T-mobile G1 – The first of the Google Android Phones. A Review
- Thread starter SteveOBHave
- Start date
Soldato
- Joined
- 7 Feb 2004
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- 3,072
Right, I've had a quick skeg at those links and still unsure of what this enables me to do.
I'm getting a G1 in the next few weeks and wondering what I need to do when I get it, have you sussed it out yet?
Somebody swapped me their unwanted G1 upgrade for my 6 month old N95 8GB and I can't believe my luck. You wont be disappointed!
At the moment I am constantly hitting "Update Later" button that keeps popping up. Updating will mean I lose the ability to root. While this is no big deal in my general phone usage, if I have this feature, I have complete access to the system. This means installing custom firmware, bootloaders etc.
At the moment the only thing I could really do is change the start-up image. For general usage, there are no features for custom firmware. So if you are getting a G1 you have these options:
Update it when it promps you. Since 4pm its asked me 4 times. If you update you can't moan when something sweet comes out for custom firmware.
Keep hitting the Update later button. This is what I am going to do till I read much more about custom firmware. I don't want to brick my phone.
Update with custom firmware. You get no benefits from this but you are safe and have a fully updated G1.
EDIT: No custom firmware for me. My G1 hung as I hit enter. Only when to unfreeze a popup came up and it selected it. That popup was the update... crap
At the moment the only thing I could really do is change the start-up image. For general usage, there are no features for custom firmware. So if you are getting a G1 you have these options:
Update it when it promps you. Since 4pm its asked me 4 times. If you update you can't moan when something sweet comes out for custom firmware.
Keep hitting the Update later button. This is what I am going to do till I read much more about custom firmware. I don't want to brick my phone.
Update with custom firmware. You get no benefits from this but you are safe and have a fully updated G1.
EDIT: No custom firmware for me. My G1 hung as I hit enter. Only when to unfreeze a popup came up and it selected it. That popup was the update... crap
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Associate
- Joined
- 30 Dec 2003
- Posts
- 2,254
For the best really, from what I can read. Having all commands entered as root can be pretty dangerous especially as many words may be interpretted, despite no intention (Eg, "cat"). I think it's certainly best to either update to the latest official or the latest custom. If I get my G1 I'm not sure what I'll do - I like the idea of custom but I do not think I'd actually make any use of the (current) benefits... Once the "custom" scene takes off in a bigger way (Eg, there is more reason to run custom) then I'm sure they'll be hacks to allow it on the latest (at that time) firmware... Very much like the PSP scene.
But excuse my ignorance as I haven't paid attention to phones since last November. Wouldn't a Windows Mobile handset be better?
I think the custom update stops the use of text fields being used as terminals but still gives root access. I'm a linux user anyway so used to high level commands.
I just hope its not a case of, every time Android gets hacked, google come out with a patch. Because the platform is open source, it's just they don't give users root access for there own protection.
But as you say, I hope it's like the PSP scene which is a whole lot of fun. But as you say, just a case of waiting for something decent to come from the custom firmware. Just every time I see a update prompt I am going to say to myself "will this stop me from having custom firmware? Is it going to lock down the platform more?".
Just found this, nice review. I think that Android is promising, but as for the G1... compared to the iPhone, the design of the handset leaves a lot to be desired. What on earth is with the bit at the bottom with the buttons? It looks like it was added as an afterthought and ruins the lines of the phone 
I would just like to add, its amazing how an OS like Android shows how terrible Windows Mobile is considering its been around a lot longer than Android.
Even basic things like Setting up Wireless i often found to be a pain in the ass and not very "user pleasing" in Windows Mobile yet in Android the whole thing is slick and just enjoyable.
Having now been on android for about a month i cant ever imagine going back to Windows Mobile or anything else because its just streets ahead in every aspect, yeh sure there are still some issues here and there but on the whole the slickness and applications available just amaze me at times, Gmote currently being one of my favourites.
Even basic things like Setting up Wireless i often found to be a pain in the ass and not very "user pleasing" in Windows Mobile yet in Android the whole thing is slick and just enjoyable.
Having now been on android for about a month i cant ever imagine going back to Windows Mobile or anything else because its just streets ahead in every aspect, yeh sure there are still some issues here and there but on the whole the slickness and applications available just amaze me at times, Gmote currently being one of my favourites.
This does look very tempting, espically with the contracts people are getting with T-mobile is even more so.
The phone itself looks great, but what is the screen size like. Really want a bigger screen than my N95 and the battery life - how does it compare to the N95.
I don't want it to be any less than that.
So whats the screen and battery life like guys?
The phone itself looks great, but what is the screen size like. Really want a bigger screen than my N95 and the battery life - how does it compare to the N95.
I don't want it to be any less than that.
So whats the screen and battery life like guys?
Hi,
I decided to go for the G1. I was talking to TM about upgrading and 12 month contracts. I am thinking about combi 30 with web'n'walk for an extra £5 £35pm). I was told that this is like a basic service and only has 1gb monthly allowance, after reaching 1gb the internet would just stop. Or I could go for Flext 30 (£30pm) 18 months contract and get free web'n'walk plus with faster speed and 3gb allowance. In both cases the phone will be free.
Is anyone on Combi 12month with 1gb? I don't think the phone will last over 12 months as it is pretty big and I always drop my phones.
I decided to go for the G1. I was talking to TM about upgrading and 12 month contracts. I am thinking about combi 30 with web'n'walk for an extra £5 £35pm). I was told that this is like a basic service and only has 1gb monthly allowance, after reaching 1gb the internet would just stop. Or I could go for Flext 30 (£30pm) 18 months contract and get free web'n'walk plus with faster speed and 3gb allowance. In both cases the phone will be free.
Is anyone on Combi 12month with 1gb? I don't think the phone will last over 12 months as it is pretty big and I always drop my phones.
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I took that option when I upgraded. I was on web and walk previously and never ever came close to using 3gb. I don't see that changing with the G1 as I usually switch to wifi when I browse at home.
Yus