Tipped as the biggest competitor to the iPhone 3G, the T-Mobile G1is likely to be the most anticipated handset in mobile history. The G1 is to be the first Smartphone to use the Android platform.

The G1is a Linux based Android platform and has hundreds of developers wetting themselves with excitement as they work on different applications that can be used on an Android mobile phone. Google and T-Mobile have combined to create a phone that will integrate into Google’s online services.

T-Mobile and Google are not renowned for making handsets so how can we be sure it will be any good? Well, the G1 will actually be manufactured by HTC who are experts in making Windows Mobile enabled devices.

In terms of hardware, the T-Mobile G1 is no more spectacular than anything currently out there. It comes with a large 3.2” touchscreen display, a 3.2MP camera, 3G and 3.5G support, Wi-Fi, GPS, expandable MicroSD memory, Bluetooth and USB connectivity. Navigation around the features is controlled with a trackball and a slide out QWERTY keypad similar to the newer Blackberry handsets

The G1 has a 528MHz Qualcomm processor with 192MB RAM which is a similar spec to most of HTC’s Windows handsets. The G1 has quad-band coverage and has UMTS, HSDPA and HSUPA for high-speed downloads and uploads. The G1 also supports GPRS and EDGE data. Underneath the bonnet as it were, is a large 1150 mAh battery providing 6 hours of talktime and 16 days standby time.

Whilst the tagged name of the handset is the ‘T-Mobile G1 by HTC’, it is likely to end up being called the gPhone or GooglePhone due to the Google applications being integrated into it.

As you would expect with Google’s involvement, the T-Mobile G1 has one-touch access to Google search and built-in support for Google Mail, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Maps and Google Street View. I’ve been particularly impressed with the mapping features as there is a compass to orientate the map depending on where you are standing. Street view provides the user with a view of the street they are already standing in. now you would think you would already be able to look up and see the street without using this feature so it’s a bit odd but still quirky and clever. I’m impressed!!!!

Aside from Google, the G1also supports Amazon’s brand new download store. Available applications from the Android Market could almost end up being limitless. Don’t be alarmed by the term Android Market, it’s not as bad as it may seem. It is quite simply a collection of mashups for Android platform users to play with.

In terms of media, the G1 media player supports AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MIDI, MP3, WMA and WMV audio formats. As mentioned before, YouTube is supported but what video formats the G1 supports is unclear at the moment.

Whilst smart and minimalistic, the G1 lacks the ‘knockout’ looks of say the iPhone or Samsung Tocco. However, on the flip side of things the 320 x 480 pixel display is better than most other handsets. It’s a shame we have no further details regarding the camera such as video capture resolution and whether it has geo-tagging.

So, is this new innovative approach going to take off or not? Here at ND Mobiles we are very impressed with the concept and specification of the T-Mobile G1 and feel it has enough to wipe out its competitors. However, let’s not forget that there is a rumour circulating that the next Nokia ‘Internet Tablet’ may well also be a mobile phone and if that is the case, it will be pitched up against the G1. It will be a case of a battle between the Android Smartphone and whatever Nokia and Microsoft have up their sleeve with Windows Mobile 7.

Either way, it’s fair to say that this is fantastic news for customers.

We have not received any confirmation on a release date but indications are that it is due in the UK in November this year so keep your eyes peeled at ND Mobiles for the best deals.