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No, it's not the best phone ever.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)I cringe every time I hear the phrase "iPhone killer." And in a month like this, when we've reviewed the Palm Pre, the iPhone 3G S, and the next Google Android phone that is expected to land at T-Mobile, I've heard it way too many times.
My biggest issue with the phrase is not that's it's overused--though that's part of it--it's that it implies that the iPhone needs to be killed. Calling the latest touch-screen phone an "iPhone killer" automatically elevates the iPhone to a place that it doesn't deserve. Yes, it's an excellent, innovative device that does many things well, but it's not the best cell phone on the planet. And with the possible exception of its multitouch Web browser, it's not the ultimate pinnacle of cell phone development.
We need only to look at the iPhone's 3G's latest rivals to know that other devices can pose serious competition. No, they're not perfect either, but they're certainly innovative in their own way. And despite what some Apple fans may argue, they're not going anywhere.
Palm's innovative new WebOS is like nothing we've seen before. The Pre multitasks beautifully, its Synergy feature and notifications system are incomparable, and its multitouch browser almost beats the iPhone at its own game. We didn't love the Pre's hardware, but Palm will be coming out with more WebOS devices. Who knows what round two will bring?
Android handsets like the Google Ion/HTC Magic offer a fantastic interface, great integration with Google services, and a truly user-customizable experience. What's more, since Android will run on more than one device, consumers will have a real choice of hardware. Of course, that last point depends on Google and handset manufacturers actually introducing more Android devices. I'm impatiently awaiting the follow-up T-Mobile G1.
There will never be a "world's greatest phone," though people will find the best phone for their needs. We also should remember that competition and choice are good things. We should not desire a world where there is only one kind of cell phone, much like we shouldn't desire to drive one kind of car, drink one kind of soda, or wear one brand of shoes. There is plenty of room in this world for multiple brands of phones, whether they be flashy, multimedia handsets like the iPhone or simple candy bar models that just makes calls.
So, please lay off the "iPhone killer." It's not fair, it's not accurate and it's just not right.
There are rumors that HTC and T-Mobile are planning on the T-Mobile G2, and apparently it won't have a physical keyboard. We discuss that, as well as the Samsung Instinct's new calendar syncing, LG's breakthrough sales in 2008, plus a few new phones. And, of course, we tell you about the latest reviews and answer your e-mail too.
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News
Rumor of the week: T-Mobile G2?
LG ships 100 million handsets in 2008
U.S. Cellular reveals LG Wine
Instinct's calendar syncing put to the test
Moto Tundra goes on sale
Asus working on a low-cost Eee smartphone?
Boost Mobile rolls out unlimited monthly plans
Reviews
RIM BlackBerry Curve 8350i
Upcoming reviews
Nokia N79 (unlocked)
Nokia N85 (unlocked)
Cellphone-Mate CM2000-WL signal booster
Motorola Tundra
LG Rhythm
LG HBM-310
This week we discuss the latest news that the T-Mobile G1 may not be the only Android phone for very long. We also talk about the latest BlackBerry Storm update, new Nokia handsets, calendar syncing for the Instinct, a new Bluetooth profile, AT&T femtocells, and the best phones of 2009. And of course we go over the latest reviews and listener questions.
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News
Sony Ericsson, HTC to release Android phone
Non-G1 Android phone to hit Australia in January
Verizon Wireless officially rolls out BlackBerry Storm firmware update
Nokia 2605 debuts on Verizon
Calendar syncing comes to the Instinct
Nokia E63, 5130 Xpress Music clear FCC
Bluetooth 3.0 to debut next year?
AT&T to start testing out femtocells
Best phones of 2009
Reviews
Nokia 5800 first take
HTC Touch Pro (Verizon Wireless)
Samsung Delve (U.S. Cellular)
Jabra BT530
Jabra SP700
Upcoming reviews
Motorola i576
LG Invision
T-Mobile G1
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)
I'm a month-to-month T-Mobile customer with a Nokia 6133 that is on its lest leg. I want to get a phone with a full Internet browser and I'm deciding between the iPhone and the T-Mobile G1. I'd also like access for my Yahoo mail, but I don't need my work e-mail. Which do you recommend? Also, I don't own an iPod or use iTunes (I usually use Amazon to purchase music), so I'm concerned about moving to an all-iTunes environment.
