T-Mobile to put out first Android phone.(PRODUCT WATCH)

T-Mobile is expected to begin selling the first smart phone using Google's Android software by next month. T-Mobile seems to be one of the few companies working on an Android system that didn't experience any major delays, with its phone coming out on schedule. The Android Dream seems ready for its premiere.


The phone, which is being manufactured by HTC, is expected to challenge the iPhone and the BlackBerry line. At least that's what all the companies involved in this phone and currently developing other Android phones are hoping.

HTC expects to ship 600,000 to 700,000 units by year-end. Most analysts' predictions are closer to 300,000 to 400,000, though some go as high as 500,000.

Wireless Watch reports that this will boost its European profile overnight with the launch via T-Mobile in the UK and Germany.

The UK expects the phone's release to steal some thunder from O2 UK's iPhone. The September 23 release could be a smashing success in Germany, as it happens to be the German Google Developer Day.


The Look, the Feel, the Content


T-Mobile is expected to announce the phone at a September 23 press conference in New York. The phone could be on the shelves by the end of October, but no one is leaking any pricing information about the phone.

Leaks abound about the size, shape and features of the phone. The most consistent rumors include an interface that seems to be a cross between the iPhone and a BlackBerry.
Expectations are high for the phone having a touch screen as well as a full keyboard that slides out. The Wall Street Journal adds some credibility to these rumors. Its sources say there's a navigational trackball similar to the BlackBerry's.

T-Mobile is looking to get this device out successfully and first. This device would help cement it in the high-end mobile market as it starts a nationwide upgrade to support 3G services.
T-Mobile is also said to be developing a software store similar to the offerings of Apple's App Store. T-Mobile would encourage developers to create applications for its Web-enabled handsets, including its Android models, and aim to share the revenues with developers.
T-Mobile currently has 30 million subscribers in the US alone, about three times the number of iPhones, and a successful Android model could greatly increase its market share. Maybe that's why T-Mobile's devPartner site is advertising for software partners.


Google's Game


Google hopes that hundreds, nay thousands, of Android-based handsets are produced and rain down from the heavens. Google isn't looking to make its money directly off of Android-based phone sales. Instead, it has found what could be the silver bullet of the Internet: ad revenues.
Android will ensure that Google's services and ad systems are available on a wide range of phones. Android might also be the best way to firmly plant Chrome in the browser market.
Google also sits in a position to enjoy the success of the iPhone and other Web-heavy devices. Through its success of YouTube and its search features, Google is already doing fantastic in the mobile world.
Android allows Google more flexibility in content delivery right now, but as the majority of phones move to a Web browsing model, it is poised to thrive because of its competition.
Every time a company develops another platform or service that makes mobile Web browsing easier or more like PC browsing, Google stands to gain simply because of its dominance as a Web search function and the fluidity of its ad model.