In a nutshell, the Google Phone manifests of all the things Google tends to do well, and all things it tends not to. Much in the same way the iPhone does for Apple.
T-Mobile’s G1 by Google launched today, and based on the videos and information being released, the phone looks to have solid software, exceptional internet apps, and an ugly UI/hardware design.
Not surprisingly, the G1’s most appealing and innovative features are its internet applications. Full wireless syncing with Google apps could be a killer app. The iPhone offers similar wireless sync features through Mobile ME, but Mobile ME is new, less than stable, and not free.
Google is also offering “Compass View” on Google Maps, which is truly impressive to look at, and will be infinitely useful if it works as advertised.
Where the G1 clearly misses (as most Google products do) is usability and design. The phone is ugly. The UI is even uglier. And while other manufactures of Android phones will work to improve that situation, they’ll have a tough time matching or exceeding Apple in this respect.
Long story short, Android looks very promising. I don’t see it taking the crown for best overall smart phone experience from Apple any time soon. Nor do I see it being compelling enough to employees or employers to gain significant enterprise penetration in the near future. However, for non-enterprise, non-AT&T users, Android will be a big winner - most specifically to the detriment of Microsoft Windows Mobile and Palm.
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