The IT Nerd

The T-Mobile G1 powered by Google’s Android OS has got a ton of ink today. But this phone is not for everyone, in particular it is not for the corporate types. Why? It’s simple, it’s missing two key functions that coporate types need:

1. No Microsoft Exchange support: This is a major omission. Without Exchange support, there isn’t a reason for corporate types to use this phone. True, someone can develop support for Exchange. But it should have been there from the start because corporate types aren’t going to use Google Mail.
2. No desktop syncing: Another major omission. Seeing as there’s no Exchange support, how do I get my contacts onto the phone? I guess I can do over the air syncs using a Google service. But using a consumer service for over the air syncs doesn’t inspire conference. Just look at MobileMe as an example of what could go wrong.

Don’t get me wrong. The G1 is an interesting phone, but I think it’s missing some things that would allow it to better compete in the corporate space. Perhaps Google should address these issues ASAP so that they can make the G1 more attractive.

My only questions are, what does “smarterer,” “connecteder,” and  “funnerer” mean? Did they get the same jokers who did the Bell ads to do this? Or are they trying to beat Apple’s “funnest iPod ever” tagline?

Anyways, here’s the Ad:

Does the title confuse you? No worries, I’ll clear things up.

T-Mobile today announced the G1 Phone which is powered by a Google developed operating system called “Android.” The phone itself will have these features:

Screen
3.17″ 65K color touchscreen that runs in HVGA (480×320) resolution.

Battery Life
5 hours talk time, 130 hours standby.

Camera
3.1MP.

GSM Frequencies Supported:
GSM/GPRS/EDGE/Wi-Fi and UMTS/HSDPA
850/900/1700/1800/1900/2100Mhz

Storage
1GB MicroSD card preinstalled. Supports 8GB MicroSD.

GPS
Built in with Google Maps

Android Market
Similar to the iPhone’s mobile App Store, the Android Market will allow downloading of various Android apps to the phone.

Amazon MP3 Store
Amazon’s MP3 store will on every G1 which will allow the download of 6 million DRM-free tracks with singles starting at 89 cents.

Oh yeah, YouTube is supported too.

Here’s why this is such a big deal:

• The Android OS is a open source OS unlike Apple’s iPhone OS.
• Unlike the Apple iPhone App Store, the Android App Store will have applications that can modify and replace the core functions of the OS (unlike Apple’s iPhone OS where you are forbidden to write applications that do that).
• Google won’t control what apps make it to their app store unlike Apple.
• The OS will be available on a variety of phone hardware through the Open Handset Alliance. The iPhone’s OS will only be on the iPhone and the iPod Touch (or anything else that has an Apple logo on it).

Basically,  Google has positioned themselves as the exact opposite of Apple which they hope will attract developers to their platform. That in turn will encourage hardware manufacturers to support their phone and encourage people to buy Android powered phones. That in turn will allow Google to dominate the world. It sounds melodramatic, but that is their plan. On the surface, it sounds like Apple may have something to worry about.

We’ll see if that is the case in the medium to long term.