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First T-Mobile G1 tethering "solution" comes to light
Are you excited? Giddy? You should be. The inevitable has occurred, and even though it's far from elegant (and far from guaranteed-to-work), tethering on the T-Mobile G1 is a go. According to a few users over at TmoNews, this particular solution enables owners to share the G1's data connection via USB, which -- for all intents and purposes -- is tethering. You're going to have to put in some serious days minutes to get everything up and running properly, but trust us, it'll be worth it. Navigate down to the links below for all the instructions you could ever need... hopefully.[Via AndroidGuys]Read - G1 tethering instructionsRead - TmoNews discussion
Darren Murph11.04.2008
EA reveals Android gaming plans: Tetris, Bejeweled, Monopoly, oh my!
Hot on the heels of Electronic Arts kinda-sorta slamming Nokia for its lackluster N-Gage gaming platform comes word that the video game giant will be dabbling in the world of Android here shortly. Unsurprisingly, we're informed that Tetris will be the first Android title out, while Bejeweled and Monopoly should follow suit in November. According to EA Mobile vice president Adam Sussman, "Android is another exciting new platform to offer customers great games with enhancements like touch and tilt capabilities," and while we weren't given specifics outside of the aforesaid titles, more games are definitely "in development."
Darren Murph10.30.2008
A tale of three firmwares: comparing the T-Mobile G1's RC19, 28, and 29 builds
Turns out the difference between builds RC19 and RC29 of the G1's firmware is more than just 10. Well, okay, it is 10, but what we mean is that we know what exactly has changed between the release build and the over-the-air update now being pushed out to beta testers early adopters across the lands, and the biggies seem to be a handful of bug fixes for WiFi connectivity and email. An astute tipster also noted that USB storage mode is no longer selected from settings -- it's chosen at the time the phone is plugged in. Fancy, Google -- fancy indeed!What about the RC28 rollout that had partially kicked off before RC29 went out the door, though? Turns out Google wanted to take care of that security vulnerability discovered in the browser that could allow keystroke capture when users visit malicious sites, so they put a cork in the RC28 delivery for a minute or two while they cooked up 29 to take its place. Users that already received 28 are right back in line to receive the latest cut, which we're hearing T-Mobile wants to have out to everyone by November 12. That's like an eternity from now, which is pretty much throwing a wet blanket on our love for non-forceable OTA updates.[Via TmoNews, thanks David and Natalie]
Chris Ziegler10.29.2008
Video: T-Mobile G1 gets unlocked, quirks still present
It was inevitable, was it not? T-Mobile's G1 lasted an entire week as the T-Mobile G1; now, it's really anyone's G1. Thanks to the kids over at Unlock T-Mobile G1, any owner with a few spare moments and $22.99 can open their handset up for use on AT&T or any other GSM network across the globe. Reportedly, prospective unlockers simply hand over the aforementioned cash and their IMEI code (scary, we know), and in return they receive an eight-digit unlock code that frees it from the bonds of T-Mobile. Initial tests have shown that calling and texting work just fine on non-native networks, but the inability to even login to Gmail (and thus, the Android Market, etc.) puts a real damper on things. No worries -- we're sure those minor hindrances will be worked out in short order. A video full of proof is waiting just beyond the break.[Via Android Community]
Darren Murph10.29.2008
T-Mobile G1 coming to Walmart for $148.88
Well, now isn't this something? Best Buy has its fancy little iPhone 3G, but it'll be Wally World offering up the G1 outside of official T-Mobile outlets. As we'd heard yesterday, 550 Walmart stores across the country will begin selling the Android-powered handset beginning tomorrow, and folks who opt to pick one up here versus a traditional T-Mob store will save $31.11. Yep -- according to company spokeswoman Melissa O'Brien, the new / upgrade-eligible customer price for a Walmart-sourced G1 will be just $148.88 with a 2-year agreement. Wait, what? You already purchased your G1 at the full price? They always said the early bird pays the premium... or something along those lines.
Darren Murph10.28.2008
G1 themes help Sidekick users cope with feelings of inadequacy
Look, we know how it goes. Rent before new phone. 18 months left on your contract. Your mom kicked you out. They're all very valid reasons to keep on keepin' on with your current Sidekick, but that still doesn't alleviate the pain felt by wanting a T-Mobile G1 with every fiber of your being, now does it? Enter CubanitaStylezz, a theme designer who has taken the time to craft a few new ones for your Sidekick LX / Sidekick Slide / etc. that will make you feel just like the proud new owner of a G1. Almost. At any rate, tap the links below to get your poser on -- and remember, there's no shame in that game.[Via Hiptop3]Read - G1 themes for Sidekick IRead - G1 themes for Sidekick II
Darren Murph10.28.2008
T-Mobile UK chats up Androids apps available on G1 launch day, October 30
The G1 launches on T-Mobile UK in just three short (yet excruciating) days, and in an effort to work the hype into a fine, creamy lather, the carrier has drafted a press release talking about all the exciting apps that'll be available from the Market on day one. T-Mobile says that some 50 apps will be ready and waiting to download from the moment customers pick up their phones and tear open the packaging, but here's our question: how are they coordinating this? The Market isn't a T-Mobile effort, but a Google one -- so we're not too sure how (or even if) the magenta-clad company has any actual control over what's going on. More likely, they're just trying to ride on the coattails of the developers who've busted their rumps to get some free apps posted in these first few weeks of the G1's commercial availability -- not to say there's anything wrong with that. Speaking of free, the G1 will go for free in the British Isles on a £40 (about $63) plan. Don't suppose the division over in the colonies would care to follow suit on that?
