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.

SingTel and HTC Introduce the HTC Dream™ —
the First Android-Powered phone released in Singapore

The HTC Dream™ Boasts an Intuitive Touch Screen and QWERTY Keyboard,
Plus Popular Google Products and Fresh, New Applications

Singapore – 05 February, 2009 – Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) and HTC Corporation, a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design, today unveiled the first Android™ powered mobile phone released in Asia – the HTC Dream™. Customers of SingTel and its wholly-owned subsidiary in Australia, Optus, will soon be the first in Asia to enjoy this highly anticipated device.

The HTC Dream combines full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes popular Google applications and products that millions have enjoyed on the desktop. With a fun and intuitive user interface and one-touch access to Google Search, the HTC Dream provides access to Android Market, so customers can find and download unique applications to expand and personalise their phone to fit their lifestyle.

“We are delighted to work with Google and HTC to be the first operator in Asia to bring the HTC Dream to our customers.  This demonstrates our commitment to deliver a unique experience to our customers and meeting their demand for quality communications and multimedia products and services,” said Yuen Kuan Moon, SingTel’s Chief of Consumer and CEO of SingTel Mobile. “This Android-powered mobile device and its range of popular Google applications and other multimedia-rich software will redefine our customers’ mobile phone experience. Coupled with SingTel’s unrivalled 3G mobile network, our customers can enjoy the full potential of the Internet with just a Dream phone in their hands.”

“The HTC Dream introduces an unprecedented mobile Internet experience that offers a variety of services, applications and content that people can use and enjoy,” said Jack Tong, VP of HTC Asia. “We are honoured to be joining SingTel today for this historic unveiling of the HTC Dream.”

Delivering the Familiarity of Google and SingTel services for a Unique Mobile Internet Experience:

The HTC Dream with Google delivers a premium, easy-to-use mobile Web and communications experience in one device. Both Android and SingTel services have been integrated seamlessly into the phone’s form and function. The HTC Dream’s large vibrant display slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, great for communicating with friends online or using the phone’s e-mail, Instant Messaging (IM) and mobile messaging capabilities. As another option for accessing the device, The HTC Dream comes equipped with a convenient trackball for an alternative, one-handed navigation.

With one-click search, HTC Dream users can search for relevant information with the touch of a finger. A full HTML Web browser allows users to see any Web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section. With built-in support for SingTel’s 3.5G network as well as Wi-Fi, the HTC Dream can connect to the best available high-speed data connection for surfing the Web and downloading information quickly and effortlessly.

“We’re thrilled to see the mobile ecosystem in the Asia Pacific region embracing the Android platform.  The openness that has shaped the Internet and driven innovation is now coming to mobile devices,” said Daniel Alegre, Vice President, Sales and Operations – Asia Pacific, at Google. “The HTC Dream offered through SingTel will transform users’ mobile web experiences and provide an open platform for the next wave of exciting applications.”

Communication on the Go:

The HTC Dream features a rich HTML e-mail client, which seamlessly syncs your e-mail, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. The HTC Dream multi-tasks, so you can read a Web page while downloading your e-mail in the background and also combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk™. With access to high-speed Web browsing and a 3.2 megapixel camera with photo-sharing capabilities, the HTC Dream is ideal for balancing a busy lifestyle, whether sharing pictures, checking the latest sports scores or accessing social networking sites and most importantly, multi-language reading in English, Chinese and Japanese.

Android Market:

The HTC Dream offers access to Android Market, which hosts many popular and unique applications from developers around the world. With just a couple of clicks, users can find, download and rate a wide range of innovative software applications — from games to location-based services and on-the-go shopping — to personalise their phone and enhance their mobile lifestyle.

Pricing and availability details will be announced at a later date.

# # #

About HTC

Founded in 1997, HTC Corporation (HTC) is a global leader in mobile phone innovation and design.  Since its establishment, HTC has developed strong R&D capabilities, pioneered many new designs and product innovations and launched state-of-the-art mobile phones for mobile operators and distributors in Europe, the US, Asia and around the world.   HTC is one of the fastest growing companies in the mobile device market. The company is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under ticker 2498. For more information about HTC, please visit www.htc.com.

