Since we brought up the issue of Apple’s new “best gaming platform ever available” earlier this month, it’s only fitting we take a look with equal scrutiny at the upcoming HTC Dream, better known as the T-Mobile G1, better known as the first mobile phone with Google’s Android Operating System. Android is meant to be an open source project, allowing developers on any platform to download and utilize the SDK to build whatever kind of application they would like. With built-in GPS functionality, a touch screen, and a fully functional keyboard, of course they had to make sure to show off a quick round of Pac Man on their new toy.

While it’s initial offering is not nearly as strong as the iPhone’s, with a very noticeable lack of Super Monkey Ball it does show the possibilities available to the platform. The fact that the system is open source is a big deal, especially considering the prevalence of the ROM community for portable devices. For more legitimate businesses, the portability of the language (being Java-based) to other mobile phones can also be a draw. That combined with the fact that it allows for standard keyboard controls to compliment a touch screen system means that you have a lot more avenues for design. It does have the same accelerometer functionality, as well, giving it very similar aspects as the iPhone for game development.

It seems that gaming on mobile phones may be growing much quicker than most might think, given the fact that there is such a focus on the sector with these new devices. While the G1 has yet to be released, the potential for the system as a gaming platform is there, and seems to have a bit more going for it in terms of tech and development than the iPhone does. Based on the community, the development of ROM systems will also be very likely, and the battle grounds for piracy on any open sourced system for a mobile phone will be brutal if it does grow to its potential.

Given the drop in third party support for the PSP as of recent, perhaps many groups are starting to jump ship to other areas of portability. Either way, it will be interesting to watch how the development on the mobile platform grows in the next year, and it is only good news for gamers as the choices on how and where you play just keep expanding.