HTC Omni = Google Dream?

C'mon, you knew this was coming. Not a moment after Google does its big reveal on the Android OS and forthcoming multi-manufacturer GPhone, the rumor mill has already starting churning with wild imaginings and fantastic leaps of logic. A not-so gigantic jump comes as speculation that HTC's Omni -- which we first heard about nearly a year ago -- is actually the phone that has been referred to as the "Dream," Google's OS demo unit. We have to admit, there are some similarities between the two, not the least of which are the 3-inch by 5-inch size, rectangular touchscreen, full QWERTY that swivels out (which according to this earlier rendering, goes in more than one direction), and a beveled edge that "nestles in the palm." We remind you, of course, that this is just the first in a long line of rumors trying to pinpoint the "real" GPhone -- HTC or otherwise -- so don't get too excited just yet.

Update: As a commenter points out, the "earlier rendering" is actually the precursor to the Omni, the HTC Universal, though its screen mechanism bears a resemblance to the one described in the original Forbes article.

[mlb @ Nov 6th 2007 9:07AM]

If it uses the Google OS, why does it have a Windows button?

[Nedy78 @ Nov 6th 2007 9:13AM]

Good point. Regardless of having Google OS or Windows Mobile, until this thing actually comes out, "Dream" is a more suiting name than Omni...and maybe prefacing it with "wet".

[Steve @ Nov 6th 2007 9:14AM]

Because then the Internet Explorer button would take up two spaces.

[Nick @ Nov 6th 2007 9:17AM]

Just to make the move over the Android an easy one. The button serves no purpose other than to display a critical system error when pressed, which then goes away when you press the windows button a second time. Im just joking.

Good point mlb.

[ShortFuse @ Nov 6th 2007 9:17AM]

Um... the IE logo is right there next to it

[Adam @ Nov 6th 2007 9:31AM]

Because the initial Omni specs were leaked around 07/10/2007 preceding most of the discussion of Android and Dream. I spose the prior plans were to use a Windows OS. Both information for the Omni and Dream were given by Unwired View, and hence both articles are using the same picture. If Dream really is slated for Android, I'm sure it'll be given a small overhaul (removing microsoft based shortcut keys). Or Microsoft might even be the main OS for this device and an alternate will have Android as an option.

Omni:
http://www.unwiredview.com/2007/07/10/more-about-htc-omni-touchscreen-31-mpx-camera-hsupa-support-and-other-goodies/
Dream:
http://www.unwiredview.com/2007/11/06/htc-omni-surfaces-at-google-as-htc-dreamwith-android-os/

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Nov 6th 2007 12:23PM]

one more thing is that the dream isn't going to be called the google dream. It's gonna be the htc dream with android. As you said your self HTC is making a phone designed for android not google.

[iptydafu @ Nov 6th 2007 11:37AM]

Dang, that thing's got a pretty mouth...

[Neeko @ Nov 6th 2007 9:24AM]

This time around i would LOVE it if we could all be kept in the dark about all these stupid RUMORS that are based on just speculation. I am really hoping this isnt gonna be a landslide of photoshop pics of make believe phones.

Just confirm a phone give us a pic and some specs...

[Homeboy @ Nov 6th 2007 9:53AM]

I fully agree. A software is worthless without hardware, therefore I won't be raising an eye brow until this Google OS has made its way into a device.

[robert @ Nov 6th 2007 8:46PM]

You want to be kept in the dark? Then stop visiting every Engadget article with GPhone in the title until it says "GPhone unveiled."

[B @ Nov 6th 2007 9:38AM]

Despite it having windows and internet explorer buttons...the buttons may change and IMO this design is pretty Sweet :D

[noazark @ Nov 6th 2007 9:50AM]

ehh.. the only way they will catch my attention with this thing, is if they tack "cast" to the end of it.

[RichardBronosky @ Nov 6th 2007 10:34AM]

Why do you want it to be called Omnicast?

[Natedog @ Nov 6th 2007 11:21AM]

The next set of rumors: the SegaPhone! It's blue and ridiculously fast.

[FK @ Nov 6th 2007 12:59PM]

It will have such features as:
"Blast Dialing" (re-dial)
"Blast Answering" (answer button)
"Blast Powering" (power button)
etc..

