Google Android to Arrive in September?

Teresa Von Fuchs at MobileCrunch and Greg Kumparak at TechCrunch are reporting that the first Google Android handset may be available via presale as early as September 17.

From MobileCrunch:

While reports have ranged that the first Android handset will come out anywhere from October to sometime in 2009, the latest rumors have the HTC Dream (codenamed G1) going on presale for existing T-Mobile customers starting September 17th.

The newest leaked features include a 3-megapixel camera, slide-out Qwerty keypad and the handset will come in three colors: black, white and brown.

Matthew Miller at ZDNet is also reporting on this rumor:

I had a chance to spend a little time with an early Android device at Mobile World Congress and the latest news is that HTC is still on track to deliver the first Android device before the end of 2008. According to TmoNews we may even be able to order one as early as 17 September from T-Mobile USA. I am returning my iPhone 3G today and if this rumor is true I think this will be my next mobile purchase.

According to their trusted source the Open Handset Alliance/Google Android phone will be priced at US$399 full price or US$150 for existing T-Mobile customers. Apparently, you may have to be an existing customer to get in on the mid-September pre-sale so my patience with staying with T-Mobile for the last 6 years and waiting for their 3G network may finally pay off. T-Mobile USA has been good at rolling out UMA and some other interesting technologies, but is way behind on 3G and high end smartphones and really needs something like an Android device to bring in subscribers to compete with AT&T and the iPhone or Verizon/Sprint and their high speed EV-DO networks.

Will we finally see Android? Will Google finally deliver on their promise? Will the consumer be left high and dry? Stay tuned!

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