Update: TeleNav has introduced the first turn-by-turn navigation functionality for the T-Mobile G1. See the latest on the TeleNav GPS Navigator.
T-Mobile has unveiled the first mobile phone to be offered running the Google "Android" open operating system, the T-Mobile G1, and the phone includes a built-in GPS receiver. Without GPS, the phone would have had little chance of competing with the Apple iPhone 3G and its fast-growing suite of location-based services apps.
The new T-Mobile G1 features a touchscreen that slides open to reveal a QWERTY keyboard; a mini-trackball; a special mobile HTML web browser with zoom capability; one-touch access to Google applications such as Google Maps and Gmail; WiFi and 3G; 3-megapixel camera (no flash); music player; MicroSD card slot (8 gig maximum for now).
Google created the open Android operating system for phones to help keep its Web-based services front-and-center on future mobile devices. GPS apps shipping with the G1 include "Ecorio," developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and carbon footprint, and "BreadCrumbz," enabling users to create step-by-step visual maps using photos. With BreadCrumbz, customers can create their own routes, and share them with friends or with the world.
Additional GPS/location-based apps that may be available in the future include "Locale," an advanced settings manager that automatically changes your phone's settings based on conditions, such as location, and "iMap Mobile," a multimedia weather platform to provide radar images, lightning strikes, conditions and forecasts at your location.
With Google Maps, G1 users can view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions, all from the phone’s touchscreen interface. "The T-Mobile G1 also includes Google Maps Street View, allowing customers to explore cities at street-level virtually while on the go. Without taking a step, customers can tour a far-away place as if they were there - standing on the street corner. Even better, the Google Maps feature syncs with the built-in compass on the phone - an industry first - to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand. Google Maps Street View is available today in many U.S. locations and soon in European countries," states T-Mobile.
See the About.com smartphone guide review of the new phone here.
