HTC G1 Android phone to be launched in India

High Tech Computer (HTC) plans to roll out the highly anticipated Google phone, the HTC G1 Android phone, in India, by December 2008.A lot of us remember the crowds in India’s cities when the iPhone 3G was launched in India; the demand for the HTC G1 Android phone may not be so high, but we can expect the geeks to queue up for sure.

G1 Android phone

The HTC G1 Android phone, is likely to cost over Rs 20,000, higher than the US launch price, $179 (Rs 8,200), but lower than the Apple iPhone that costs Rs 31,000 for the 8GB model, in India.

The HTC G1 Android phone is likely to be available in three colors: black, brown, and white.

HTC has not yet firmed up plans on how to introduced the HTC G1 Android phone in India. Reports say that HTC is in talks with a leading cellphone service provider and would prefer to introduce the HTC G1 Android phone in India through a tie-up with a mobile operator. HTC is also open to sell the HTC G1 Android phone through independent retail channels.

The HTC G1 Android phone, that will take on the Apple iPhone, is based on the Android platform. Android, a Linux-based mobile phone operating system was introduced in November 2007.

Android has been developed by the Open Handset Alliance, that includes HTC, Intel, Motorola, Google, and Samsung.

Google G1 Android phone

The HTC G1 Android phone has highly sophisticated features, similar to those of the Apple iPhone and RIM’s Blackberry.

The HTC G1 Android phone comes with a slide-out full Querty keyboard, a drag and drop user interface, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data rate, and  a Qualcomm MSM7201A, 528 MHz processor.

The display of the HTC G1 Android phone has a 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution, and a track ball with an Enter button.

The HTC G1 Android phone has a talk time of up to 350 minutes for WCDMA and 406 minutes for GSM. The HTC G1 Android phone has a 3.2 megapixel color camera with fixed focus. Other features of the HTC G1 Android phone include a digital compass, motion sensor, and support for Push email.

The HTC G1 Android phone has a lithium-ion rechargeable battery with a capacity of 1150 maH, and GPS navigation with built-in GPS receiver and map software.

Geared towards providing high-speed internet access to prolific net users, the HTC G1 Android phones also provides Google Maps, Gmail, and Youtube. The HTC G1 Android phone also enables gmail users to receive instant notification whenever a new messages hits their inbox.

HTC already sells smart-phones in the Indian markets in the range of Rs 10,000 – Rs 35,000. With the HTC G1 Android phone, HTC hopes to sell 600,000 mobiles in 2009. In 2008, HTC has doubled its 2007 sales figures, in India. HTC believes that the HTC G1 Android phone will benefit greatly from a huge web user base, Google’s operating system, advertising-based business model, and open source development platform.

Reports say that Strategy Analytics, a research firm, has predicted that the HTC G1 Android phone could sell 400,000 units by the end of 2008, accounting for 4 per cent of the smartphone market.

The G1 Android phone will be launched in the US, on Oct 22, 2008, in the UK in early November 2008, and in Europe in 2009.