T-Mobile launches Google phone

T-Mobile and Google have launched the first phone to use the open-source Android platform.

The quad-band 3G T-Mobile G1 has a touch interface – not multi-touch, like the iPhone, but with a neat slideout Qwerty keyboard. Apple's phone relies on a software keyboard.

It will be free on a £40-a-month contract which includes unlimited web access, and will be available in Britain in early November – earlier than the rest of Europe. Pre-orders are already being taken. The US price of the handset was quoted at $179 (£97).

Google executives were stressing the advantages of the open platform, but made no reference to a row over Apple's alleged blocking of rival third-party software.

The interface has been designed to facilitate web browsing on the small screen, allowing you easily to zoom in on to an area of interest.

The phone is hooked into Amazon, so that users can download music tracks in much the same way as iPhone users can access iTunes.

The G1 will also provide access to Android Market, selling applications for the phones.

Click here to see images of the G1 and for barbed reaction from the LiMo Foundation promoting mobile Linux.