T-mobile G1 – The first of the Google Android Phones. A Review

Had my G1 since friday and im really liking it so far. Was hasty updating it so no root access for now but hopefully that will change.

As far as the hardware is concerned I like it, the camera is pretty bad but its not a feature i personally use. I think the web browsing experience is great, the combo of the touchball (which is great) and the touch screen lets you navigate the web very well.

Transfer speeds are good. GPS is a little tempremental. I think the issue with accuracy is actually not down to the GPS. The problem occurs when the phone cant get a GPS signal and uses its network to try and locate its position. This results in some major inaccuracy.

As for the app store, its already got some great apps on it. Connectbot is a great ssh client and im making great use of that already for irc etc. Acceptable msn clients already available.

The multitasking is great the notifications bar is a great feature and works very well.

Battery life is not amazing but with a power management app its got plenty of standby time. It will last a decent time under heavy use (wifi etc).

All in all my experience is very positive and I have great hopes for the future of the android OS.
 
Another question (Thanks :p)...

I keep reading this whole thing that the G1 is the first phone to treat mobile internet as "always on"... I was wondering then if email sent the GMail account used when setting up the phone comes down automatically (Similar to push) or do you still have to manually send/receive?

It'd be pretty nice if it came down by itself :D

Cheers.
 
RastaManBob said:
Another question (Thanks :p)...

I keep reading this whole thing that the G1 is the first phone to treat mobile internet as "always on"... I was wondering then if email sent the GMail account used when setting up the phone comes down automatically (Similar to push) or do you still have to manually send/receive?

It'd be pretty nice if it came down by itself :D

Cheers.
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Nope - it's pretty much instantaneous. The moment the mail arrives in your online account you get it on your phone also. You can set notifications if you need to but your phone would be buzzing continuously.

It is literally always online as long as you are in reception.
 
That's brilliant :D

I can't help thinking that this phone is still perfect... But then when I saw it I was disappointed. Think I'll have to just take the plunge at some point.

I've been looking for many alternatives but I've decided I want a phone that has a keyboard and is good on net... Ruling out the Touch, etc, immediately.

If I set my Uni and personal email addresses to auto forward to a gmail account (I don't have a gmail account at the moment) then I'd get everything... That sounds brilliant... Unless of course you can set it to check multiple emails (Which do not need to do GMail)?

Cheers.
 
RastaManBob said:
That's brilliant :D

I can't help thinking that this phone is still perfect... But then when I saw it I was disappointed. Think I'll have to just take the plunge at some point.

I've been looking for many alternatives but I've decided I want a phone that has a keyboard and is good on net... Ruling out the Touch, etc, immediately.

If I set my Uni and personal email addresses to auto forward to a gmail account (I don't have a gmail account at the moment) then I'd get everything... That sounds brilliant... Unless of course you can set it to check multiple emails (Which do not need to do GMail)?

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Yeah there is an installed email client that you can set up any e-mail account with either IMAP or POP3 capabilities and set the notifications to operate in the same way as the GMail account works. You can set as many account as you like.
 
My G1 has arrived this morning, been busy in work, but from the bits ive been playing with it.

OMG im in Love !

Awesome just awesome. Im a big NFL Fan and the "Pro Football App" is just ace :)
 
Stuck in traffic on my way home from Truro. I know this whole internet on your phone is nothing new but omg it's so fun. It's paired with my car bluetooth stereo fine but there is no option to send my contacts over via bluetooth which sucks.
 
SteveOBHave said:
Yeah there is an installed email client that you can set up any e-mail account with either IMAP or POP3 capabilities and set the notifications to operate in the same way as the GMail account works. You can set as many account as you like.
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Unfortunately even with the latest update the POP3/IMAP notifications for the non-Gmail email client don't always work. Known error, plenty about it on the Google boards but then there has been since the first software release for the G1.

I want to love the G1 but there's just too much holding me back at the mo.
 
Seraphic said:
Unfortunately even with the latest update the POP3/IMAP notifications for the non-Gmail email client don't always work. Known error, plenty about it on the Google boards but then there has been since the first software release for the G1.

I want to love the G1 but there's just too much holding me back at the mo.
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Aye there is something to be said about not being an early adopter still the promise is great. Just quietly I'm hanging out for some clever chap/chapette to get the Android OS working on the iPhone hardware - that would be the perfect combination and imagine the speed at which the Apple legal team would jump on it.
 
That would be good but I don't think I'd manage without the keyboard... That's the issue - What's the best phone that isn't Windows, has a keyboard, good for internet usage, etc, etc... There arn't many phones that fill the void and at the moment that means you've no choice but to be an early adopter of the G1.

If anybody knows of any others I'd like to hear it... Considering G1 but not sure about being an adopter so early (I'm worried a much better Android phone will be out in six months... Problem is I'm too eager to wait that long I think!!). The HTC HD is nice but no keyboard and windows... iPhone has no keyboard and neither does N95/N96... Leaving the only viable option as the E71 as far as I can see. Any alternatives?
 
Just bought the black version of this will be here tomorrow, anyone got any hints and tips for me?
Can I use a diffrent email account say AOL on it?
 
Still cannot find any decent alternatives - Though I s'pose nothing will come out of knowhere!! - Has anybody else released any details of when they're doing anything with Android? I know some people have confirmed, but actually a date? Any more info and/or pics?

Also, I hear lots about the bad battery life and such... But it's hard to gauge what is "low" "medium" or "high" usage... Could one of the G1 gives me some idea how long I should expect the battery to list? On average I'd spend no more than 1 hr per day on the phone, and send a very small number of texts ( < 15)... I'd expect to use the internet on the device (Either across network or wifi) for no more than 1 hour... Would you consider this high usage? In any case how long do you think the battery would last with that sort of usage? Would I get a full day out of it?

Cheers.
 
RastaManBob said:
Would I get a full day out of it?
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Yus :)

Wifi is the main culprit. Just only have it on when you need it on. If you think going through the settings to do this is pain then you can use "Locale" to turn it on or off at specific locations or times of the day.

But you will get a day out of it with even more usage. It's just slightly annoying that you can't get more. It's a phone not a laptop after all, but then again it is a smart phone and I guess I shouldn't expect a 3 day battery life from something I am actually using than something in my pocket waiting for a call lol.
 
jamief said:
Tobes - what are your impressions of the G1 after a few days of owning one? Still happy? Any disappointment?
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Love it dude. Couldn't go back to any other phone OS for features like this phone has. I just can't wait for what else is too come. The phone is so fast, no lock ups. The hardware is fine. The lack of headphone is not a problem because you wouldn't use this phone as a mp3 player anyway what with the battery life xD

If anyone is waiting for the next phone to have the Android os on it then you are missing out. There is nothing wrong with the phone. Only disappointment is some small features like not being able to send contacts over bluetooth. Maybe us G1 owners could make a list and cross them off as they get added!

Took a image of the surf in Newquay yesterday. Will upload it later.
 
Thanks! Say I wanted to use it as an MP3 player at work - how long would the battery last? Obviously I couldn't charge it while I listened due to the usb headphone port....
 
Just got mine this morning, after having the 3g iphone i love this little piece of kit already the operating sys is slick fast and responsive, surfing is so much easier on this than the iphone imho as the trackball helps.
I cant think of anything really bad to say at the moment about it - needs a few more good apps but i guess time will tell with that.
 
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