While reports have ranged that the first Android handset will come out anywhere from October to sometime in 2009, the latest rumors have the HTC Dream (codenamed “G1″) going on presale for existing T-Mobile customers starting September 17th.
The guys over at TmoNews say they have some trusted sources who have priced the handset at $399, or $150 for existing customers during the presale, which will start September 17th and only last one week. A public launch, and availability for those who aren’t current T-Mobile customers may not happen until beginning/mid October.
The newest leaked features include a 3-megapixel camera, slide-out Qwerty keypad and three color varieties: black, white and brown.
We’ll keep you updated if this rumor develops
“Official site”? Are you sure?
The Google ads, generic design look of the Official site has me a bit suspicious of the legitimacy of the “HTC Dream” thing.
..also, the fact that the sitemap points back to Mobileroar.com, an independent review site written by someone named “Rob” seems a little unofficial to really be from HTC.
I might be wrong, but it sure does smell a bit strange.
Yeah, you’re right. That was very much not the official site. Edited.
Let’s see what happens. There are so many rumors and so little proof at this time.
http://kreuzer33.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/google-android-to-arrive-in-september/
Really… does anyone care about any other phone than the iphone? Android should have come out a year and a half ago if it wanted to compete in the mobile market. Give Apple 2 more years and everybody will a iphone. Remember the Ipod.
Greg,
We took this rumor in spades like everyone else would have but we have enough “proof” that we feel its verifiable and worth breaking. Like every blog that strives to be both honest and correct we wouldn’t have blogged such a thing if we felt that it wasn’t capable of coming to fruition.
Thanks!
David
Hey David -
Not sure what you’re responding to. If it’s my “That was very much not the official site.” comment, the original post went out with a link to an HTC site that was pretty obviously a domain-squat, which I quickly pulled.
Even if it does go on presale in September, it is only that, a presale. There is no word, other than by the end of the year, on when the actual phone itself will be launched.
Meanwhile, it seems like Google has done nothing with the SDK which leaves me wondering what will happen with app support since most of the apps developed thus far were for an older SDK and some don’t work with the newest one.
Cmon Google, keep up with your world dominance and give me another product to promote to others for you. While you do that I’ll help get the current SDK on existing devices like the Sprint Touch, which has a working installer for Android at http://www.myhtcphone.com
No way is there going to be a T-Mo handset in September - the OS is only 80% complete per the Android development team. Jesus, have some journalistic integrity.
It’s nice to see that there’s new news showing up about the G1 these days. Lets just hope this news comes to fruition.
What I want to know is if HTC will enable true freedom on their devices and give an option of OS. I really like the look of the Touch Pro, but don’t want to be tied to WiMo. Would love to grab one now and upgrade to Android when it becomes available.
Anyone know if this kind of OS freedom is on the cards?
Dan,
Sure it should be possible. After all, its currently possible. While no true ROMs exist yet for Android (since its still so buggy), you can dual boot your phone to have both WinMo and Android.
So an switch to Android should be entirely possible, if not by Google, then by the community since Android is open source. Check out what is being done at
http://www.myhtcphone.com
for an idea.