Will T-Mobile Unveil the Android Phone on Sept. 23?

I got some exciting news for all of you who have been waiting for the arrival of the Google Android phone. I've just read a Wall Street Journal article informing readers that their sources have reported that the Android phone may be unveiled on the 23rd of September . That's only about a week from now.

Unfortunately, this doesn't mean that we will be able to get our hands on the Android phone next week. HTC and T-Mobile will offer the Android phone in October even though they may unveil it next week. The Wall Street Journal article also did not indicate any price for the device so we won't have any idea if we can afford it. Well, October is only a few weeks away so we can afford to wait.

The article also confirmed some of the reports and rumors on the first phone to run on the Android platform. WSJ confirmed that the Android phone will have a generous touchscreen display. I think every high-end handset should have a touchscreen display to compete with the current crop of high-level handsets.

The WSJ article also confirmed that the fiorst Android phone will have a "a swivel-out full keyboard and a BlackBerry-style trackball to help with navigation." I think this is great. The trackball will make navigation easier and it's a popular feature especially among BlackBerry users. The Qwerty keyboard is also a great asset. It makes takes entry faster and easier but it may add to the handset's bulk.

The Android phone will be manufactured by HTC Corp. and it will be named the HTC Dream. However, T_Mobile is giving it the name "G1." HTC expects to ship 600,000 to 700,000 units of the smart phone this year. This estimate bis a bit high considering it will hit the stores in October and it doesn't carry the same hype as the iPhone. However, if HTC can come up with a great device and T-Mobile can market it well, then that figure may be reached.

I guess there's nothing to do but wait for the expected launch on Sept. 23. T-Mobile doesn't have a signature device and the Android phone will surely bring prominence to the wireless network provider.