The new Google Phone that utilises their Android technology has apparently been in development for over 3 years by Google, T-Mobile, and HTC. The first thing that impresses me here is that Google got HTC to build their handsets - I've always been a fan of HTC's devices running Windows Mobile as they do look simply great. One big difference between the iPhone and the HTC G1 is that Google aren't putting the same restrictions on application development that Apple is doing with their AppStore. Whether this sets a precedent that Apple will eventually follow in the footsteps of I don't know but it is always a hope.
Rather than a virtual keyboard like the iPhone it has a small keypad for typing with - I'm not sure what the practicality of this is going to be like - personally I'm not too keen on tiny keyboards as they feel clumsy. The 3.2-inch LCD touch-sensitive screen (running at 320 x 480 HVGA) provides easy access to Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Calendar. Apparently it is also integrated well with Google Maps, but there is no mention of how well it works with Google Docs and Spreadsheets.
For network access it has a 3.5G and Wi-Fi which it will switch between depending on what is available meaning your able to collect emails pretty much anywhere - though saying that I'm sure I could find somewhere that neither connection would work at all (for example I'm sure it won't work in the middle of the Nazca desert - which is a good point actually, if anyone is interested you can actually get a mobile phone reception from Machu Picchu surprisingly).
I do question the default interface, take a look at it and tell me what you'd do to read text messages, or even send them for that matter. It's okay being able to email and all these other great features such as performing Google searches - but where are the features that make a phone a phone? It has of course got a call and a hang-up button at the bottom of the phone, and there's the "Dialer" application which I assume contains the contacts list. Though how you use SMS on it I've got no idea.
Rather than a virtual keyboard like the iPhone it has a small keypad for typing with - I'm not sure what the practicality of this is going to be like - personally I'm not too keen on tiny keyboards as they feel clumsy. The 3.2-inch LCD touch-sensitive screen (running at 320 x 480 HVGA) provides easy access to Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk and Calendar. Apparently it is also integrated well with Google Maps, but there is no mention of how well it works with Google Docs and Spreadsheets.
For network access it has a 3.5G and Wi-Fi which it will switch between depending on what is available meaning your able to collect emails pretty much anywhere - though saying that I'm sure I could find somewhere that neither connection would work at all (for example I'm sure it won't work in the middle of the Nazca desert - which is a good point actually, if anyone is interested you can actually get a mobile phone reception from Machu Picchu surprisingly).
I do question the default interface, take a look at it and tell me what you'd do to read text messages, or even send them for that matter. It's okay being able to email and all these other great features such as performing Google searches - but where are the features that make a phone a phone? It has of course got a call and a hang-up button at the bottom of the phone, and there's the "Dialer" application which I assume contains the contacts list. Though how you use SMS on it I've got no idea.
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