Well here it is Finally. This has been long over due. Weeks of fun excitement, joy, pain, and some regret (nothing more than a small inkling of regret). Overall joy and happiness has been the main feeling through the G1 experience. Since first getting the G1 2 days earlier than expected I was thrilled. The first Android device in the USA on the market. We, the techguys, are going to give our personal experience, the works, to the HTC G1 device supported by Tmobile.
Let’s go right in with a few set backs. I (TG1) have left a Windows Mobile device for the Android OS. I have no synching of my notes, tasks (to do list), or seamless contacts sync. There is a sync available for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 but those of us not using Exchange have to import and export your contacts. Using google contacts you will be able to import your Microsoft Outlook contacts. It reallly isn’t that big of a problem as it is mostly an inconvenience. Also your calender can be seamlessly synched, if and only if you have Microsoft Outlook 2007. If you don’t have that I am sorry. That can potentially crush quite a few hearts. We do hope that there is a developer that we take the time to develop an application for this feature. On the up side once you are set up in Google (gmail, contact, calender, etc.) every change you make in your igoogle account will go directly to your phone and vice versa. Being a Google supported phone, you are guaranteed gmail and gtalk. This is great but you don’t have text editing in Google docs just viewing. You also don’t have attachment support such as pdf,excel, or pps. Although it allows you to view these items if they are already posted to a site. Which is why the G1 is still great because you have full html capabilities in your browser.
A few personal gripes my camera isn’t as functional. My G1 tells me to input an SD card when 
there is one already inserted. I know this is a personal issue because others with the G1 have not experienced this. Other issues for me, possibly because of a great deal of applications on my phone, I have a small issue with material downloading to the phone not through the market. I also have an issue with MMS messages, (not able to save pictures sent to you.)
What has been talked about as a great feature (and it is but quite annoying) is the pattern lock on the phone. You can do any pattern you want with using 3 rows and 3 columns
of dots equaling 9 dots together. You can design by going through the dots as often as you want but can only activate the dots once or rather go in one direction. I also love the accelerometer and the application that shows it off the best, in my opinion, is Bubble. This application allows you to use your G1 as a level and it even gives you degrees of angles. You can also calibrate it to adjust it as you need.
Now the good stuff. Love the application downloads. Love the GPS and especially compass view. This allows you to view a location in a full 360 view from the phone and as you move the phone
from left to right and up and down the view moves in that directions with you. Another great feature is the connection of the applications with the phones internal applications such as Yellowbook. This applications allows you to search for a business and after it is found the GPS then searches it out for you from your current location. Also the barcode scanner can find the cheapest price for items that you scan and using the GPS it gives you the location the closest to you with the best price. Barcode scanner, ShopSavvy and Compare Everywhere works best with electronic and media devices. Not as great with food products, think comparison pricing. Another great app is iMeem. Constant music streaming turns your G1 into your personal
jukebox. You can search for artists and listen to their favorite music also known as stations or your favorites. A great application for music lovers especially if you enjoy all types of music. Now for all nay sayers in regards to headphone jack issues you can get an adapter that allows you to connect standard haedphone jacks that also allows you to charge the phone and use your mini usb all at the same time. This can be purchased for as low as $15.
There are also third party market places not monitored by the Android Community but be careful of some because they are all not as nice and friendly as the Community. Another great thing with the downloads are the OTA (Over the Air) Updates. So far I have received 2 updates myself as of this post but none to actually fix the problem with the battery (to be discussed later).
Biggest stinker of it all is the battery. What were they thinking with the battery? The battery is gulped up by most of your wireless supported items such as Wifi, synching automatically with google, and the GPS. You do have the option to turn those things off but I myself enjoy having them on. I never know when I may use any of them at the whim. When these items are turned
off the definetly preserve some of the battery power. It may last thru the day where as with them on you may only have the battery power last half of the day. There are always battery powered chargers and you can pick them up from most electronic stores or office stores such as MicroCenter, Staples, Best Buy, or even Circuit City. These can cost you anywhere from $17 to $35.
