I use Android in conjunction with the T-Mobile G1 for a year now. Time to draw a line and lay the facts on the table. What is and what is top flop - with Android and the G1.

For this I make a clear split between hardware (G1) and software (Android & Applications).

Another article from the series of articles .

Experience report Android operating system:

Android gives me everything I really want to go to hand. That gives me even though Apple's iPhone, but I am a) no Apple fan, b) are Android phones cheaper and c) I already had a Google account, which I use intensively. The latter was also the most decisive point for my decision to buy an Android phone .

I bought my T-Mobile G1 in early April, that is, by now I had three different versions of Android updates on my phone (unfortunately, the G1 does not currently support versions 6.1 larger as far as I know). The main Google services were on board from the beginning (Google Calendar, Gmail, Maps, Youtube). The application has one or other of Google Android update to Android update also more stable, comprehensive and smarter (eg Google Maps). Mid-2009, since the version of "donut" or Android 1.6, the "Quick Search Box" integrated. So I've had good experiences, because over here you really can quickly search for information and content on the phone and the Internet (ie, source-wide).

Android allows widgets. This is a great thing. So there are widgets that are preloaded into Android (eg music, photo frames or analog), offering applications and there are the widgets (such as task-bar of Taskiller or of various Twitter apps).

Android applications:

At first, I've downloaded lots of applications (apps) and tried. The phone was always stable, even though many applications are running simultaneously. The only time I had an app running what my T-Mobile G1 almost paralyzed. This was the first version of "Babbler for Android," an app for facebook. After uninstalling, but everything was fine again.

Top 15 Free Apps:

Here are the top 15 Android applications from my point of view. These are useful perhaps for Android beginners.

1. chompSMS: Depending on the service provider is highly recommended that application, because you can send via SMS for about 8 cents. Here, the data sent as SMS or via the Internet and not via the wireless provider. On my T-Mobile contract is equivalent to a saving of about 11 cents per SMS!
2. Opera Mini 5: Having recently become available the beta version in the Android Market, is now the final version was launched. This browser is the default Android browser nose lengths some advance: He is very fast and provides up to me to populate the page with links to my main website.
3. Taskiller: One of the wichtigstens Android apps. Especially after a reboot often mitgestartet apps that are not necessarily required. Either you wish to complete individual tasks or you can be in one widget to show all currently running tasks Symole and "kill" it by tapping on all tasks at once.
4. Retro Clock: This app allows a widget, which makes the standard clock and the icon for the calendar or clock überflüssg. It displays the time and date in the retro-style alarm clock. By tapping to get to the alarm clock or calendar.
5. AK Notepad: Simple but useful tool, post it, which reminds me too if desired also to various notes.
6. NetCounter: If you only have a limited monthly data volume is available, should be to keep an eye on data usage. And that goes well with the NetCounter.
7. Facebook Touch: If I can access not just about the Opera Mini 5 on facebook, then I'll call the final status updates of my Facebook contacts on this app. For reading and commenting enough.
8. BFF Photo: This app allows me to upload pictures on facebook. Once connected with Facebook, I can choose, which should be posted in the picture gallery. This app is good for those like me who are not comprehensive facebook app on the phone.
9. Twidroid: A Twitter App which in its basic version provides everything needed: send tweets, upload photos, search retweet, people, etc. The Pro version offers even include a Twitter widget.
10. Pkt Auctions eBay: This app has to move fast access to their "My eBay" section. You can search, buy watch, or watch its own offerings. It is easy to use and is really fast!
11. eBuddy: With this app you can only with all the contacts from MSN, Yahoo, AIM, ICQ, GTalk, Facebook Chat and MySpace IM. You can see who is online and available and can even chat with more than one. Smoothly. The only drawback: You have to register on eBuddy.com.
12. FxCamera: A toy with which she photographs with special effects: you can shoot (eg fish eye or Polaroid). Nice to have.
13. Flashlight: What was on my ancient W800i still a really bright white LED's, the T-Mobile G1 just a white screen. But it's enough to be in the dark to find your way.
14. Calculator: As the name suggests, it is simply and solely a calculator.
15. Wordpress: This app should not be missing blogger. Sure, you can also access the phone's browser to the admin area of ​​his WordPress blog, but it is much faster with WordPress. WordPress is the way the official Android app, which is preceded by " wpToGo ".

