T-Mobile G1 is the first Google-branded phone in the market running on Android, released on October 22nd, 2008.

More details can be found on official website at The new T-Mobile G1 with Google cell phone ? Official Site

- touch screen
- QWERTY keyboard
- Google search bar (available on home screen)
- Web browsing (Real Web, not mobile version)
- Google Apps: Gmail, YouTube, Google Calendar, Google Talk
- 3G Network and Wi-Fi Access

FEATURES:

- IM/Text/E-mail (if more than one email account, they all are accessible from G1)
- 3.2 Megapixel Camera
- YouTube videos
- Music Player
- Android Market
- Customizable Home screen (use personal photos as wallpaper, remove/add apps on the home screen etc.)

G1 comes with 1GB memory card included. The card is expandable to 8GB.

First update was released just after device was officially released and includes one bug fix and some enhancements, but there was not too many details on this one. The next two updates (RC29 and RC30) followed on November 1st and November 9th.

RC29 fixed browser 'vulnerability' and fixed an issue within locking mechanism (thus improving security).

RC30 fixed the issue that occurred when users typed in words that can be executed as Linux commands. This update also improved browser.

RC33 including Google Latitude.

There are no confirmed dates or info at this point. Furthermore, unless you see a statement directly from Google, HTC or T-Mobile, other info you come across may not be completely correct. Rumors often get mistaken for fact because they are repeated across different sites. Only information from sources mentioned above can be taken as fact.
.................................................. .........................................(thanks to Ageless Stranger)

Android 1.5 Partial FAQ FAQ: Android Version 1.5 Update Keep in mind, I've only had Android 1.5 update for about a few days when I wrote this.

Being a somewhat major update, I decided to write a mini-FAQ for the release.

Here goes nothing.

------------

So…what new features are in Android 1.5?

Taken directly from Google's Android 1.5 Highlights Page (Link)

Quote:
The Android 1.5 platform introduces many new features for users and developers. The list below provides an overview of the changes.

• User Interface Refinements
• Performance Improvements
• New Features
• New APIs and Manifest Elements

User Interface Refinements

• System-wide:
  • Refinement of all core UI elements
  • Animated window transitions (off by default)
  • Accelerometer-based application rotations
• UI polish for:
  • In-call experience
  • Contacts, Call log, and Favorites
  • SMS & MMS
  • Browser
  • Gmail
  • Calendar
  • Email
  • Camera & Gallery
  • Application management

Performance Improvements

• Faster Camera start-up and image capture
• Much faster acquisition of GPS location (powered by SUPL AGPS)
• Smoother page scrolling in Browser
• Speedier GMail conversation list scrolling

New Features

• On-screen soft keyboard
  • Works in both portrait and landscape orientation
  • Support for user installation of 3rd party keyboards
  • User dictionary for custom words
• Home screen
  • Widgets
    • Bundled home screen widgets include: analog clock, calendar, music player, picture frame, and search
  • Live folders
• Camera & Gallery
  • Video recording
  • Video playback (MPEG-4 & 3GP formats)
• Bluetooth
  • Stereo Bluetooth support (A2DP and AVCRP profiles)
  • Auto-pairing
  • Improved handsfree experience
• Browser
  • Updated with latest Webkit browser & Squirrelfish Javascript engines
  • Copy 'n paste in browser
  • Search within a page
  • User-selectable text-encoding
  • UI changes include:
    • Unified Go and Search box
    • Tabbed bookmarks/history/most-visited screen
• Contacts
  • Shows user picture for Favorites
  • Specific date/time stamp for events in call log
  • One-touch access to a contact card from call log event
• System
  • New Linux kernel (version 2.6.27)
  • SD card filesystem auto-checking and repair
  • SIM Application Toolkit 1.0
• Google applications (not available in the Android 1.5 System Image that is included in the Android SDK)
  • View Google Talk friends' status in Contacts, SMS, MMS, GMail, and Email applications
  • Batch actions such as archive, delete, and label on Gmail messages
  • Upload videos to Youtube
  • Upload photos on Picasa

