Analyst Opinion - My first smart phone was a Blackberry and I generally use Windows Mobile phones myself for two reasons: I type a lot on phones and I’m connected at the hip to my Exchange server- and Windows Mobile remains the best platform for both.  But I’ve been using the G1 Google Android Phone (now that’s a mouthful) for a week and I’m actually very impressed with the device.   I think it speaks to how we should pick our phones though because each of these platforms, Blackberry, iPhone, Android, and Windows Mobile appeals to different audiences. 

What hurts the Windows Mobile platform at the moment is the fact that the version that was designed to compete with the iPhone and G1, Windows Mobile 7, has been delayed. The 6.1 platform doesn’t have the UI enhancements to compete with the G1 and iPhone unless you pick up the unique HTC Touch Diamond or Touch Pro with the Opera browser, which closes experience gap but doesn’t quite eliminate it.   

Impressions of the G1

In using the G1 phone, it truly shines when connected back to any of the Google properties.  It has the best browser on a phone I’ve ever used.  The iPhone won’t do flash  and only the browser on the Archos 5 portable media player comes close to  the G1’s amazing browser experience.   This means it is best on search and the phone truly shines when connected to Google’s Gmail, Calendaring and Contact management services.    

The initial Applications are few in number and mostly free, but appear to be of high quality and focused on a variety of web based services.   The G1 is truly an Internet device and really sings when connected to a full 3G network (which T-Mobile is still rolling out). On 2.5G though, the device is vastly faster than either the Windows Mobile or iPhone products, once again showcasing that there was substantial work put into the on-line experience.   

While the phone isn’t as pretty as many of the Windows Mobile phones like the Samsung Blackjack or the HTC Touch Diamond, it is robust and the finish shouldn’t easily scratch like its shinier competitors.   This G1 feels like a workhorse product, designed to hold up well and last long, but not to cause people to gather around it like the iPhone initially did. In fact, in the week I used it, not a single person noticed I was using a very rare phone.  

For me, the G1 is a better choice than the iPhone, because I do not rely on Apple apps or iTunes and live on the web.  However, the G1 doesn’t interface with Exchange well yet, so I’ll likely drop back to a Windows Mobile device after I send it back until either Google or a third party makes an Exchange Interface.   The browser experience, though, once that Exchange Interface is done, may have me coming back and overall were I to pick between the G1 and the iPhone, I’d choose the G1 at the moment. 

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Rob Enderle is one of the last Inquiry Analysts.  Inquiry Analysts are paid to stay up to date on current events and identify trends and either explain the trends or make suggestions, tactical and strategic, on how to best take advantage of them.  Currently he provides his services to most of the major technology and media companies.