T-Mobile Giving Second Android Phone 'myTouch'

[SteveW]

T-Mobile Giving Second Android Phone 'myTouch'

The myTouch 3G has Wi-Fi, mobile broadband access, GPS, and deep integration with Google's Web services.

By Marin Perez
InformationWeek
June 22, 2009 01:49 PM

T-Mobile announced its second Android handset Monday, and the myTouch 3G will give the carrier a viable alternative to touch-screen devices like the BlackBerry Storm and the iPhone 3G.

The handset is a customized version of the HTC Magic, and it's similar to the T-Mobile G1 but it ditches the full QWERTY keyboard for a touch-based interface. The handset still has six physical buttons on its face, but customers will likely use the 3.2-inch capacitive touch screen for most of the controls.

The smartphone comes preloaded with Android 1.5, which is needed because it adds an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. The software also gives the myTouch 3G video-recording abilities, Microsoft Exchange support, stereo Bluetooth, voice controls, and a native YouTube uploader.

As indicated by its name, the new Android handset will be able to use T-Mobile's growing UMTS/HSDPA data network for connecting while on the move. Users also will be able to hop on the carrier's EDGE network or use the integrated Wi-Fi for surfing the Web, checking e-mails, or downloading applications from Google's Android Market. The myTouch 3G will have deep integration with some of Google's Web services like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Search, and YouTube.

The myTouch 3G will be available for preorder July 8 for $199.99 with a new two-year contract, and it will be fully available nationwide in early August. Users will be able to buy the handset in white, black, or merlot.

T-Mobile's first Android-powered smartphone was a solid hit, as it sold more than 1 million units in about six months. The new Android handset is facing some stiff competition, though, as recent price cuts mean Apple's popular iPhone 3G can be had for about half the cost of the myTouch 3G.



SW

[tmobileman]

I am excited, my boss got one to demo its an awesome phone, but I like my G1 better, because of the size of my hands the touch keyboard is to hard to use. Cool device though

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by tmobileman

I am excited, my boss got one to demo its an awesome phone, but I like my G1 better, because of the size of my hands the touch keyboard is to hard to use. Cool device though

I'm sticking with the G1 as well. I'm thoroughly unimpressed with the vertical touchscreen keyboard in Android 1.5, and while this may be an unfair comparison, I don't imagine that a somewhat bigger, horizontal version of it would make me change my mind.

Sure, I wish that the G1 were 25-30% thinner and lighter, and even with an improved battery, I bet it could be. Two years ago when the G1 was designed, HTC didn't know they were going to have a million-unit selling device, and it's pretty clear that they didn't optimize it.

Nevertheless, as tmobileman indicated, lots of people with iPhone envy are going to love the myTouch/Magic. They will get a device that's cheaper overall, at least as open, with removable memory and battery, a reasonably good set of 3rd party apps and similar sexy looks. Not bad at all.


SW
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[Matt]

It looks like a nice device, and a nice option to those who don't need the "real" keyboard.