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Thursday, September 18, 2008, 08:00 am
First Google-branded Android phone to arrive at iPhone pricing
The first mobile handset running Google's Android software will showcase the search giant's brand and be priced in line with Apple's iPhone 3G, according to the Wall Street Journal.In an article on its website Thursday, the financial paper said the HTC-manufacturered device, known amongst Internet circles as the Dream, will be priced at $199 and required a two-year service contract with T-Mobile when it's announced September 23rd.
In addition, the handset will feature co-branding from Google, which has reportedly helped T-Mobile finance some of the development efforts. Together, the pair plan to announce separate but "aggressively priced" data services packages for the device because Google "wants to see the phone sell at high volumes."
Among the Dream's features -- seen in the video below -- will be a large touch-screen, a track-ball for navigation and a swivel-out full keyboard, the Journal said. It will also run several Google applications, such as Maps, and feature an online market place akin to Apple's App Store.
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Previous Comments View All
I thought the iPhone was wildly overpriced? Guess not........
Sorry HTC, the only cellphone manufacturer out there is Apple. Nobody will buy your stupid shitty phone with its stupid features.
Apple 4ever.
Peace out.
Sorry HTC, the only cellphone manufacturer out there is Apple. Nobody will buy your stupid shitty phone with its stupid features.
Apple 4ever.
Peace out.
I'm confused? How much total marketshare does Apple have in the VAST cellphone market? And not everyone needs a multimedia phone. I'd bet that most phones sold in the U.S. are flip or bar phones with small screens and just a numberpad -- you know, the ones that are likely free after rebate or $20 after rebate with a two-year contract.
For those people that simply need to make phone calls and take a few crappy pictures every once in a while, what more do you need?
Now if we're talking "smartphones", the iPhone has a sizeable portion of the market, but it is hardly the only cell phone manufacturer out there.
It looks like it solves some of my major iPhone complaints:
1. The iPhone is just too thin and portable. I forget it's in my pocket. Come on, give me some bulk!
2. The iPhone has no complex hinges or sliding parts to jam up or break over time. Where's the fun in that? Operating my phone should be like playing with a Transformers toy--and it should require two hands to do so. I get lazy pulling my iPhone out and typing without ever needing my other hand.
The iPhone's big multi-touchscreen lets the phone do away with those other parts. Glad to see not everyone feels the need to take advantage of that philosophy. Two different ways to point--finger directly, or indirectly via trackball. Too cool 
Well worth extra space in my pocket!
I'm confused? How much total marketshare does Apple have in the VAST cellphone market? And not everyone needs a multimedia phone. I'd bet that most phones sold in the U.S. are flip or bar phones with small screens and just a numberpad -- you know, the ones that are likely free after rebate or $20 after rebate with a two-year contract.
For those people that simply need to make phone calls and take a few crappy pictures every once in a while, what more do you need?
Now if we're talking "smartphones", the iPhone has a sizeable portion of the market, but it is hardly the only cell phone manufacturer out there.
If Apple built a phone that was just a phone, no iPod functionality and no internet, I would have still bought it as it's a hell of a lot better than my previous phone (a RAZR).
... will be priced at $199 and required a two-year service contract with T-Mobile ...
It should say "and requires a two-year service contract".
Sorry HTC, the only cellphone manufacturer out there is Apple. Nobody will buy your stupid shitty phone with its stupid features.
Apple 4ever.
Peace out.
I prefer not to go down the bashing route. I see this on WIRED's forums too much and I don't understand why. I think competition is a good thing. Plus, what might be right for me may be craptasticly wrong for others. I dig Apple and I'm most comfortable with Apple because of the field I'm in. I do think they have fantastic product design/integration that other are scrambling to mimic. But like I said, competition is a good thing.
Could that video have been any worse? I suspect the final product may be a little better than the impression given here. It'd better. From HW pov it looks bad, like nagromme points out. I think most people will buy this phone because of Android, however. Can't wait for the reviews.
It looks like it solves some of my major iPhone complaints:
1. The iPhone is just too thin and portable. I forget it's in my pocket. Come on, give me some bulk!
2. The iPhone has no complex hinges or sliding parts to jam up or break over time. Where's the fun in that? Operating my phone should be like playing with a Transformers toy--and it should require two hands to do so. I get lazy pulling my iPhone out and typing without ever needing my other hand.
Sweet! I look forward to seeing what fresh ideas Android can bring to the table. As for the price, $199 is a little steep for a device that is EDGE only, unless the data package is only $20. How much on-board flash does it have for $199?
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Looks like a glorified Palm pilot.