Google and T-Mobile have introduced the first Android-based mobile phone today called the T-Mobile G1. T-Mobile held a press conference which is available for online streaming. T-Mobile's press conference provided quick overviews of the device and seemed to position the device directly against the Apple iPhone with developers discussing the openness of the platform without any approval process. The phone will be commercially launched on October 22nd alongside a large marketing campaign. Features discussed:
- Amazon mobile music store (press release) preloaded on the G1. - Built in keyboard. Google Maps. Android Market, YouTube - Launch on October 22nd - No tethering option - SIM-locked to T-Mobile - Read Word, PDF, Excel files. No exchange compatibility, but 3rd parties could bring it. - GMail is push, IMAP is pull - No desktop application to sync - Interface video - Specs: 480x320 screen, 3.1MP camera, 5hrs talk time, 1GB MicroSD card preinstalled, GPS, accelerometer. Wi-Fi. 3G. Bluetooth. - $179 with 2 year contract
Walt Mossberg provides first impressions of the new device and describes it as a "versatile device which will offer users a real alternative in the new handheld computing category the iPhone has occupied alone." Other notes:
- Physical keyboard. Typing "OK" - Tied to Google web email, contacts, calendar. Support for 3rd party email too. - "Won't win any beauty contests" but feels good in hand when closed - Software slick, responsive - Copy, paste - Instant Messaging - Very basic music player, Amazon MP3 downloads - No built in video player, but you can download one from the Market - Only comes with 1GB memory. Upgradable to 8GB. - Removable battery.
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...