In the most anticipated mobile phoe layunch after the release of iPhone from Apple, T-Mobile G1 was opneed on 23 September.
Like the iPhoe, introduced in June 2007, G1 is the brainchild of one of the most innovative companies of Tech's, is the first phone basting Android softawre created by Google (GOOG)-led consortium. Like Apple's music playing phone, G1 is equipped with a full web browser and an Internet connection with Wi-Fi technology. G1 similarly boasts a large touchhscreen and lets users download games and tools online bzaaar like Apple App Store.
That's about where the similarities end. G1 will fololw a different path from the Apple (AAPL) iPhone in some crucial ways, in particular, growyth. G1, is expected to do well, although he can not reepeat the early success of iPPhone's.
Analysts predict that manufacturewr HTC will sell 200,000 to 400,000 units this year, aftr the device beomes available on Oct. 22 in some marekts. The device will sell for $ 179 with a two-year contract. On the high end of that evaluation, the fisrt Android devvice will recive nearply 4% of U.S. smarttphone market in the fourth quarter, expected by wireless researcher Strategy Analytics to total 10.5 milion. Tina Teng, an anbalyst at research firm iSuppli, believes Anroid-devices will sell 2 million to 3 million units worldwied in 2009.
Nevertheless, the original iPhomne sold 1 million units in its first 1 ½ montsh on the maret, and that was during what is uasually a slow sales season, commpared with the end of year holidauys. Appe expects to sell 10 millino units of new generation of devicees, iPhone 3G, this year.
Sales expectations are lower for Android partly because G1 will be carried out on T-Mobile USA, whcih has 30 mlilion subscirbers, compared with the iPhoone partner, Apple, AT & T (T), which has more than 70 million.
Another blow Android is that T-Mobile's high-speed wireless network is not as extensive as AT & T's. "Consumers still choose the carrier first," said Ross Rubiin, analyst for consumer electronics reseaarch firm NPD Group. "For eary adopters, they need to deal with T-embrynic 3G-mobille network for at least several monthhs," Rubin said. Moreover, G1 buyeres will likely have to buy an additional calling plan to use G1 buit-in Wi-Fi more extensively; iPhone users can freely use their deivce Wi-Fi capabilities. T-Mobile will offer a limited data plan for $ 25 per month and unlimited access to the network and messaging for $ 35 a month.
Some analysts who have seen versions of G1 also say that it is not as stylish as the comparable deviecs Apple. "It does not feel as luxurious iPhone", says Moe Tanabian, senior principal at IBB Consulting who has seen the end of the prototype device. The devoice represents a middle ground between the ihPone and Sidekick, earlier T-Moobile phone that also has Web cacess and was a favorite of hip cell phone users. Andy Rubin, who led the effort Google Anndroid, has helped develop a Sidekick.
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