NEW YORK -- Google, T-Mobile and other partners took the stage here Sept. 23 to unveil the T-Mobile G1 smart phone, the first Android mobile operating system-based device.

As previously reported, the G1 boasts a touch screen, a slideout QWERTY keyboard and trackball to give users the most accessibility possible while searching Web content from a mobile device. There are also some features that were demoed here for the first time, but here are some crucial facts to know right out of the gate.

Users interested in buying the phone, which costs $179 for a two-year voice and data service plan, can pre-order the gadget from this T-Mobile G1 Web site. Though the phone is cheaper than Apple's $199 iPhone, the caveat is that there are limited quantities; the companies did not say what that limit is.

The device, which supports T-Mobile's 3G and EDGE network and Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth support, and support for other networks)  will hit T-Mobile retail stores and online in the United States Oct. 22. The phone will be available in the United Kingdom in November, and in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2009.
 
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