Google To Sell Truly Open Android Dev Phone

binary.bang writes "Google has announced an unlocked version of T-Mobile's G1 for sale at the same unlocked price of $399. The Android Dev Phone 1 is the G1, except being truly open: no SIM-lock, no hardware lock. Feel free to flash your customized Android build — the bootloader won't be checking for signatures. Don't be misled by the word 'Dev,' looks like all you need to qualify is an Android Market account. This looks like the Open Handset Alliance delivering the promised Open Handset: yes root, yes flash-your-build, no contract, no strings attached. Anyone else relieved & thrilled?"

Comments

No support

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't get this if you expect them to support it when it breaks. It's for "advanced developers", "not for end users". Rea

Re:No support

[SudoScience]

No end user who is interested in flashing debian onto their G1 would be concerned about getting support from Google.

Re:No support

[enomar]

It's called a Developer phone for a reason; you have to know what you're doing.

If you modify the OS, compile it and put it on your phone, you can't expect Google (or any other company) to support it for free.

Re:No support

[lysergic.acid]

you can't have it both ways. if you wanna be able to run your own unsigned code, then you can't expect the device to still be fully supported by Google.

i mean, why should Google be held responsible for any damage you might cause screwing around with the device? ever tried to modify/fix a video game console or other commodity electronics yourself and see a sticker that says "warranty voided if seal is broken"? it's the same basic principle. if you want to tinker with the product beyond what is considered normal usage, then the vendor can't be held responsible for any damage you might cause.

the dev phone obviously isn't meant for regular end-users. if you lose all your data or brick your G1 using the SDK, then that's on you, as it should be. if you want full support and warranty, then you shouldn't get a developer device.

FCC

[TubeSteak]

How does the FCC ensure that this phone is operating within [parameters]?

I would have to assume that the G1's output power is hardware limited.
Otherwise I don't see how the phone will stay within its FCC certification.

Re:FCC

[pdbogen]

For what it's worth, I've owned several HTC devices over the past few years (currently, I have an AT&T-branded HTC Touch Pro), and I've never had any trouble with the "moving parts."

You're free to like what you want, of course- but if you're just worried that it might be fragile or get damaged, your fears may be unwarranted.

Yes, but!

[C_Kode]

Yes, but will the phone companies actually allow you to use it? Or will they say "No, it's a security risk to our network!"?

Re:Actually it's $ 424

[Junior J. Junior III]

If that's the price of freedom, I'm glad to pay it.

Re:No, it's $594 if you are in Europe

[fm6]

How many people do you know in Spain? And asking for a stranger to do the transaction for you is a good way to get ripped off.

Re:No, it's $594 if you are in Europe

[ccguy]

Unless the phone is actually manufactured in the U.S. there's no reasonable reason for Europeans to pay 50% more than Americans.

They could ship it from China (or wherever) and we wouldn't be paying double of everything for no good reason.

Trust me, the Chinese have decent shipping fees.

Re:Shipping outside of US

[Pulzar]

That's ridiculous, it costs more to ship to Canada than to Europe. :( Not to mention that UPS will take another $100 or so in "brokerage fees" and you'll end up paying more for shipping than for the phone itself.

Re:i heard about this yesterday

[LingNoi]

Not only that however you can only submit applications to the marketplace for free.

You can't charge for apps yet which seems weird that I have to pay money for the privilege of writing and giving Google free distribution rights.

Re:Binary blobs

[theurge14]

OpenMoko? Do they still not have a functioning phone yet?

Re:i heard about this yesterday

[infinityxi]

Here you go