T-Mobile purposely not selling G1

[endmp25]

I went into a tmobile store close to my house (1 mile)... There was no signs advertising G1 there were no lines no people but a couple employees... I asked to see the G1 so I can do a hands-on test... here's what they said:
"Well... here is the thing... corporate misinformed us that we could not sell any G1 phones in our area due to the fact we only offer edge network... we will be upgrading to 3G network in January in 2009 so we will have some available then."
Then I said... "Can I order one from here?" and she said:
"Well unfortunately we aren't even allowed to do that because even if you did have the phone you can only get the edge network. They are selling them in the southern district of this city and they are about 2 miles south of here. (I'm not saying where because I don't want people to get in trouble)"

Unfortunately.. now I realize... I live on the border of the 3G network and work in the northern area... so even if I wanted to buy one regardless... I would have crappy edge signal... (BTW.. I live in one of the highest populated states and one of the highest populated cities) Thus I would have created a negative outlook on the G1 phone... and everyone else that buys that phone in my area would be upset too... so I can understand why the chose to do that... But really that sucks... for Google... and that sucks for the outlook of the phone... people will look at the number of units sold on opening day... and they will compare it to iphone's numbers.. and dis' this great phone... but in reality it's not the phones fault... it's the service provider...

It's like having the iphone 3G as Iphone Version 1 and selling it during the time ATT 3G network was not up to par.... sure it would be still an Iphone... but the "Living up to expectation meter" wouldn't be off the charts in that scenario either...
I just wanted to point some things out and take things into perspective... that Android is a revolutionary phone... and don't judge it buy it's initial sales... It's not the phone... It's the provider...
(I've been reading over many articles for the past couple months since Android was first announced... and I see the business side of it... and no one ever talks about these types of factors... it's a shame... really...)

[Jorsher]

It's nowhere near as bad as I expected. I can stream youtube and download apps just fine on edge.

Supposedly T-Mobile was going to let you order one anyway, as long as you were aware that it would only be on EDGE. When I preordered, I was given a message about the edge performance that I had to accept.

Works just fine.

[hoobashoot]

The edge signal is amazing!!!!! no joke, not even close to any other phone ive tried. Its def. worth getting, order it online, plus you could use wifi, and tmo hotspots, but you dont even need to. I have wifi in my house and i dont use it on my phone because edge is fast enough, I dont even care about 3g, its just icing on the cake in my opinion, if i get it great if not owell Im not missing it.

[Cow_King]

I went into a tmobile store close to my house (1 mile)... There was no signs advertising G1 there were no lines no people but a couple employees... I asked to see the G1 so I can do a hands-on test... here's what they said:
"Well... here is the thing... corporate misinformed us that we could not sell any G1 phones in our area due to the fact we only offer edge network... we will be upgrading to 3G network in January in 2009 so we will have some available then."
Then I said... "Can I order one from here?" and she said:
"Well unfortunately we aren't even allowed to do that because even if you did have the phone you can only get the edge network. They are selling them in the southern district of this city and they are about 2 miles south of here. (I'm not saying where because I don't want people to get in trouble)"

Unfortunately.. now I realize... I live on the border of the 3G network and work in the northern area... so even if I wanted to buy one regardless... I would have crappy edge signal... (BTW.. I live in one of the highest populated states and one of the highest populated cities) Thus I would have created a negative outlook on the G1 phone... and everyone else that buys that phone in my area would be upset too... so I can understand why the chose to do that... But really that sucks... for Google... and that sucks for the outlook of the phone... people will look at the number of units sold on opening day... and they will compare it to iphone's numbers.. and dis' this great phone... but in reality it's not the phones fault... it's the service provider...

