Unlocked Android G1 for developers - $399 | Hacker News Reader

Unlocked Android G1 for developers - $399

code.google.com

53 pointsjaxn30 comments

Wish apple had this sort of program for devs in their iphone program.

Cannot the iPod touch be used for such purpose?

No microphone or GPS. Not to mention that the OS isn't open source.

That being said, the iPhone/iPod Touch platform is pretty awesome. It would be cool to have "Developer" iPhones with less restrictions too.

When I talked to T-mobile, they said that in order for them to sell me the phone without contract (this was also $399) they would still need to have data plan added to my ongoing account. They said the phone will simply not operate without the data plan. This seems to support a recent report on excessive G1 roaming bill overseas, even though when the user did not even use the internet. I guess the G1 phone is pinging incessantly.

Anyways, this new Android G1 sale is great. But, my question is, can I use this phone with an on-demand data access. Or would it be restricted to use 3G, and without a data plan I would not be able to access Internet outside of wi-fi?

T-mobile's data plan is $35 a month. Very expensive...

Actually, in the US, the t-mobile data plan is $24.99/month and includes 400 messages. Be careful though. Apparently, the 400 messages includes both SMS as well as IM.

http://www.breakitdownblog.com/massive-confusion-over-t-mobi...

Also, right now Walmart is selling the g1 for $200 with only a one year contract. They are also throwing in a $50 gift card.

Only certain IMs are counted in that 400; and only when you're using the default IM app.

Google Talk IMs are included for free. And if you want to use something else, there are other IM apps out there that don't use T-Mobile's gateway.

The G1 is loaded with T-Mobile firmware. It has features that will only work with T-Mobile's data plans.

This phone is not the G1. It's an android developer phone with it's own (replaceable) firmware. The features it provides are listed on the Android market site http://www.android.com/market (login required).

I doubt that the G1 will "simply not operate" without a data plan. I suspect this is T-mobile's way of avoiding having to explain (especially to non-techie customers who might not realize that a smartphone without a data plan is probably a bad idea) that many of the phone's features require a data plan, and that skipping the data plan is a good way to spend $4 every time you travel with Google Maps.

I heard the same thing a couple of years ago regarding a blackberry I was purchasing. I got a data plan, and a year or so later a friend needed a replacement GSM phone. The blackberry worked just fine as a phone with her SIM card; of course, you couldn't browse the web or get email on it.

Actually, you can't even make a call without a data plan, since you can't register the G1 with Google's servers, and thereby cannot escape the initial setup wizard.

I know this because I paid full price for a G1 w/o contract, and had to wait 48 hours for my data service to be activated after I bought the phone. (T-Mobile's contract-less service is slightly less crappy than most carriers', but still has some horrible problems, like not being able to change service terms mid-month under any circumstances.)

I think after the intial setup wizard things are okay.

That being said, remember to turn off data roaming (I think its off by default, but perhaps people either change it, or it the default has changed?) Smartphones can generate scary scary phone bills ;)

Does this mean that the Android Dev Phone will also require some sort of data plan with your carrier? That would be a total buzz kill and for some people (just me?) defeats the purpose of having Wi-fi on a phone.

You don't need a data plan for WiFi to work, but yeah; if you want to access the internet using your carrier's network, you'll have to pay for a data plan.

Many carriers will let you use their data services on a pay-per-byte basis even if you're not subscribed to a data plan. This is usually ridiculously expensive, so if you're going to actually use a smartphone, an "unlimited" plan is usually wise.

You can't this is where the Android business angle is, it must be connected at all times, and you naturally need to pay for it.

What's more if you'll insert an Android sim card to a different phone the data plan won't work!!! It only works on Android!!!

The $399 unlocked phone is listed as a "Android Dev Phone 1" not as an Android G1. That doesn't mean it's not a G1, but it doesn't say it is. Does anyone know for sure?

G1 is a T-Mobile trademark. These phones are from Google and HTC, so they can't use the G1 name.

But is it the same phone?

They point you to the TMobile site to get more details about the hardware, so I think it is safe to say it is the same phone.

I bought one and asked for overnight shipping. So you can wait a few days and as me :)

Yes.

Quick note: Android's been ported to the OpenMoko phone. As a phone it's got a long way to go, but it's fully free from vendor interpretation.

The OpenMoko phone doesn't just have "a long way to go", it's simply not viable.

And it isn't fully free, the crappy ancient GSM chip is not open, barely works at all, and has no power management.

It's also possible to run Android on the Nokia N810, although this device lacks a mobile phone, only wifi.

$399 + $25 Android dev signup is still cheaper than eBay. :]

...plus 171 USD shipping to the UK - I couldn't stop myself, I wanted one.

Is that shipping cost due to customs/VAT/not-really-shipping?

171 seems a bit...unexpected to me ;)

The shipping fee just stopped me.

USD 171 = GBP 116

£116 to ship something from the USA to central London is an extremely bad deal. Next day before 9am UPS or Fedex would cost significantly less.

When I feel I'm being ripped off and taken for a mug, I get off the ride.

You can get one way passenger flights for close to that price. Shipping typically doesn't include and customs fees.

Dunno - there is just one option to ship via UPS.. was surprised also; bit like using those cashpoints and then getting prompted for an extra 2 quid at the end only..err..quite a bit more.

Important point: "Since the devices can be configured with system software not provided by or supported by Google or any other company, end users operate these devices at their own risk."

Well yeah; if you modify the OS, compile it and load it on your phone, you can't expect Google (or any other company) to support it for free.

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