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!

Be still my beating heart.

Just as we thought the plucky T-Mobile G1 was about to be left behind as the Motorola DROID and Android 2.0’s charms courted everyone’s attention, a man named Akira Harada has given us all hope by porting it across to the original Google phone!

Whilst the update isn’t fully optimised, and the G1 does need to be “rooted” for this to work (instructions here), the video proof shows that it is a risk I will be willing to take for Android awesomeness.

Expect to see it on XDA Developers any time from now, and a link to it from our site about 15 minutes later.

The Android-powered HTC Hero has only had one major fault levelled at it since release (apart from that opinion-splitting chin), that of the unique ‘Sense’ interface feeling a tad sluggish and unresponsive to use.

Following on from HTC’s own attempts to pimp out the Hero, Orange has released a fix on the official site, allowing users to upgrade their firmware for a boost in speed as well as the odd tweak in other departments.

The process is fairly simple, but be warned that the update will delete all your data, so be sure to back up you contacts and saucy texts beforehand…

The T-Mobile G2 Touch – the network’s take on the HTC Hero – is a little more liveried up with carrier-specific functions, and in turn seems to require a lot of tinkering before the release of a performance update.

With T-Mobile asking customers to sit tight on their forum, it looks like the G2 will see its update brought forward from an initial October/November release to the next couple of weeks, keeping up with the HTC Hero’s new go-faster stripes as well as calming the crowd of pitchfork-wielding Touch owners.

The debate of whether network-specific firmware is detrimental to phone features is a fair one, but at least the respective carriers are making a concerted effort to appease impatient owners this time.

Source: Register

T-Mobile have announced their third mobile phone to be powered by Google’s Android interface, the T-Mobile Pulse.

What’s so different? Well, the Pulse, despite some impressive smartphone credentials, will be the first Android-powered phone to be made available on pay as you go deals at a price of £180.

What do you get, apart from £20 change from £200? A slick device in black chrome (not having inherited the chin from the HTC Magic and T-Mobile G2 Touch), equipped with a 3.5″ touchscreen display (the largest on an Android device), Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G connectivity. The camera is also decent, with a 3.2 megapixel lens making easy work for photo opportunities. The usual Android web navigation is also present and correct, as one touch links to both Google Search and Google Maps gets you online in a snap.

The T-Mobile tailored interface also allows easy use of web ‘n’ walk features, and downloading of applications from the Android Market, soon to undergo a huge revamp.

A great option on both prepay and contract, the T-Mobile Pulse will be available in October 2009. Pay monthly T-Mobile Pulse deals will receive pricing details nearer to release.

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.

Well, it seems like T-Mobile UK is taking those Twitter 101 business lessons to heart, using their account to announce the release of the T-Mobile G2 Touch on their site from the 28th of July, and in stores in the coming days.

A HTC Hero by another name (but still as sweet), the G2 Touch is impressive thanks to the slick user interface and refreshing handset design.

The smartphone offers an antidote to those ’sold out iPhone 3GS’ woes, and has the Android Marketplace and a fine line in personalisation thanks to widgets and profiles that each offer a markedly different user experience.

Other plus points include Flash support on the G2’s browser and Microsoft Exchange mail support, although we are yet to see what magenta-flavoured additions T-Mobile will bring to the device.

Best Android phone out now (well, tomorrow)? Certainly. Best touchscreen phone on the market? It’s a close one.

What will become of our humble T-Mobile G1? I shudder to think…

June 10th saw T-Mobile and Google cementing their business relationship with a press conference, with Android updates at the forefront of discussions.

It seems as though the versions beyond Cupcake that have seen the HTC Hero and Sony Ericsson Rachel turn heads are not the end, with future versions on the way to advance both social networking and payment methods for apps other than Google Checkout. T-Mobile will helpfully let payments go straight on your monthly bill (how nice of them!).

As for naming conventions, we’re back on the tasty treats trail after the brief ‘Rosie’ deviation, with “Donut”, “Eclair” and “Flan” on the horizon. Whatever they are called, we just hope they are as good as the ones that have cropped up thus far, and keeps on satisfying our cravings for sweet smartphone updates.

Source: Boy Genius Report

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

Well done T-Mobile US, you managed to keep your hands on the second Android phone – the HTC Magic – now going by the much…weirder name of myTouch 3G.

As you may know, the HTC Magic has done big business in the UK for Vodafone, taking the G1’s form factor and ditching the keyboard for a more appealing shape and virtual QWERTY through the Cupcake firmware.

In terms of presentation, the tri-colour box art suggests a white, black and ‘merlot’ red version will be available, as opposed to only offering the white model in Blighty.

Surprised that red-happy Voda didn’t go for a more bull-baiting colour, but anyway…the boxes are more exciting than most, and with an August release runoured, it won’t be long til you get your first keyboard-less Android fix!

Source: Phandroid

In a final act of defiance against the evil leakers of his HTC Hero firmware, G1 developer Haykuro has released his own version for download!

Installing this isn’t for the faint of heart, but seeing as we T-Mobile G1 owners might never get this officially, enjoying the awesome new menus and interface of Android via this new firmware is an opportunity too good to pass up!

It’s not perfect with some features such as Bluetooth not working as yet, but as he says he has homework to finish, I’m going to cut him a bit of slack…because Rosie is amazing!

Okay, it’s up on XDADevelopers now for download, as are the instructions. I’m about to try and do it, will let y’all know how it goes, maybe even a video demo how-to!

Installation is as follows:

Installation:
1. Download http://www.droiddeveloper.com/hrbuilds/app_s.zip
2. extract “app_s” into your sdcard’s ext2 partition.
3. Download http://www.droiddeveloper.com/hrbuilds/hero-signed.zip
4. Place on regular sd card.
5. Reboot into recovery, wipe and flash.
6. Enjoy.

Farewell Cupcake, I hardly knew ye…

UPDATE: Check the comments for some detailed instructions, courtesy of AB. Cheers, but use them at your own risk!

Source: Android Central