T-Mobile to offer Android G1 in UK this November?

The much-anticipated open source Google operating system for cellphones that is thus far known as Android will make its debut in the UK as early as November, says a Sunday report. Set for battle with Apple’s highly successful iPhone, the OS will operate the T-Mobile G1 handset, offered exclusively by T-Mobile in the UK. Stateside, the phone is expected to hit the market during a similar time period.

The phone will be 3G network ready, and is likely to have built-in Wi-Fi in order to remain competitive with the Apple product. An online application store dubbed Android Market will provide users with access to the software for the phone although, for better or for worse, it will be screened and policed less than the Apple Store.

Google’s new web browser, Chrome, is also likely to make its debut on a mobile platform and eventually be part of Android’s list of applications. Unlike the iPhone, the G1/Dream will sport a QWERTY keyboard hidden by the sliding screen and it will use a barcode-scanning application that allows online price comparisons. To further the shopping angle, another GPS-based application will show users special offers close to their location.

No pricing information or more definite US release plans are known about the G1/Dream.

Filed under: iPhone, industry, gadgets, mobile phones
Other story tags: Google, T-Mobile