T-Mobile May Offer Free Gmail Data Access On G1 Phone

An anonymous reader writes "AndroidAuthority.com is reporting that T-Mobile is considering putting free ad-supported Gmail access on its T-Mobile G1 smartphone — no data plan required. The G1 launches in New York tomorrow and is the first device to hit the market that uses the Linux-based Android OS that is backed by Google."

Comments

I know it's slashdot, but...

[Ascoo]

Did anyone here read the CNN/FORTUNE article that the Android Authority article referred to?

Where in the original article does it actually mention T-mobile/Google will be using ads?

The author of the Fortune article states:

Should T-Mobile decide to offer free Gmail access, it would be seen as a big counter move to Research in Motionâ(TM)s (RIMM) BlackBerry e-mail service, which costs $15 a month extra. And if telcos embrace Googleâ(TM)s ad-supported free e-mail, it could help drive Googleâ(TM)s ultimate aim to spread its successful desktop advertising business to mobile phones.

He said if not when. And while Gmail may be ad-supported, their current lineup of mobile based email clients are not. At least I've never seen an ad on my gmail java-based client on my phone. Or any other google mobile product (gmaps, gmail, etc).

Is t-mobile going to ask Google to develop a T-mobile specific client (with a hardcoded encrypted access point) that purposely injects ads? If so, it's nothing that's ever been confirmed by t-mobile, or google. Just the thoughts of the author based on presumably how gmail works on the web.

Re:Is it really that much of a risk?

[morgan_greywolf]

There is a big difference between mp3 players and mobile phones. I'm willing to give up a little functionality for some glitz and fun on an mp3 player. I am willing to give up some glitz and fun to get more out of my mobile phone.

Have you been to a mobile phone store recently? Listen to the people checking out the phones. The first thing they say when looking at phone they might like to buy is "I like the way this one looks!" I remember an exchange between one couple:

Him: "Look at this one!"
Her: "Meh. I like this one."
Him: "But this one does more."
Her: "But I like how this one looks."

This exchange is not atypical at all.

Re:Will you pay for the app background data use an

[squiggleslash]

FWIW, with T-Mobile's data plans it's an "all or nothing" thing. If you haven't paid for unblocked data, you'll not get it. Unlike certain telcos, T-Mobile USA never chargers per-kilobyte.

Right now, the data plans are:

1. T-Zones (or whatever they call it) - $7 for unlimited WAP. Sometimes this allows generic HTTP and HTTPS, and sometimes not, and it usually supports SSH too.
2. T-Mobile Mobile Internet - $20 for unlimited everything, but you get a 10.x address
3. T-Mobile Total Internet - again $20, and you also get Hotspot access (why this and the latter aren't the same plan I don't know)

There's also a dedicated data plan (ie no voice plan needed), and a Sidekick pre-paid plan.

So, in short, if you haven't paid for "app background data", you're not going to get it.