of the T-Mobile has run out of available devices for the G1 pre-order. Hundreds of people immediately jumped on T-Mobile’s site to pre-order their device. So many in fact that the site was down for several hours.

Very quickly users came forth reporting that customer service representatives were stating there was a very limited supply. Three days after pre-orders started it has been confirmed that there are no more devices available for a pre-order. There is no word on production levels, nor whether dealers will have any models on hand come the official release. Rumors of the white G1 experiencing paint chipping seem very possible with the lack of the white model for pre-order.

Those who have not yet pre-ordered their T-Mobile G1 may not be able to purchase the device from their local T-Mobile store if they are not within the 3Gcoverage area. It seems many dealers do not know any more than anyone else about the situation. I wonder if the G1 will be plagued with short supply.

There’s a particularly tongue-in-cheek section on page 33, entitled “Caring for your phone”, which among other things advises you to protect the G1 from “tears of joy” as water will damage it.  It also reminds owners that “phones aren’t cheap”, which may be a painful reminder to anyone who didn’t qualify for the $179 price.

Hopefully this will keep anyone who pre-ordered the handset content until theirs is delivered on October 22nd. Remember, Android Community has video demos of the main G1 functionality here, here and here.

[Thanks tjferris and Pete!]

When users call in to try and order the white G1 not only are they told there are under 1,000 devices left for pre-order, but the white model is not for sale as of yet due to paint chipping. Sounds like we are having another Helio Kickflip issue. Ironically the device’s paint would start to chip and peel to reveal a white plastic.

Hopefully the white model will be available for purchase very soon as its popularity raises. This issue must have dramatically reduced pre-order supplies. For those who are planning on ordering the G1 before October 22nd and don’t mind black or brown act now, supplies are very limited and you haven’t much time.

[Via Android Community]

There does not seem to be too much to rave about the settings menu other than the clear settings descriptions helping the user know what each setting category is about. The layout includes a symbol to the right of each option that quickly and easily informs the user as to wither a specific settings is on or not. The “about” page includes a lot of detailed information about your device and usage including Battery Status, Battery Level, Signal Strength, Network and Kernel Version to name just a few.

Similar to iTunes for the iPhone, Google is offering a vast library of songs for download while on the go thanks to a collaboration with Amazon. Users who currently use Amazon will find the interface familiar; the layout is very simple in comparison to iTunes. Song descriptions include the artist, album cover art, album, song name rating. Amazon even allows a brief preview of each song before you purchase.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kngcp0ooDig[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSCOGxh5LEk[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3omdLHn6YM[/youtube]

The G1 includes GPS and AGPS. It does not currently support walking directions, but that feature is “very forthcoming”. Google has redefined navigation on handsets with the drag and drop directions feature as well as Street View. Being able to see an unfamiliar location before you get there is a dramatic improvement on the way we use our phones to navigate the streets. Street View also allows you to look down the street, move down the street and also zoom in and out with amazing clarity.

Perhaps the most amazing feature of Street View if the compass feature that allows you to look around the street view in full 360 degrees by simply turning your body. This is truly something that one must experience for themselves to fully get the realization of how advanced this is. It is almost like looking through a spyglass.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZoxIqZtYJ4[/youtube]

I, as did most of our forum users, hoped for a brown G1 similar to the early brown Zune. This was not the case here. The brown is a very light, faded shade, almost a grey in fact. It has the same soft touch casing as the black version. It is unclear as to weather the keyboard is a different color, as we saw in the black and white model.

I’m curious to know which your color favorite is.  The black looks slick, but the white has been surprisingly popular too.  Let me know in the comments.

The G1 comes pre-loaded with many useful applications including Google Search, Maps, YouTube, Gmail, Contacts, Calendar and IM. Sing in just once with you Google account and it will automatically synchronize all of your applications. You can even protect your data with a secure “lock pattern”.

A drag down status bar that holds all of your notifications is extremely useful without getting in the way. This bar displays new text messages, email, calendar events, instant messages and more. When a text message comes in, the status bar will give a brief preview of the message.

Contacts are easy to search through and locate. A few simple clicks and you can locate a contacts address on a map for directions. You can the location in satellite or street view as well, making it easier to visualize an unfamiliar location. Navigation is made easier with a built in accelerometer, giving a compass option to help – turn the phone, and the mapping automatically turns with you so you always know which way you’re facing.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7qbPa1O8Ys[/youtube]

Looks like the whole world is watching to hear details about the first Android to be released into the world. People from all over have eagerly been awaiting this announcement for many months. Many have taken a break from work or even called in sick just to be able to hear the news live. Will this phone be able to stand up to the iPhone?

This is a huge step for T-Mobile making them a larger competitor in todays mobile phone market. With all the recent news and hints about a pre-order it appears this device still will not be released for a few more weeks at the soonest. Will we see the brown G1 that we all have read about?

The first core is a speciality core dedicated solely to phone functionality such as making phone calls.
The second core is a general purpose core intended for applications, in order to accommodate more application processing load. The end result should be less lag due to overloaded phone processors.

According to the tip, clock speed for both cores will be the same. Because of this, overclocking the G1 will not have much of an increase in performance. There are reportedly still some problems with the multi-core setup that, under specific situations, may cause the phone to crash; Qualcomm is apparently “working around the clock” to fix the drivers at the root of this.

