Positives and negatives of the T-Mobile G1
By Joe Koufman on Monday, October 27th, 2008I was one of the first to receive the new T-Mobile G1 phone last week (known to some as the Google Phone, GPhone or Google Android phone). It has been a lot of fun getting to know my new phone and there is definitely quite a bit of “WOW factor” from friends who play with the gadget. While I have not had too much time to really learn all of the features, below are the major functions that I have been utilizing. As I find more features, I will comment on this post.
Here are the things I love about my new phone:
• Amazing form factor with crisp, super responsive touch screen and easy to use slide out keypad
• Crisp vivid imagery, icons, etc. with highly customizable desktop
• Easy browsing and fast connection through the 3G or WiFi
• Pattern unlock is faster (and cooler) than typing in a numeric code
• Small scroll ball as an additional navigational tool – this comes in really handy when trying to click something smaller than my finger tip
• 3 megapixel camera is easy to use with button where it would be on a regular camera
• Awesome Google Maps integration with GPS and Google Street View including Compass View (you can actually rotate the phone and the view of the street changes with the angle of the phone)
• ShopSavvy Application - you can scan a barcode and compare product prices with many online sites
• Shazam Application - the application will listen to music and tell you what is playing, then can connect you to YouTube or the Amazon MP3 store. I have even tested it with obscure songs, and it has been able to find it every time.
• Compare Everywhere Application - similar to ShopSavvy, except it tells you what local stores are selling a product you scan
• Open Source Android Market - many, many more useful applications should be on their way
What I don’t like:
• No integration with Microsoft Exchange Outlook email. Supposedly third party developers are working on fixing this
• When the charger is plugged in, it is hard to use the flip open keyboard
• No “pinch and spread” multi-touch on the screen
If the goal for the first “Google Phone” was to compete favorably with the Apple iPhone, then the T-Mobile G1 has hit a home run. The potential for this phone becomes even greater as time passes and more developers leverage the open source Google Android Marketplace to develop additional functionality. Also the form factor of the devices launched by carriers will change as more handset providers design for Android.






