Google's rival to iPhone and Blackberry go on sale in UK today

Google's first mobile phone will go on sale in Britain from today.

The G1 is aimed squarely at competing with Apple's iPhone and RIM's Blackberry. It will be available exclusively from TMobile.

The handset is the first of several expected to use Google's software, called Android.
A Google T-Mobile G1 mobile telephone is seen on display at a T-Mobile store in New York

The Google G1 phone: Experts believe it lacks the 'cool factor'

The company hopes that by linking the handset to its email and websearch products, it can drive traffic and lucrative advertising to its site.

Unlike the iPhone, Google has allowed developers to create free software for the handset. Although Apple does let consumers download extra software, it is tightly controlled and many applications must be paid for.

The G1 will be available for free to customers signing up for T-Mobile's £40-and-above tariffs, which include unlimited data for web surfing.

But some analysts claim the phone may struggle to compete with the iPhone. Ernest Doku of mobile phone comparison site Omio.com said: 'Despite the popularity of the Google brand, the G1's design lacks the inherent cool factor that made the iPhone 3G such a mass-market success.'

He believes Google could tarnish its brand if the phone fails: 'The launch of the G1 is important not only because it's Google's first foray into the mobile market, but because it's also the launch of an entirely new mobile phone operating system.

'Android is the equivalent of releasing an alternative to Microsoft's Windows - and equally as risky.'

The phone went on sale in the US last week, and the Evening Standard has tested the American version which is very similar to the British model.

Users navigate either touching the screen or via a small trackpad. Under the screen hides a full qwerty keyboard, which does give it an edge over the iPhone.

But the G1 doesn't have the slickness of its Apple rival.

With Google's might behind it, it's well worth keeping an eye out for future versions - but for now, it's really one for internet addicts rather than average consumers.

TECH KNOW: GOOGLEPHONE'S RIVALS

When Google's G1 mobile phone going on sale tomorrow, it faces tough competition from the rest of the phone industry. Here are its main competitors:

APPLE IPHONE:

Superb touchscreen and the best music player around - but the on screen keyboard can be fiddly. From free on contract, 2 megapixel camera, 16gb memory.

5/5, apple.com

BLACKBERRY BOLD:

Excellent email phone, although doesn't quite have the web browsing capabilities of the iPhone. From free on contract, 2 megapixel camera, 1gb memory (expandable via memory card).

5/5, blackberry.com

NOKIA N96:

The best here for phone features, and a decent all rounder with a superb camera.
From free on contract, 5 megapixel camera, 16gb memory (expandable via memory card).