I've spent hours these past two weeks talking to analysts about the Google HTC G1 that debuted this week, and yes the story is all about Android as we have reported.

While I couldn't get my hands on a review device, despite my usual begging and pleading, I did get to play with one at a store launch event.

I have to say I wasn't that impressed with the form factor. It felt heavy, my right thumb covers one third of the keyboard, and while I do like Google apps I'm not an avid Googler so all the built-in features and quick access to 'Google things' didn't get me very excited.

But I'm seriously thinking of getting a device.

Why?

Well it seems that while Google loves Android it's not going to put its stamp of approval on too many Android-built smartphones going forward.

As one analyst explained this G1 has the Google 'love' because Google wanted it out the door and wanted to push Android out the door with its best foot forward -- like parents do with that first child heading to college. You know, you buy them new linens, a TV, the PC for the dorm room. By child no. 3 parents aren't even dropping the kid off at the college but putting them on a bus with a backpack and a few bucks.

It seems this G1 is the initial smartphone in a 'G' series and many other Android-based phones won't have the Google touch.

That alone could make this handset a collector's item I'm thinking.

Like the first Mac, the eight-track cassette player, the first edition Nancy Drew book I have. Ok, well maybe the Nancy Drew book isn't lly a collector's item.

But you get my point.

At $180 it's a reasonable collection investment.

I'm guessing the next one, G2, will be a bit pricier because rumour has it Google subsidized the majority of the G1 and I'm thinking it's not about to do that going forward with every 'G' series device.

This item definitely falls into the 'what took you so long' category.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a release today that it has hired on Jon Peha as Chief Technologist to serve one year as a senior advisor on communications technology in the FCC's Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Analysis.

Nope, this isn't a new job. But it's the first time the FCC put a warm body in the job since 2001.

Yes, it's 2008.

In the release FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin praises Peha for his expertise in the area of communications technology:

"Jon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the commission and I am pleased he has agreed to join us as chief technologist. I am confident that Peha's expertise will be beneficial to the commission as it moves forward to address numerous complex, technical issues."

Yea, I would hope so.

The question is why did it take the FCC so long to replace the last CTO -- David Farber, who served from 2000 through 2001? Who was around to advice the FCC the past seven years?

Peha will "assist the commission in looking at a number of different initiatives and proposals from a technological vantage point on a going forward basis," the FCC's office of media relations stated.

Peha is credentialed -- he is a professor in the departments of Engineering and Public Policy, and Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, and also serves as the Associate Director of the Center for Wireless and Broadband Networking at CMU.

Prior to joining CMU's Department of Engineering and Public Policy, heserved as the chief technical officer of three high-tech start-ups and as a member of the technical staff at SRI International, AT&T Bell Laboratories and Microsoft.