As you might have already heard, Google has partnered with BrightStar Corp to bring the T-Mobile G1 Android Dev phone 1 to many countries. India is one of the supported countries.
What is Good?
- The phone is unlocked. You can use your Airtel, Vodafone or BSNL SIMs in this phone
- The phone is jailbroken. You can have root level access the Phone’s file system(Linux). This also means, you can flash any custom-cooked ROM images on to the phone without worrying about the bootloader issues. You can also run unsigned code
- When buying from India, you don’t have to worry about Customs/Import duties etc. BrightStar Corp. will pre-pay them for you.
- The shipment can be tracked [Update: It is shipped via UPS Expedited, in a large package!]
- The phone is distinctively designed from other G1 phones with a special graphical back-plate!
Now the Bad!
- I had to pay $624 (Rs.32,106.78) for the freedom device! + $25 for Google Android Market Fee
- The shopping cart of BrightStar Corp is not so convenient, it now says, I’ve no orders placed
- The Customer Care Dept of BrightStar Corp do not respond to queries [Update] They did respond and when they did, they did very well!
- You may get better equipped Android phones from Sony Ericsson / Dell / Asus
- Being a ‘Developer-Class’ device - there is no Warranty whatsoever for this phone.
- I have to double check if it will work with the proposed 3G spectrum of 2.1GHz in India.
But if you are an early adopter/Android Developer and want to enjoy the freedom of a totally unlocked device, this is your chance!.
HTC has a track record of introducing their latest and greatest Windows Mobile phones in India market – early. But G1 has been an exception. We still have to wait more before we can purchase the Android phone through official channels in India. Here is a response I received from HTC on this matter:-
We understand that you want to know the launching date of HTC G1.
We would like to inform you that HTC G1 has not been launched in India yet, there is no idea about specific date, and we request you please wait for some more time.
MultiTouch is traditionally perceived as the birthright of iPhone ;). No More.. We already know that latest HTC Touch Pro, Diamond etc.. has hidden MultiTouch capabilities. Now add the G1 also to that list!. Yes, G1- the one and only Android phone at the moment – CAN do MultiTouch. This was discovered and published first by RyeBrye over his blog. He found some interesting bits of ‘commented’ code in the Synaptics touchpad driver of G1. Once recompiled with the fix, he was able to register two key events on the panel.
Considering G1 being an Open Platform, expect to see a multitude of unofficial app featuring pinching and pulling on the G1. But there is a big caveat to the multitouch – in the form of a sue from Apple for infringing their patents.
T-Mobile G1 was the first Android phone released to the market. G1 is priced at $179 with a contract and data plan. G1 is presently available in UK and is expected to be available in rest of Europe and Asia by early 2009.
T-Mobile G1 Specifications:-
Processor: Qualcomm® MSM7201A™, 528 MHz
Memory ROM: 256 MB, RAM: 192 MB
Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11b/g
Expansion Slot microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
Special Features Digital Compass, Motion Sensor
Dimensions (LxWxT) 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm (4.60 in x 2.16 in x 0.62 in)
Weight 158 grams (5.57 ounces) with battery
Display 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution
Keyboard Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
GPS GPS navigation capability with built-in GPS receiver and map software
Google Android related News, Tips and Reviews - as it happens!