T-Mobile’s HTC Dream guest-stars at FCC, but analysts still predict Android delays
Eager beaver T-Mobile followers are clamoring over rumors that T-Mobile will be releasing the much-anticipated HTC Dream with Google’s Android OS at a special presale existing customers only event September 17th. Today the T-Mobile fanatics forums are buzzing with word that the HTC Dream has arrived at the FCC, but some experts still believe that Android on the Dream is still quite a ways off.
I must admit that, especially of late, I’ve been frequenting TMoNews for all rumors and info on the HTC Dream, a.k.a the iPhone slayer. Today I was ecstatic to read that the HTC Dream finally hit the FCC. That’s huge news, considering many naysayers kept droning on about the HTC Dream not being ready as it hadn’t surfaced at FCC headquarters.
There are some additional nuggets of tasty phone news that can be found in the FCC filing for the HTC Dream. The Dream will function on T-Mobile’s 1700 Mhz 3G band, have Bluetooth 2.0 and WiFi capabilities. Additionally, there is mention of a “jogball,” probably not unlike those found on current model Blackberrys and similar to the blurry supposed video of the HTC Dream with Android that surfaced last week. I agree with TMoNews in saying that I hope the jogball on the Dream outperforms its counterparts over at RIM, as they have a very finicky nature about them (not to mention the pain of cleaning).
Even though many who doubted the Dream’s readiness have been silenced by the FCC filing, there are those that would point to Google’s infamous Android mobile operating system as the reason why the Dream won’t be hitting T-Mobile anytime soon. Moe Tanabian, an analyst for IBB consulting, is crashing the party by saying that Android won’t be ready on any device until Thanksgiving time. Amongst other doomsday predictions, Tanabian also claims that Android won’t be readied with Exchange support, and for that reason users will need to have Gmail accounts for all push functionality.
I say nay, Moe. It would be easy to say that T-Mobile, HTC and Google won’t be ready to ship the device as planned in the middle of quarter four. That is exactly why I believe T-Mobile will begin the presale event to existing customers as the rumors claim sometime in September. T-Mobile has failed at a lot of things, and the element of surprise along with the other fireworks of 3G and the first Android handset is what the little-national-carrier-that could-needs to make a statement and become a serious entity. Additionally, I think it is ludicrous to suggest that Android won’t have Exchange capabilities out the door; if the Dream and Android are truly intended to rival the iPhone, overlooking or delaying Exchange capabilities would be a huge oversight, one I think Google has taken into account. 3G on T-Mobile along with the hot Dream Android handset will appeal to business consumers due to the physical keypad and the open platform.
Let the analysts say what they will. That’s their job, and I won’t hold it against them. By most every estimate, the HTC Dream will be available to existing T-Mobile customers for pre-order on or around September 17th, and should ship sometime soon thereafter with Android and its wondrous beauty.
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