Google sells unlocked Tmobile G1 at $399!!

Wow, this is a great news. We are appreciate google effort to make the android platform available to countries outside US. 

Now, people like us who live outside US can have this first Google phone, and use any operator available on the country.This unlocked G1 will be sold exclusively for developer, because we need to be registered in Android Market to be able to buy this phone. And registration fee is $25, ach.. 

The question rise on my head after knowing this is 'Why?? What is Google's consideration?

The answer pop up on my mind, oh may be Google want their android platform available for developer outside the US, so they can stimulate the grow of android platform, and attract more and more developers to program for android. And in the mean time, developers outside the US will also add substantial value android.

The unique things regarding this unlocked phone selling is the shipping charge. Free shipping for US, and arround $200 for country outside US. Hm.. may be the phone will be shipped with alumunium and gold alloy....

I guess that the shipping cost outside US a bit unreasonable because $399 is to cheap for unlocked phone like HTC Dream. Just make compare to unlocked iphone which sells at $500+. Anyway, why this phone sells cheaper in US?

I guess that Google think that US developers will add more value to their android platform, than developers outside US, so Google won't give any subsidy in outside US.

For now, the phones will be sells at 18 countries in international market, which are Amerika Serikat AS, Inggris, Jerman, Jepang, India, Kanada, Prancis, Taiwan, Spanyol, Australia, Singapura, Swiss, Belanda, Austria, Swedia, Finlandia, Polandia and Hungaria. 

If your country not yet listed, just wait patiently coz there is a issue that more countries will be added on first half of 2009.