I’m paying close attention to all the talk about the Google Android-friendly phone coming from T-Mobile possibly November 10. Why? Because I am back in the market for a new cell phone.
Google has been working on a mobile-phone operating system of its own and the first phone is expected on T-Mobile October or November, depending on whose report you read. Very exciting.
Unlike iGirl, I don’t own an iPhone nor was I willing to wait in line earlier this month at an Apple store to buy one. I am currently a T-Mobile subscriber and considered staying with the company just because of its new home-phone service. But T-Mobile doesn’t offer 3G Internet service in OC and I’m getting tired of waiting.
However, T-Mobile tells me that 3G service is on the way for Orange County. It’s already available in New York, Las Vegas, San Antonio and Austin. For the rest of us, T-Mobile is “launching additional 3G markets throughout the year and will end the year with 3G coverage in 20 to 25 core markets,” said David Henderson, with T-Mobile.
[UPDATE 8/28/08: Psst: T-Mobile’s 3G one-third less than AT&T’s iPhone plan ]
As for the rumored Android-friendly HTC Dream phone, Henderson responded with this: “T-Mobile is on track to bring an Android based phone to market in Q4.”
Waiting for Android means I won’t have to switch cell-phone companies. And I won’t have to deal with Apple’s MobileMe mishaps. But it will be the first Google phone and sure to have bugs. Then again, it will be the first Google phone!
There are at least 1,788 Android applications in development (here are the 50 finalists in Google’s contest), which rivals Apple’s Apps store (currently around 2,121 apps as of today). On Monday, Google released its complete beta developers kit. (If there are any OC developers out there, let me know. I’m working on a story about all of this.)
So, are there some more good reasons to wait for Android?
Android/iPhone comparisons:
- Android vs. iPhone (Dreamcoat Software blog)
- Google’s Android: How Will it Compare to iPhone? (ReadWriteWeb)
- Google Android: we want developers but… (Scobleizer)
- Google’s Android not an iPhone (CNET)
- Android vs. iPhone vs. Microsoft Mobile, the Great Electric Ride (Tech News World)
More Android:
- Psst: T-Mobile’s 3G one-third less than AT&T’s iPhone plan (Gadgetress)
- Android Developers’ Blog (Google)
- Android Developers’ YouTube videos
- FCC approved, Android cleared for launch? (Engadget)
- T-Mobile’s first 3G phone, the Samsung t639, coming in less than a month (Boy Genius Report, Aug. 14)
Tamara 'the Gadgetress' Chuang
[...] the latest poll: (Read the story, “Why wait for Android when iPhone is already here?”) Buy an iPhone now or wait for Google’s [...]
Thanks Michael, I’ll check it out. And Ian, I’ve always liked options so yes, too bad we can’t (easily and affordably) have both. It’s too bad Apple didn’t really change the mobile-phone world when it comes to contracts, carrier restrictions, etc. But Apple has always had a loyal following who were willing to pay $600 when the iPhone first came out. Maybe Google should have started with an MP3 player? — Gadgetress
I am posting this from an iPhone, but I can still see your dilema. I was thinking the same thing when I bought the iPhone. I wanted to try Android on the htc, but then talk of delays and angery developers made me hold off. The Blackberry bold was also on my radar.
There is risk with Android being a new platform, but that’s part of the fun. Ideally I wish I could have both. That said, I’m still very happy with the iPhone.