# # #

About SingTel

SingTel is Asia’s leading communications group with operations and investments around the world. Serving both the corporate and consumer markets, it is committed to bringing the best global communications solutions to customers in the Asia Pacific and beyond.

With significant operations in Singapore and Australia (through wholly-owned subsidiary SingTel Optus), the Group provides a comprehensive portfolio of services that includes voice and data over fixed, wireless, Internet and satellite platforms as well as pay TV.

To serve the needs of multi-national corporations, SingTel has a network of 37 offices in 19 countries and territories throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and the United States. These offices enable SingTel to deliver reliable and quality network solutions to its customers, either on its own or jointly with local partners.

The Group also has major investments in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. Together with its regional partners, SingTel is Asia’s largest multi-market mobile operator, serving more than 216 million customers in eight markets.

SingTel employs more than 20,000 people worldwide and had a turnover of S$14.84 billion (US$10.05 billion) and net profit after tax of S$3.96 billion (US$2.68 billion) for the year ended 31 March 2008.  More information can be found @ www.singtel.com and www.optus.com.au.

About Google Inc.

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.google.com.

The T-Mobile G1

Yes you heard that right, the first Google phone is out and its in the form of the T-Mobile G1 or what for us over here in Asia will come to know as the HTC Dream. Unfortunately we won’t be seeing the unit in our shores anytime soon as shipping for units in the US only starts on 22 October. However don’t get depressed considering it IS a HTC made phone it will reach our shores eventually.

Read on for the full press release which details the various things you can expect from it.

NEW YORK – Sept. 23, 2008 – T-Mobile today announced the international launch of the world’s first Android™-powered mobile phone in partnership with Google. Available soon only for T-Mobile customers spanning two continents, the T-Mobile G1 combines full touch-screen functionality and a QWERTY keyboard with a mobile Web experience that includes the popular Google products that millions have enjoyed on the desktop, including Google Maps Street View™, Gmail™, YouTube™
and others.

“We are proud that T-Mobile is the first operator in the world to launch an Android-powered mobile device,” said Christopher Schläffer, group product and innovation officer of Deutsche Telekom. “Since 2005, Google has been an established partner in T-Mobile’s groundbreaking approach to bringing the open mobile Internet to the mass market. With the T-Mobile G1, we are continuing our strong tradition of being pioneers in the world of the open Internet.”

Cole Brodman, chief technology and innovation officer, T-Mobile USA, said, “The Internet and the mobile phone are both indispensable tools for our hectic lives, but only a fraction of us access the Web on our phones. The T-Mobile G1 is our opportunity in the U.S. to accelerate the mass adoption of the mobile Web, by unleashing Google innovation with a unique software experience that mobilizes the Google services hundreds of millions of consumers rely on every day.”

“Increasingly, connectivity does not just mean a phone call, but rather access to the world’s information,” said Andy Rubin, senior director of mobile platforms for Google. “Today’s news signifies an important first step for the Open Handset Alliance: With Android, we’ve opened the mobile Web not only for millions of users, but also to mobilize the developer community that understands the next most important platform in the world rests in the palm of our hand.”

With a fun and intuitive user interface and one-touch access to Google Search, the T-Mobile G1 is also the first phone to provide access to Android Market, where customers can find and download unique applications to expand and personalize their phone to fit their lifestyle.

T-Mobile customers in the U.S. have the opportunity to pre-order the T-Mobile G1, in limited quantities, beginning today at www.T-MobileG1.com and be among the first to experience this game-changing phone. The device will be available at select T-Mobile retail stores and online in the U.S. beginning Oct. 22, for a price of $179 with a two-year voice and data agreement. The T-Mobile G1 will also be available in the United Kingdom beginning in November, and across Europe in the first quarter of 2009. Countries include Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and the Netherlands.

Delivering the Familiarity of Google for a Superior Mobile Internet Experience:
The T-Mobile G1 with Google delivers a premium, easy-to-use mobile Web and communications experience in one device. Working together, T-Mobile, Google and HTC integrated Android and T-Mobile services into the phone’s form and function. The T-Mobile G1’s vibrant, high-quality screen slides open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, great for communicating with friends online or using the phone’s e-mail, IM and mobile messaging capabilities. As another option for accessing the device, the T-Mobile G1 comes equipped with a convenient trackball for more precise, one-handed navigation.