It's like having the iphone 3G as Iphone Version 1 and selling it during the time ATT 3G network was not up to par.... sure it would be still an Iphone... but the "Living up to expectation meter" wouldn't be off the charts in that scenario either...
I just wanted to point some things out and take things into perspective... that Android is a revolutionary phone... and don't judge it buy it's initial sales... It's not the phone... It's the provider...
(I've been reading over many articles for the past couple months since Android was first announced... and I see the business side of it... and no one ever talks about these types of factors... it's a shame... really...)

no offence but edge is fine man in fact on every speed test i have done i am getting 360 to 380kbps every time runs awesome and all apps work fine on it.

you can order them in thr stores here and we wont see 3g for years sounds like to me you just ended up in a bad store with stupid people.

The phone freaking rules all phones

Except tonight i needed toilet paper it doesnt print that but it sure as hell does everything else lol

[endmp25]

You guys make great points.. i was still gonna order it on November first from the website... but... my problem is I really am not buying it because of the phone... I'm really buying it for the OS... so when I read more and more about other developers making their own Android phone... I get more hesitant to buying one because of the 2 year contract or the problem of having to pay full price for the upgrade...
Its like .. I'm buying a new computer for Windows Vista OS (I know all about vista but this is just an example...) but every time I look into buying a new PC with Vista.... some other maker builds a better one... or is in the close proximity to finishing one... and they will be price will be in proximity to the price I'm willing to pay even now...
So get one now... because it's the only at 180.... or wait 3-4 months and choose between 3-4 in the same price range with better capabilities... (It really pains me to think about these things... and really I don't believe I'm the only one to think of this... )

[ren857]

Why do you think there will be 3 - 4 android phones so soon?

[shookyang]

Didn't they say in the press conference last month that areas with no 3g will not have the phones for sale at launch? Could have sworn it did.

[tphang1]

I seriously doubt that out of that alliance of Tmobile and Google that they'd let Android go on a rampage w/ other manufacturers immediately after the g1 was launched.... i'm sure there is a buffer time frame in their contract giving the G1 some lead time to familiarize it's users w/ the android platform. They obviously haven't advertised or used typical media blitz, so far it looks like they are confident in the grassroots marketing that this phone is just cool enough to start spreading around virally, hence G1..... as it's presense cements itself I'm sure we'll see the evolution and then purchase the G2.

[Hatebreeder]

You guys make great points.. i was still gonna order it on November first from the website... but... my problem is I really am not buying it because of the phone... I'm really buying it for the OS... so when I read more and more about other developers making their own Android phone... I get more hesitant to buying one because of the 2 year contract or the problem of having to pay full price for the upgrade...
Its like .. I'm buying a new computer for Windows Vista OS (I know all about vista but this is just an example...) but every time I look into buying a new PC with Vista.... some other maker builds a better one... or is in the close proximity to finishing one... and they will be price will be in proximity to the price I'm willing to pay even now...
So get one now... because it's the only at 180.... or wait 3-4 months and choose between 3-4 in the same price range with better capabilities... (It really pains me to think about these things... and really I don't believe I'm the only one to think of this... )

your scenario of computer buying just goes to show you that technology constantly changes... and when you buy something, something bigger ( or in this market smaller) and better will be around soon that is comparative in price. this is just the nature of the beast. there is no way around it. as far as other companies building android phones.... yes its true. but those won't be out in the near future. probably by end of '09 there will be a handful.

as far at the roll out and you not having 3g and being upset. T-mobile is slowly rolling out the 3g network to make sure its stable. Its constantly being expanded out from those initial sites in the big cities to the outskirts and surrounding cities. this will take time.

Patience is what is required for this phone and 3g network. If you wanted something out of the box that was going to be perfect you chose the wrong phone and in fact if your going to be an "early adopter" of any phone like this your going to run into this. However google/htc/tmobile did a pretty damn good job. by far better than the iphone launch.

[tphang1]

I must agree! this launch has been far more pleasing for users than the Iphone launch. And ditto, if you wanted something out of the box to be perfect, this wasn't the phone. This phone is about exceeding the limits, just give it some time.