• October 16, 2008

The G1 from T-Mobile becomes available Oct. 22 for $180 with a two-year contract; data plans start at $25 monthly, and Google's Android software. While media and analysts call the search engine's first attempt at the mobile phone app a "flawed effort," there's no lack of search capabilities in the software.

Android integrates Web services and search across applications. The app interprets words typed into many of the programs in an open window as a search request. The phone mode offers intelligent search, so when the consumer type a few letters into the contact list it brings up a list of matches.

Typing in Google Maps starts a location search. Google Web search begins after a few keystrokes in an open browser window. And while many of these capabilities are available in the AT&T-supported Apple iPhone, T-Mobile's G1 gives consumers a choice.--Laurie Sullivan