Google dials into mobile market with G1

GOOGLE launched its much anticipated mobile phone yesterday — using the company’s Android software designed to improve the speed and quality of using the internet on mobile handsets.

The much-anticipated T-Mobile G1 will go head to head with Apple’s iPhone, the BlackBerry and other smartphones from makers including Nokia.

The gadget has a keyboard behind a slide-out touch screen to allow users easy navigation around the device and is being touted as a phone with the capability of a hand-held computer. It provides access to Android Market, which allows third party companies to offer a raft of applications allowing users to customise their phone.