Google phone: Better luck next time?

Tag : camera cell phone

By Sinead Carew
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nice try with the new phone, Google. Betterluck next time. That's what some seem to be saying about GoogleInc's (GOOG.O: Quote , Profile , Research , Stock Buzz ) first foray into the world of cell phones. But while it may notattract long lines like Apple Inc's (AAPL.O: Quote , Profile , Research , Stock Buzz ) iPhone, it offers much to those looking to use their phones formore than talking.
So what's it like? The G1, which is made for Google by HTC Corp(2498.TW: Quote , Profile , Research , Stock Buzz ) and sold by Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGn.DE: Quote , Profile , Research , Stock Buzz ) unit T-Mobile, actually resembles an older handset -- theSidekick, a soapbar-shaped phone also created by G1 designer AndyRubin, the father of Google's Android mobile operating system. Ithas touch-screen controls, and a miniature computer keyboard thatis uncovered by sliding the screen out.
This means a chunkier gadget than the svelte iPhone.
But it makes for a more familiar typing experience for consumerswho dislike iPhone's virtual keypad, especially for typing longernotes.
The G1, which was greeted with cheers when it was unveiled in NewYork on Tuesday, shares many functions with iPhone -- a full webbrowser, an online market to buy games and software, and a musicplayer. This will work in its favor for shoppers whose expectationsfrom Google weren't as lofty.
Experts were not as giddy. Some analysts noted its lack of sometypical smartphone features such as corporate e-mail and companiondesktop software.
"This is an important device, but there has to be more to it,"Michael Gartenberg a Jupitermedia analyst who described the phoneas "a good first step" after the launch, even as he created achecklist of what he wants for the next versions.
Upcoming versions of the phone could have a completely new userinterface, as Google has opened the operating system to outsidedevelopers. Both T-Mobile USA and HTC already have plans to offermore phones based on the Google systems. Continued...