Google's G-1: Android Befriends Man

In addition, the mouthpiece of the phone sometimes slows my typing. I can type faster, one finger at a time, on the iPhone than on the G-1.

On the other hand, the G-1 is an absolute speed demon compared to the iPhone. I believe it uses its processor speed and memory more efficiently than the Apple product. Web pages and applications pop open instantly.

You can replace the G-1's rechargeable battery. That's a major plus. I'm not sure why Apple can't do the same.

Battery charge longevity is another story. Unless you turn off everything (that means Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS) except phone functions, the G-1's battery life is similar to the iPhone's. And that's horrible. I consider four to five hours of battery life unacceptable.

When you turn off all the power-robbing features, you can stretch the G-1's battery life to about 12 to 14 hours -- just like the iPhone. By contrast, new Palm (PALM Quote) and Research In Motion (RIMM Quote) BlackBerry phones measure their usable battery life in days.

I think the G-1's best feature is the built-in GPS system. It not only locates where you are and helps direct you to where you want to go but it also combines Google's location photo system to help you find what everything looks like on that street.

It also takes it a step further by changing the "street-view" photos as you change direction. In other words if you turn left, so does the street view on the phone. You can see what's around you as you walk or ride down a block. That is very, very cool.