So I almost didn't post this because I don't want to clutter anyone's mind with yet another rumor that contradicts all of the other rumors. But it's decent information so I should pass it along to you and let you make your own mind up about it. Right?
A mobile industry exec I met the other night told me he thinks the Android-powered HTC Dream is the first phone he's seen since iPhone came out that could really give Apple a run for its money in the newly burgeoning mainstream marketplace for high-end devices. Dream hits a sweet spot where high tech whiz-bang features and smartphone power meet ease of use and general consumer appeal. My source, who doesn't work for a carrier or handset maker but is in a professional position to see all of the new goodies well before they hit the streets got to play with a Dream running Android Beta a few weeks back and came away impressed (he's got the kind of job that makes the HTCs and Googles and T-Mobiles of the world want his early opnion on usability and business decisions when it comes to new handsets).
When I asked about release dates, he debunked the recent rumors of T-Mobile bringing Dream to market in October. "It'll be early next year, probably," he said. "January. It was going to have been eariler but had to be pushed back. I don't think we'll see it in Septmber or October like the blogs are predicting."
