Google and T-Mobile have revealed the first Android-based mobile phone that will be available for purchase in the United States starting October 22nd. The cost of the device stands at $179 and it required a two year contract with T-Mobile; the data plan ranges from $25 to $35 a month. The Android G1 is locked with T-Mobile in a very similar fashion to the iPhone 3G.

The sliding touch screen exposes a full QWERTY keyboard and a 3 megapixel camera on the back that can take pictures but not capture video. The Android software includes an Internet browser, quick access to GMail, Google search and YouTube. The purpose of the phone, as described by Larry Page, is to bring you the same features you'd find in a PC.

On the hardware side, the G1 has 3G networking capability, WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth (not stereo.) The screen is 3.17 inches in diameter, compared to the iPhone's larger 3.5 inch screen, and it is not multitouch capable. The battery will last for up to 5 hours of talk time and 130 hours in standby. In terms of weight, the device is 0.9 ounces heavier than the iPhone 3G, bringing it to 5.6 ounces.

Google will open an application marketplace much like Apple's, but without any fees for software developers, in hopes to encourage open source developers to write software for the Android platform. As for purchasing music, the iTunes of Android G1 is the Amazon MP3 store, which will offer DRM-free files.