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Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

mossblog.allthingsd.com

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Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#31

Post by jonknee »

nickb wrote: post #9
jcl wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FYI, Android Market apparently will have no review process -- anyone can list an application without approval. And you have heard about OpenMoko, right?

FYI, Android Market apparently will have no review process -- anyone can list an application without approval. I wonder how long this will last. All you need is one malicious app and the party will be over. If not Google, then the carriers themselves will demand the locking up of the store... all in the name of security.

Almost every phone on the market besides the iPhone can run an app without walled garden approval. I think it will be OK. I don't want my desktop apps being filtered any more than I want my mobile apps to be filtered.

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#32

Post by nuclear_eclipse »

wh wrote: post #28
quasimojo wrote: post #5

christ we are in the dark ages again i need a google account to use gphone i need itunes to use iphone i have to buy apps from approved channels it favors the vendors apps no thanks wake me when i can buy a device that runs apps i choose, connects to the network i want. i realize this is a pipe dream. the wireless world is a world of shit i might as well look for the smallest flash-based linux notebook possible that…

We need someone like Linus Torvalds for mobile os.

His name is Sean Moss-Pultz. http://moss-pultz.com/

Interview: http://www.fsckin.com/2008/01/20/interview-with-sean-moss-pu...

His mission statement for Openmoko: http://lists.openmoko.org/pipermail/announce/2008-June/00002...

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#33

Post by Prrometheus »

nuclear_eclipse wrote: post #15
quasimojo wrote: post #5

christ we are in the dark ages again i need a google account to use gphone i need itunes to use iphone i have to buy apps from approved channels it favors the vendors apps no thanks wake me when i can buy a device that runs apps i choose, connects to the network i want. i realize this is a pipe dream. the wireless world is a world of shit i might as well look for the smallest flash-based linux notebook possible that…

I have an Openmoko Neo FreeRunner: it has GPS, accelerometers, WiFi G, high resolution 640x480px touch screen, Micro SD card slot, good quality speakers/headphone jack, and good battery life; it works with any GSM carrier; it can run just about any operating system compiled for its ARM CPU; you can run and compile programs on it in any language supported by GCC or an ARM-compiled interpreter; it can connect to the in…

Isn't that the one that was a giant trainwreck as far as, you know, actually using it?

http://www.vimeo.com/1366042

From the video, it looks like the FreeRunner is a long way from a usable open phone. And not all the issues are with the horrible software it ships with. The hardware looks like it sucks, too.

Have you tried an iPhone? They're awesome.

edit: Other reviews I've found of the FreeRunner are absolutely frightening as well. It looks more like a $400 toy to hack on than a phone one might actually use.

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#34

Post by whatusername »

lemonysnicket wrote: post #29
mechanical_fish wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The iPhone doesn't lose luster when it acquires imitators. Far from it. The release of Android is a big, free benefit for Apple's marketing. The release of Android will inspire approximately 3e5 articles comparing the new phone with existing phones. And which is the existing phone that will be featured in every single one of those articles, cast (once again) in the role of the current gold standard for smart phones ?…

"the iPhone with a keyboard." that's all you have to tell ordinary consumers (read: high school teenage girls and college-aged folks who absolutely OBLITERATE text messaging services and would never buy a mobile phone without a keyboard). as a phone, iPhone rates very poorly for two things: calls (poor reception, horrible battery life, etc.) and sms. G1 fixes one and possibly the other. i have an iPhone, FWIW

I can text reasonably well.. (aka - by sight while driving using T9). I don't know ANYONE who texts regularly with a QWERTY keyboard on their phone. Maybe it's just an australian thing? Certainly none of my teenage female cousins have one - nor people I catch a train with...

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#35

Post by auston »

Am I the only one who realizes that this phone solves the syncing problem better than Apple & certainly for a much lower cost (free!).

Your contacts/email/appointments move across computer & cell phone with every update.

Copy & Paste is solved by the G1.

There is 3.5G coverage & GPS built in as well as open standards for applications, so before you know it, you can video conference from your G1 over the net to friends in Argentina, Europe or Asia.

Improved maps with a compass, walking directions & street view definitely does not hurt either.

The G1 phone matches or exceeds the iPhone in everything except storage, which you can pay extra for.

