Looking to buy: T-Mobile G1 vs. iPhone

**KaiGywer** · 12-30-08, 04:55 PM

I have been looking at the G1 and the iPhone and I'm trying to decide between the two.

Pros and cons that I know myself, feel free to correct me and help me make a decision:

iPhone
Pros:
Excellent video and music player
Size

Cons:
No MMS
No physical keyboard
Not really a con, but I'd have to switch to AT&T

G1
Pros:
Keyboard
MMS capable
I already have T-Mobile

Cons:
Does it have a viable iPod touch replacing video player?
Size

**Bob Loblaw** · 12-30-08, 05:03 PM

I have T-Mobile and i want a G1 bad....however, to type at all, the phone must be turned horizontally and the screen flipped up to reveal the keyboard. Which makes it kinda tough to hammer out a quick text because it's hard to do 1-handed like you could on any other phone. I may end up getting a blackberry, but my pops has an iPhone and it is pretty kick ass. I don't like that it has no MMS, but there sure a lot of crazy apps that are iPhone only AND the built in iPod (as well as instant iTunes access on the phone).

**KaiGywer** · 12-30-08, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

I have T-Mobile and i want a G1 bad....however, to type at all, the phone must be turned horizontally and the screen flipped up to reveal the keyboard. Which makes it kinda tough to hammer out a quick text because it's hard to do 1-handed like you could on any other phone. I may end up getting a blackberry, but my pops has an iPhone and it is pretty kick ass. I don't like that it has no MMS, but there sure a lot of crazy apps that are iPhone only AND the built in iPod (as well as instant iTunes access on the phone).

Yeah, the whole one-handed texting I think will be an issue regardless of which one I pick. I guess I'll have to get used to using two hands to text. And right now I use the iPod Touch to watch videos at work all the time, not sure if the G1 does that.

**Bob Loblaw** · 12-30-08, 05:13 PM

I will also throw this out there. Although I'm sure you get used to it eventually, it is seriously hard as hell to type on the iPhone. That's where I really like the idea of the real qwerty keyboard of the G1 and the BlackBerry.

**KaiGywer** · 12-30-08, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

I will also throw this out there. Although I'm sure you get used to it eventually, it is seriously hard as hell to type on the iPhone. That's where I really like the idea of the real qwerty keyboard of the G1 and the BlackBerry.

Yeah, I hated it at first when I tried it, but I think I'd get a hang of it if I use it enough. But yeah, that is one major selling point of the G1.

**Rhino** · 12-30-08, 05:21 PM

I belive the iPhone's keyboard is on screen. Even when a phone has a full qwerty keyboard, it's not like you can type on it like you can a normal-sized keyboard. Either way, you're using thumbs so it's seems trivial.

**KaiGywer** · 12-30-08, 06:07 PM

Does anyone know if there's a phone friendly LEF? :P

**Pudge** · 12-30-08, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by KaiGywer

Does anyone know if there's a phone friendly LEF? :P

Yep, we have a mobile version

**KaiGywer** · 12-30-08, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by Pudge113

Yep, we have a mobile version

Working on both iPhone and G1?

**Pudge** · 12-30-08, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by KaiGywer

Working on both iPhone and G1?

It should. Works on Blackberry and the Iphone for sure. One other user browses from a regular mobile phone

**Xiphos** · 12-30-08, 07:07 PM

KaiGwyer OR does have a WAP forums. Contact Reca for details.

As for the G1 the major selling point other than the keyboard is it is all open source. Developers are programming a ton of awesome programs for it. Right now they are all free but their app store is going to begin allowing charging for programs in '09. Some will be free, some will cost money. Developers all over are going crazy with amazing apps and games.

The Apple tightly controls the apps and they all have to be approved. It is also proprietary so developers have to be in bed with Apple. There's a lot out there right now but soon you won't be able to beat the G1.

The OS that the G1 is based on is the Google Android OS and the developers are part of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA.) Sprint has announced an Android handset in 2009 but I don't know if it will have a physical keyboard or not.

Android sets should be able to view the real Internet web sites without the WAP translators too.

**Bob Loblaw** · 12-30-08, 10:08 PM

Originally Posted by Xiphos

KaiGwyer OR does have a WAP forums. Contact Reca for details.

As for the G1 the major selling point other than the keyboard is it is all open source. Developers are programming a ton of awesome programs for it. Right now they are all free but their app store is going to begin allowing charging for programs in '09. Some will be free, some will cost money. Developers all over are going crazy with amazing apps and games.

The Apple tightly controls the apps and they all have to be approved. It is also proprietary so developers have to be in bed with Apple. There's a lot out there right now but soon you won't be able to beat the G1.

The OS that the G1 is based on is the Google Android OS and the developers are part of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA.) Sprint has announced an Android handset in 2009 but I don't know if it will have a physical keyboard or not.

Android sets should be able to view the real Internet web sites without the WAP translators too.

that all makes the G1 sound pretty damn nice...Christmas 2009, here i come!

**Jenna** · 12-30-08, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Loblaw

that all makes the G1 sound pretty damn nice...Christmas 2009, here i come!

What if that model is obsolete by then? What if cell phones no longer work by then and we're all just using tin cans and string because of the economic crisis?

**KaiGywer** · 01-03-09, 12:49 AM

Well it's done. I bought the iPhone and as a matter of fact I'm using it to post right now

**Jim1348** · 01-03-09, 10:41 AM

I would be interested in any further updates as you continue to use the new iPhone. I am sort of backing into the smartphone ownership slowly. I have a Nextel through work, but it doesn't have coverage in some of the areas that I go on my ATV, etc. While I was on one of my trips this past sumer I thought that it would be nice to have a handhelp GPS/cell phone. Well, that essentially translates to a smartphone/PDA phone. I have looked at the prices of new phones with contract service, but I am not willing to pay that right now. I ended up buying a used Pharos GPS Phone 600 and installing Garmin Mobile XT software. It works as a GPS without cell phone service because it has a built in SiRF Star III receiver. It also has wifi and will surf if I am near an access point that I can get into. For me this is working out very well. I haven't even subscribed to service through AT&T or T-Mobile, but I could get pre-paid service since it is an unlocked phone. I am sure that at some point in the future I will upgrade, but for now this is working great.

**Xiphos** · 01-03-09, 02:31 PM

I regularly read The Android Guys blog. They consistently have great info on new handsets as well as reviews of Android applications. I recommend anyone in the smart phone market check out some of the articles, and app reviews there.

**Jim1348** · 01-03-09, 08:43 PM

Here is a CNET video of T-Mobile G1 vs. iPhone 3G

http://cnettv.cnet.com/2001-1_53-500...CmoreStories.0

Oh, thank you for URL on Androids. I heard that a future Garmin Nuvifone may be Android. Not the first one due, but possibly the second wave.