T-Mobile and Google Introduce First Android Phone

[Snowcat001]

I don't see why this is page one news or any news at all. It's not Apple!
It's not that every new notebook on the market gets its own page one story, why should this phone be any different???

I vote negative!

 

[ilfn143]

Maybe I'm just using it wrong, but I've never had the need for copy/paste on my iPhone. I find all the vitriol thrown around about its nonexistence a bit disproportionate with its potential actual use in real-life.

/my humble opinion

i have a utf-8 character username on other forum that can't be type on iPhone, if i could copy/paste it i could login and post there. or if i'm reading something interesting i could just send that not a whole freakin link. if apple come out with copy/paste some people going "wow that's the greatest thing ever!"

 

[powderblue17]

I honestly expected a lot more out of this just because Google was behind it but I have to say that that interface is hideous and although it seems pretty fast the transitions are just as jerky and bad as the overall interface. Why would you design a small touchscreen device with 3D icons? The only people I see picking this up are linux geek types and people who just don't know any better.

 

[lancer674]

I really hope the platform takes off and does really well, but they do not do themselves any service comparing to and trying to compete with the iPhone though. I love seeing Linux getting it's little moment here, anything *nix is an improvement over Windows Mobile. Maybe this will finally do it for Windows Mobile, with Apple, Google, and RIM in the game, maybe M$ just won't have enough room to keep it going.

I personally am an iPhone user, and I don't see myself jumping to T-Mobile for this platform, I'm not very impressed, but I am certainly hoping to be impressed in the future so that I can applaud them for their efforts. Free markets always drive innovations.

I already get GMail and Yahoo mail Push anyways, and the keyboard, the keyboard , for the love of all that is good in this world, kill the keyboard and use the space for something more valuable, like memory, etc. iPhone's keyboard is great and if the physical keyboard is what is the deal breaker for people on the iPhone, they are just going to go to Blackberry anyways. Stop being an iPhone sidekick thingy knockoff.

 

[w00master]

How many times do people need to say it. iTunes will be completely drm-free when the labels allow Apple to sell the music that way. Labels are allowing Amazon to sell drm-free music to prop up Amazon so the label's can become less dependent on iTunes.

Here's what you don't get. Until Apple does this, I will continue to buy my songs from Amazon, and *not* iTunes.

The DRM problem is Apple's, not mine.

 

[miketcool]

the dark days are coming to redmond.

so to all of us apple fanboys out there i say rejoice for we are seeing what we all have been waiting for a long time:

the beginning of the end of microsoft.

Reads like a self fulfilling prophecy. My thoughts exactly.

 

[DMann]

"Fugly" is right on. If it "wont win a beauty contest", I don't see this particular model doing that much damage to the iPhone's market share. However, competition is what made Apple the company it is today. So long as they are the underdog, they will continue to crap awesome out their arse

Actually, "foogly" seems a bit more appropriate. Seems to be a bit too clunky, sluggish, (Resistive screen with no zoom capabilities vs Apple's more fluid Capacitive screen) and third party apps will likely choke on the shaky OS. This ought to give the Windows Mobile platform a run for its money though, as well as accelerate the deployment of Cut & Paste for the iPhone.

 

[Aurial]

You guys do realise that Apple are not the inventors of the accelerometer right?

And what does the term 'iPhone killer' mean exactly? Does it mean 'to command more market share', because even windows mobile does this?

 

[GRuizMD]

How do you get it to display other country/language's keyboards? I've yet to get the Ñ key to appear even when I choose Spanish as the langauge. I still have to hit N and wait for it to pull up the menu.

You have to program for languages in settings if I remember well. It will change the autocorrection to spanish. The ñ appears only when you hit and sustain the n though... Not a big deal really..

