Google phone (HTC Dream)

Google has already cornered the market when it comes to the internet... and now it’s hoping to do the same with mobile phones.

The Google phone has just hit the shelves and TODAY’s Technology Editor Charlie Brown gives his expert opinion on what has been hailed the first serious rival to the Apple iPhone.

The Google Phone, dubbed "The Dream" was launched in Australia yesterday through Optus. The Dream, which is made by Taiwanese electronics company HTC, is the first Smartphone in the world to use Android, which is an open-source computer-style operating system built by Google and based on the Linux system.

The Dream is a quad-band touch-screen GSM 3G phone, fitted with WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS capabilities. It also has a three-megapixel camera. Bundled features include access to YouTube, Google Maps, an MP3 player, instant messaging and email.

The important thing to note is this - Google makes the operating system, the phone company (HTC) makes the phone and the phone network (Optus) provides the coverage. This is different to the iPhone, in which case, Apple make both the operating system and the phone.

What’s new and improved:

• The Dream has a built in keyboard, which is better than typing onto a screen if you tend to send emails frequently.
• Google Android is open source – this means the operating system can be re-programmed and changed.
• All the Google applications you use every day have been condensed into a device that fits in your palm. Search, YouTube, maps and loads more, are built into the operating environment on The Dream.
• The Dream has an in-built digital compass, with an expandable memory and removable battery.

How The Dream compares to the iPhone:

• Like the iPhone, the HTC Dream is essentially a handheld computer that can also make phone calls, seen as primarily a consumer device and not a competitor for the BlackBerry in the corporate market.
• Some reviewers have gushed about the Android phone, others criticise its angular form and say it needs more work before it matches the iPhone.
• There are also rumours that a new, more capable iPhone will arrive about mid-year, said to have a body carved from a single block of aluminium, GPS navigation, 32GB of on-board storage, a removable battery and, possibly, a lower sale price.
• For Google and Apple, as well as mobile phone network operators, the core of the Smartphone market is not voice calls but software applications.

What the iPhone does better:

• The iPhone is still better for managing your music and your movies.
• i Tunes is still the best application for this and it's connectivity with iPhone leads the way for entertainment.
• The iPhone's interface is better. The ability to pinch to zoom and the sheer ease of navigation is still more impressive.

The Dream is being sold exclusively in Australia by Optus, with plans starting at $59 a month for 24 months, plus a surcharge of $15 to pay for the phone. Telstra says it has not yet decided whether to include the HTC Dream in its range.

today.ninemsn.com.au