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Google G1: Nice Try, But No iPhone

Gadget impresses but won't keep Apple up nights

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 16, 2008 10:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – Google's upcoming G1 is the first real rival to the iPhone, but the different gadgets "are likely to attract different types of users," Walt Mossberg writes in the Wall Street Journal. Making phone calls was a lot easier on the G1, which worked great with Google services, Mossberg found in extensive testing. But the long-awaited new toy was a distant runner-up as a multimedia device.

The G1's powerful Google-built Android operating system got a thumbs-up, as did its keyboard. Minuses: the device "skimps on memory" and is so integrated with Google's services it may be "not so good for folks who rely on competing calendar and contacts services." Overall, though, the G1 is a great first effort and bodes well for future models, Mossberg concludes.

In this Sept. 23, 2008 file photo, the T-Mobile G1 Android-powered phone, the first cell phone with the operating system designed by Google Inc., is shown in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, file)

In this Sept. 23, 2008 file photo, the T-Mobile G1 Android-powered phone, the first cell phone with the operating system designed by Google Inc., is shown in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan )

Google founders Larry Page, left, and Sergey Brin help introduce the new T-Mobile G1 phone by Google, which is manufactured by Taiwan-based HTC, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008, in New York. (AP Photo/HTC, Stuart Ramson)

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BlackBerry's Best Can't Beat Apple, Google

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Google Poised to Unveil Nexus One

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Google Will Unveil Android Phone Next Week

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The search-giant's Android operating system to rival Apple's

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Google G1: Nice Try, But No iPhone

Gadget impresses but won't keep Apple up nights

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Google • iPhone • reviews • Google phone • smartphones • Google Android • tech review

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

BlackBerry's Best Can't Beat Apple, Google

The Bold 9900: 'Does Anybody Care'?

Google Poised to Unveil Nexus One

Smartphone launch expected at 'event' today

Google's Debut 'Not Just Another iPhone Clone'

Android-based Dream will include physical, other features missing from Apple hit

Google Will Unveil Android Phone Next Week

First glance at iPhone competitor

Google's Smartphone Slated for This Fall

The search-giant's Android operating system to rival Apple's

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