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The T-Mobile G1 was officially announced yesterday and the comparisons to the iPhone started almost as soon as the last executive left the stage. But when you pair up the iPhone 3G and the T-Mobile G1, which device comes out as the winner? Or, is it too soon to tell?

For starters, the T-Mobile G1 has a brand new operating system, Google’s Android that has been highly anticipated for quite some time. It has the unique distinction of being open-source, which means developers from all over can update and modify the OS. The Android Market is also going to go live, which features apps from all walks of life.

The phone itself features Wi-Fi, GPS and 3G (where available). It features a 3-megapixel camera and 1GB of storage by means of a removable memory card, which can be expanded up to 8GB. The G1 has a touchscreen and a full QWERTY keyboard that is revealed by means of a nifty sliding mechanism. We can expect the G1 from T-Mobile on October 22 and current T-Mobile customers can pre-order it for $179.

On the flip side, we have the iPhone 3G. It’s been out for nearly three months and while it looks nice, it hasn’t been without its drama. Some people don’t get 3G reception, there were a few security issues, and the App Store appears to be highly monitored so certain apps are rejected. But as far as specs go, the iPhone has Wi-Fi, a limited GPS function, a 2-megapixel camera, 8GB or 16GB of storage and a 3.5″ touchscreen that supports multi-touch gestures. It currently costs $199.

When it comes to looks, the iPhone 3G definitely wins. It’s glossy back, large screen smooth touch capabilities all lend it a sense of style. The T-Mobile G1 is also decent-looking, though what was previously described as the “chin” and the bulkier feel bring it down a notch.

But looks aside, who comes out on top here? Well, Apple has been criticized recently for its excessive monitoring of apps in the iTunes App Store, and the Android Market will be rule-free, in effect. But is that a good idea, either? What about malware apps or other annoying programs that intend to harm your G1 or obtain your personal information? What will be done in these cases?

The limited storage capacity is also a bit of a problem, especially for those that want to load up on music. A plus, however, is that Android uses Amazon MP3, which offers DRM-free tracks, often a point of contention with iTunes.

During the announcement yesterday, I would have said the G1 has a leg up because it only costs $179, but many users of our Android Community are reporting differently, noting pre-order price tags of $299 or more!

In the end, I find myself torn. While the iPhone 3G and T-Mobile G1 are similar in that they are smartphones with touchscreens and app stores, they couldn’t be more different. The iPhone 3G is a phone made by Apple that runs on Apple software. When it comes to the G1, we’re dealing with a phone made by HTC, carried by T-Mobile that runs on an OS by Google.

Could an Android-based handset be the always talked about “iPhone killer?” Sure. But that handset is not the G1. Until Google makes their own phone that runs on Android, I don’t think we’ll see all that the very impressive OS from the search engine mogul can do.

Apple has just launched a new purchasing system for the iPhone 3G that is intended to help consumers save time when going to their local Apple store. You still can’t order an iPhone 3G online and have it delivered, but you can complete part of the process at home.

 
Now, you can fill out a form with all of your details, pick a plan and get all of the little nuisances that hold up the line in-store out of the way at home. The forms are pretty intuitive and allow you to make a new purchase, create new accounts if you are using the FamilyTalk plan and even add a new phone to a current account. You can replace an old iPhone as well.

The next step is to select your store of choice. Once that’s done, you can go to the store and pick up your iPhone 3G. It still must be activated in-store, however, most likely as a preventative measure against those that unlocked the original iPhone to work with other carriers besides AT&T.

[via SlashGear]

Well, App Store rejection letters may have always been under Apple’s non-disclosure agreement, but now the company is wanting to make that fact perfectly clear. So clear, in fact, they’ve resorted to using caps lock.

Many a rejection letter for apps has surfaced online and now it seems Apple is tired of the critical press. Now, app developers that receive a rejection letter will see this in the heading:

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS MESSAGE IS UNDER NON-DISCLOSURE

This is just another thing showing the vice grip Apple has on what does and does not enter the App Store. This is in sharp contrast to the newly revealed Android Market, which will not filter or restrict its apps or content. Seems to me there has to be a meeting in the middle here, don’t you think?

[via MacRumors]

The iPhone 3G has been selling like hot cakes and it seems like it will sell even more in Q4. In fact, it is now estimated that Apple will be shipping 5 million units for Q4, which ends on September 30th.

This new estimate has Apple targeting 7.4 million iPhones before the holiday season even begins. Not too shabby, if you ask me. While this is a drop down from the previous estimate that had Apple producing 800,000 iPhones a week, it is still rather impressive.

So what does this all mean? Apple will need to sell 2.6 million iPhone 3Gs by the end of the year if they are to meet their original goal of 10 million phones sold. But the holidays always do wonders for sales so it’s still a very real possibility.

[via IntoMobile]

A lot of rumors have been floating around about iPhone activation and how it might return to the home lately. But now an Apple retail store employee has tipped off The Boy Genius Report about the rumor’s basis in fact. But it’s not exactly the home activation of the days of yore.
 

There is an element of home activation to be added back into the process, that is for sure. For instance, you will be able to “pre-activate” your iPhone at home by entering in a bunch of information about yourself, your billing information and cellular contract details. But once you go to the Apple store (no word on if this will be available in AT&T stores yet) you will still have to have the phone activated in store.

That’s an improvement, I guess, but it’s still a bummer they’ve eliminated the old super convenient all at-home activation process. I miss it, dearly.

[via The Boy Genius Report]

The world of iPhone news has calmed a bit in recent weeks but that doesn’t mean what’s been going on here on iPhone Buzz has been any less important. Check out our recap of the week below.

First, we found out that AT&T is planning an iPhone U-verse IPTC interface, which would combine the carrier’s Internet and video service with mobile-controlled PVRs. An Apple patent application was also uncovered this week that shows a new “At a Glance” screen for the iPhone.

The iPhone 3G was discovered to have a hidden data matrix code printed on its side and the Genius playlist-making ability was added to the Remote app. The iPhone 3G adapter was recalled this week in fear of electrocution risks as well.

QuickPwn 2.1 for Windows was released by the Dev Team, which makes jailbreaking iPhone 3G’s latest update a snap.

In application-related news, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed for the iPhone was released to the App Store this week as a companion to the also just-released console game by the same name. We also learned that Trism has made over $250,000 so far in sales.

Fonolo was demoed this week and we got video footage of the “deep dialing” system in action. Finally, the Griffin AirCurve acoustic amplifier was introduced, which boosts the audio output of your iPhone which docking it.

Anyone that has doubted the profitability of selling apps in the iTunes App Store can have their doubts put to rest. In fact, Trism, which we reviewed a few months back here on iPhone Buzz has crossed the $250,000 income mark.

The developer of Trism, Steve Demeter let the news out on his income at a conference. The app did receive some press coverage prior to its release at the launch of the App Store, however, this is still evidence of just how popular a platform the iPhone can be for games.

Since it’s release on July 11, Trism has sold over 71,000 copies. That clocks in at an average of 1,200 copies a day! You can currently purchase Trism from the App Store for $4.99.
 
[via MacRumors]