Android targets iPhone as T-Mobile takes 1.5 million pre-orders

by Stevie Smith - Oct 14 2008, 13:00

There’s no denying the appeal and popularity associated with the trend-leading and award-winning iPhone handset, but the market prominence enjoyed by Apple’s iconic smartphone may soon be under threat from Google’s virgin entrant into the hotly contested mobile phone market. $T-Mobile reportedly inundated with 1.5 million pre-orders for Google\'s G1 handset. Image: T-Mobile.$

T-Mobile reportedly inundated with 1.5 million pre-orders for Google\'s G1 handset. Image: T-Mobile.

Specifically, various sources have this week reported that industry watchers are claiming U.S. carrier T-Mobile has already taken approximately 1.5 million pre-orders for the Google G1 phone, which runs on the Android OS, the all-encompassing single code operating system backed by the world’s biggest search provider.Initially uncovered by the folk at Motley Fool, and reported by the likes of UPI and ChannelWeb (CRN), pre-release demand for the G1 in the U.S. market is believed to be around three times larger than the original handset order T-Mobile placed with the G1’s Taiwan-based manufacturer High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC).While neither T-Mobile nor Google have offered comment regarding the pre-order figures, a statement posted to the official T-Mobile Web site outlines that the carrier is “setting aside even more T-Mobile G1 phones,” due to “overwhelming demand.” “Supplies are limited, so this is your chance to order yours today before it hits the streets and guarantee you don’t go without,” urges the statement ahead of the G1’s upcoming October 22 retail release date.According to T-Mobile, those customers placing orders before October 21 will receive their G1 phones on or around November 10.The G1 will be looking to challenge the iPhone through touch-screen functionality, an onboard Web browser, 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, a 3.0 mega-pixel camera, a full QWERTY keyboard, multimedia playback, and e-mail and instant messaging capabilities.Other useful features set to appear through the G1 -- given its obvious association with Google -- include the likes of Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk, and access to Google-owned YouTube.Also, in much the same way that Apple offers iPhone users access to the exclusive App Store, G1 owners will have access to the Android Market, which will feature applications, mashups and new services from contributing developers.Prospective T-Mobile customers looking to secure a G1 should expect to sign on to a mandatory two-year service contract and pay a basic price of $179.99 USD (plus taxes and fees) for the handset.

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LuisOct 14th, 2008 - 14:08:21

Various sources? All of them origin from the same one 'Motley Fool'. And that is pure speculation and bad maths.

So much for the tech herald! More like the gossip and lies weekly!

Verify the authenticity of your sources before spreading lies.

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StevenOct 14th, 2008 - 15:59:29

-- Luis --

If you look at all the other tech articles, they are all rather valid points and everything mentioned in the article is true. You should check your sources before making such ridiculous claims.

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XXXmonkeyOct 14th, 2008 - 16:52:35

@ Luis

Wow, someone's filled with venom. The story is fine.

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MartinOct 14th, 2008 - 17:26:10

Umm, actually they all point back to the Motley Fool article. And the author of that article came to that number because he took the 400-500K figure that HTC was providing for T-Mobile and multiplied it by three.

He did this because T-Mobile said it sold out of pre-order units, tripled it, and sold out again. But what he didn't take into account is that there's no evidence that T-Mobile would make it's entire fourth-quarter stock available for pre-order, particularly because only T-Mobile subscribers could order it.

The number is wrong, and it's been given credence only because it has been echoed through the tech blogs who are too lazy to do some real reporting.

From the Motley Fool article:
'The first shipment of the T-Mobile G1 sold out through preorders from existing T-Mobile subscribers, so the company tripled its order to Taiwanese handset maker HTC. The bigger batch sold out, too.

That means that about 1.5 million G1s are destined to fill preorder sales, in addition to another couple of million sets being earmarked for retail sales.'

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LuisOct 14th, 2008 - 17:30:38

Thanks Martin. My point, exactly.

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KekoaOct 15th, 2008 - 08:35:25

I'm hungry...I'm getting this phone...cuz I'm that spoiled ;)....

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