| Design | 4/5 |
| Display & Interface | 4.8/5 |
| Calling | 4.1/5 |
| Talk time | 4/5 |
| Messaging | 4/5 |
| Music | 4.4/5 |
| Video | 3.4/5 |
| Camera | 3.5/5 |
| Memory | 4/5 |
| Web browsing | 4.5/5 |
| Connectivity | 4.6/5 |
| Productivity | 3/5 |
| Scheduling | 3.8/5 |
| Laptop sidekick | 2.8/5 |
| Navigation | 4.6/5 |
| Gaming | 3/5 |
| Mobile services | 4.4/5 |
| Accessories | 3.5/5 |
| Value | 4/5 |
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Pros:
Excellent, fun and intuitive new interface design from Google. Solid messaging and Web browsing options. Surprisingly good camera. |
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Cons:
Dull hardware design. Serious reception problems hurt voice quality. Lacks many necessary options, including business e-mail and video player. |
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| Conclusion: |
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| The T-Mobile G1 may not have the visual panache and artistry of Apple's UI, but in terms of navigating the phone's myriad and diverse feature set, Google has created an interface in Android that is fun, intuitive and quite powerful. The new Google Android 1.5 Cupcake update brings even more parity with the iPhone, and some cool new tricks to the party as well. The phone offers convenience beyond belief without redundantly stacking menu items on top of each other. The apps included with the device, and some of the apps we've downloaded from the Google Market, are fresh and in many cases surprisingly unique. From the Google Maps Street View that creates a virtual world with the built-in compass and accelerometer to the Amazon MP3 store that offers DRM-free downloads to the Compare Everywhere app that scans barcodes and finds local deals on popular products, the T-Mobile G1 offers capabilities and developer access beyond any handheld device we've seen. The new Cupcake update might not push potential customers over the edge, but existing users will be delighted with the onscreen keyboard, the new video recording capabilities and clever UI enhancements, like the desktop folders and the improved look all around. The Google Android OS and the T-Moblle G1 aren't perfect, but they're better than most systems out there, and for an open source OS, they're a fun way to experience what's to come in the world of multimedia smartphones. |
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