This is not a personal review or a hands on (don’t make me enter an overcrowded Optus store) – it’s merely a sneak peek at the tech specs, if you will.
With of course, plenty of suggestions on where to find hands on reviews.
Google Smartphone -> Optus HTC Dream
Intro
Just launched in Australia by Optus is Google’s Android Smartphone, made by HTC. This aspect alone excited me a little, as I luurrvvee the HTC touch phone series.
It appears essentially a tool to bundle all of Google’s technology together in the one spot (search, maps, YouTube, GMail, IM etc), but appears to fall short on some of the come-to-be-expected essentials of today’s smartphones.
Pros:
- QWERTY keyboard
- GPS
- Access to the Android Market – like a smaller yet FREE app store
- Pros over the iPhone? Perhaps expandable memory, removable battery – and starting off with a 3Mp camera (though unsure of quality).
Cons:
- No MS Exchange email support – which is a big shame, given that’s the first thing I loved about the previous HTC handsets…
- No Stereo bluetooth and no 3.5mm jack (ok, interesting…) – WT?
- Poor battery life – though we see this with all similar beasts so HTC aren’t alone
Where to find online reviews
Last comments
CNET: “2009 will be a year full of sexy Android phones, so it might be best to wait for the next generation.”
Prefer the iPhone?
Buy the iPhone 3G online now:
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“Optus users should be going to Optus and seeking some sort of compensation”
Oops!
Post moved to Optus iPhone data speed
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Late breaking news
Optus has today also advised that they will bring iPhones to Australia for use on their network.
As with the Vodafone news release, details are minimal and sketchy.
Read Optus news release now.
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Telecommunications: The real reason behind Telstra’s push to have regional customers on NextG
Vodafone formed partnership with Ericsson to build their HSPA (High Speed Packet Access – downlink and uplink) network – due end of this year; and have now extended their business relationships with Crazy John’s as their mobile retail partner.
With new 3.5G networks by both Vodafone and Optus’ by year end, it will be a welcome reprieve from Telstra’s 3.5G dominance.
Russell Hewitt, CEO at Vodafone Australia, said:
Australians deserve better mobile broadband services, and we think it’s time for Vodafone to provide greater competition for the benefit of customers in our regional cities and towns.
He goes on to say:
In addition to benefiting regional Australia, our national network upgrade will deliver significant increases in upload and download speeds for urban customers travelling outside the cities.
Move aside 3G – Bring on the new generation!
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Read related: Vodafone cozies up with Crazy John & Ericcson for HSPA
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