T-Mobile G1 Android handset to be free in the UK

T-Mobile has officially announced the T-Mobile G1 handset - the first device to run Google's new Android mobile operating system.

Although today's launch was expected to be US only, T-Mobile has also confirmed that the G1 will be available in the UK before Christmas, and will be free on price plans from £40 a month.

The handset itself is touchscreen, with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. It'll access the new Android Market application store to download games and apps.

The operator promises that "a selection of unique, first-of-a-kind Android applications will be available for download on Android Market when the phone launches".

Other features of the G1 include a trackball, which could be good (or bad) for gaming, depending how it handles. There's a full HTML browser, with support for Wi-Fi and HSDPA connectivity, and a three-megapixel camera.

As you'd expect, Google Maps and search are built into the device, and there's also an email client, which works with Gmail as well as POP3 and IMAP services. The Google Talk instant messaging client is preloaded, and YouTube support is also on board.

We'll be covering news on Android games in the coming weeks, leading up to the device's launch. If you want to register with T-Mobile UK for info on the G1's availability, you'll be able to do it at www.t-mobile.co.uk/tmobileg1 - although it's a duff link at the moment.

For now, check out the keyboard below, and check out our feature on what Android means for mobile games.