The Far Side of Tech

photo credit: MobileBurn

I’ve come to the realization that I desperately want the T-Mobile G1. Last year I was itching for a new phone, and ended up grabbing a Helio Ocean in November. But, let’s face it, the Ocean is so 2007 by this point–not to mention that Helio has since been bought out by Virgin Mobile, which makes their future (along with that of a potential Ocean successor) somewhat murky. Along comes the G1–which retains the Oceans oh-so-necessary QWERTY slider keyboard–and, conveniently enough, seems to improve on all the features of the Ocean.

Evolving from Dual Sliders

The defining characteristic of the Helio Ocean is the phone’s dual slider configuration. Slide up vertically and the phone reveals a standard number pad. Slide horizontally, and you get a QWERTY keyboard. While ingenious (it required the invention of a new type of triangular spring), this configuration also makes the Ocean a bit bulkier than some other phones. [Technology Review ran a large feature covering the Ocean's design in 2007, and it's well worth their site's annoying registration.]

The G1 improves on this design by foregoing the number pad (which I never use anyway), and instead relies on a larger, touch-enabled screen. Unfortunately for Helio, the first generation iPhone was released only a few months after the Ocean, which rendered the Ocean’s slider configuration almost instantly obsolete. Since the iPhone, touch screens have become the new milestone for cellphone manufacturers. Word is that the Ocean 2 is retaining the dual slider configuration, and won’t feature a touch screen. If that’s the case, then Helio has truly learned nothing from the iPhone’s success.

Open to Third-Party Applications

Helio kept the Ocean’s appplication development even more restricted than Apple did for the iPhone. At least Apple developed a system whereby independent developers could get their third party apps approved–Helio only made software by large companies available, and offered no solution for independent developers. Of course, as is usually the case when artificial limitations are placed on a platform, a homebrew scene eventually formed around the Ocean, and power users were able to take more advantage of the Ocean’s capabilities.

The open nature of the Android operating system is one of it’s biggest selling points, and while I’m sure we’ll see a fair amount of useless applications, I’m more excited about the potential for truly great independent software coming from the community.

It’s Still Ahead of the iPhone 3G in Some Ways

Some of the most satisfying “features” of the Ocean were those that the first generation iPhone conspicuously lacked; specifically, 3G network access and GPS. While that’s no longer the case for the iPhone, the G1 continues the trend of braggably better features like the 3 megapixel camera, the previously mentioned open application philosophy, and copy and paste functionality (I’m sad I have to list this too). That the G1 is directly integrated into all of Google’s services is also a plus for some, myself included.

Wrapping Up

My main issue with the G1 right now is T-Mobile–a company that unfortunately doesn’t have the most robust 3G network in America. Looking at their 3G coverage map, it turns out that I only have Edge coverage in the places I would use the phone the most. Sure, Wi-Fi is always an option, but I’m not quite sure if that inconvenience is worth giving up the 3G speeds I’ve been so spoiled with this past year. Hopefully T-Mobile will get their act together for 2009, or Google will get the G1 and other Android phones on other carriers soon.

I know I’m not alone in my technolust for the G1, and this is definitely a good sign for Google. They’ve pulled an Apple, and have shown significant clout in an unfamiliar market. Let’s face it, Apple needs competition in this sphere–because they’re certainly not going to get it from Microsoft. That the T-Mobile G1 has already made me justify paying the $175 fee to get out of my Helio contract speaks volumes. I just hope Google, along with the Android cellphone carriers and hardware manufacturers, can keep this up.

Update 10/15/08: Dean Takahashi offers a great overview of the G1 over at VentureBeat. MG Siegler is also reporting that some preorder customers may be getting their G1 this Friday, October 17.

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