Update: For those 15 Android apps is still mid hasten the widget for Buzz to come. Recommended for the buzzer to you. It is equipped with image upload and geo-tagging.

Android Market:

If you miss any service that is in the Android Market find it quickly. Although the market is quantitatively far from the App Store for iPhone, iPad, iPod, and applications ran, but growing rapidly. Already in the first few months after the launch of Android in the spring of 2009, the most important applications for Android was available. Since the last update of the markets, there is really nothing more to stay. The applications are categorized and are having an even screenshots. You can rate apps with asterisks and leave a comment. Here one often finds statements "does not work on the Hero" or as "XYZ app is faster than this." Insofar as these recommendations are not isolated cases, one does well to orient themselves in it. This saves you time and nerves! You can sort the Android Market in the way "free" and "fee". Just as well. So far I have no application fee charged down. With the free apps I previously got along quite well.

T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream) Progress Report:

The T-Mobile G1 (outside of Germany under the name " HTC Dream "known) came in February 2009 on the German market and was the first smartphone that Google's Android operating system on board had. It is good in the hand is not small and not easy (158g) and sometimes the box just annoying in your pocket. I have therefore usually permanently in the hand or in your pocket (in the summer is just bad). The included leather case, I still use. Therefore, my G1 has no signs of wear.

Display, keyboard and speakers:

The T-Mobile G1 has a good touch screen (3.2 "). In this respect, the brightness is not set too low, it is always very easy to read (even in direct sunlight) and it responded well. You can slide the screen upwards to the QWERTY keyboard to expose (in front of the T-Mobile G1, I had way a BlackBerry, and since I would no longer do without a full keyboard) and the display from portrait to rotate horizontally. After one year, the display wobbles a bit too strong for my taste, but is still acceptable. Frankly, I expected worse.

The sound of the G1 phone calls in my opinion is average. If you switch to speaker mode but it still rattles quite a bit. Listen to music through the speakers is not just the hammer. The included headphones are average. I use this as good as ever.

Camera and memory:

The camera (3.2 megapixel with auto focus) is ok for outdoor shots, but the interior is rather poor, since the T-Mobile G1 has no flash or LED light source offers. Unfortunately, it takes videos in 3gp format, which is why I always fall back on if I want to have a converter to continue using the movies, unless I invite them straight up on Youtube. In addition, limited to one minute videos. A few years ago I had the Nokia N95 which had a really good 5-megapixel camera and was able to record videos at 640 × 480 at 30 frames per second in AVI format. The purchase of the T-Mobile G1 camera, then, was a stark terms downgrade.

I have now shot in less than a year 561 pictures and 57 videos. Of the 2 GB of microSD card, I still have 1.38 GB free, and the limited internal memory 13 MB are still available.

Mobile networks and Bluetooth:

Displays the info bar at the top right of the 3G symbol, one has UMTS reception. Surfing goes quite quickly. Push email and auto sync my Gmail contacts and my Google calendar with my G1 works perfectly and quickly. Even large attachments can be uploaded pretty fast. It's even quicker if I can access via WLAN to the Internet. The T-Mobile G1 shows me on by default when a network is in range. It was already connected to this signal, it automatically dials again. To connect to your home network, you can enter the network SSID manually (if it is set as "not visible") and under "security" can choose between WEP, WPA Personal, WPA2 Personal, WPA-EAP IEEE 802.1x and choose. Whosoever wants / needs can even set up a static IP address for the G1. No luck!

