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The T-Mobile G1 Google smartphone, designed by Google and made by HTC, remains firmly in the shadow of the iPhone—for now. The HTC hardware and Android OS that powers it lack the polish and depth of even the iPhone 1. It uses Google services to sync mail, contacts, appointments with GMail and Google Calendar. Looks like you can transfer media files via the memory card from PC or Mac. In terms of its styling and design, G1 does not break new ground. It is thicker and heavier than the Apple’s iPhone and lacks some of the iPhone’s features, including video playback. Instead of standard headphone and USB ports, it has a proprietary combination port.

The G1 is heavier and thicker than every mobile device I’ve picked up, from a BlackBerry Bold to the iPhone. The weight is likely due to the battery, which was fairly poor. The G1 ran out of juice on me several times, which is a bad sign, considering I didn’t use it very often. The G1 Phone’s reviews thus far have been mixed with the consensus being that the advancements in technology made by the phone are slightly undone by the overall experience.