Points I like over the iphone: 1, the physical keyboard, despite a steep learning curve on the use of tiny keys and the poor contrast of letters on the white and bronze model, I give it 8 over 4 for iphone. I do agree that on-screen touchboard should be offered as an option for quick single-hand inputs, preferably via a small touch button, much like the home screen slider for applications, this way it avoids the severe loss of screen space if the virtual keyboard pops up everytime there’s an inputbox, the big no no for me on the iphone. 2, Gmail is my main app, and it’s a bliss o the G1. Yahoo mail is my spam-rich second app, easily setup in the POP mail app. 10 over iphone’s 5 (10 if I use mobilme, purely subjective here). 3, webbrowsing is much better for me, because I happen to like the fact that the pages are displayed in a readable fontsize and zoom level by default, and occasionally, the page is formatted messy due to odd placement of the ads, it’s easy to find the right part of the page via the on screen zoom tools. This is important as most people would go straight to reflex whining “where’s multitouch”, the fact is that although multitouch is a brilliant invention and it works well with two hands, it most definitely “requires” two hands, android’s setup is clearly a result of IP, but it’s also an intelligent design, because I can browse much easier using only one hand to swipe/scroll/move the view window around, and most time without zooming. On the iphone the pages openup in the lowest zoom level, I guess intended to show the whole page, but makes it a pain to read nytimes or newyorker, because you’ll be forced to zoom in everytime. G1 8, iphone 6, both need Flash and full JAVA app support to be ideal. 4, the trackball on G1 is a great addition, most useful for selecting tiny weblinks in pages like Yahoo financial, nytimes, and most link-dense pages. Again I dislike constant zoom in and outs on the iphone. G1 8, iphone 6. 5, in additon to the major usability issues listed above, I like the width od G1, as it allows for easier handling using one hand (I’m a righty, but found myself holding the phone lefthanded a lot, and enjoying the single hand browsing); generic usb/charging port is great, as I realize that I can use all my old Moto charging cords/car charger on the G1; battery can be changed and cheap on ebay; the white G1 is beautiful, however if the white iphone has white front I might have bypassed the Tmobil store, truth is I was on my way to the applestore to buy the white iphone, but the curiosity induced by online reviews got me in the t mobil store and I realised that most of the reviews did not do the G1 justice. G1 8, iphone 6.

Things I don’t like but can be inproved via app download or software updates: 1, on screen keyboard should be offered to enhance single hand operation. Iphone 9, G1 0. 2, accelerometer should be activated for the web display. Iphone 10, G1 0. 3, web browser should add a couple more onscreen controls in addition to zoom, how about “back” and “forward” with multilevel dropdown menu if hold at the navigationsoftkeys? The use of “menu” hard button is fine, but some of the basic functions are buried too deep. Iphone 8, G1 5.

Things I don’t like but can only hope for future hardwares: 1, reduced weight and thickness, not to the point that the phone can be served with cheese and dips though. The Jay Leno like chin can be made flat on the front and a weebit smaller. 2, headphone jack or stereo BT headphone support (software update?) Will help a little, but I would never waste battery juice on music, no way would I ditch my ipod nano over this.

That about it. And I think people should go play with the device for a hour or two to form an educated opinion, and evaluate based on individual needs. The G1 offers so much more than the factory first open base model, if you spend some time to customize it towards your own needs. Iphone and G1 should co-exist to force competition and evolve together. I love my G1, for the look, the feel, and the functionality. Oh, it’s cheaper too long term.

firmware upgrades, faster performance, better battery life–all within a month!). Also, with WiFi and t-mobile expanding, and replaceable 16GB micro SD cards + GDrive (50GB anyone?) AND 1350mah batteries, I think iphone buyers will be waiting for the nextgen $$$ model while the rest of us just do a basic s/w update. And AGPS appears to be quicker, but eats up more battery than the iphone…

Also, anyone try Google Maps Street View with the digital compass? Or 3-axis motion apps? It’s available on the G1.

Android actually has more flexibility if one chooses to learn all the features, but the it’s not as simple. There are features in the device that have yet to be discovered/unlocked. A lot of the Apple appstore apps are already ported to the G1 and… they’re FREE. Only enterprise apps need payment at this time. Google is looking at the software as a service model–free apps, you pay for service (either via free ads or subscription). That’s why they went with t-mobile’s WCDMA vs UTMS (both HSP*A, but t-moblies is classified as 3.5G) more geared for intensive networking. Of course, t-mobile fails since coverage is a HUGE issue.

As for h/w, the 2 are pretty much even. The 3G iphone has gotten “cheaper” and the G1 is at that same level. The G1 does have the potential to run faster (OS + firmware updates). And face it, typing on a keyboard with 2 digits and a trackball button is going to be more efficient/faster than juggling a [slippery] one action entry touchscreen. Also, as for the ‘proprietary’ headphone jack–as of Nov 2008, it’s an ExtUSB with a normal 3.5 extension for headphones! Can’t argue that against the G1 anymore. 1 month and they are already pushing out improvements like that (as well as better slider mechanism, sound, firmware upgrades, faster performance, better battery life–all within a month!). Also, with WiFi and t-mobile expanding, and replaceable 16GB micro SD cards + GDrive (50GB anyone?) AND 1350mah batteries, I think iphone buyers will be waiting for the nextgen $$$ model while the rest of us just do a basic s/w update. And AGPS appears to be quicker, but eats up more battery than the iphone…

Also, anyone try Google Maps Street View with the digital compass? Or 3-axis motion apps? It’s available on the G1.