“T-Mobile, Google and HTC share a similar vision for making the mobile Internet practical, relevant and fun,” said Peter Chou, president and CEO, HTC Corp. “The T-Mobile G1 represents the culmination of this vision by offering a variety of services, applications and content that introduces an Internet experience that everyone can enjoy. We are honored to be joining T-Mobile and Google today for this historic unveiling of the T-Mobile G1.”

With one-click contextual search, T-Mobile G1 customers in a flash can search for relevant information with a touch of a finger. A full HTML Web browser allows users to see any Web page the way it was designed to be seen, and then easily zoom in to expand any section by simply tapping on the screen. With built-in support for T-Mobile’s 3G and EDGE network as well as Wi-Fi, the T-Mobile G1 can connect to the best available high-speed data connection for surfing the Web and downloading information quickly and effortlessly.

Google Maps Street View:
With Google Maps, Google’s groundbreaking maps service, T-Mobile G1 users can instantly view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and get driving directions, all from the phone’s easy-to-use touch interface. The T-Mobile G1 also includes Google Maps Street View, allowing customers to explore cities at street-level virtually while on the go. Without taking a step, customers can tour a far-away place as if they were there — standing on the street corner. Even better, the Google Maps feature syncs with the built-in compass on the phone — an industry first — to allow users to view locations and navigate 360 degrees by simply moving the phone with their hand. Google Maps Street View is available today in many U.S. locations and soon in European countries.

Communicating on the Go:
The T-Mobile G1 features a rich HTML e-mail client, which seamlessly syncs your e-mail, calendar and contacts from Gmail as well as most other POP3 or IMAP e-mail services. The T-Mobile G1 multitasks, so you can read a Web page while also downloading your e-mail in the background. It combines Instant Messaging support for Google Talk™, as well as AOL®, Yahoo! Messenger ® and Windows Live Messenger in the U.S. With access to high-speed Web browsing and a 3-megapixel camera with photo-sharing capabilities, the T-Mobile G1 is ideal for balancing a busy lifestyle, whether sharing pictures, checking the latest sports scores or accessing social networking sites.

Embracing User-Generated Content:
Customers can use the T-Mobile G1’s 3G and Wi-Fi connection to attach and share pictures over email and MMS or download music from their favorite Web sites, and soon, upload and post pictures to their personal blog.  Built-in support for YouTube allows customers to enjoy YouTube’s originally-created content, easily navigate through YouTube’s familiar video browsing categories or search for specific videos.

Music at Your Fingertips:
The T-Mobile G1 comes pre-loaded with a new application developed by Amazon.com that gives customers easy access to Amazon MP3, Amazon.com’s digital music download store with more than 6 million DRM-free MP3 tracks. Using the new application, T-Mobile G1 customers are able to search, sample, purchase and download music from Amazon MP3 directly to their device (downloading music from Amazon MP3 using the T-Mobile G1 requires a Wi-Fi connection; searching, sampling and purchasing music can be done anywhere with a cellular connection). The T-Mobile G1 will be the first device with the Amazon MP3 mobile application pre-loaded.

Android Market:
The T-Mobile G1 is the first phone to offer access to Android Market, which hosts unique applications and mash ups of existing and new services from developers around the world. With just a couple of short clicks, customers can find and download a wide range of innovative software applications — from games to social networking and on-the-go shopping — to personalize their phone and enhance their mobile lifestyle. When the phone launches next month, dozens of unique, first-of-a-kind Android applications will be available for download on Android Market, including:

• ShopSavvy: an application designed to help people do comparative shopping. Users scan the UPC code of a product with their phone’s camera while they are shopping, and can instantly compare prices from online merchants and nearby local stores.
• Ecorio: a new application developed to help people keep track of their daily travels and view what their carbon footprint looks like. With access to tips and tricks, Ecorio allows users to record the steps they take throughout their day to help offset their impact on the environment.
• BreadCrumbz: a new application that enables people to create a step-by-step visual map using photos. Customers can create their own routes, share them with friends or with the world.

For more information on the T-Mobile G1 in the U.S., please visit www.T-MobileG1.com. For more information on the T-Mobile G1 in the United Kingdom, please visit www.T-Mobile.co.uk/G1.