Google G1 cell phone will be available on October 22, 2008.  The first true iPhone competitor.  I am sold on it once my contract with AT&T is up next February.

Features that I will love:

• GoogleTalk
• Google Maps with Accelerometer
• Gmail
• Google Calendar
• Google Docs
• Seamless Wi-Fi Connection
• Physical Keyboard
• Touchscreen
• Open Development Environment - I can make my own apps in Java and Apple won’t monitor it.
• Android
• $179 price tag
• My plan would be only $65 / month for a G1 with T-Mobile vs the $85 / month I’d pay for an iPhone with AT&T.

Drawbacks to the G1:

• T-Mobile does not have a 3G network in Provo or Salt Lake City.  There are “plans.”
• Its not an Apple product.
• 1 GB of storage compared to 8 GB or 16 GB on an iPhone.

Why it works for me:

I don’t need it to play my music, I have 2 iPods to do that.  I’m a Windows PC user and I don’t need to sync with Apple products.  I use all of Google’s products which are all integrated with the G1.  The main reason I don’t choose an iPhone is the monthly price point.  When you add up $85 for the plan that I need, you are paying $480 over the course of 2 years more for the same service that is on T-Mobile’s G1.

If you are in a non-3G area, you have to order the phone online.  They will not have them in T-Mobile stores in non-3G areas.

Not even considering a Blackberry, yuck.