I’ve gotten some pretty interesting news from the grapevine recently regarding the HTC Dream. It seems that HTC might not be bringing the Dream into the Malaysian market at all and might instead opt to bring in the upcoming G2 instead. One reason I heard was that due to various issues the HTC Dream or rathe the T1 Mobile G1 had, it would be more feasible to bring in the better designed and built G2. As much as I’d appreciate a better working and less buggy device, this also means the possiblity of an Android phone hitting Malaysia very much later.

Considering that the other Android device by Kogan, the Angora, is most likely not coming here and other Android devices still in the works, I’m expecting Android to hit Malaysian shores only sometime in the 3rd quarter of this year. So for those waiting to have a go at Android you might have to wait a little bit longer.

In the previous post, we noted that the HTC Dream would finally be making its way to Singapore. In an exclusive deal with HTC, SingTel happens to be the only telco in the region to bring in the Dream, similar to what happened with the iPhone 3G. And since SingTel also happens to own Australian telco Optus, the HTC Dream’ll also be made available there as well.

A tipster alerted us to the Optus website already showing a product page for the HTC Dream, along with corresponding price plans, though actual availability is yet unknown. Unfortunately though, Singaporeans are out of luck, as the only reference to the Dream we could find at this point was the press release. On the other hand though, our sources say that SingTel price plans for the HTC Dream should be made available within the next couple of weeks, probably before the end of February.

As for the other Singapore telcos (M1 and StarHub), much like what happened with the iPhone 3G, it’s probably a long shot that the HTC Dream will be made available to either one. Then again, if you really can’t wait, enterprising individuals are already selling the HTC Dream, albeit badged as the T-Mobile G1. Online retailer Expansys Singapore for example, lists the T-Mobile G1 as being available for a cool S$1349.

Alternatively, you can always pick up an Android developer unlocked device, the Android Dev Phone 1. Dev Phones are fully unlocked, letting you use any SIM card in the device, as well as being able to flash custom Andriod builds that work with the unlocked bootloader, which doesn’t enforce signed system images. The device goes for US$399, with free shipping in the United States, but is also available in 18 other countries including Singapore, though shipping charges apply. Also, you’ll need to sign up as an Android developer for a small fee before you can buy a Dev Phone.

Took HTC long enough, but the HTC Dream (made famous as the T-Mobile G1 in the United States) is now finally available in Singapore, thanks to the chaps at SingTel. Now, not only does the biggest telco in Singapore have the Apple iPhone 3G, but now they’re also the first operator in Asia to bring their customers an Android-powered handset. While parallel imported units of the HTC Dream have already been floating around thaks to enterprising individuals looking to make a quick buck, here’s your chance to pick one up for less money, along with a contract. Not only that, Optus Australia (also owned by SingTel), will be also be carrying the HTC Dream.

As for how much the HTC Dream will cost you in this part of the world, we’re still waiting on an official announcement from SingTel.

Check out the full press release after the break.

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