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#36

Post by nuclear_eclipse »

Prrometheus wrote: post #33
nuclear_eclipse wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have an Openmoko Neo FreeRunner: it has GPS, accelerometers, WiFi G, high resolution 640x480px touch screen, Micro SD card slot, good quality speakers/headphone jack, and good battery life; it works with any GSM carrier; it can run just about any operating system compiled for its ARM CPU; you can run and compile programs on it in any language supported by GCC or an ARM-compiled interpreter; it can connect to the in…

Isn't that the one that was a giant trainwreck as far as, you know, actually using it? http://www.vimeo.com/1366042 From the video, it looks like the FreeRunner is a long way from a usable open phone. And not all the issues are with the horrible software it ships with. The hardware looks like it sucks, too. Have you tried an iPhone? They're awesome. edit: Other reviews I've found of the FreeRunner are absolutely frig…

Actually, with the current ASU software stack (not shown in the video you linked or its followup video) is quite usable as an everyday phone. Granted it's not yet perfect, but neither is Linux or Windows, and both of them have had far larger user bases and companies backing them.

For the most part, the hardware is not "horrible", but by the fact that Openmoko is a tiny company, they don't have the purchasing power that Apple has to get newer hardware components at an inexpensive price point, hence the older ARM CPU and TI Calypso GSM chipsets. It's still plenty peppy enough and has enough RAM that I can run numerous applications at the same time without degrading performance of the entire system.

Certainly it's not as polished as the iPhone, but for people who actually care about their freedoms, it's fantastic. Even if for the simple reasons that I can flash my Neo at will, and that I have no limitations from the manufacturer as to what I can do with my phone, or how it can be used, it's the best smartphone/PDA I have ever purchased or used.

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#38

Post by pxlpshr »

jonknee wrote: post #31
nickb wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FYI, Android Market apparently will have no review process -- anyone can list an application without approval. I wonder how long this will last. All you need is one malicious app and the party will be over. If not Google, then the carriers themselves will demand the locking up of the store... all in the name of security.

Almost every phone on the market besides the iPhone can run an app without walled garden approval. I think it will be OK. I don't want my desktop apps being filtered any more than I want my mobile apps to be filtered.

disagree because i've heard many reasons why apps are being declined outside of the complaints of nazi-ism that hit the wire. a number of apps have caused significant problems for iphone testers, and thus problems for Apple customer service (bottom line) on supporting user-created issues. It's easier to put a filter on it before hand... and scale up as the base software improves.

AAPL is positioned to be a barrier from the headaches of open computing. And that's what I love about them.

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#39

Post by jonknee »

pxlpshr wrote: post #38
jonknee wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Almost every phone on the market besides the iPhone can run an app without walled garden approval. I think it will be OK. I don't want my desktop apps being filtered any more than I want my mobile apps to be filtered.

disagree because i've heard many reasons why apps are being declined outside of the complaints of nazi-ism that hit the wire. a number of apps have caused significant problems for iphone testers, and thus problems for Apple customer service (bottom line) on supporting user-created issues. It's easier to put a filter on it before hand... and scale up as the base software improves. AAPL is positioned to be a barrier fr…

A filter for their store is not objectionable. My objection is that they require all apps to go through their store. It should be like Mac apps and anyone could make one (and distribute it), but not anyone gets listed on Apple's downloads page.

If Apple or Microsoft tried to pull this shit on the desktop they would be massacred. I would stop using OS X immediately.

Re: Walt Mossberg - Google’s G1: First Impressions

#40

Post by Prrometheus »

nuclear_eclipse wrote: post #36
Prrometheus wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't that the one that was a giant trainwreck as far as, you know, actually using it? http://www.vimeo.com/1366042 From the video, it looks like the FreeRunner is a long way from a usable open phone. And not all the issues are with the horrible software it ships with. The hardware looks like it sucks, too. Have you tried an iPhone? They're awesome. edit: Other reviews I've found of the FreeRunner are absolutely frig…

Actually, with the current ASU software stack (not shown in the video you linked or its followup video) is quite usable as an everyday phone. Granted it's not yet perfect, but neither is Linux or Windows, and both of them have had far larger user bases and companies backing them. For the most part, the hardware is not "horrible", but by the fact that Openmoko is a tiny company, they don't have the purchasing power th…

I find it interesting that you're the most vocal supporter of the Openmoko on this site, and you still don't use it as your only phone. Hopefully they will work out the kinks eventually, but it is not an option for most of us yet, not even those of us who care about software freedom.

If you NEED to have a backup phone, then it is still just an expensive toy.

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