With one purchasing decision, Google has initiated forecasts for big changes in the world of the typical handset maker. Google has announced a new software platform. Google has accompanied that announcement with revelations about a new cooperation with top wireless companies.

Technology companies such as HTC and Motorola, in combination with chipmakers such as Qualcomm are working with Google on the roll out of new offerings for cell phone users. That roll out should provide handset makers with a green light for the development of innovative new applications.

The announced cooperation between Google and some of the big names in wireless technology frees handset makers from the restrictions imposed by any single type of device. Google’s latest business move gives each handset maker the freedom to introduce all manner of adaptations. Now, none of those adaptations needs to require software that is tied one specific hand held device.

In order to fully appreciate how the world has changed for the average handset maker, one might want to think of a world in which each handset had been designed for predicting one type of precipitation—either snow, hail, sleet or rain. That was the sort of world that handset makers lived in prior to this latest Google announcement.

In that “old world” hand set makers had to pay attention to the restrictions that went with the single type of precipitation that each of that maker’s gadgets had been designed to predict. In the “new world” that Google has ushered in, today’s handset makers have the ability to work on a device that can “predict any type of precipitation.” In other words, those hand set makers can introduce innovations that work with a new network of software, and thus work with any type of hand held device.

Google has given handset makers a bright and sunny forecast.

So this week brings a new phone at PureMobile for us to test out and give our opinion on what we think.  The phone we get to test is Google’s G1 Android Phone.  It’s been a long time coming and the wait has been worth it.

The phone is sleek and slim weighing in at around 5.6 ounces and measuring approximately 4.6 x 2.1 x 0.6 inches.  The good thing about this small package is that it packs a 3.2 inch touch screen and full QWERTY keyboard that slides out for easier typing.  The screen is bright and easy to see which is definitely a good thing.  The G1 also supports the 3G network for high speed downloads on your phone and can be connected to a local Wi-Fi network also.

Coming with a 3MP camera the photos look nice but we were disappointed with the lack of options they gave us.  We couldn’t figure out how to lower the quality of the images or resolution so we could save on space.  The phone comes with 60MB of internal memory and a microSD slot to put a card into.  We had no problem using a 16GB card microSD memory card for storage space.

You also get all the standard things like the ability to use Gmail, Yahoo Messenger and MSN Messenger, which means that we at PureMobile will be able to continue our excellent customer service.

As for a few downsides we have to say the lack of A2DP or Stereo Bluetooth and a standard 3.5mm head phone jack (why a USB jack?) makes us think that even though the phone has a lot of potential the music capabilities could definitely use some improvements.

Now for the App Market, which is Google’s store to get new applications to increase the usefulness of your phone, is a good thing.  At the time of writing there are plenty of apps available and more being added all the time.  It leaves a lot of growth for your new phone.  You can download new apps and games all the time.

From our in-house tests the edge network is faster then it is on the iPhone.

So overall we are impressed.  It’s a good phone and, being an open platform it looks like, it will only get better.  We would definitely recommend it and can’t wait for the next version of the phone to see what upgrades are included