New York - Mobile network operator T-Mobile USA on Tuesday introduced the G1, the first mobile phone to feature Google's Android operating system, which will sell for $179 with a two-year voice and data agreement when it goes on sale first in the U.S. on Oct. 22. Viewed as a smartphone that will challenge Apple's iPhone, the G1 -- manufactured by Taiwan's HTC -- features both a touch-screen display and a full QWERTY hardware keyboard that slides out from underneath.

The 3G phone also features GPS, Wi-Fi, MMS, a 3-megapixel camera, full HTML browser, and a music player that links to the Amazon MP3 store.

Unlike the version of the iTunes Store available on the iPhone, G1 users will be able to preview and purchase songs from Amazon MP3 over a cellular connection; however, songs still must be downloaded to the phone over a Wi-Fi connection.

Google also announced the release of the Android 1.0 SDK, adding that over 1,700 applications for the platform were developed during its Android Developer Challenge.

Applications will be available for the G1 via the Android Market, similar in concept to Apple's App Store for the iPhone.

T-Mobile USA is currently accepting pre-orders for the G1 from its website; the G1 is also slated to launch in the U.K. next month, and in the rest of Europe early next year.

Related Links:
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/first-android-powered-phone.html

http://snipurl.com/3t3pk (CNET)

http://snipurl.com/3t3ph (Silicon Alley Insider)

http://mossblog.allthingsd.com/?p=84&ak_action=printable

http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/09/amazon-google-p.html

http://www.t-mobileg1.com