I saw the news in this blog -SCFX- and now I just want to add more info about this G1 phone. Well actually, this will be a serious competitor to Apple’s much sought-after iPhone. Like its rival, the G1 offers a large touchscreen and fast internet access.

However, Google believes the handset’s slide-out full keyboard will make emailing and web browsing easier. The second killer difference is that the G1 uses a new operating system, called Android, for which other companies are encouraged to develop applications.

These include TuneWiki, a music player which allows ‘mobile karaoke’ by synchronising written lyrics on the screen to a YouTube video of the song. Google promises that the G1’s internet access will be as fast as any laptop computer, and it contains built-in support for the video-sharing website.

The handset will be free to UK consumers, but they will have to sign up to an 18-month contract with T-Mobile costing a minimum of £40 a month - or £720 in total. By contrast, shoppers in the U.S. will get the phone as part of a two-year contract which comes to £420. The iPhone is now available free in the UK if buyers take out an 18-month contract totalling £810 source