Google's mobile phone goes on sale today for $179

Google's mobile phone goes on sale today for $179

AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

NEW YORK (AP) -- Google is jumping into the mobile phone business with its new G1 phone. The G1 is available starting today for $179 with a two-year contract from T-Mobile.

The new gadget features a touch screen, slide-out keyboard and a trackball.

This alternative to Apple's iPhone is the first cell phone powered by Google's Android operating system.