GADGETS: Why I'm Getting the New Google Phone (And So Should You!)

The cell phone came into my life a little over ten years ago and now I can’t imagine a day without it. I’ve survived with a no-frills Nokia all this time, but today all that has changed. Hundreds of thousands of us will be upgrading to the “T-mobile G1 with Google” handset, simply known as the “Google Phone" or G1 for short. In a pre-ordering frenzy that started in September, several industry web sites now report as many as 1.5 million pre-orders for this phone. While that's half the number of iPhones sold in the first month of its release, consider that the G1 isn’t even available to put in people’s hands yet. It’s pretty incredible.

So what’s the big deal? Much of the talk is how this phone will compare to the iPhone with the large touch screen, super fast 3G Internet connectivity (in 19 cities), the application store, accelerometer (a sensor that understands the phone's position in space), and form factor. This may be an obvious comparison, but the G1 is more like a hybrid of the iPhone and a Blackberry because it features a full QWERTY keypad and a touch screen interface. (The Google phone may also find itself competing with the likes of Blackberry and Window Mobile Smart Phone in the coming months.)

Top 5 things to love about the new Google Phone:

• It comes with a QWERTY keypad for emails & texting (just like a Blackberry or Sidekick).
• It's a Google-centric phone, meaning Gmail, Calendar, Maps, and Address Book are integrated.
• The application store and open development platform give access to thousands of new applications.
• The touch screen coupled with a roller ball means more precise navigation of the desktop and menus.
• The G1 costs $179 with a 2-year contract with T-Mobile vs. the iPhone, which costs $199 with a 2-year contract with AT&T.

All in all, Apple’s iPhone doesn’t hold much sway for me. It’s not that the iPhone is a bad product--it’s just not a product for me. Part of this might be the philosophy behind it. While trumpeting an open platform for unbridled application creation and unlimited internet functionality, Apple still controls every aspect--from the hardware to the operating system to the applications that get on the phone. The Google G1, on the other hand, is a collaborative effort between a handset manufacturer (HTC), a software developer (Google), and a wireless carrier (T-Mobile). It allows more room for innovation and gives each party the opportunity to push the technology further.

So if you want a new phone that gives you easy texting, on-the-go access to email, the Internet, and lots of applications without the smugness of an iPhone, then check out the G1. Still not convinced? Try this emulator for an interactive demo.

Do you already have a G1 or plan to get one? Are you an iPhone aficionado that can't be swayed? Leave your comments and thoughts below!