Chris Ziegler10.27.2008T-Mobile G1 coming to Walmart at a slashed price?
Word on the street is that the top ten Walmarts in each market will be getting hooked up with the T-Mobile G1 on the 24th of November. That in itself isn't really news -- big boxes have really been ramping up their wireless sales as of late -- but here's where it gets juicy: we're hearing that they'll go for just $148.88 on a two-year contract. That'd certainly be consistent with Walmart's policy of selling stuff at weird prices that are slightly lower than everyone else, and in this particular case, it happens to add up to a solid $31.11 less than what you can do by waltzing into a T-Mobile corporate store. We're not sure it's enough of a discount to justify waiting a month -- but if late November was your window for picking up a G1 anyway, this just makes the deal that much sweeter.[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Chris Ziegler10.27.2008
HTC CEO expects to move 600,000 G1s this year, more in 2009
With all sorts of outlandish figures being bandied about regarding sales / expectations for the T-Mobile G1, someone intimately close to the situation has finally chimed in with his take. Peter Chou, chief executive and co-founder of HTC, stated in a recent interview that it expects to ship over 600,000 G1s this year, and while he wouldn't come clean on an exact figure for 2009, he did proclaim that "in general, we think we can do more next year." We aren't betting the farm that his prediction will come true or anything, but it certainly falls within the realm of feasibility. Oh, and if you were wondering how Mr. Chou planned on convincing potential iPhone buyers to opt for the G1 instead, he reckons that the full QWERTY keypad will handle that for him -- after all, "Americans are very keyboard-oriented." [Via mocoNews]
Darren Murph10.26.2008
Android Market open for business, revenue details emerge
Being that the T-Mobile G1 launched officially today in the US of A, it makes sense that the phone's marketplace for applications would open its doors as well. A recent post over at the Android Developers Blog has affirmed that users can now indulge in over 50 apps, and moreover, it has laid out details surrounding the process for getting your own app in there. Beginning on Monday, prospective devs will be forced to "register and pay a one time $25 application fee" in order to ensure that they're "authenticated and responsible for their apps." After that, the programs will be "made available to users without further validation or approval." Starting in Q1, developers will be able to distribute paid apps in addition to free apps, and similar to Apple's revenue model, devs will get 70% of the revenue, though it should be noted that Google won't be taking a percentage of the remainder; apparently, it all goes to settling bills with the carriers (T-Mobile's really insistent about getting some dues for app bandwidth usage, isn't it?) and payment processing systems. Go at it, you eager developer you -- we fully expect a gratis app showing off your handiwork to emerge on the 27th.
Darren Murph10.22.2008
T-Mobile G1 now available
Now that T-Mobile's systematic discrimination against non-T-Mobile customers (how dare they?) has come to an end, we can all exhale, pull out our credit cards and get to maxin' out the plastic. That's right -- the Android-powered G1 is now available for sale from T-Mob's website to all comers, though we're only seeing the black and bronze models listed at the moment and both are tagged with an ominous "extremely limited availability" label which tells us they probably won't be there long. $179.99's the price on two-year contract, and if they do sell out online, don't sweat it just yet -- sweep your local stores today.Update: Full press release with all the details just hit the wires. Remember, all T-Mobile retail shops will open early at 08:00AM if you want to get your G1 on before the rush to the office.[Thanks, Elisha]
Chris Ziegler10.22.2008
Android rap shows the G1 love, gives Google some street cred
We really, really like where this is going. First came the Zune puppet rap vid, followed by the equally astounding Large Hadron Collider joint. Now, we've got a video for all you G1 pre-orderers that's sure to get your noggin' bobbin' as you patiently await the arrival of Android. And just as any true rap should, it unashamedly bashes the iPhone, Instinct and most every other "rival" on the market today. The best 3 minutes and 56 seconds of your day are about to occur -- click on past the break and get it going. Word?[Via Phandroid, thanks Rob]
Darren Murph10.21.2008
Retail T-Mobile G1s showing up in loving customers' hands
October 22 was supposed to be the date, but you know, when you add in the shipping fudge factor, buffoonery was destined to ensue -- and sure enough, G1s are already showing up on some buyers' doorsteps days ahead of the official release. These pre-orders were only open to existing T-Mobile customers, which means us AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and Alltel types are gritting our teeth and shaking our fists at merciless gods right about now. Wednesday, here we come. Anyone else nab theirs?[Thanks, cWj]
Chris Ziegler10.20.2008
Microsoft says Silverlight on iPhone unlikely, G1 more likely
We all know it'll be a frigid day in Hades before Apple lets Silverlight into the iPhone, but for obvious reasons, things may pan out differently for the G1. According to Microsoft's Scott Guthrie, the outfit is still very interested in getting its Flash competitor onto Apple's darling, but as he so rightly points out, "at the end of the day, Apple ultimately controls what software runs on the iPhone." Speaking about Android, he noted that the "Google phone [you mean G1, Scott?] is slightly different," continuing on to say that it's "more of an open platform, [and] that is something we're going to continue to look at." In other words, don't get your hopes up too high that Silverlight will be making its Android debut in the very near future, but you can probably bet Microsoft will have an easier time dealing with Google than with Apple.[Via FierceWireless]
Darren Murph10.17.2008
T-Mobile G1 review on Engadget
Perhaps the most anticipated mobile device of 2008 is now just days away from release, and needless to say, we have just a few things to say about it. Check out our blowout coverage of T-Mobile's Android-powered G1 over on Engadget!