 

[w00master]

+1 here on that

User of iPhone since day 1: Never needed the famous copy-paste some people complain about... Maybe these people should try the android, since it has this "vital" function... On the other hand I was much more accurate and fast with my physical Palm keyboard.... Maybe I need to practice a little more

So, explain to me this. What if you had to text someone your friend's address and you didn't know it from the top of your head? Don't you think it's a little annoying to have to go to your contacts, then either write the address down or attempt to memorize it, go back to SMS then type it all out again?

That's just ONE example.

Also, people bring up data detectors. Sorry, but Apple CANNOT build data detectors for everything. Additionally, much of what data detectors does ONLY GOES ONE WAY. Other apps CANNOT (at this moment) data detectors. Which is WHY data detectors are not a legitimate argument against copy and paste.

Most of you who don't "care about" copy and paste, aren't seeing the big picture. If you use the argument that the iPhone is essentially a mini computer, then this should give you the reasoning why copy and paste is necessary. You may not find it necessary RIGHT NOW, but down the line it is 100% essential. I want to be able to copy information from one app to another. Right now, this is not possible with the Jesus Phone. It's absolutely crazy on why it isn't possible.

 

[bytethese]

Maybe I'm just using it wrong, but I've never had the need for copy/paste on my iPhone. I find all the vitriol thrown around about its nonexistence a bit disproportionate with its potential actual use in real-life.

/my humble opinion

I think you are using it wrong.

It would be nice to copy from a webpage to an email or vice versa. Sometimes I'd like to quote something I read on a webpage and post in a blog, hell, on Macrumors, etc. Copying to/from text messages would be most helpful too. "hey do you have so and so's email address and.or phone number?" *copy/paste*. Yes, I will need to keep dreaming for now I suppose...

 

[shoebobs]

so to all of us apple fanboys out there i say rejoice for we are seeing what we all have been waiting for a long time: the beginning of the end of microsoft.

I don't consider myself an apple fanboy. So for those who are, do you really want to see Microsoft eliminated? I mean I understand you don't like the company but I think the competition it brings is very important.

Which is why this Android launch is important. So it's not an "iPhone Killer" currently, but there will be improvements and innovations that will only make Apple bring better offerings to the table.

The last think I would want is for Apple to be the only option for Computers/Mobile Phones/Music Players, etc...

 

[OriginalMacRat]

I've never had any trouble with T-Mobile unlocking my phones though.

I was unable to get T-Mobile to unlock a Motorola RAZR V3. Tried 3 times and each time they would just respond that they couldn't get the information from the vendor.

So I ended up taking it to a 3rd party shop and they unlocked it for $30.

 

[bytethese]

I triple agree -- and it's all thanks to Apple design. For example:

1. Need to email a Web page? You can do so from Safari. No need to copy and paste the URL.

2. Need to dial a number? Just tap it and the Phone application dials it. No need to copy and paste it into the Phone application.

I don't think Apple gets enough credit for some of this clever design.

1. Yes, but I don't want to email the whole page sometimes, maybe just a quote from it to those who don't have an iPhone with a nice looking safari browser.

2. Yes, that's great, but what if a friend texts you "Do you have ____'s number?" I have to go in contacts and try to remember the number and then text it, where copy/paste would be pretty helpful there.

 

[nitewolfgtr]

I like the copy & paste and Gmail push..... but....
Why does it look so ugly....

I figured Google would be a little more innovative on the design. It just looks like a typical windows mobile phone...

come on google, you can do better than this!

 

[slackpacker]

Hey... Google is the new Microsoft!

Hey what I'm really mad about is they have been holding out on Google Streetview. Sure they were all happy to work with Apple on G-Maps.... and steal Development info from Apple just to make .... it. Ahh Business.

 

[FoxHoundADAM]

"I may be paranoid but I am no android"

 

[OriginalMacRat]

Do they mean officially?

You can tether the iPhone.

No you can't.

Apple pulled a tethering application from the App Store.

ATT claims that they are working on a "blessed" tethering option that will of course come with extra charges.

