When the iPhone came out, the market for personal information devices changed forever. The line between computer and phone has been destroyed, as the iPhone is able to seamlessly provide the internet, music, movies and every computer-associated multimedia directly to your palm. As great as this is, it was only a matter of time before someone took the amazing ideas brought out in the iPhone and launched them to the next level, and now a challenger to the iPhone throne has emerged.



With the rumors circulating around a unique open source-coded phone called 'gPhone', people suspected this might just be able to hurt Apple's monopoly on their niche. With the release of the retitled 'G1', this might just be able to win it out.

We're going to break everything down and look at each individual part of each phone, and decide who is the winner in this unique and fierce cell phone war.

The Basic Design

The iPhone's design is something that many can identify on sight - smooth lines, shining back, and a touch screen that's a comfortable size for use.

Holding the iPhone is easy, though actually using it takes some getting used to. The buttons have a distinctive 'squishy' feel to them, and bigger fingers tend to have issues, as they would with any touch screen.

Overall, the design itself is smooth and streamlined.

G1 has a similarly smooth and sleek design, but there are serious differences between these phones that make them unmistakable. The biggest being the QWERTY keypad that you can get when you push the screen to the side.

The buttons of the keypad feel a little rubbery, but it's a nice feeling, and you can get a firm grip as you type and send messages. The screen is clear, crisp, and greets you warmly.

How it Operates

The iPhone's deep and sophisticated operating system has been developed and polished for a while, and you can tell when using and navigating with your phone.

However, Android - the system - is slightly unpolished, and does not offer the style of an iPhone. Don't get us wrong, the system is great. However, after a while of playing with it, that they had waited to release it and put those final touches on it.

The Camera

The iPhone's camera is what you would expect from a smaller phone - it's okay, with decent quality when you take into perspective it's not a dedicated camera.

The G1's camera is 3mp of crisp, clear quality. Need a quick picture while out of friends or in the heat of a moment? You will be surprised how it comes out, and the auto focus is simply fabulous. Its picture quality is impressive.

The Real Advantage: Software

If you've ever used an iPhone, or any Smartphone for that matter, you'll probably notice that you have little software options. The browser that comes with it is what you use. The mail options are as they are - no choice.

You'll be able to download new software and features from various websites and places. Android is completely open source, and as the platform gets more attention and as applications are released your options will expand.

Overall

The G1 is a great phone, but right now, it's simply in the shadow of Apple's iPhone. But don't count this baby out, because as more and more features and options are available, it will just get better.

In truth, the G1 has the real potential to outshine any other phone on the market right now. If you're the type of person who switches phones every few months, go with an iPhone. But if you're searching for a phone that's going to just get better with time, the G1 is certainly the ticket for you.