Well the launch of the HTC Dream G1 is over yesterday. It will flood the mobile markets later in the next few weeks. But what is so compelling about Android OSed mobile devices? Why the hype over Android?
Reasons:
1. The Android OS is open source - less hassle and cost for third party applications wannabes and developers. It is strongly supported by Google.
2. For many day to day functions you can bypass the Desktop PC since the Android is closely meshed with Google applications such as Youtube, Google Map (Street View capable out of the box), mobile "Chrome-like" browser, Android Applications Store, Google Talk, Google Calendar, Gmail and of course fast Google Search. It is amazing how pervasive Google has become for web users.
3. The G1 is capable of "Gmail Push" out of the box. So time to sign up a Gmail account instead of Hotmail for some of us.
4. G1 hardware is made by HTC which is an experienced mobile device maker.
Update: The G1 Launch Press Conference is over, but the Video recording is available at T-Mobile G1 Website. Check out the power of Android here
http://announcement.t-mobileg1.com/.

The lucky winner is only limited to US...

Some info are already leaked out alto official launch is still a few hours away. See
http://tmonews.com/2008/09/info-leaks/

10.30am eastern time is actually 10.30pm Singapore time...

Thanks. Amended.

Looks like the Live Press Conference about to start, a few minutes more to countdown, can see this screen now

The live webcast is ON!

Live Webcast just over. Started at 10.30 pm sharp, ended at 11.15 pm.
Top guns from T-Mobile, Deutsche Telekom, Google and Peter Chow from HTC were present. Interesting webcast. The Android platform is promising, many applications in pipeline e.g. one which records how long you throw the device into the air and later catches it! (try at own risks) - because the G1 has an accelerometer, 3G, GPS and the Contacts are well integrated with Google Map...at least in USA, not likely to be so in Singapore. Fast Google search, Gmails etc. Slide out QWERTY Keyboard looks good, with numbers row on top. Can read Word and Excel files.

Full specs is out: Not bad. So actually it is 528 Mhz not 300 Mhz. Read somewhere the processor is dual core.
Disappointed it does not have 3.5 mm audio port, it uses miniUSB for audio.

Processor Qualcomm® MSM7201A™, 528 MHz
Operating System Android
Memory ROM: 256 MB
RAM: 192 MB

Dimensions (LxWxT) 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm
(4.60 in x 2.16 in x 0.62 in)
Weight 158 grams (5.57 ounces) with battery
Display 3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 (HVGA) resolution
Network HSDPA/WCDMA:
Europe: 2100 MHz
US:1700/2100 MHz
Up to 7.2 Mbps down-link (HSDPA) and 2 Mbps up-link (HSUPA) speeds
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:
850/900/1800/1900 MHz
(Band frequency, HSUPA availability, and data speed are operator dependent.)

Device Control Trackball with Enter button
Keyboard Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
GPS GPS navigation capability with built-in GPS receiver and map software
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate
Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11b/g
HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0 and audio jack in one)
Camera 3.2 megapixel color camera with fixed focus

Audio Built-in microphone and speaker
Ring tone formats:
AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MIDI, MP3, WMA, WMV
40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF)/SP MIDI
Battery Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery
Capacity: 1150 mAh

Talk time:
Up to 350 minutes for WCDMA
Up to 406 minutes for GSM
Standby time:
Up to 402 hours for WCDMA
Up to 319 hours for GSM
(The above are subject to network and phone usage.)
Expansion Slot microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible)
AC Adapter Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz
DC output: 5V and 1A
Special Features Digital Compass, Motion Sensor

Clearly, it does not support video conferencing since the front camera is not there. It also seems like there isn't any stylus around, so navigation will be mainly done using fingers or the trackball. Oh...and it is rumoured that it does not support MMS, just like iPhone.

Nevertheless, the specs are still pretty good to kick start Android. I'm more interested to see what other manufacturers (e.g. Samsung, LG, etc) can churn out for Android. Something prettier and also well-featured, please

anyone know where to see the "Live Press Conference"

The link is in Symphony's first post.

It is pretty well-featured from my point of view because:

1. I don't use video conferencing. I think it is probably only in Japan that video-calls are popular.

2. If the UI is well-implemented, lack of a stylus is not that critical.

3. As for MMS, same as point 1.

I'm just curious why A2DP is not implemented as part of the Bluetooth profile. Inability to do Exchange is also a minus point for me, but I think I can get over that with IMAP.

Question is, when will it be available in Asia?

Come to think of it, it is super crazy that Hotmails cannot be "pushed" or "pulled" by Windows Mobile phone users. Need subscription with SEVEN or other third party servers to do that.

Android has Gmail Push capability from birth. Sigh

Think it's the Android community in gerneral that will really determine the fate of Android. At the moment I really can think of a reason to get it, what I need is good software support and also a good community forum (such as this).

Incorrect, just set up your schedule under the Windows Live client to "Always" or the times you desire and your Hotmail email is pushed to your device as it arrives. Do you have a WM device, this has been available for a while now.