Sep 24 2008
Open Google phone is released
(Ordinary, KY) T-Mobile and Google have finally released the first version of the long awaited Google phone. Dubbed, G1, for Generic, release 1.0. The new phone is the first product powered by Google’s new open-platform mobile operating system called “Hemorrhoid.” Larry Page, co-founder of Google said during the release press conference, “While we may not be evil, that doesn’t mean we can’t be a real pain in the ass for all of the biggest technology companies we know.”
The phone was met with immediate questioning as to whether more time should have been taken to find a better product design. Many reporters and release party attendees felt that the G1 prototype displayed had a certain utilitarian look to it. Especially since many of those people already were carrying the sleeker and more elegant iPhone in their pocket or purse. When asked about the phones interface Page responded, “In this first release we focused on the functionality of the phone. We felt it was important to get this first release out early. Plus you have to remember that this was done by a bunch of engineers.“
With strong roots in the open source software community, besides running on top of Linux, Hemorrhoid also includes many other GPL, LGPL’d, and Apache Licensed components. In addition, the API of the Hemorrhoid platform is freely available, making the the first release of Generic 1.0 the most open smart phone on the market. “I think this accomplishment opens a lot of doors. For us, it’s a huge achievement, while it may not have the flash of an iPhone, the Generic 1.0 release is functional. With tight integration with Google Mail, Google Maps, we expect to release new versions rapidly and often. What can I say? It may not look pretty, but I assure you it works. It just works. And most importantly, it works on top of an open platform. The team of engineers that worked on the phone even adapted a new slogan. Open as in door, not open as in bar. We couldn’t be prouder”
