Toshiba TG01 heats up smartphone war

The battle of the smartphones is hotting up as Orange launches the lesser known 1GHz Toshiba TG01 "Tsunagi" in the UK to take on the iPhone 3Gs and the Palm Pre.
The TG01 is based on the Qualcomm 1GHz Snapdragon chip and runs Windows Mobile, adding a touch interface on a 4.1in WVGA wide screen and 9.9mm thick.
The TG01 also bridges the gap between notebook and mobile by featuring the latest in chipset technology and is the first handset to be sold in the UK which has a 1GHz processing power, offering fast mobile internet connectivity for a richer multimedia experience. This also enables users to make the most out of their phone, whether it be for watching video, updating social network pages or just browsing the web – just like they do on their PC.
The handset is the first from Toshiba to be part of Orange’s Signature Series with quick links so users can easily get to grips with the handset’s functionality. Shortcuts to the best of Orange TV & Video (which recommends great video content such as Sky 24/7 Football), Orange Maps (Orange’s own sat nav service which uses the TG01’s inbuilt AGPS), and Orange World (Orange’s own mobile internet portal), come integrated on the device’s user interface.

Francois Mathieu, Director of Devices, Orange UK “We’re really pleased to have teamed up with Toshiba to bring the TG01 exclusively to the UK. We believe the TG01 is a prime example of manufacturer innovation, and is a device that is at the very top of its game which will allow users to make the most from their mobile experience.”

The TG01 will be free to customers who take out a £39.15 per month, 24 month price plan. The package includes 1200 any network call minutes, unlimited texts, Orange Maps as well as inclusive anytime internet browsing, and is exclusive to Orange in the UK.

Specification overview:

Size: 70mm x130mm x 9.9mm
Weight: 129g
Display: Wide-VGA (800 x 480), 4.1”
Camera: 3.2 mega-pixel, autofocus
Memory: 512MB ROM / 256MB RAM, micro SDHC slot up to 32GB*
Interface: Bluetooth v2.0, USB v2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Battery: 1,000mAh, Standby: up to 220 hours (3G), Talk time: up to 4 hours (3G)**
Band: 850/900/1800/1900 for GSM/GPRS/EDGE
2100 for UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA
Navigation: Built-in GPS & A-GPS
Video service: Core Codec CorePlayer
Browser: Microsoft® Internet Explorer Mobile
Messaging: SMS, MMS, E-mail, Microsoft Direct push e-mail, Instant Messaging
Sound: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, WMA, MIDI, SP-MIDI
Video: H.263, H.264, MPEG4, WMV, ASF
Java: MIDP 2.0
Processor: Qualcomm QSD8250 (1GHz)
OS: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (Updateable to Windows Mobile 6.5 when available)

Qualcomm makes European in-roads with HTC and the Google phone

Us chip giant Qualcomm has made a significant entry into the European market through the G1 phone from Google, made by HTC and using its MSM7201A dual core chip.
Ironically Qualcomm also promotes a full stack of software including applications for its silicon (through the Brew software), although none of this is being used in the G-phone.
“The launch of the T-Mobile G1 is a breakthrough moment for Linux-based open mobile application platforms,” said Paul Jacobs, chief executive officer at Qualcomm. “Qualcomm’s ability to tightly integrate our chipset hardware and software has helped to make the Android platform a reality. Our close relationship with T-Mobile, HTC and many other OHA members was instrumental in achieving this milestone and will allow us to bring products to market faster and spur continued innovation in mobile applications and services.”
As part of its work with the OHA, Qualcomm has optimized the Android software by integrating it with Qualcomm’s MSM7201A—a single chip, dual-core solution that combines high-speed processing, hardware-accelerated multimedia capabilities, 3D graphics and built-in, multi-mode 3G mobile broadband connectivity for an optimal wireless experience.
Qualcomm worked with HTC on the design and development of this first Android-based device. “HTC and Qualcomm have a long history of working together on groundbreaking mobile handsets," said Peter Chou, president and CEO of HTC. "The new T-Mobile G1 is another example of this close relationship and our commitment to cutting-edge innovation.
Qualcomm is also working with other OEMs to develop handsets that operate on the Android platform as it works to expand the wireless ecosystem to meet the growing demands of an increasingly mobile population.

The Google phone arrives

Have to start with the Google phone - allowing the same flexibility of application development as the PC to come to the phone.
The phone is designed by HTC using a Qualcomm chipset, and runs the Android operating system developed by Google. This provides the same environment as the desktop, with the ability to download applications to the phone.
Here's Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google on why this matters.
Demo of Google maps....

The Goggle phone was launched in Europe with T-mobile in Germany
More to come...