The HTC / T-Mobile G1 are the company’s first phone running Google’s open-source Android mobile OS. G1 is also known as or codenamed the HTC Dream, the HTC G1 has capacitive touchscreen interface, slide-out QWERTY keyboard and 3G. Other features include 3-megapixel camera, a media player, GPS and WiFi for navigation and high-speed internet access. It will be available in white, black and brown, and measures roughly 5-inches by 3-inches and the prospect of all the third-party software Google’s loyal developers are currently coding. The HTC G1 is expected to launch on September 17th for limited presales, with general availability anytime from a week afterward on the T-Mobile USA network.
The T-Mobile G1 is for anyone lusting for an all touch display similar to the iPhone 3G. The G1 is rumored to feature a gorgeous, capacitive touch screen that measures roughly 5-inches by 3-inches. There should be no reason why you wouldn’t want a case to protect the G1. Using a case for the G1 is the best option to protect your investment. Make sure to buy a case that is specifically designed for it.
There are a number of key factors to consider when selecting a G1 case, the first being how well you want it to protect your G1. From there, you will want to have unobstructed access to the stunning display and the other ports, buttons and controls on the G1. Additionally, a case that accents the elegant features of the stunning G1, both visually and functionally would be good. And don’t forget to consider a case that protects the G1 from short drops would be great too.
There are a wide variety of cases for the G1, ranging from Rigid Cases, Slip Pouches, Flip Cases, Gel Skins, Sport Cases, Screen Protectors, and numerous other cases, the kind that add functionality or at least enhance the fashion of the G1 phone. So, it depends on your taste and what’s important to you.
G1 Flip Cases
These cases cover the entire G1; there are generally holes for access to the ports and the headphone jack. They then have a flap that either opens up or to the side that grants you access to the display, and subsequently the speaker and microphone as well. These cases probably offer the most protection short of the Rigid Cases.
G1 Slip Pouches
These G1 Cases are fairly self explanatory, they are pouches, and the G1 slips right into them, and they are usually form fitted enough that the G1 won’t slide right back out, but it is easy enough to remove when you really want to. With these cases, they usually have belt clips, D-Rings, something of that nature to affix them to your person, and you only get access to one port, depending on how you insert your G1 smartphone. These cases also offer a fair amount of shock protection.
G1 Gel Skin cases
These G1 cases just slide over the back and the edges and that’s all they protect, you maintain access to all ports and buttons, the screen, and the G1’s camera. They protect the back of the G1, and the edges and offer protection to the screen from what might be on whatever flat surface you set your G1 on upside down. These cases also offer decent shock protection depending on the material they are made out of and how they are made.
G1 Rigid Cases
These cases are generally made out of either hard plastic or metal, usually aluminum. They also offer the most protection to your devices but also manage to be the hardest to gain access to your G1 with. These are a prime example of the fact that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, you either have maximum safety and minimum accessibility or you choose a different type of case that offers a mix of the two.
G1 Sport Cases
These are generally armbands, they hold your T-Mobile G1 in place, protect the screen, protect the G1 from sweat, and are specifically designed to be used while working out. The reason they are generally on your arm is because that seems to be the best location to put a device that you want access to, but don’t want the G1 or the headphone cables getting in your way.
G1 Screen Protectors
These aren’t cases, in most examples, there are a few that offer the same material their signature screen protectors are made of, but cut to fit the remainder of your G1, and in that instance, it would be considered a case. Screen protectors are statically or otherwise adhered to your G1’s display. They protect the display from scratches and dirt and smudges but also allow full access to the display, these can even be used in conjunction with other cases to offer the best protection.
Other Cases for the T-Mobile G1
Other cases covers those that offer up added functionality or those cases that are purely for fashion. I have seen some cases with fans, cord wraps, battery extenders, crazy stuff; it all depends on what there is a market for. Fashion cases can get quite extravagant or sometimes they exhibit the same characteristics as one of the other cases but are just made by a certain clothing manufacturer or something of that nature, such as Gucci, Fendi, Dolce & Gabana, Louis Vouitton, the list goes on but you get the hint. Like I said, some of the fashion cases just look ridiculous, like they are made from weird animal skins, or faker version of those same skins, or they look like purses, crazy stuff. In general, these cases offer only mediocre protection.