- EJ
That's a a very good question, EJ, and the answer depends on your individual needs and desires. Though the iPhone is the better overall device (at least right now) a person in your situation should seriously consider the G1. Here is why.
I always tell people who are considering purchasing an iPhone 3G that there are three reasons to buy one. Forget the slick design and the flashy and user-friendly interface; I recommend buying the iPhone for its Web browser, its media player, and (to a somewhat lesser extent) its support for third-party applications. These three areas are where the iPhone performs very well, so I advise basing your decision on a comparison of those points. Sure, the design and interface are important, but I'd treat them and the e-mail integration as secondary motivators. And of course, I wouldn't base my decision on call quality alone, as the iPhone 3G still suffers in that area.
When boiled down to those three points, the G1 offers a compelling alternative to the iPhone. It also has a Web browser and media player and it supports third-party apps. While those apps are limited for now, more will come in the future. And as Bonnie Cha and Nicole Lee reported in their G1 review, the media player and browser offered satisfying performance. Sure, they may not be as good as on the iPhone, but they may be good enough for you. And here's another advantage for you: the G1's integration with the Amazon MP3 store means you wouldn't have to switch over to iTunes. And on a similar note, the G1 would enable you to stay with T-Mobile if you're happy with its service.
... Read moreAs we inch closer toward the holiday season, a wave of new cell phones is upon us, from messaging phones to touch-screen smartphones. This week, we plow through a pile of latest reviews and highlight recent from both the T-Mobile G1 and Sprint.
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News
Wal-Mart to sell T-Mobile G1 at lower price
Sprint releases availability dates for HTC Touch Pro
Sanyo Katana Eclipse X to get One Click
Virtual keypads set to grace Android phones
Sprint CEO says Android not good enough yet
Sprint to start prorating early termination fees
Reviews
Samsung Epi
Sony Ericsson W980
Motorola VU204
Motorola Active W450
Samsung SGH-A637
LG Lotus
Samsung Propel
Upcoming reviews
RIM BlackBerry Bold
HTC Touch Pro (Sprint)
Motorola Rapture VU30
Sony Ericsson C902
The T-Mobile G1 is more than just a phone.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)By now, you might have read Bonnie Cha and Nicole Lee's review of the T-Mobile G1, which goes on sale Wednesday. As one of the most anticipated cell phones of the year, the G1 had me on the edge of my seat the moment T-Mobile announced it. I wasn't part of the formal CNET review, but I relished the opportunity to get some one-on-one time with the device.
As Bonnie and Nicole rightfully point out, the G1's design isn't the most inspiring, and it lacks some needed features, but I still applaud HTC and T-Mobile for taking this step. Though it isn't perfect, and I can't think of a phone that is, the G1 is a great start on a new way to think about the mobile industry. It is much more than just another phone; the G1's real appeal lies in its promise of an open-source device that puts control in the hands of users. Whether the G1 will really deliver on that promise remains to be seen, but I think it has a lot of potential to do so.
The "walled garden" is a concept you hear a lot in the cell phone world. Basically, it describes an environment where one party controls every aspect of the user experience, from the handset to the service to the applications. For much of the mobile phone industry's life in the United States, that party has been the carrier. Yet, ever since the iPhone burst onto the scene 15 months ago, that concept has begun to change.
... Read moreAfter months of waiting, Google's Android operating system is now a reality. We give you the rundown on the T-Mobile G1, which offers a touch screen, a full keyboard, and a decent feature set. We also talk about Sprint's identity crisis, Blackberry Storm news, and our latest reviews. And of course, as always, your questions.
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1. News
Google Android/T-Mobile G1 full coverage
More Verizon BlackBerry Storm details surface
Has the iPhone 2.1 software update delivered
Alltel gets Motorola Razr VE20
Alltel phones get a little Nutsie
On Call: Finding Sprint's voice
2. New reviews
Virgin Mobile Shuttle
3. Upcoming reviews
Velocity 103
Motorola i365
Samsung SBH-i700
Bluetooth headset prizefight: Aliph Jawbone 2 vs. BlueAnt V1
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Bonnie Cha reviews the
latest smart phones, PDAs, and GPS devices, helping CNET readers get
their hands on the latest mobile electronics. 
Kent German is CNET's
cell phone editor and has been following the wireless industry for
seven years. He's embarrassed to admit he can name almost any cell
phone he sees on the street. 
Nicole Lee reviews cell
phones and their accessories for CNET, thus satisfying her love for all
things small, shiny, and digital.