I only use Bluetooth in conjunction with the speakerphone in my car. For this I had only one pair the G1 with the system time in the car, then enter the same code on both sides and save. Since then, it always connects within seconds fully automatic with the MMI of my vehicle and I see all my contacts on the large display. Even the tag is whether it is a mobile number, business or represented by icons.

Consumption data and data roaming

Since I the small T-Mobile contract included with a mere 200 MB of data transfer have, I make sure that I do not exceed this limit. After a year, but I can say with some certainty that I will NEVER come to this limit. In general, I consume about 60 to 100 MB per month. But at night I get more out of the WLAN. This may also account for around a bit.

Abroad through the Internet with the G1? No problem. Data Roaming can be activated simply by Android Settings / Wireless / Mobile Networks. When I was in Italy not left my recent Navi down, I am simply using Google Maps and the GPS piloted with my G1 to the house. It worked fine and was not really expensive (I have something with 2 € for about 1.5 hours of use in mind). In the U.S., I had less luck. There I had to rely on free Wi-Fi signals.

T-Mobile G1 battery & power:

About Settings / About phone / battery consumption can be seen, what eats the most energy. The display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are usually among the top fifth Apps on the other hand I rarely find in this list (well, I never look at me for hours or Youtube videos to stay longer depend on any game). On htc.com is written regarding the battery:

Talk time:
Up to 350 minutes for WCDMA
Up to 406 minutes for GSM

Standby time:
Up to 402 hours for WCDMA
Up to 319 hours for GSM

(The above are subject to network and phone usage.)

(Note: WCDMA is the same as UMTS or UMTS uses WCDMA) Who has a T-Mobile G1 is here falling either in anger or laughter from the chair. The mere reference to the duration of the GSM network is ridiculous. Who will use a mobile to Internet on GSM or 2G then prune? Now time where his mouth is: the battery of the G1 is bad and keeps me in one day. I use it not toooo hard. I call a rule, two or three times, I check every now and then facebook and write times an email. I usually load it every night. If I turn down the screen brightness, turn off wireless, then the battery lasts a bit longer!

But I am now traveling and forgot my charger (this has happened to me once, then I'm me an instant Car Charger fetched), then I have to play it safe and disable even the automatic data synchronization (Gmail, contacts, calendar) , but then I got no email push function more! Argh! Am I STILL extended period away from a possible charge option, so I have no other choice than even 3G switch to 2G and disable Bluetooth (except I sitting in the car and need the speakerphone). Nooooch longer the battery lasts only if it fail if I did not use! #

At least there is a widget for Android v1.6 for power control, which is a rapid de-activate and WLAN, Bluetooth, GPS, synchronization, and display brightness allowed.

Conclusion:

I must make a clear cut in my review of hardware and software, because now I have become the usual Android users a real fan and supporter of the operating system. Android's market share will continue to rise. Since there is now no longer required to have a Google account to use an Android phone, the number of Android users will grow even stronger. We read again and again assume that the Android Market apps faster than appear in Apple's App Store (see Opera Mini 5 ).

I like to refer back to the droid to google every now something to check my email or facebook. I'm also from home, because it just goes faster than the computer to boot. Who I daily Google Maps, Calendar, Reader and Gmail, of course, uses the well is operated with any other operating system as well as with Android!

What are the hardware, thus affects the G1 itself, I must say that I'm apart of the battery life happy. As soon as it updates more Android 1.6 support (min I want. Android 2.0 ) and to change the volume of the alarm clock still can, I'm very satisfied My next phone will be back for one with Android at the moment I stand on the HTC EVO 4G .

Meanwhile, so many Android phones, each has other peculiarities. Such an experience report, I would have liked, as I stood before the purchase decision. Meanwhile, Android is not so brand new. I hope my experiences help one or more others.

Oh, I want to report this experience not wanted toast the typical discussions such as "Google, the data Octopus" or "iPhone killer". The G1 was then simply an alternative to the iPhone and these are my experiences with Android and the T-Mobile G1.

Comments? Questions about Android and the G1? More App tips? Other experiences? Comments are always welcome!