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Just in time! HTC and T-Mobile are launching the long-awaited Android platform today, and the official unveiling event has been going on for some time. Cut through the junk and check out our short and sweet list of what’s going down in Android town.
Updated at 3:05 PM EST: Bluetooth and 3.5mm audio jack information.
Updated at 4:11 PM EST: T-Mo data plan limitations.
- The HTC Dream has been named the G1 for T-Mobile.
- The T-Mobile G1 measures 4.60” x 2.16” x 0.62”, weighs 5.6oz and will be available in white, black, and brown.
- The device uses the DRM-free Amazon MP3 store and comes with the complete set of Google applications preinstalled. This includes maps, docs, sync and gmail.
- The phone’s subsidized MSRP with a two year contract is $179.99, or $20.00 less than the iPhone.
- Data plans start at $25/month for limited data, and $35/month unlimited for 3G.
- By October 22, T-Mobile is expected to service 27 US markets with 3G coverage.
- The G1 capably multi-tasks, a function deemed too taxing by Apple, which allows users to run many apps concurrently. The Blackberry doesn’t always allow this, either.
- The new T-Mobile G1 site is live with plenty of information about its capabilities, pricing and features.
- Engadget is running a complete gallery of the phone over here.
- Engadget is also running hands-on footage of the G1 over here.
- The NYT is running a fantastic story on HTC, the little-known mobile phone firm that has rocketed to stardom in the last 18 months.
- The unit does not appear to support multi-touch like the iPhone.
- The unit boasts a full QWERTY keyboard beneath the sliding screen.
- The G1 comes with 3.6Mbps HSDPA 3G and WiFi radios.
- T-Mobile withholds the right to limit data plan users to 50Kbps of active bandwidth if a user (even an unlimited data plan user) exceeds 1GB of data usage per month.
- Full HTML internet capabilities. The browser is apparently fairly choppy, but features quality rendering.
- YouTube support! Not surprising, but fun.
- IM, SMS and MMS capabilities fresh out of the box. Not surprising but good to know. IM protocols out of the box include Google Talk, AOL, Windows Live, and Yahoo Instant Messenger.
- The unit supports IMAP and POP3, as well as email push, but no Exchange support. Third-party developers were encouraged to develop this.
- 3.0MP camera with no flash.
- Video playback, but the method of playback is nebulous at this time.
- 1GB pre-loaded memory card to support playback. Supports up to 8GB in MicroSD.
- Google Marketplace available via the home screen. The app store will be free for the first 90 days after purchase of the phone!
- The T-Mobile G1 also features voice recognition.
- No 3.5mm headphone jack! It uses the HTC-standard 11 pin MiniUSB connector, which is a big disappointment. You will need an adapter to make use of headphones or the aux port on a car deck.
- Currently only supports the Bluetooth headset profile. Support for the full Bluetooth stack was clipped for security and stability concerns, and will arrive in a later update.
Multiple sites are also doing live coverage of the event:
Go get your fill of nerd news!
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