Google’s Android Phone

About a month ago, I pre-ordered a T-Mobile G1 phone with Google’s Android*. It arrived yesterday, a full two days before it was promised. I couldn’t resist taking some “unboxing” photos. Why? I have no idea! I’ve seen “unboxing” posts on various blogs for so long, it just felt like the right thing to do.

From 2008 Photobook

(Totoro included for scale.)

The box was smaller than I expected. (Is that an exciting detail?) Happily, the phone is a lot more attractive in person than I’d thought it would be. I opted for the brown phone, mostly because I’m sick sick sick of black, and because the keyboard looked easier to read. As much as I love “form,” I’m a “function” gal at heart.

Here, I am clearly visible and exhibiting a fanatical glee as I enjoy the beauty of my new toy.

From 2008 Photobook

I played with the phone for three hours, although setting it up with my Gmail, contacts, and calender took about 3 minutes from the moment I installed the SIM card and battery. I like a phone I don’t ever have to sync! The Android Market is woefully minimal right now, but they seem to be adding apps already. I expect it to be robust before too long.

Here, Cairo enjoys the smell of technology.

From 2008 Photobook

Today, I brought my phone to work and immediately found it useful. I used Google Maps to get us down to Little Tokyo, where I found the shopping plaza we were looking for using Satellite view. Later, I took photos of potential costumes and emailed them back to the studio for nigh-immediate approval. It was so easy — literally 30 seconds or less to shoot the pictures and email them.

I love the phone. In time, I suspect I’ll grow to luv luv luv it. I’ve never named a phone before (despite the fact that I name my cars, computers, and iPods), but this one is different. Naming suggestions welcome.

(*With apologies to Ted for the phone being nothing like an android.)