Google, T-Mobile and HTC launched the latest salvo in the smartphone wars as they unveiled the first handset to support Google's Android operating system.
The G1 smartphone, manufactured by HTC and marketed by T-Mobile, has a 3.2-inch touch display that flips out to reveal a full keyboard and trackball navigation. With Google closely involved, the G1 has tight integration with many of the search giant's offerings, including free push Gmail, wireless syncing with Google's calendar, and support for YouTube.
Mobile users hoping to use the G1 for business, however, may be disappointed by the absence of built-in Microsoft Exchange support, and neither T-Mobile nor Google is providing a desktop syncing client. "We expect it to be more for the consumer, not necessarily for enterprises," says Cole Brodman, chief technology and innovation officer at T-Mobile USA. But if consumers like the G1, IT organizations should expect to see it pop up in the enterprise. As with the iPhone, there won't be any stopping enthusiasts.
Source: InformationWeek, http://www.informationweek.com