If you've held off on buying an iPhone, there will soon be another product to consider. T-Mobile is debuting its "Google phone," or G1, on October 22. Already being compared to the iPhone, with its 3G, WiFi, camera, and GPS, the G1 also has features that distinguish it from its predecessor.

For starters, T-Mobile took some of the iPhone's faults and fixed them in this device. With the iPhone, for example, you have to check email yourself - though this will supposedly change this fall. The G1 will have push (or instant) email. Instant Messenger on the iPhone only works when you're in it, but with G1, all the applications work all the time.

A key difference will be the keyboard. Many people don't like the touch keyboard on the iPhone. The G1 has a real QWERTY keyboard. However, Phonescoop gave it a poor review: "Unfortunately, the keyboard is not as good as it looks. The units we tried had relatively poor tactile feel and feedback. The keys were a bit too flat for our taste, with limited travel and 'click.' It was usable and probably won't be a deal-breaker for most people, but we would have preferred a keyboard that felt better and inspired more confidence that our missives would be complete and accurate. We recommend trying the G1 keyboard in person before purchasing." For deaf and hard of hearing consumers, we're not "most people" when it comes to the importance of typing, so trying in person is definitely a must.

The G1 uses the Android operating system - which is designed to integrate well with Google products. Developers will be adding new programs to their download site called Android Market, which will be like getting iPhone applications from iTunes. Google has indicated that it wants very few restrictions on developers so that there will be motivation to create new applications. The G1 will have the Amazon MP3 application - Amazon.com's digital music download store - preinstalled. Another neat application is Shop Savvy, which allows you to aim the camera at a product's bar code. You will then get pricing and reviews.

The G1 is customizable, and consumers will have access to many of Google's features: Gmail, Talk, and maps. Unlike the iPhone's multitouch screen (where you can pinch to zoom), the G1 has a regular touch screen, which is similar to what many people use on Palm devices. It is complemented by a trackball, which provides another option. The G1 can only play back streaming video, which means you can't download and store things like video podcasts; you'll have to get them from YouTube every time.

The iPhone can be set to vibrate for notifications. It appears that the G1 can be programmed to do this also. The iPhone has a visual interface for voice mail, which means you don't need to listen for any phone tree prompts; the G1 doesn't have this feature. The iPhone has a data-only plan; T-Mobile hasn't announced this yet, but they offer Internet-only plans for many of their phones.

The iPhone is not hearing aid compatible, and it looks like the G1 may not be either. According to Jeff Haywood of the Grand Rapids Press, "I asked a T-Mobile customer service representative and they said: 'I do not see that it is hearing aid compatible and I do regret any inconvenience that this may cause you.' Now, I've gotten bad information from service reps. from other carriers, so I wouldn't bank on this being 100 percent sure."

In terms of product specifications, the iPhone is a little bit shorter, wider and thinner than the G1. The G1 is a little bit heavier. Its price is cheaper but misleading, because you have to buy extra memory (microSD cards) to catch up to the iPhone.

When considering a device these days, getting one with 3G and WiFi is a must. 3G is really important because the data is much faster and very noticeable when using web sites and especially when downloading video. WiFi is really nice, because the data is even faster when you're around home or work. If you're looking for a 3G phone with WiFi and a keyboard, the Blackberry Bold may also be a viable option. However, the iPhone and G1 have much bigger screens (think: video) and the support to add third party applications is geared toward consumers rather than large companies.

Ultimately, you need to decide what features are important to you. Wait for the G1 to be officially released, for the reviews to come in, and try it out for yourself. The iPhone and G1 each have their pros and cons, and will only improve with time. But how long can you wait?

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