A few days ago, I received an open-line T-Mobile G1 from Manila Bulletin. This is a development phone for Android app development -- does not make sense to develop apps using an emulator, right? Anyway, the HTC Magic is available locally but it is only avalable via subscription -- too expensive for a development device.

The Manila Bulletin, by the way, has decided to donate the unit to UP Web Science Laboratory. Many thanks!

First thing I did was to tether it to my Mac and see if I can transfer an Android app that I was hacking the previous day. The Eclipse IDE immediately recognized it. Unfortunately, Eclipse refused to transfer the app to the tethered device due to the fact that the device was running an ld firmware, version 1.0 Bummer!

Next, I enabled the G1 to support unofficial apps. I uploaded the Android package to my webserver and downloaded it to the phone. Had a problem - no SD card present. Ack! So off I went to get myself a microSD card from Trinoma, went to a cafe with WiFi, and downloaded the app.  It downloaded but did not run - thanks to the old firmware. Just like any good hacker, I searched the net for solutions - perhaps an available firmware for this particular phone. Unfortunately, this is not an official Google Development G1 but a commercial version, so the firmware is not that readily available.

Upgrading, however, required me to downgrade it to an old firmware version, "rooting" it and then install the updated firmware. After a few minutes, I got myself a G1 with 1.5 firmware!

I re-connected the phone to my Mac and immediately, as expected, Eclipse detected it. I clicked on "Run" to test the application and to my surprise, the app ran ON THE PHONE! Yeah - it was quick and painless! Tried loading the app via WiFi and it worked, too!

I cannot comment about it since I am still under a non-disclosure agreement but all I can say right now is that I prefer the G1 despite its age. :)

Developing for the Android is very different compared to the iPhone. Apple has provided tools that make it very easy for developers to create apps - in fact, even non-programmers can write a quick iPhone. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Android phones. AM just lucky because I know Java already - so developing Android app is not that much complicated.

So, the overall experience - from hacking to developing - is such a joy that Android is rapidly growing on me. Can't wait to develop more apps for the platform soon. Yeah, open source, baby!