It also confirms the handset’s name – the T-Mobile G1.  Up until now the device had been referred to as “T-Mobile’s first Android-based device”.

There is still no word on pricing; the current rumors suggest $199, but that may not necessarily refer to the pre-registration price for existing subscribers.  T-Mobile have scheduled a launch event for the G1 on September 23rd, which Android Community will be Live Blogging at http://Live.AndroidCommunity.com/

[via Engadget]

The cellphone we expect to see officially unveiled is HTC’s Dream, which is believed to be branded the T-Mobile G1.  The September 23rd event ties in with the previously leaked suggestion that the carrier would be announcing their Android handset on this date, with availability by the end of October.

Both T-Mobile and Google executives will be presenting the G1, and we’ll have all the details as they happen.  The Live Blog address is http://Live.AndroidCommunity.com/ so join us on September 23rd!

So, what’s the connection?  T-MobileAtHome.com, Sidekick.com, T-MobileShadow.com, among others is all hosted by LogicWorks.  By adding the Name Servers to the domain T-MobileG1.com, I believe it’s only a matter of time before T-Mobile officially announces the G1 Android phone.

Another conclusion I’ve arrived at: T-Mobile plans to offer at least four more generations of gPhones after the G1.

The cellphone we expect to see officially unveiled is HTC’s Dream, which is believed to be branded the T-Mobile G1.  The September 23rd event ties in with the previously leaked suggestion that the carrier would be announcing their Android handset on this date, with availability by the end of October.

Both T-Mobile and Google executives will be presenting the G1, and we’ll have all the details as they happen.  The Live Blog address is http://Live.AndroidCommunity.com/ so join us on September 23rd!

Sept 16, 2008 -Vincent Nguyen

—

Further details about how T-Mobile’s preorder system for the Android-powered HTC Dream – aka T-Mobile G1 – have leaked, courtesy of some internal carrier documents that TmoWorld claim to have received.  They apparently confirm several dates, including an official HTC Dream launch on October 13th.  However, on October 17th T-Mobile will begin taking pre-orders from existing customers, using an exclusive online site.

Only postpaid customers will be eligible to preorder; FlexPay, Prepaid or T-Mobile employees will have to wait for the Dream to go to general availability.  Existing customers must be at least 22 months into a 2-year contract, or 11 months into a 1-year contract, in order to upgrade.  The preorder period will end on October 3rd at 5pm, and buyers will receive their HTC Dream (aka G1) on October 13th.

Preorder price is an apparently confirmed $199 (following an instant rebate) and will be billed to customers’ accounts; an $18 upgrade fee will also be charged. A new 2-year contract will be required, together with an unlimited data plan similar to that on the iPhone.  T-Mobile will offer two such plans, one at $35 providing unlimited data & messaging, and a cheaper $25 plan that includes 400 messages.  As rumored, customers will also need a GMail account in order to set up the phone.

TmoWorld’s documentation lists the following specifications for the handset, which will be available in black, white or brown.  GPS is an obvious omission, but hopefully “Maps” is a less than clear way of referring to that.  Previous versions of the HTC Dream prototype have included GPS functionality.

- Touch Screen
- Full Qwerty keyboard
- 3G/ WiFi
- Full HTML internet capabilities
- Easy access to all Google applications (Gmail, Gtalk, search)
- Maps
- Street view
- You Tube
- Phone
- IM/Text
- Email
- Camera 3.0mp
- Video (playback only, no recording)
- Music player & 1GB memory card pre-loaded
- Applications, all available in Google marketplace (icon on the homescreen)

Other features of the HTC Dream consist of a “jogball” similar to what you’d find on a Sidekick or BlackBerry smartphone.  Other features include 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/1900 and WCDMA 1700 bands or also known as T-Mobile’s 3G frequency.

This is all extremely exciting for everyone waiting for the birth of the first Android phone to arrive!

FCC HTC Dream WiFi Certification [Warning: PDF], FCC Cell Radios, FCC WiFi Bluetooth [via Engadget]

The cellphone we expect to see officially unveiled is HTC’s Dream, which is believed to be branded the T-Mobile G1.  The September 23rd event ties in with the previously leaked suggestion that the carrier would be announcing their Android handset on this date, with availability by the end of October.

Both T-Mobile and Google executives will be presenting the G1, and we’ll have all the details as they happen.  The Live Blog address is http://Live.AndroidCommunity.com/ so join us on September 23rd!

Sept 16, 2008 -Vincent Nguyen

—

It’s the turn of the New York Times to report on the T-Mobile Android rumor, and while it’s unclear if they have their own sources or are merely repeating the story from earlier this week, they do confirm that T-Mobile, Google and HTC are hoping to have the Dream smartphone out before Christmas.  According to the NYT piece, “people briefed on the discussions” who ”declined to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the project” say that the current bottleneck is FCC approval; once that happens, they are aiming for a September announcement with actual availability as early as October.

Other sources say that the T-Mobile HTC Dream will be the only Android-based cellphone on the market in 2008, which would point to a successful quarter for HTC and a straightforward marketing campaign for Google.  There’s no word on when Sprint - who have confirmed an Android handset is on their roadmap – will release their own version, and whether it will be based on the Dream or otherwise.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0O5xfBGCSd8[/youtube]

The NYT showed the recent video purporting to be of the HTC Dream to a person familiar with the upcoming device.  They said that the two handsets matched.