Unlocked Google Android developer gPhones now available

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Sunday, 07 December 2008 06:02

IT Industry - Market

For US $399, plus shipping and a US $25 fee to join the developer program, developers in one of 18 countries (including Australia) can purchase a fully unlocked G1 Android gPhone from Google – and start coding!

It’s been a big week for Google Android news, with Australian firm Kogan Technologies launching the Agora (at AU $299) and Agora Pro (at AUD $399) Android phones for pre-sale, with shipping due on January 29, 2009.

Both Agora models feature a 2.5-inch screen, rather than the larger 3.2-inch screen of the G1, with the Agora looking a lot more like a traditional BlackBerry than the G1 itself.

Other features include 3.5G HSDPA, QWERTY keyboard, microSD card slot and Bluetooth, while the Agora Pro specifically also features Wi-Fi, GPS and a 2 megapixel camera.

As the world’s second Google Android gPhone, it is highly anticipated, and has already attracted orders from around the world.

We then discovered that the original G1 Android gPhone is already on sale down under, thanks to grey imports, but now the news comes that Google itself will sell the G1 gPhone to Australians directly – as long as you are a developer. Google will also sell the phone to developers in 17 other countries.

The news comes from both an Engadget article on the topic and from Google’s “Devices for Developers” site.

This site notes: “When building mobile applications, it's vital to test them on real devices prior to releasing them to users.

While developers can use regular consumer devices purchased at retail to test and use their apps, some developers may choose not to use a retail device, preferring an unlocked or no-contract device. This page outlines some options for obtaining developer devices.”

Please read on to page 2 for more information!