So there it finally is: the first Google phone (G1) yesterday has been officially launched. The G1 is a handset build by HTC (the 'HTC Dream'), running Google's fresh new mobile operating system 'Android' and is currently sold by operator T-Mobile.
It is clearly Google's intention to take on the hugely successful iPhone, which recently launched its second generation. And the way they want to do it is ... openness. The operating system Android is an open platform, meaning that any software publisher can design programs that run on the G1 and its Android operating system, whereas for the iPhone Apple itself decides which programs you can legitimately download and install.
Applications
As might be expected, the G1 comes with all most commonly used Google applications: Search, Maps, Gmail with Contacts, Calendar, Google Talk, YouTube and a light version of the recently launched webbrowser 'Chrome'. It of course doesn't have Apple's iTunes on it (duh! 
), but it does have the Amazon MP3 application pre-installed (Amazon's digital music download store). And although the music library might not be that big, the songs are a bit less expensive and above all DRM-free, meaning you can use them on any device you want, including your iPod! Third party applications are made available through Android Market - a competitor to Apple's App Store.
Hardware
As mentioned above, the G1's first device is the HTC Dream. It has a trackball, a QWERTY keyboard and a touch-screen (not a multi-touch screen like the iPod, meaning it can't track multiple simultaneous gestures). It does have a 3 megapixel camera opposed to the 2 megapixel camera on the iPhone, but it does have a battery life that is significantly shorter than it's competitor (130 hours vs 300 hours). And like the iPhone, it has built-in GPS.
For a more detailed comparison, take a look at the showdown on the Wired blog.
Pricing and availability
The G1 is yours for an initial cost of $180, the 8GB iPhone costs $200 (if you're not so unfortunate as to live in Belgium that is 
). Both have to be taken together with a 2-year contract from T-Mobile for the G1 or from AT&T for the iPhone (unless you're so fortunate as to live in Belgium and don't have to sign in on any contract ). The US launch is set for October 22, with Europe initial launch in November. It will then be made available across all of Europe in 2009.
Conclusion
While the G1 looks to be a decent device, for now the iPhone scores slightly better in hardware and design and has a clear head-start in reach (branding, number of applications, ...). But because Android will be freely available, things might go fast for Google and Android. It might even take unforseen roads. Why not use Android eg as an operating system for on-board computers in cars? Of course, the openness might also play against Google in the long run if everyone starts adapting Android. In either way, Apple will certainly have to watch its back from now on and -hopefully- will learn a lesson or two in openness and transparancy.
