T-Mobile, HTC and Google have launched the T-Mobile G1 phone, the first Google Android based device. The most important news that came out of the well expected US launch is that it will be available in the UK in November, which will only be a few weeks behind the US availability date.

The G1 is 4.6″ x 2.16″ x 0.63″, weighs 5.6 ounces, has a 480 x 320 display, 3G, GPS, a 3.1 megapixel camera, up to 8GB of memory (via a memory card), and has a claimed 5 hours of talktime with 130 hours of standby. However, it’s not all perfect; it doesn’t feature A2DP (Stereo Bluetooth), and doesn’t have video capabilities (although whether that will come with a future OS / firmware upgrade is not clear).  It supports built in applications for email (GMail and IMAP clients), IM, and maps, and will feature a version of the new Google Chrome browser.  Everything will sync automatically with push technology bringing new data direct to the device.

Another key story is that the Amazon MP3 Music Store application will be pre-installed on the device. Although Wi-Fi is required to download the music, you can browse the music store via T-Mobile.

T-Mobile have also stated they will not stop people unlocking their phones (as long as it remains only a minority of people performing the unlocking).  Tethering (ie using the phone as a modem for a laptop or iternet tablet) seems even less clear; T-Mobile have said that the phone doesn’t support it, but won’t be outlawed.

This is going to be a key device in the battle of the smartphones, and it will be interesting to see how Google develop the handsets and the OS over the next year to go head to head with Nokia (Symbian) and Apple.

The phone will be available in the UK in November, and across Europe in Q1 2009.

Here’s the newest device from HTC, the Touch Pro, adding a sliding keyboard to the overall Touch design look and feel (it’s mainly based on the Touch Diamond). The Touch Pro has a good all round spec:

• HSDPA, Bluetooth and WiFi
• 2.8″ VGA screen
• Windows Mobile 6.1 featuring HTC’s TouchFLO 3D interface,
• QWERTY keyboard, including the fifth number row
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• microSD slot
• GPS built in
• 512MB ROM and 288MB RAM

A good spec, and with HTC’s keen followers, it’s likely to sell very well. The first versions should use the European 3G frequencies and be available in the “late Summer”.

Here’s the new HTC Touch Diamond. HTC have redesigned their TouchFlo interface, and hope that many users won’t even realise it’s Windows Mobile 6 underneath their interface. The specs are:

• Windows Mobile 6.1
• Triband GSM/GPRS/EDGE at 900/1800/1900 MHz
• Qualcomm 528 MHz CPU
• Bluetooth 2.0+EDR
• WiFi b/g
• eGPS
• FM Radio
• 128 MB RAM
• 256 MB ROM
• 4 GB flash
• 2.8″ VGA display(640×480)
• Front and rear cameras (rear 3.2 Megapixel)

O2 have confirmed they will be releasing the XDA Diamond. It’s also likely that the Touch Diamond will ship with TomTom Navigator 7, and a single downloadable City Map, with the ability to purchase further maps.

If you like the idea of a nice new interface, but already have a Windows Mobile device, or don’t want to buy a Touch Diamond, then head over to Pointui, who have produced their own interface for Windows Mobile, which may be a suitable candidate. Thanks to Mark at AutomatedHome for alerting us to this option.

There are a lot of rumours flying around that TomTom is planning a response to the Garmin nuviphone by producing their own equivalent. The device will possibly combine an HTC hardware device with TomTom pre loaded (removing some of the problems TomTom has had over the years with compatibility problems with their software working on some Windows Mobile devices). Hopefully more information will be revealed over the upcoming months, and we won’t discover this is a early April Fool’s.

Story courtesy of Pocket GPS World.

There’s a lot of speculation going on at the moment about Nokia producing devices using Windows Mobile. It’s worth pointing out that this all started from a public statement by Microsoft urging Nokia to consider Windows Mobile. Symbian has a much larger market share than Windows Mobile does right now, however, it appears that Nokia are at least now considering adding Windows Mobile to their lineup (although it would likely be WM7 or 8, not the current WM6). It’s unlikely any devices would appear for sale (as opposed to being launched) before the end of the year, so until then, it’s either a Nokia Symbian device, or you’ll need to head towards HTC for a high spec Windows Mobile device.

Picture mockup courtesy of Engadget.

Parrot, who produce a range of Bluetooth devices (Handsfree Kits, Photo Frames, Music Devices), have announced that they are forming an alliance with HTC to develop improved compatibility and overall user experience between the companies’ products. The alliance will see HTC working closely with Parrot to align product roadmaps, marketing efforts and channel development to provide an enhanced complimentary solution for customers.

The picture above is possibly just a mockup of the device, but Asus plan to announce the M930 at CeBIT later this year in March. The device will run Windows Mobile 6 (Standard, ie no Touchscreen), has a QVGA exterior screen, a 400 x 240 interior display (not a match for the E90’s screen), with a 2 megapixel camera, WiFi, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, 256MB of ROM and 64MB RAM. These specs (smaller screen, no GPS etc.) mean this is likely to be cheaper than the E90 and may take some customers away from Nokia. However, with Nokia and HTC trying to include GPS receivers in all their high spec equipment, this device may not get as many customers as it could.

Picture and Story courtesy of Engadget.

HTC has this week announced the Touch Cruise, combining the TouchFLO interface with a builtin GPS. The device includes Windows Mobile 6, HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera, microSD expansion, and a 2.8-inch touch-screen. It should ship with TomTom Navigator 6 too.