T-Mobile will announce a $199 price tag next week during a press conference for its much anticipated handset dubbed "Dream," according to reports. The phone, made by device maker HTC and that uses an operating system designed by Android/Google, is one of the most anticipated new phones since the release of Apple's iPhone.
But the question remains: Can Google, HTC, and T-Mobile mimic the success of Apple and deliver a "must have" phone?
The answer is unclear whether phone fanatics will line up for hours or days (or if at all) to be the first to buy T-Mobile's Dream. Neither Google, HTC, or T-Mobile engender the same passion and loyalty that Apple does with its customers. Also, if you ask me, too many cellphones that have come after the launch of the iPhone feel to me like want-to-be iPhones playing feature-catch-up with Apple. I certainly hope that T-Mobile's Dream offers a fresh design and a host of innovative new features - but the only thing we do know is the Dream will be hardwired to link you to Google.
T-Mobile Leaks Build Buzz
In the absence of specifics T-Mobile is doing its best to build buzz via leaking small details of the phone to the media and the blogosphere.
Last week there were rumors about the Sept. 23 press conference coming from Reuters news agency. Earlier this week T-Mobile confirmed that rumor was true. Now the Wall Street Journal has learned from "sources" the price. There are now more rumors floating in the blogosphere that the handset will be available soon after the Sept. 23 press conference on Oct. 17.
Here are some other predictions.
I predict we will hear more leaked details about the Dream leading up to the phone's launch. After all, T-Mobile is stealing a page from the Apple and AT&T's playbook when it comes to launching a phone. Apple and AT&T became notorious for being the centerpieces of rumors leading up to the iPhone's first and second launch.
With that said, I'm also guessing what won't be leaked is anything that will allow the salivating masses to make an informed decision as to whether they really want to buy the phone. We won't know terms of the contract you'll have to sign before being able to buy the phone at the subsidized $199 price. We also won't know what the battery life on the device is. And lastly we won't know what T-Mobile's real-world 3G coverage might be compared to what the company promises it will be.
It was only in May that T-Mobile first began upgrading its network to 3G speeds. T-Mobile. T-Mobile says "By year's end, T-Mobile expects its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services." That's just enough information to give anyone considering buying the Dream pause.
Building too much buzz could backfire. As other critics have pointed out, overhyping Dream could be trouble for Google, HTC, and T-Mobile. Some reports suggest those that have seen the Dream have been unimpressed.
Could the Dream just be another cellphone? Say it isn't so!
NO!