New APIs and Manifest Elements

• UI framework
  • Framework for easier background/UI thread interaction
  • New SlidingDrawer widget
  • New HorizontalScrollview widget
• AppWidget framework
  • APIs for creating secure home screen AppWidgets. For information about how to use AppWidgets, see the Developer's Guide AppWidgets documentation. Also see Introducing home screen widgets and the AppWidget framework on the Android Developer's Blog.
  • APIs for populating Live Folders with custom content.
• Media framework
  • Raw audio recording and playback APIs
  • Interactive MIDI playback engine
  • Video Recording APIs for developers (3GP format).
  • Video and photo sharing Intents
  • Media search Intent
• Input Method framework
  • Input Method Service framework
  • Text-prediction engine
  • Ability to provide downloadable IMEs to users
• Application-defined hardware requirements Applications can now use a new element in their manifest files, <uses- configuration> to indicate to the Android system what hardware features they require in order to function properly. For example, an application might use the element to specify that it requires a physical keyboard or a particular navigation device, such as a trackball. Prior to installing the application, the Android system checks the attributes defined for the <uses-configuration> element and allows the installation to continue only if the required hardware is present.
• Speech recognition framework
  • Support for using speech recognition libraries via Intent. See RecognizerIntent.
• Miscellaneous API additions
  • LocationManager - Applications can get location change updates via Intent
  • WebView - Touch start/end/move/cancel DOM event support
  • Redesigned Sensor Manager APIs
  • GLSurfaceView - convenience framework for creating OpenGL applications
  • Broadcast Intent for app update install succeeded - for smoother app upgrade experience

Sounds good, when will I get it?

That’s a good question…unfortunately…nobody has the answer to that….apart from Google and T-Mobile.

I’ve already got it! But some features aren’t there!! Why??

Auto-Orientation and Window Animations will need to be enabled in the Settings Menu. Go to Settings à Sound and Display to turn on Orientation and Window Animation.

Where’s the Haptic Feedback option!?

That’s a good question. I managed to find it hidden in the depths of the settings.
Go to Settings --> Locale & Text --> Android Keyboard

Select the option "Vibrate on Keypress".

You can even turn off the virtual keyboard completely as well.

What happened to the IM application!?

If you check your application list…you should find an icon named “Google Talk”. This is your new IM icon.

I can’t change folder names! All my folders are called “Folder” !!
Actually, you can change them. If you open the folder you want to change the name of and press and hold the area where the title bar is (where the word “Folder” is) you’ll be able to change the Folder name.

You didn’t answer my question!! You don’t know anything, you <insert insult here>!!
Well…I don’t know everything. But what I don’t know, I’m sure somebody else does. So all you have to do is either ask me, because I may have not covered it here, OR ask in the forums. Simple.
Last edited by RozzaC; Yesterday at 02:04 PM. Reason: Changes Made...
Last edited by justjimjpc; Today at 08:59 AM. Reason: To insert edits made by RozzaC

While G1 does not include a native app to sync contacts with desktop computers, there are several useful software that you can checkout. The idea is to sync your Google account with Outlook (contacts and calendar) that will then be available on you G1.

gSyncit syncs contacts and calendar, and is available for $10. More details can be found at www.daveswebsite.com/software/gsync/

Companion link does basically the same and is available for $29.95. They offer a 14 days trial, and you can find more details at www.companionlink.com

If you decide to try them out, make sure to let us know how it worked.

You can do that if you put the ringtone that you would like to play as your text tone in /media/audio/notifications/ on the SD card. If the directories do not exist, create them.

After that, they will be displayed in Sound & Display > Notification ringtone.
NOTE: Make sure to unplug the G1 from your computer before trying to see it in the Notification ringtone list.
.................................................. ..........................................(thanks to Swizz)

Right now, we know of one app in the market that you can use to play videos. Visit the market and download Video Player v0.1 by Jeff Hamilton. You should then put the videos in the root directory of the SD card and play them using the app.
.................................................. ..........................................(thanks to Swizz)

Even though official info state that G1 supports SD cards up to 8GB, the users reported that 16GB SD cards work without any issues with G1.

To do this, press and hold:

- Green Send button
- Menu button
- Red Hang-up button

all the same time, the screen will dim to black quickly and the phone will restart.