[Dale @ Nov 6th 2007 9:49AM]

Despite being what Engadgeteers lovingly refer to as a Macolyte, I am immeasurably more excited about this phone than I was the iPhone (I didn't buy one; won't). It looks very sleek and modern.

[OrganicShadow @ Nov 6th 2007 9:54AM]

Am I the only person that "gets" what Google means by there being many GPhones? They mean that they aren't making a phone, and phones won't necessarily be made FOR Android, but that Android is compatible with nearly any phone, so any phone with Android will technically be a "GPhone".

I liked the previous "GPhone" rumor photo better though. To be honest I would really like to just have an HTC Touch or Touch Slide or whatever it's called with custom Android instead of the custom WinMo6.

[Harry @ Nov 6th 2007 10:01AM]

eliminate that mechanical keyboard. Make it all touch screen. Then I would be interested

[len @ Nov 6th 2007 11:34AM]

Why? If you want a gimped device that doesn't live up to the potential of its software, just buy an iPhone.

[FK @ Nov 6th 2007 1:01PM]

Harry... you just been iPwned.

[Sinh Truong @ Nov 7th 2007 1:26PM]

HAhaha I would have to agree... I hate touchscreen keypads. It always seems as if it's not tuned right. Either too sensitive, not sensitive enough, etc. Each their own, but I prefer the mechanical keyboard because of the reliability. I've had a lot of touch gadgets and a lot of the touch sensitive features went out after a while. Eg. my ASUS pw201 monitor, my old Olympus MP3 player, and my LG htib that I use to have. Although I'd have to admit, touch sensitive buttons make the designs so much cleaner. The Iphone is one sexy beotch

[Surur @ Nov 6th 2007 10:05AM]

That "earlier rendering" is actually the HTC Universal, which has been out for more than 2 years now. Do you even read your own blog?

[superfresh @ Nov 6th 2007 10:47AM]

I hope the hackers and crackers get to work quickly.

I want my GPhone unlocked so I can use better searches like Dogpile and Infoseek. And Yahoo! Mail. And Mapquest.

[CoffeeJedi @ Nov 6th 2007 12:12PM]

Go for it, Android is open source.

[John Doe @ Nov 6th 2007 10:50AM]

I'd tap that.....with my finger....Wha? Why is everyone looking at me.....Oh you guys are just sick.

[Randomness @ Nov 6th 2007 10:56AM]

DO WANT.

I, for one, welcome our Android based communication overlords, and offer them a ride in my pocket gratis.

[helio9000 @ Nov 6th 2007 11:23AM]

The main thing this has in common with the earlier out-of-someone's-ass speculation mock up is the hilariously hackneyed gloss effect straight out of a bad Photoshop 4 tutorial book.

[San @ Nov 6th 2007 11:34AM]

The concept design has a Windows key :)
I hope the OMNI will stick with WinMobile....dont want a great device going into a new OS which i'd not wanna try until a while after its released!

[tank6b @ Nov 6th 2007 1:12PM]

I hope the GUI will be like this one
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tank6b/1887727512/

[baz.karim @ Nov 6th 2007 2:19PM]

I would definitely seriously consider selling my iPhone if this is the phone that Android was released on. I almost wish I could say that I definitely would but I have no idea how the phone operates or what variation of Android it will have. We'll see what happens--but this is going to get a lot of buzz. This time though, in comparison to the iPhone, I'm looking forward to reading whatever I can about it.

-- Karim Baz

[Aaron @ Nov 12th 2007 12:51AM]

Not to mention the ridiculous glare obscuring the screen...

[Austin @ Nov 6th 2007 8:32PM]

I've been holding out for years, and I think this is it. I think this is actually the phone of my dreams.

[Alex @ Nov 7th 2007 6:21AM]

what an iRiver D5 rip off. Looks the same except that it has white key boards. (lol finally not an ipod rip off)

[skhawaja @ Nov 8th 2007 1:52PM]

HTC Universal = 2005

This rendering = Nintendo DS Lite? except the screens have changed spaces

that is one interesting looking device - doesn't really matter what the underlying os is going to be - will it ever get out of it's home country?