Pardon me for the ugly photos. We were in low light and I didn’t have a decent camera to take photos. Then again, the blurry shots give some sort of “OMG you really held one!” aura. Heh.

So Art “no rice” Samaniego (inside joke, folks! :) ) calls this the “Ugly Betty” of the mobile phone industry. It is by far the most interesting piece of technology since the iPhone because it is the first implementation of Google’s Android OS. So it is indeed curious, and thanks to Art I was able to take a few shots of the G1, which was manufactured by HTC.

More photos and extensive first impressions after the jump.

Design
Although HTC is now known for their elegant Touch series of devices, the G1 is very disappointing in terms of aesthetics. Compare this side by side an iPhone, a Nokia E71 or a Palm Treo and the G1 definitely stands out as the least elegant. In fact, if you’ve ever held a BenQ P50 or P51, the G1 feels like a spiritual successor in terms of the way it cradles onto your hand. I must reiterate, it does look cheap.

The design of the G1 is highlighted by the odd slider mechanism that snaps the screen in and out, revealing or hiding the QWERTY keypad. Although unique, the mechanism snaps in and out with so much force, it may cause you to drop the device if you’re not careful. You’re going to be doing a lot of opening and closing as this is the default way to input text. Sliding the keypad out automatically brings you to landscape view.

Usability
If you’re curious to compare the scroll quality of the G1 (powered by Android) and the iPhone / iPod touch, I made a short video demo below. It’s very similar:

The UI philosophy behind the G1 is very different from the iPod touch / iPhone as the former is limited to three side scrolls and a taskbar which you can pull up at any time. The three menus contain apps, displayable widgets (like Google Chrome, you can convert apps into shortcuts or widgets onto the main menu), and a search bar. The taskbar displays all the apps you’ve installed. Widgets can be dragged around the screen by simply pressing and holding and then dragging them around.

Perhaps the biggest winner for Android is the Android Apps store. This is very similar to the Apple iTunes / Apps Store with the exception that there aren’t much restrictions to application approvals. This allows developers more freedom, yet it can also cloud the store with a lot of useless applications. But as stated in the book, The Wisdom of Crowds, the community will eventually self monitor content, with the more useful applications standing out.

Features
The G1’s 3.1MP camera isn’t something worth writing home about. Here’s a sample photo taken with it, resized to 600 x 400 for easy viewing. I took out the flash.

Other features include Bluetooth, 802.11g WiFi, and GPS navigation. What’s also disappointing with the G1 is that you cannot beam photos via Bluetooth. You need to send them via GMail.

The G1’s browser is very decent. Although the device is touch screen enabled, you cannot perform the pinching functions similar to the iPhone.

Bottomline
Art asked me to rate the device based on my first impressions. I have to agree with him that we should wait for the “G2″ or whatever HTC comes up with for T-Mobile. Apart from the odd sliding keyboard, the G1’s body is also slightly curved. The built in scroll wheel in the middle of the device is a good addition, but it would have been to T-Mobile’s benefit if they made the device look a little more elegant.

However, in terms of what’s inside the device, the G1 is a software masterpiece, as it is the only device that truly matches the iPhone’s usability without compromising it’s own set of neat features. I honestly can’t wait to see how Android develops in the next few months.

Afterthought
The exciting thing about G1 is that this is the proof of concept of Android – a Linux based operating system that aims to cut cost in production because it is free. Because it is supported by an open community, the user experience becomes more sensitive in terms of making adjustments. What’s even more promising is that phone manufacturers are already placing their bet on an Android device. Not only will this cut cost, but it will also enable big phone manufacturers to customize Android to fit their hardware. Imagine a Nokia or Samsung or Sony Ericsson phone running on Android with an iPhone like experience? And this definitely will not hurt their pervious investments (Nokia for instance has S60) because since Android is an open platform, it will be relatively easy* to create applications or conduits to sync data to and from their proprietary operating systems (like Symbian, Windows Mobile, BlackBerry etc).

* Nota Bene: this is merely an assumption based on what information we’re given, but it seems very possible and probable.

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You have 43 Responses

  1. Hmm. I want to see the next model.

    2. Juned on November 16th, 2008 at 12:56 pm

  2. Sana maka hawak din ako. Di ba mas cheaper ito compared to iPhone?

    3. Awa Tiro (The Copycat) on November 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

  3. I agree. I have also held the tmobile G1 and was unimpressed by the unit. It had first generation flaws all over. But the G1 is more of like a proof of concept of the potential of android. Once the open community embraces the platform and google puts boatloads of money to develop it further and smoothen out the edges this may be the future of smartphone OS. And hopefully nokia embraces android too for future iterations of their touch screen phones as symbian just wasn’t made for touch interface.

