T-Mobile Preorders 1.5 Million G1s

The staggering number of presales comes just 10 days before the T-Mobile-powered Android's official launch date Oct. 22. Neither T-Mobile, Google or handset manufacturer HTC has confirmed the reports that first appeared on Motley Fool. According to the Web site, Apple originally thought it would sell 10 million second-generation iPhones Apple this year. The G1 preorders are three times the original amount of phones T-Mobile ordered from Taiwan-based HTC, which rapidly sold out.

Current T-Mobile subscribers have first dibs on preorders.

"Because of overwhelming demand, we're setting aside even more T-Mobile G1 phones as a special thanks to you, our loyal T-Mobile customers," reads a statement on T-Mobile's Web site. "Supplies are limited, so this is your chance to order yours today before it hits the streets and guarantee you don't go without."

Pricing for the G1 starts at $179.99 for T-Mobile customers, plus taxes and fees; pricing is subject to upgrade eligibility criteria—a two-year agreement is required. Orders taken prior to Oct. 21 will be delivered around Nov. 10, the company said.

T-Mobile will provide 3G services in 16 mass markets, the company said on its Web site, eventually expanding to 22 markets by Oct. 22. By mid-November, that number is expected to increase to 27 markets.

Preinstalled Google features on the G1 include Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Talk and and YouTube.

An application storefront—the Android Market—features apps in addition to mashups of existing and new services from developers.

Some of the bells and whistles on the G1 include a touch screen, Web browsing capabilities, 3-megapixel camera, customizable home screen, QWERTY keyboard, IM/text/e-mail, music player, video playback, and 3G network and Wi-Fi access.