More than 1.5 million people in the US have pre-ordered Google's first mobile phone.The device, known as the G1, is made by HTC, and will be available on the T-Mobile network. It runs Android, an operating system designed partially by Google that aims to bring the desktop computing experience to mobile devices. The G1 gives one-touch access to popular Google online services, such as its email service, YouTube video-sharing site and Google Maps.
The G1 features a touchscreen and a slide-out Qwerty keyboard, as well as internet browsing via 3G and Wi-Fi, music downloads, and the ability to buy and install additional software, programs and games on the phone from the Android Market application store.
Although some technology experts have suggested that the estimate of 1.5 million pre-orders is too high, there's little doubt that expectations of the G1 are high ahead of its launch. First impressions of the G1 were largely positive, with many technology experts seeing the potential of the Google operating system if not the design of the handset itself. But, as analysts have pointed out, the launch of the G1 needs to be a success if Google is going to establish the Android platform as a potential "iPhone killer".
The G1 is the latest in a long line of touchscreen hansdets aimed at toppling the iPhone. More than 1 million iPhone 3G handsets were bought in its first weekend of sale, and Apple is on course to hit its target of selling 10 million iPhones by the end of the year.
