The first Google Android smartphone, the T-Mobile G1 completes our Top 10 Mobile Phone Gift Guide 2008. I have hesitated a bit to recommend the HTC G1 as a gift as Android is rather early stage and you could call the G1 a project. On the other hand it is one of the few things you can get in on at the ground level. It is new and promising as the Adobe Flash Player 10 running on Android showed impressively today.
The T-Mobile G1 is a great gift for early adopters, open source fans and Google fans.
Features of the T-Mobile G1 include touchscreen, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, WiFi, 3MP camera, music player, Bluetooth, Google Cloud integration and Android Market.

The G1 is only available on the T-Mobile network. If you sign a contract you get the T-Mobile G1 for $179.99 right now.

For Whom:
Ideal for early adopters, Open Source freaks and Google fans.

The Good:
Touchscreen and QWERTY Keyboard
Google Integration
Open Source Karma
3MP Camera


The Bad:
UI not as well rounded as the iPhone
New OS, will evolve going forward quite a bit
Design is a bit boring compared to the iPhone or BlackBerry Storm

Where to Buy:
The T-Mobile G1 Android phone is selling on T-Mobile for $179.99 for new customers when signing a contract. See also these BlackBerry Storm accessories.

See all our top 10 gift tips in the Mobile Phone Category. Explore all our Top 100 Holiday Gift Tips 2008.