Thoughts on the Android G1
I just got my Android phone, the T-Mobile G1. Yes, I know its a first-generation device, but here are my thoughts about it. Keep in mind I’m a loyal smartphone user back to the original Treo.
So here are my thoughts:
- Does no one do Quality Assurance anymore? The build quality on the device is kind of terrible. It’s hard to type on the keyboard because the bottom portion of the device gets in the way.
- The OS is OK, but rather slow and buggy. The responsiveness isn’t as tactile as the iPhone OS, and the speed is also subpar. As well, elements of the UI did not pass the wife test. She could not figure out the notification bar.
- Battery life is appalling
- The ability to run apps in the background is a mixed blessing (see above)
Overall I think that Android is a good thing to have on the market, and the T-Mobile G1 is a terrible device. Until a device manufacturer approaches a device with deliberation, purpose and ingenuity, the iPhone remains singular. The iPhone OS is in much the same way. It passes my Grand Mother test, and wife test with equal aplomb. The G1 didn’t get past my wife (who is very technical actually).
Competition is good, but the competition needs to take the same method and approach as those they are competing with to even be in the game.
Next time you try an Android phone I hope you and your wife will try our cooking app, Cooking Capsules, from the Android Market!
Best, Mary Ann
You asked: “Does no one do Quality Assurance anymore?”
Yes, it is still done. Its just not completed before release to the public. Versions used to be mainly about feature enhancements. Today, versions are all about quality enhancement.
:-]