T-Mobile HTC G1 lacks flash player and video recording
A few things I’ve been wondering since I last wrote about the G1 just got confirmed, at least if you believe Mike Butcher’s article on TechCrunch (which I do of course), is that the gPhone, the HTC G1, does not have a flash player for the web browser. Even though it should be a dandy web browser, it’s based on WebKit, and to be honest, I think I expected this from a Google project.
Another thing mentioned in this article is that the G1 lacks video recording capabilities. Now this is truly a big surprise, and not a good one. I mean, with todays standards in mobile devices, how on earth can this be omitted? Also it seems to lack a camera at the front, which means no video calls. Not a deal breaker, but it’s pretty standard amongst 3G-phones where I come from. But I have to admit, I don’t know anyone who actually uses it…
I think I’m going to have to view this device as a bleak first try, and hope there will be other devices featuring Android. I expected more from Google, and I hope to see something more impressive in the near future.
Varun
October 22nd 2008
I was really disappointed when i noticed that the G1 had no video recording
Jesper Garneij
October 23rd 2008
@Varun
I know, the horror, the horror. Hard to believe.
eduardo gomez
October 23rd 2008
Is very good
anonymous
October 23rd 2008
This really sucks. No flash player then not a good phone.
Jesper Garneij
October 24th 2008
@eduardo gomez
Are you saying the G1 is a very good phone?
@anonymous
Yeah, this could be a huge deal breaker for a lot of people I think.
nunya business
October 26th 2008
I take it you guys aren’t familair with its “Android Market” Which already has devoloped a free application that does video recording. The entire concept of this phone is its ability to grow. Also, Its pretty fricken affordable. I would attribute that to it not being stacked mile high with all kinds of apps. I like that being that I wont likely have programs I’ll never use all over it. I can only imaging it wont be long before an OTA update or app becomes available for flash updates.
Jesper Garneij
October 27th 2008
@nunya business
Good point. The beauty of Open Source, and I suppose one could expect nothing less from the community. Do you know the name of this application? Maybe even a source or who the developer is?
Affordable, well, it’s only as affordable as the plan it comes with. 2 year minimum of at least $55 plus activation of $35 and the phone $179 would add up to $1535 (rough US numbers), but that’s “just the way it is”, and one would pay for a plan anyway. You can look at it in many different ways. $55/mo is a pretty good deal.
joe
October 28th 2008
The g1 is great and agreed very affordable. If you have tmobile just wait until u can upgrade then its only 180. 213.88 after tax with only $25/month for unlimited internet. Free xm radio and gps. I love this phone
winthan
October 29th 2008
i am using G1 phone, Tmobile service is bad. sometimes connection is drop as well as 3G too. Most of the time I got only Edge at my area (Bronx) New York, not 3G.
While playing the music, I tried to play game PAC MAN. Playing sound become unstable and get suck with music. it is just liked non-responding in PC.
Jesper Garneij
October 30th 2008
@joe
Nice to hear that someone loves it!
@winthan
If you’re lucky, a software version update might make this better. Keep a lookout for it.
Slobodan
November 1st 2008
heres my review.though this is just flash player debate(hope you will find it useful)
I bought this phone for few reason.
Its first android phone on the market.
Second,it uses open source.Third there are minions of free apps uploaded on the market app to download.i like big phones.it has both standard keyboard and touchscreen.good environment.excellent GPS(in Chicago almost all the area is with 3g).
But i have couple of things that i am disappointed in:
1.there will be a flash player plugin i am sure since this project was probably lunched earlier than it should have bein cos iphone is eating the american market so fast.But i still think that the flash players should be priority for 3g phone where you pay for unlimited internet.
2.The camera is 3.2 pm but in dark it is almost useless.It has image stabilizer but its horrible.it does not have flash light(biggest mistake).
example:i am using one app for bar&restaurant in USA.and it has a option to upload pictures taken in the bar at real time but whats the use of it when i don’t have a good camera to take those pics.
2.My biggest problem:The battery last very short.You’ll have to buy car recharger and also you have to recharge the phone all the time if you are cellphone games addicted.I know that GPS sucks the battery life but i expected better.its the same thing with iphone though.
3.internal memory of the phone is 64mb i think.As far as i can see that is the only memory available to install applications on.SO i already filled that space up on the first day when i bought the phone.
4.You don’t have PC synchronization..One big minus also..
BUT OVERALL I LIKE MY PHONE COS THIS IS JUST A BEGGINING.THIS PHONE HAS THE ABILITY TO GROW.ALL THIS DISADVANTAGES CAN BE CORRECTED.SO LETS WAIT AND SEE.
Jesper Garneij
November 7th 2008
@Slobodan
Thanks for your comment and review!
That camera doesn’t sound too good, that’s a shame.
How do you mean the disadvantages can be corrected? With the battery and camera issues you’re experiencing, I’m guessing only a hardware upgrade can really help.
The battery life can be improved by turning off 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS… But really, that is not an acceptable solution if you ask me. WiFi and GPS, sure, you usually don’t use them 24/7.
You can also lower screen brightness, change the timing on screen timeout etc. Small means could help slightly.
But lets face it. Batteries need improvement overall in the mobile device market.
abe
November 11th 2008
Its not that bad
Its no way to install a flash player??
Jesper Garneij
November 14th 2008
@abe
Right now there seems to be no options. Looks like Microsoft Silverlight could be an option in the future.
Shane
November 22nd 2008
Remember though how the BB Curve had not video recording and eventually they came out with the newer os that made that possible. Yes video recording is nice and it will be coming but I dont think since it is coming soon it should be a deal breaker for anyone to be honest the only think i miss with the G1 compared to my Curve is the ability to listen to any online radio station that broadcasted on a shoutcast server. I used berry tunes to do that. I sure that eventually something similar to what i had on the Curve to listen to online stations will come out for the G1 yeah I know they have the app that is similar to pandora radio but i want to be able to listen to my favorite radio station in my local area.
Jesper Garneij
November 22nd 2008
@ Shane
I think we’d have to agree that peoples feature wish list are different overall. I’ve had AM/FM radio on some phones and web radio on some, but I have never ever listened to radio on any phone.
I have however recorded video on all my phones dating back a few years, so I suppose that’s why I simply expected it.
You say video recording will be coming to the G1, do you mean from Android or a third-party?
Spacegoat
November 23rd 2008
@nunya business There is no video software at “Android Market”
If there is software how about a link to it. Not a vague reference to it.
I would check out the HTC Fuze or the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Both of theses phone blow the G1 away!!!! Don’t have to wait and hope for software.
Jesper Garneij
November 24th 2008
@Spacegoat
The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 has received some pretty bad reviews, mostly due to the fact that it’s WinMo driven, and it’s complicated and not so well thought out.
Swedish reviews tends to be a bit more negative I’ve noticed, I can’t say for myself as I haven’t tried it out yet.
I’ve had a couple of WinMo devices though, and I have to say, it’s not perfect, but not that horrible. They were very slow though.
Rodya
November 29th 2008
http://www.inewsit.com/video/gallery/Flash-on-Google-Android-phone
Jesper Garneij
November 30th 2008
@RODYA
Nice video, thanks. Flash player on the Android.