Sometimes it works best to press Menu button first and then quickly press and hold the other two buttons. Otherwise, you get the regular "power off" screen and the voice dial prompt.
.................................................. ...........................................thanks to punkzanyj)

Currently, G1 does not support Flash player. Even though Adobe stated that they should be releasing G1 version of the Flash Player, there is no exact time frame.

Getting root on your phone is a Linux term for being in total control over the operating system (like Administrator in Windows). Root can edit, add or delete any files you want. People like root because it enables them to install custom software, like on-screen keyboards or edit existing software, like the browser, to make it auto rotate. The downside to having root is because you can really mess your phone up, which invalidates the warranty.

(thanks to Ageless Stranger)

Click on SHOW to display Links:

Use the Steel web browser to download the files from the web, as the stock browser doesn't support downloading of traditional file formats. Steel will allow the user to download files, and will store them to the SD card under steel/downloads.

.................................................. .............................................(than ks to Ageless Stranger)

No you don't need to use the keyboard. Just take notice that when you make a call, there's a small tab at the bottom of the screen which you can slide upwards, revealing the number-keypad.
.................................................. .........................................(thanks to eZtaR)

Using google search enter the following type of entry: Say you want to search for "my exact phrase " ... then type the following into the google search line: "my exact phase " site:androidforums.com. Google seach will return all the links meeting your quoted text.
.................................................. .............................(thanks to Ageless Stranger)

http://androidforums.com/android-tips-tricks/1302-change-generic-windows-icon-android-icon-updated.html#post19169

.................................................. .............................(thanks to N3TWORK BURN3R)

I'm already part of an AT&T business plan, and would just as soon continue to use AT&T. Using T-Mobile with my contract-free G1 isn't an option, as they don't have coverage in my area.

Also, I live in a small town where WiFi is available almost everywhere. It would be nice to have Internet access while commuting, etc. but I don't think I would use an unlimited data plan enough to justify spending upwards of $20/month for the convenience.

For these reasons, I wanted to use my G1 on AT&T's network without purchasing an unlimited data plan. Here's what I did.


Activating and Unlocking

Upon inserting my AT&T sim card and booting the phone, I was presented with an unlock message. I dismissed the message, entered AT&T's APN settings and attempted to sign in to my Google account. As expected, it failed.

With AT&T's APN settings set, all I needed was an unlock code. I purchased one from www.unlock-tmobileg1.com. They were fast - I got my code within hours of ordering it.

I restarted the phone and got the unlock prompt. I entered the code, and it was accepted.

With the correct APN settings still intact I tried again to sign in to my Google account. It worked! No T-Mobile SIM required.


Disabling Data

Now that the over the air activation was complete, I wanted disable cell data completely. As one unfortunate T-Mobile customer discovered, cell data can't simply be turned off. It seems that the G1 uses small amounts of data even in standby. While this isn't a problem with an unlimited data connection, it can get expensive if you're roaming or on a per kilobyte rate.

My solution was to leave the username and password APN settings blank. That way, the G1 simply doesn't know how to use the data connection.

These are the settings I used:
Name: AT&T
APN: wap.cingular
Proxy: leave blank
Port: leave blank
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank
Server: leave blank
MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com
MMS Proxy: wireless.cingular.com
MMS Port: 80
MCC:310
MNC:410
APN Type: leave blank

Voice, SMS, etc. still work fine. If I am not connected to WiFi and I try to access a webpage, or perform some other action that requires an internet connection, I get a network error.
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JUST Disabling Data

1. Use Anycut to create a shortcut to "Testing"
2. Click on Testing.
3. Click on Phone Information
4. Hit Menu button
5. Click on More
6. Click on Disable data connection

This turns off all data access. Note that GPRS service switches to "disconnected".
Now you should have a phone that does voice calls, but no data access.
To re-enable cell data, do the reverse.

I now do this when I am not planning to use cell data for a while. It seems to improve the battery life. .................................................. .............................(thanks to upgrayedd)

I've seen a few guides around the internet in regards to activating a G1 over wifi without a data package, and decided to test it myself. Since it worked, I'm compiling the information that I've gathered into one easy-to-read thread.

