Google phone is here, in grey

The much-awaited HTC G1, the first mobile phone based on Android, Google’s mobile operating system set to make smartphones affordable, is yet to get officially launched in India but popular online shopping sites are already selling the handset unlocked to any operator, complete with easy installment options and warranty.

Leading online shopping sites like eBay India (www.ebay.in) and Indiaplaza (www.indiaplaza.in) are selling the HTC G1. At eBay India, the unlocked 8GB handset was sold for Rs 24,900 through an auction on Wednesday.

US-based www.indiaplaza is selling the handset for Rs 29,899 and buyers can also through instalments. Other sites too are selling the same with a one-year dealer’s warranty at Rs 49,995.

Manufactured by Taiwanese handset company Hi-Tech Computer Corporation (HTC), the G1 was launched in the US in September last year and was locked to operator T-Mobile’s two-year service contract.

The handset, which Time magazine called the ‘Gadget of the Year’ for 2008, is seen as competition for both the Blackberry and the iPhone.

It was expected to launch in India by December 2008 but got delayed by currency fluctuations and economic conditions that made service providers reluctant to bundle services to sell the handset that will cost anywhere between Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 when launched.