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.
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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