    4. Lawrence on November 16th, 2008 at 10:55 pm

  4. Hi Lawrence,

    IMHO Nokia will probably make a few of these devices but they’ll still stick to their commitment to the S60 platform at least in the short term. There’s huge potential for Android as OS licensing for mobile phones isn’t as “Selfish” as it used to be: i.e. Samsung licenses S60 as well and Windows Mobile while Motorola also has a few WM6 devices and Linux-based OS hacks.

    Good times to be a consumer!

    5. Jayvee on November 16th, 2008 at 11:09 pm

  5. Hopefully I can play with this phone one day.

    6. noemi on November 17th, 2008 at 1:30 am

  6. [...] know that the Google Phone, or the HTC G1 Android, reached Philippine shores until I read Jayvee’s entry. By sheer coincidence, I caught up with Art Samaniego, Technews Section Editor of the Manila [...]

    7. HTC G1 Android Google Phone in the Philippines | Techie's Gadgets on November 17th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

  7. So does G1 work in Manila?

    8. ben on November 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm

  8. yes it does. i even sent email using SMART 3G

    9. Jayvee on November 21st, 2008 at 3:23 pm

  9. Tmobile G1 video clip, check it out!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoDWh5Eezp0

    10. jon on November 25th, 2008 at 8:51 am

  10. Well as a developer, we liked the “internet client” phone even the design is not that impressive, yes this year it is going to be all Android (the other phone manufacturers will improve theirs or make one like Palm Pre) phones, app, news desktop,laptops etc..

    11. Mike on January 12th, 2009 at 10:03 am

  11. Hi, where did you buy your unit? Was it already unlocked when you bought it?

    12. Ria on January 12th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

  12. what network are you using, my relative from the usa sent me an unlock g1, but i can’t configure the apn settings.

    13. noel on January 30th, 2009 at 5:20 pm

  13. hi, can you give me the apn setting for the htc g1 either for smart or globe… or sun kasi di ako makapasok sa google account registration. it would always say na that there’s a server problem….so i think i have to set the gprs/mms and internet settings nito manually. thanks

    14. candy tuazon on February 14th, 2009 at 11:45 am

  14. i have the same problem with Ms. Candy. i just bought my own G1 phone from the US and it’s been sitting in my drawer for 3 wks now coz i can’t use it! i had it unlocked already, but it can’t access to the internet and would always say i have a problem with my sim (i’m using SMART). if anybody knows how i can activate and finally use my G1 phone, pls be an angel and email me at joei_f@yahoo.com..i will very much appreciate it. thanks:)

    15. Rochelle on February 26th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

  15. anyone having some problems with activating their g1, i’ll gladly email you my settings so you can use it here :)

    16. Sherwin on March 10th, 2009 at 12:01 pm

  16. Hi Sherwin, I’m having the same problem as Rochelle and Candy. Can you email the settings you are using and the carrier. tnx! You can email me at kingnoe@hotmail.com

    17. N on March 10th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

  17. Hi! Sherwin, good day! can u help me how can i use my G1. I have the same PROBLEM just like Candy ‘n Rochelle di ko rin magamit ang G1 ko.

    Thank you for giving this matter your prompt attention and we are looking forward to your favorable response to my concern.

    Nennette

    18. Nennette on March 10th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

  18. sure, emailed it to N and Rochelle already. please do post your email so i can forward the message to you Nennette. Thanks! (and try to replace @ with para hindi makuha email address niyo nang spammers or what not ) :)

    19. Sherwin on March 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

  19. I’m looking for the APN Configuration setting for my G1. My phone is already unlocked. I’m using Globe as my ISP. Any reply would be appreciated. Thank you!

    20. Ivory Taylor on March 13th, 2009 at 3:08 pm

  20. Hi! I recently got a G1 from my friend from the US. He used it for a week there before he sent it to me. Thus, his google account is still the one registered with the phone. I can text and call using the phone but i cant connect to wifi or 3G since it still can’t be configured. What can i do to change the google account registered in the phone? Should I perform a factory setting reset? Thank you.

