A Fab Phone For The Future (T-Mobile G1)

Member Name: jimbo123

Product:	T-Mobile G1
Date:	01/10/09 (8 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Innovative and Feature-Full

Disadvantages: Horrific Battery Life.

The G1 heralds a new era in mobile phone operating systems. That alone is attraction enough for buying one. But in case that doesn't convince you, here are the pros and cons.

The Android operating system installed on the G1 is very competent. I have never experienced, freezes, hangs or sudden shutdowns, the likes of which are common with some other models. The software is fully integrated with Google servers. This is good if you are already using Google mail and are au fait with various Google products, but a nuisance if you are a newcomer. For instance, subscription to a Google Account is mandatory if you want to unlock the phone. Not a problem for me, but one for some others.

The Market system allows users to download apps created by developers across the world. While this doesn't match the iTunes store, it is nevertheless a useful market place for downloading functional or fun applications, which are usually free. One of my favourites is the London Underground News app.

The solid state keyboard is a gift for regular text and email-ers who are sick of fiddly on-screen keyboards. It has rapidly increased the rate of text typing and I am even experimenting with using it for work documents. The keys are easy to use.

The battery life is one of the most disappointing parts of this phone. It is woefully short, and even less so if you have the GPS on for more than 10 minutes. This phone has trouble surviving beyond a day. To rectify this, I have had to buy another battery, physically twice the size of the ordinary battery and an extra-wide back case in order to use my phone over the weekend.

Summary: Fun, but not for the Faint-Hearted.