Standard disclaimer: Bricked phones, not my fault.

Main Thread: http://androidforums.com/support/6564-activate-stock-g1-over-wifi.html

Activate Stock G1 over WiFi The original thread, and all of my posts, were deleted in a freak electrical storm that gave me super human strength. Luckily Google Cache managed to save this page long enough for me to hit copy/paste.

----

I've seen a few guides around the internet in regards to activating a G1 over WIFI without a data package, and decided to test it myself. Since it worked, I'm compiling the information that I've gathered into one easy-to-read thread.

Standard disclaimer:
Bricked phones, not my fault.

The Setup
1x Stock G1 running cupcake, this phone has no root modifications on it.
1x USB cable
1x SD card, at least 128MB
The image file to downgrade to version RC29 of Android, download here
ADB for your computer:
Linux Download
Mac Download
Windows Download
Windows Only:
Windows Drivers for Android

--End Setup--

1. Ensure that your SD card is formated FAT32, and place the DREAIMG.nbh, that came out of the DREAIMG-RC29.zip file, in the root directory of the SD card. (No, DREAIMG is not a typo.)
2. With the phone off, insert the SD card into your G1.
3. While holding down the camera button, turn on the phone.
3a. You should see a rainbow screen, followed almost immediately by a gray screen. (mileage and colors may vary)
3b. One of the lines on the phone should read: "Press power button to start update image".
3c. Press the power button
3d. Wait for the entire process to complete, do not interrupt! It will tell you it is done updating.
4. Reboot phone.

Download the appropriate ADB file for your system, if you're on a Windums machine you'll need to download and install the Android drivers as well.

Ok, we're done rolling back to RC29; and we have access to the 'sploit which gives us terminal access without seeing the terminal.

Until I tell you to later on, do not touch the screen for any reason. During the rollback process the screen has turned into hot lava and will burn your hand if you touch it. If you can't resist, and touch the screen not only will you be sans one digit but you get to reboot your phone and start over.

You should now be at this screen:



5. Hit <enter>, type "reboot"(no quotes), and hit enter again.
5a. If all went well your phone just rebooted, yay good thing!
6. We're back to the last screen.
7. Plug your phone into your computer using your USB cable.
8. If you mistype this step or it doesn't work(because you mistyped), you'll need to reboot your phone and try, try again.
9. Hit <enter>, type "setprop persist.service.adb.enable 1"(no quotes), hit <enter>
9b. If all went well you should get an error message saying something like "cannot dial 7387767 7377478.7378423.232.362253 1, it's not an emergency number. This is a good thing, we hope.
10. Set your phone down.
11. Open a terminal on your computer, and navigate to the folder containing the adb file you downloaded earlier.
12. If all is well, you should be able to type "adb" and get a big screen of options.
13. Type "adb devices".
13a. You should see the following:

13b. If all you see is "list of devices attached", and nothing below it, reboot your phone and move back to step 8.
13c. type "adb shell" (no quotes)
14. Copy and paste "am start -a android.intent.action.MAIN -n com.android.settings/.Settings" into your terminal.(no quotes)
15. If your copy+paste-fu is strong, you'll see this screen:

16. Hit "Wireless Controls" (The screen is no longer hot lava)
17. Now you're at:

18. Hit Wi-Fi settingsm you're now at:

19. Turn on your wifi, and configure your network as necessary.
20. Hit the back button until you are back to this screen:

21. Run the standard setup instructions.

If all went well, you should now see:


Congratulations, you just stuck it to the man and activated your G1 without the data package.

Thanks to Noonehereyet for running Get Your Droid On, where you download the DREAIMG.nbh, and where you can find all sorts of G1 builds, rooted or not.

And thanks to Balazer for catching the missing step 13c.
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Specific How to Guide: ........................................(thanks to Swizzy)

http://androidforums.com/android-tips-tricks/6905-windows-driver-install-using-adb-fastboot.html#post41289 >>>
Guide courtesy of .....................................justjimjpc

How to restore a Nandroid Backup to your G1 >>>
Guide courtesy of .......................................justjimjpc