 

[Island Dog]

Hopefully this will spur some more innovation on Apples part.

 

[fat phil]

And what does the term 'iPhone killer' mean exactly? Does it mean 'to command more market share', because even windows mobile does this?

Well everything sounds better and draws more attention if you have the words KILLER, FREE MONEY or BREASTS included. I could make the font bigger, and maybe red, but that would only scare some people away.

Anyway, in all seriousness, it's all a bit boring really. The iPhone has made more than a few people open their tired eyes and see a new bandwagon.

Innovation is always followed by imitation. What makes me laugh is that Apple get all the credit just because they made a "pretty" imitation of existing technology, and added a few extras on. Of course, a fair few sharper-minded people stopped laughing when they realised the extras were crammed in where all the usual stuff would normally be

It's like that episode of Battlestar Galactica (The Long Patrol, I think - original series) where Starbuck's sitting in the souped-up StarBurst Viper ("fastest thing in the universe!"):

Starbuck: "How did you get that faster engine in this thing? It doesn't look any bigger..."

Apollo: "It's not. We removed the laser generators"

Starbuck: "Oh yes, that makes sense...

(as he launches into space)

Starbuck: "Wait....but that means no weapons...!!??"

 

[MrCrowbar]

Why can't Apple just add a "forward" option to the text interface?

I'd love an "abort" button when sending SMS. Happened twice already that an SMS to my loved one went to someone else because the receipient name is only really apparent when the message is on it's way. And there's no way to abort, can't even turn the phone off quickly enough.

I know it sounds dumb, but I usually I go into SMS, then there's already a conversation open, I start typing adn tap "send". Does anyone know a solution to this?

 

[FoxHoundADAM]

Well everything sounds better and draws more attention if you have the words KILLER, FREE MONEY or BREASTS included. I could make the font bigger, and maybe red, but that would only scare some people away.

Anyway, in all seriousness, it's all a bit boring really. The iPhone has made more than a few people open their tired eyes and see a new bandwagon.

Innovation is always followed by imitation. What makes me laugh is that Apple get all the credit just because they made a "pretty" imitation of existing technology, and added a few extras on. Of course, a fair few sharper-minded people stopped laughing when they realised the extras were crammed in where all the usual stuff would normally be

It's like that episode of Battlestar Galactica (The Long Patrol, I think - original series) where Starbuck's sitting in the souped-up StarBurst Viper ("fastest thing in the universe!"):

Starbuck: "How did you get that faster engine in this thing? It doesn't look any bigger..."

Apollo: "It's not. We removed the laser generators"

Starbuck: "Oh yes, that makes sense...

(as he launches into space)

Starbuck: "Wait....but that means no weapons...!!??"

SPOILER ALER...jeez I just finished season 1 the other day, now the entire show is ruined!!!

(kidding kidding)

 

[CaptainCaveMann]

God it's annoying to see this on here. Let's keep it MAC eh?

 

[olternaut]

this is good, will keep apple on their toes

next iphone needs a hardware compass to do that awesome street view VR thing

Exactly exactly exactly egggsssssssactly!! You can tell that ol Steve-o was getting a touch bit too smug bout the iphone. Good! This will keep Steve on his toes.
I want the android platform to be a lively and healthy platform so Steve will have no choice but to continue to improve his products. Oh of course he is improving his product you may say.
But with android he (and Apple) will be pushed to improve their stuff all the more!

Remember, this is just one handset, on one carrier. Imagine when android is on multiple handsets (of different types) on multiple carriers with multiple price points and payment plans. Yes, its going to have its set of problems and growing pains but this sure don't look like no windows mobile crap thats for dang sure!

EDIT: I'm telling you right now......windows is history!

 

[0098386]

So not only is it ugly but it uses Amazons music store; this phone will only be released in the US. Nicely played Google.

TBH the whole thing just looks clunky from design to the menu. At least Apple nailed the UI down when they launched.

Hardware keyboard, ew.