Optus, Google and HTC were today hit with a barrage of questions regarding the upcoming G2 Google android phone when they rolled out the first Google phone in Asia called HTC Dream.
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Questions as to why they were now launching a G1 model when a new G2 model is tipped to be launched at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona later this month. It emerged that the answer may lie in the fact that G2 may possibly be a software upgrade that may be downloaded to the launched Google phone.
Speaking at the Australian launch today, Karim Temsamani, General Manager for Google Australia and New Zealand said that the new device, which is sold by Optus, is not ‘exclusive.’ This leaves the door open for Telstra to launch a G2 HTC Google phone later this year.
The HTC Dream will be available through Optus from February 16, 2009 to post-paid mobile customers. Plans will start from $59 per month plus handset costs, but Optus will be offering three other plans to suit all budgets.
The HTC Dream combines full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes the popular Google products that millions have enjoyed on their desktop, including Google Maps with Street View, Gmail, YouTube and others.
The Dream has a large display and a full QWERTY keyboard to simplify its e-mail, IM and mobile messaging capabilities. It comes equipped with a convenient trackball for one-handed navigation as well as built-in support for Optus’ 3.5G network as well as Wi-Fi.
The HTC Dream features a rich HTML e-mail client, as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. Multi-tasking is also possible and comes with Instant Messaging support for Google Talk. A 3.2 megapixel camera is also included.
Similar to Apple’s App store, the HTC Dream offers access to Android Market, which hosts many popular and unique applications from developers around the world. With just a couple of clicks, users can find, download and rate a wide range of innovative software applications.
Downloading updates for the device is easy as Anthony Petts has confirmed that all patches will be push automatically to the handset.
Specifications
Processor: Qualcomm MSM7201A, 528 MHz
Operating System: Android
Memory ROM: 256 MB RAM: 192MB
Dimensions (LxWxT) 117.7 X 55.7 X 17.1 mm (4.63 X 2.19 X 0.67 inches)
Weight 158 g (5.57 ounces) with battery
Display 3.2 -inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 X 480 HVGA resolution
Network HSPA/WCDMA: 2100 MHz
Up to 7.2Mbps down-link (HSDPA) and Mbps up-link (HSUPA) speeds
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
(Band frequency, HSUPA availability, and data speed are operator dependent)
Device Control
Trackball with Enter button
Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
GPS navigation capability with Google Maps
Connectivity:
Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
Wi-Fi: IEEE 802.11b/g
HTC ExtUSB (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one)
Camera: 3.2megapixel color camera with auto focus
Audio: Built-in microphone and speaker
Ring tone formats:
AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MIDI, MP3, WMA, WAV
40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF) / SP MIDI
Battery Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery 1150 mAh
Talk time: Up to 350 minutes for WCDMA Up to 406 minutes for GSM
Standby time: Up to 402hours for WCDMA Up to 319 hours for GSM
Expansion Slot: microSD memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
