G1 News

Those new to Android might not realise it, but the Nexus One wasn’t the first Google-branded phone, that honour actually goes to the T-Mobile G1. So, it is with slightly misty eyes that we reveal T-Mobile have discontinued this landmark handset.

The G1 was the first mobile to feature Google’s exciting new operating system and the HTC manufactureed device set the pattern for future handsets, paving the way for later handsets such as the Milestone, Nexus One, HTC Desire and most recently the Samsung Galaxy S.

The build quality was slightly plasticy, but for its time, the G1 packed some decent specs: it had a 512Mhz processor, 192MD RAM and an excellent physical QWERTY keyboard which has proved hard to beat. Indeed, the idiosyncratic slide-out design made it a hit with anyone looking for a handset to set them apart from the pack.

Unfortunately, despite being capable in its time, it seems that the G1 couldn’t keep up with the slew of super powerful Android devices that followed and they didn’t follow in the 2.0 and beyond OS updates.

So, farewell, G1!

Today, Google announced that their new Maps Navigation system is now available for devices running the Android 1.6 operating system…provided you live in the U.S., that is.

As Android 1.6 is the build that all phones aside from the Motorola DROID (to be called Motorola MILESTONE if you call elevators by their real name, which is a ‘lift’) are running on, even the humble T-Mobile G1 and HTC Magic able to get a new lease of life and sense of direction.

Android 1.6 stops short of enabling full Droidery for Maps Navigation, leaving out the “Navigate to…” voice commands enabled by the 2.0 ‘Donut’ update.

US users can point your browsers to the Android Market, whilst UK users can make a gun using their thumb and forefinger and point at their temple in desperation…

Source: Android Release

Great news for those getting jealous about all these tarted up Android interfaces on phones like the HTC Tattoo and Motorola DEXT, the Donut 1.6 build has been unveiled to developers, meaning that a new version for phones like the HTC Magic and T-Mobile G1 will be here soon enough…

See, Google has not forsaken us!

More than an incremental upgrade, Android 1.6 offers:

• Quick Search Box
• Quicker camera use along with integrated gallery
• Battery usage indicator
• VPN and 802.1x inclusion
• Android Market revamp
• Text-to-Speech engine

See it all in motion in the below video!

As fun as it has been updating the T-Mobile G1’s internal software above its station, it looks like we might not be seeing it ever occur officially, due to a simple lack of space on the device.

The G1, famed for getting much needed functionality upgrades with the ‘Cupcake’ update, seems to have run out of internal flash RAM to the point where future upgrades will not be able to fit.

With word that the slick ‘Sense’ user experience popularised by the HTC Hero will be coming to other Google-phones in certain parts of the world got Android fans all excited, but this may not be the case for everyone, and definitely not for ‘with Google’ devices including the G1 and myTouch 3G.

On Twitter, Android developer Jean-Baptiste Queru was not optimistic that the G1 would be getting upgrades:

“As much as I’m hoping that it’ll be possible to somehow continue updating the G1, I can’t promise anything. We knew that internal flash space was going to be very tight on the G1 and we kept the system partition tight on purpose.”

However, T-Mobile was quick to stop owners throwing their G1s from the nearest overpass with a swift and yet entirely vague rebuttal: “We plan to continue working with Google to introduce future software updates to the T-Mobile G1. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate,” they said to Engadget in a statement.

Upgrades to the G1 are not unwelcome, but what people want is true changes, not cosmetic and incremental upgrades whilst the rest of the world live in an HTC Sense wonderland!

Still, with a little tech savvy, it seems that the most ardent G1 fans will be able to make a little room for some open source dessert for their pioneering handset.

Hey! We’re glad to offer a range of new mobile phone deals, thanks to comparison site Omio!

Looking at the top tabs on the site, you’ll now see links to pages where you can grab the HTC Magic as well as the new HTC Hero and even newer T-Mobile G2 Touch!

The deal comparison engine sliders allow you to set the ideal number of minutes and texts, and the amount you are willing to spend each month. Then it does the rest, and brings up the best offers instantly!

So if you are lucky enough to reside in the UK and are looking for an Android fix, you’ve found it!

UPDATE: T-Mobile G2 Touch deals all fixed and added now!

Seems like the G1 has managed to steal a march on the iPhone in an important category – turn-by-turn satellite navigation.

Co-Pilot Live app has recently rolled out on the Android Marketplace, offering GPS guidance, lane indicators, speed camera locations and voice directions on your mobile for the princely sum of £25.99 for UK/Ireland maps and £59.99 for all of Europe.

Supported by the holy trinity of Android phones, the T-Mobile G1, HTC Magic and HTC Hero/T-Mobile G1 Touch will even allow you to divulge and share your location to your mates, Google Latitude-style.

With no monthly charge or extra costs outside of your 3G usage for services like live traffic, fuel prices or weather updates, Co-Pilot Live seems like a great, cost-effective way to get you going in the right direction!

Source: Electric Pig

Re-tweeting a post on Android Guys, what do you think of Cupcake now its out there? Love it? Hate it? Wish you could install Rosie and move on?

Let me know!

I know most of you already have your Cupcake updates working nice and smooth, how’s about having another detailed look at the slick and sexy interface of HTC Rosie, running on a T-Mobile G1!

Said to come with the new HTC Hero, these videos from Androidpit.de show off everything! The slick bookmarks, the new side-scrolling, the music player, all of it is gone over in massive detail!

The interface is set to German, but you’ll still get a great idea of what’s going on when you have a look!

Say what you like about the HTC Hero looking exactly like the result of a steamy night of congress between the T-Mobile G1 and HTC Magic, the interface is super slick!

The Rosie version of Android may ditch the dessert-based naming conventions, but it makes up for it by being awesomely awesome! Watch out for the smooth rotation of the images, finally a handset catching up with the iPhone!

I know it might all just be mock-ups for the camera, but it’s gonna be close…

Good ad for it got leaked, Android Community did the right thing and stuck it up!

I don’t know, might go for this instead of the Magic as my Android upgrade…what about you guys?

Spotify + Android = awesome.

Work in progress, but to have a streaming music platform on a G1 will be brilliant! Offline sync, search, connectivity to the desktop app, all good!

Two questions remain…how much will it cost (if anything), and when can I get it?!