Android Phone Holds Few Surprises as Google Plays Long Game
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Published:
Week 38
September 2008 -
Image Source:
Google
News
On September 23 2008, T-Mobile announced the launch of the first Android-powered mobile phone at an event in New York. The T-Mobile G1 is made by Taiwanese manufacturer HTC and features a touch-screen, a slide-out qwerty keyboard and a range of optimised Google services, including Google Maps, Street View, Gmail, YouTube and Android Market, a virtual store for Android-based applications. In the US, the phone will also feature an application providing access to Amazon's music store.
The G1 will be available in the US through T-Mobile's Web site and some retail stores from 22 October 2008, priced at $179, plus a two-year voice and data contract. The phone will be available in the UK from November 2008 and will be free with monthly plans of £40 or more. A special tariff will include unlimited Web browsing. The G1 will be available from the first quarter of 2009 in other European countries, including Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and the Netherlands.

