Taking a clue from the unprecedented number of preorders for the HTC G1 Android phone, T-Mobile has set up an emulator that allows you to play around with the user interface to get a feel for how it works.

This emulator would be for the rabid G1 fan who's waiting for their Android-powered handset to arrive later this month. I was unable to get it to work (perhaps because I am not a T-Mobile customer and haven't preordered the device?), but several other Web sites have given it a go.

According to The Android Guys, "You can get a sense for how the phone notifications work, like new SMS or incoming calls. You can also play with the menu, checkout the e-mail setup, and add shortcuts to desktop. Also on the same page are demos to show basic things like SIM, battery, and memory card insertion. Oh yeah, there's a fully rotatable look at the G1."

Since I've already had a chance to play with the G1 for a while, I know what I'm missing in not being able to use the emulator. Not all of the G1's feature work within the emulator, but for those who haven't had a chance to take one for a test drive, this is the next-best thing...until Oct. 22.

In case you can't get the emulator to work, either, here is a video of the Android user interface: