The HTC G1 is officially in T-Mobile stores today and the Android Market is launching with it. At the moment there are approximately 40 apps available, all free for G1 users. Although we’re still waiting for the floodgates to open for Android apps there are still some pretty decent applications available right now.

Here’s a short list of some that have caught our eye:

iSkoot for Skype

Use Skype on your G1 to send IMs, make and receive internet calls and access all of your contact information. Do all this from your Android OS phone.

ShopSavvy

Big in Japan have brought us ShopSavvy. An ultra cool app which allows you to scan barcodes and automatically compare the prices with near by vendors. Early reports say that the app works well for regular products, but can be glitchy with more obscure products.

Pac-Man

This classic game is free for download on the Android Market (a little bit nicer than Apple’s $7.99 price tag). So get on your classic arcade gaming whenever and where ever you want with Pac-Man

iMap Weather

Wondering if you need your umbrella? Use iMap Weather to get weather warnings, forecasts, radar images and current weather information for your location.

Shazam

Let your phone find music for you. Is there a hot jam on the radio and you have no idea what it is? Let your phone listen to it and Shazam will let you know the name of the artist and the song.

Amazon MP3

Meant to be a competitor to Apple’s iTunes juggernaut, Amazon MP3 lets you download music, browse and sample MP3s at your finger tips. Transfer the files to your computer or any other MP3 players.

Keep in mind this is just to beginning. With the open source nature of the Android OS we are just drooling on what is next to come. The amount of programming talent who are going to be pushing Android to its limits will be amazing.

The first handset sporting the new Google Android OS, the HTC G1, has finally hit the market. The internet is lighting up with early reviews and we here at TimTechs are looking to put in our 2 cents.

From first impression the phone seems to come with HTC’s classic quality and high tech precision that we love. The design is love and hate for most people. It’s a bit thicker than some of its main competitors such as the iPhone 3G, but for us that is by no means a deal breaker and the highly usable QWERTY keyboard is definitely worth it.

But let’s look a little closer:

Hardware Advantages

• Excellent qwerty keyboard
• Love or hate design (we love it)
• Durable design
• Dedicated camera button for quick switching
• Great color on the LCD touchscreen
• Comfortable in the hand easy to use

Hardware Disadvantages

• The qwerty keyboard is required for texts which means you need to flip it out for any message
• Average 3G connections (could be due to T-Mobile)
• Good but only average sound quality
• No 3.5 mm head phone jack

Now that’s all well and good about the way the phone feels and operates in our hands, but who are we kidding here? We’re looking for the dirt on Android and what we’re going to be able to do with it.

Here are our some of our first impressions:

Software Advantages

• Quick and easy integration with your Google Accounts (this was so easy)
• Beautiful easy to navigate interface
• Great notification system, much superior to Windows or iPhone
• Easy to customize homescreen
• Amazing integration with Gmail
• Portrait and landscape modes with the accelerometer are very useful

Software Disadvantages

• Long and scroll presses can get confused by the system
• Google Contacts is not widely used
• No flash support for the browser yet

So that’s a quick look at something which is most likely going to take the mobile market by storm. From a general point of view the G1 isn’t going to make any major changes in terms of hardware. It definitely have some kinks to work out, especially with GPS and connection issues, but the fans out there (us included) don’t really have any interest in that. We were drooling over the Android OS and it has not failed to satisfy. The possibilities for it to grow into a staple mobile phone OS are guaranteed. We can’t wait to see what will be coming up in the next year.

 

Google’s Android operating system is continuing to make waves and the inevitable comparisons to the mobile market’s other mobile juggernaut, the Apple iPhone 3G, are coming up in spades.

Now, although in many ways the first Android handset, the HTC G1, hardware wise doesn’t hold much of a candle to the iPhone, people’s interest in the model don’t have a lot to do with whether you can zoom into your pictures with a thumb and fore finger (although that is still pretty damn cool). People are drooling over the G1 because of the software development potential. Google is playing their hand like a smart company should and opening Android to developers around the world. Smart developers. Developers who aren’t going to be restrained by Apple’s fancy legal team and who will be able to explore new possibilities of what you can do on a handset. This is going to mean customizability. You will design your phone to your needs without any kind of restraint and the creativity of the geek world at large will be at your access.

But we do have to remain in reality. Let’s look at some of the things that the iPhone 3G is offering us that the HTC G1 is not. Probably the biggest feature is memory. The HTC G1 is not carrying much in regards to internal memory and the iPhone has demonstrated that people are willing to use their phones as complete media players. And to do this you need a good chunk of gigabyte. Also because of this migration of consumers using their phones as a complete multimedia system the G1 will have to do some catch up in terms of getting a video player available for the OS. Fortunately, because of Android’s way of working it is almost certain that there are some developers out there working on a friendly media player to rival the iTune dominance.

On the other hand if we consider the G1’s keyboard (some might feel it’s bulky), the integrated compass and it’s multi tasking abilities, it has a lot going for it over the iPhone. In some ways this comparison is all moot because the Android system is going to be the deal killer for a lot of people and once this OS starts to make its way into other hand sets it’s going to be a tough fight for the iPhone. Everyone is already comparing every new smartphone to the iPhone and when the Android train gets running at full speed it isn’t going to be a fair fight.

So where will your loyalties lie? Google integration or Apple branding?

The iPhone apps store, which has been making waves in the industry and is fueling much of Apple’s success in the mobile market, is one of the best things about the iPhone 3G. Download organizational apps, games and numerous other goodies for your iPhone 3G and get get connected. But is that $4.95 here and this $9.95 starting to take a toll on your iWallet? Well as you know there are many Robin Hood software developers out there offering some free alternatives to the pay Apps in the Apps Store.

Here’s just a few:

iProcrastinate



This app is a terrific free task manager which is catered to students, but is helpful for everyone who is trying to get their life in order. Class, code and organize your tasks in many different ways to keep yourself together and on track. The only disadvantage to iProcrastinate is that it lacks Adress Book synching, but this is planned to be added on the next update.

Mobile Banking

Are you a Bank of America customer a little fed up with hold times? Try using Mobile Banking to manage your accounts straight from your iPhone. Check your balances, pay bills, transfer funds and find the nearest ATM with this handy and free app. Finally something without a service charge.

SportsTap

This is a great free app which will connect sports fans to up to date sports information all around North America. From the MLB, NHL, Nascar and many more you can get stats, scores and the results of all your favorite matches. This app may even turn out to be a rival for Sports Center.

GPS Tracker

Want to let everyone on Facebook know which Starbucks you’re in, or give some very detailed information to your net stalker? Use GPS tracker, the useful and free (do you see the pattern here?) can track locations in real time and integrates with Google Maps. Also store up to 100,000 locations and mark out points of interests.

VNC Mocha Lite

This app is a slightly reduced version of the full Mocha VNC, but besides a few features this free version will get you some great functionality for accessing your desk top remotely. View files, access applications and via your iPhone. For an app that you get with out any cost to your wallet you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. Try it out.

This is just a small sampling of the amazing array of free apps out there. Take this small sampling and set up your iPhone for maximum use and minimum cost.