(2008-09-23) Htc Google G1 Android Phone

Today was the announcement for the Google G1 GPhone.

It has a real Keyboard.

It's heavily tied to GMail, Google Calendar, etc.

Does WiFi.

Integration with Amazon music store.

Made by HTC.

It will only be available through T-Mobile. (For how long?)

• because "The phone carriers are looking to capture additional revenue in mobile advertising and search," says Blaber. "Although potentially Android is a big opportunity, there is a danger that partnering with Google to deliver Android means giving up control over that revenue stream."

• but will it be sold direct anywhere?

Saul Hansell live-blogged the event

• In the United States, the price is $179, $20 less than the iPhone. The official launch date is October 22.

• One of the crucial differences in the software is that it allows several applications to run at the same time. That means you can still receive an instant message from a friend while you surf the Internet. Apple said multi-tasking takes up too much system resource.

Walter Mossberg rather likes it.

Oct16 update: David Pogue gives a useful review.