The government is out of Google's way: The FCC has just approved the HTC Dream, the first phone that will run Google's "GPhone" Android mobile operating system.
No hi-res product shots included in the FCC's documentation, but we're able to confirm that the Dream will be able to access T-Mobile's nascent 3G data network -- it's been approved to use the 1700 MHz band, the chunk of airwaves that T-Mobile uses for 3G service. And the phone includes a "jog ball," which we understand is the correct jargon for the tiny trackball used on BlackBerries.
Now T-Mobile can start selling the Dream pretty much as soon as it wants. We expect it to go on sale next quarter as promised -- specifically, before Nov. 10 -- that's the date HTC has requested the FCC keep Dream photos and user manuals confidential until.
In the accompanying video, Henry and I discuss how the GPhone could change the smartphone market, particularly for U.S. market leaders RIM and Apple and overseas leader Nokia.
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