Google Android G1 Goes Unlocked For Developers
The G1 made waves when it was released by T-Mobile in October, officially launching the Android-based device into a head-to-head-to-head rivalry against touch-screen titans the Apple iPhone 3G and the BlackBerry Storm, Research In Motion's first-ever touch-screen device. The T-Mobile G1 marked the first commercially available device based on Google Android. Other device makers, like Motorola and NTT DoCoMo, have said they'll soon release smartphones based on Android as well.
The unlocked G1, while geared toward developers, could fuel increased sales of the device because it won't be tied to a specific carrier, a hindrance for smartphone buyers who apprehensive about signing onto T-Mobile for a G1.
Google's Android team announced the Android Dev Phone 1 quietly last week. The device carries a price tag of $399 and, Google said, it offers developers and programmers a hardware platform on which they can build, test and tweak the applications they create.
According to Google, the Android Dev Phone 1 can be used on any network that supports a SIM card.
Google said registered Android developers can buy the unlocked handheld on the Android Market site after logging into their account. A $25 fee is required to register as a developer, and Google is limiting the device to one per developer.
Along with the developers' G1, Google unveiled Android 1.0 SDK Release 2, which lets developers write applications compatible with Android 1.0 devices like the G1.