    21. kit on March 14th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

  21. Hi kit, if you do a factory reset, you will have to put in the globe APN again.

    22. Sherwin on March 17th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

  22. thanks sherwin. can you send me the apn for globe? you can email it to me here: kcvn86-one[AT]yahoo[DOT]com

    23. kit on March 25th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

  23. Sherwin can you email me the APN and other settings that you use for Globe to be use on the G1. Thanks.

    24. Bill on April 6th, 2009 at 2:44 am

  24. Sherwin my email address is racingordy24@gmail.com

    25. Bill on April 6th, 2009 at 2:45 am

  25. Hi can i also the APN settings for Tmobile G1 for Gmail setup? may it be Globe, Smart or SUN. Thanks. My email is aadon_salvador@yahoo(dot)com

    26. Don on April 11th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

  26. Hi Sherwin will you also email me the APN settings so I can use the internet and MMS on my G1, my carrier is SMART, I would greatly appreaciate it. My email addy is rosal548@gmail.com

    27. Jason on April 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

  27. dude please i need your help. i have this g1 and i can’t use it i tried all the apn settings i can get my hands on but still. kaput! i even went to globe but all they can do is to send me the settings via text message but i cant even open the phone. dude please send me the settings here’s my email address josephrommelramos@gmail.com

    28. joseph ramos on April 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

  28. Hi Sherwin,

    Pls send me ur setting smart or globe will do. both will be great. Here’s my email add. reymundmartin(At)yahoo(dot)com
    tks a lot

    29. Reymund on April 15th, 2009 at 10:58 am

  29. Hi Sherwin,
    Please send the globe APN settings to me. Email samuel.lawson(at)gmail(dot)com

    Thanks

    30. Sam on April 17th, 2009 at 10:40 am

  30. hi can you Please Help me with the APN setting for Smart? ksi hangang sa confirmation Lng ako ng Gmail eh.. Salamat po and More Power… eto po email ko.. warthugs4ever@yahoo(dot)com

    31. Norman on April 17th, 2009 at 11:21 am

  31. Ok for globe this is easy just put:

    Name: Globe Internet (does not matter)
    APN: internet.globe.com.ph
    Proxy: 203.177.042.214
    Port: 8080

    No need to provide values for the other settings.

    No need to delete the other APNs.

    32. Sam on April 17th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

  32. Hi Sherwin. Would you mind emailing me the APN settings for Smart…my email lizakm@hotmail(dot)com

    Thanks..also which carrier are you using (globe or smart)?

    33. liza on April 28th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

  33. hi! please email me the APN settings for globe.. my email ad is : sharae_chua@yahoo(dot)com
    thanks..

    34. Shar on May 7th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

  34. hi! please also send me the APN settings for Globa and smart, my email ad is purple_charmed_one@yahoo(dot)com.

    Thanks in advance!

    35. ela on May 11th, 2009 at 3:15 am

  35. Hi, can you please send your working APN settings for Globe, I’m using prepaid. Thanks! mharkusATyahooDOTcom

    36. Marc on May 11th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

  36. hi Sherwin,

    can you also email me the apn settings for smart. I would really appreaciate it. Here’s my email maribeth[at]domains.ph

    thank you.

    37. mhau on May 13th, 2009 at 10:07 am

  37. Hi Sherwin,

    Can you email me the APN for Globe? Thanks!!

    38. richard on May 23rd, 2009 at 6:22 am

  38. Hi Sherwin,

    Can you email me the APN for Globe? chard_v@hotmail(dot)com

    thanks!!

    39. richard on May 23rd, 2009 at 6:24 am

  39. hello can you please email me the apn settings for globe and smart please sherwin. my email addy is voltez01@yahoo.com the 0 is ZERO not the letter O. thank you in advance!!!

    40. Volt on May 31st, 2009 at 5:50 pm

  40. hi sherwin, not sure if you still read this thread. would you mind sending me the apn settings you have (globe or sun) to ploggy_at_hotmail.com

    thanks in advance.

    41. carlo on June 4th, 2009 at 12:11 am

  41. Greetings Sherwin, Can you email me the APN settings for Globe? Thank you. My email is rockyv5[AT]yahoo[DOT]com. I will be waiting for your reply. thanks

    42. Rocky on June 5th, 2009 at 9:16 am

  42. saan po ba kayo na pa open lyn ng g1 phine, i have 1 now pero di pa na pa open line.. need help tlaga… tnx

    43. jr on June 12th, 2009 at 5:26 pm

  43. good day SHERWIN.. the apn setting for globe that is in here don’t work for my g1.. can you send me an apn setting for smart and globe? thanks.. kindly mail it to me @ earlmarcelo_07@yahoo.com.. thanks

    44. Earl on June 27th, 2009 at 9:42 pm

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