Chris Ziegler10.16.2008T-Mobile G1 review
It's hard to believe, but rumors of a "Googlephone" have been floating around since 2006. To put it in perspective, the first Gphone post on Engadget was written by Peter Rojas. Needless to say, it's been a long, slow ride to get to Android, the Open Handset Alliance, and ultimately the T-Mobile G1. If we said expectations were high for the introduction of this device, it would be an understatement. It's not every day that a company with the stature of Google announces it's getting into the phone game, and it's certainly not every day that an honest-to-goodness innovator comes along. That last time the team at Engadget got this stoked for a device, it was a little something called the iPhone -- and you know how that turned out. Will Android and the G1 live up to the hype? Is this the first coming of a serious new contender in the mobile space, or has the triple threat of Google, HTC, and T-Mobile not delivered on their promises? We've put both the device and the software through its paces to bring you the definitive review of the T-Mobile G1 and Android, so read on to get your answers. As we've really gone to great lengths to dissect the phone and OS, we're splitting the review into two, easy to digest parts. Enjoy! Part 1: Hardware Part 2: Software and wrap-up
Joshua Topolsky10.16.2008
1.5 million T-Mobile G1s already pre-ordered
T-Mobile sold right out of its original allotment of G1 pre-orders quick, fast and in a hurry, and even the second round has been claimed in a flash. What's it all mean? It means that someone at T-Mobile and Google are sitting in a fancy restaurant in France sipping on the good stuff, and it also means that 1.5 million G1s have already been reserved for eager early adopters. In addition to that, another couple of million are all set to take the retail scene by storm later this month. In other words, folks are genuinely stoked about the possibilities of Android, and scads of 'em have already committed to the OS (and HTC's design, by extension) before even having a chance to toy around with it in person. No pressure at all, Google.[Via Pulse2]
Darren Murph10.12.2008
T-Mobile G1 gets early user review
Oh sure, you've already read over our (and Ryan Block's) brief one-day impressions of T-Mobile's G1, but one lucky (lucky!) user over at AndroidCommunity has been able to handle one for more than just a few hours. As a precious gift to the world, he's penned a nice list of pros and cons along with a Q&A, and it seems that the "review" is actually growing with time. Right from the top, he notes that the G1 is like a "SideKick on massive steroids," albeit one with a minty fresh OS. Speaking of, he also states that the handset "doesn't run as smoothly as you would think," asserting that some of the applications "stuttered" upon opening. We're also told that it requires a reboot from time to time just to keep things humming along, but we're hoping all of these quirks are just part of the Rev. A rigamarole. It's glaringly obvious that the user adores Android (and the phone, too), but we can't help but hope these niggles he speaks of are addressed in short order.[Thanks, Oscar]
Darren Murph10.10.2008
T-Mobile G1 and Sony Ericsson X1 seen side-by-side, molten lava hangs head in shame
There's really no denying it -- T-Mobile's G1 and Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1 are two of the hottest mobiles around right now, and as predicted, all sorts of sparks flew when the two sat down for a side-by-side photo session. In a Dutch comparison of the two handsets, reviewers pointed out that the G1 was "significantly larger" than the SE counterpart, and while it's completely subjective, they also asserted that the X1 was a "true piece of art in comparison to the dusty look of the G1 [nice one, Google Translator]." Do yourself a favor and check out the whole thing in the read link.[Via CoolSmartphone]
Darren Murph10.07.2008
T-Mobile G1 spotted in the wild
Ah yes, the natural progression of a release. First comes the hands-on at the introduction, then comes the leaked user manual, then comes the pre-order fiasco -- now, it's time for those always titillating in the wild shots. The box and handset are nothing out of the ordinary / surprising (respectively), but at least you now know that bona fide unboxing images are just around the bend.
Darren Murph09.30.2008