T-Mobile announces myTouch 3G Slide Google Android smartphone
Ever since the G1 I have been asking for another QWERTY keyboard HTC Google Android device and this is the first one to combine HTC Sense, Android 2.1, and a physical QWERTY so I cannot wait to try one out and see if it actually has a chance to bump the Nexus One from my hands, even though the N1 has higher specifications.
In addition to the QWERTY keyboard, T-Mobile adds the following new features to the software found on this Google Android device:
- Faves Gallery: Life is hectic so it’s easy to miss opportunities to connect with loved ones, so Faves Gallery presents up to 20 of your favorite people and all of their communication — calls, texts, e-mail, instant messaging, social networking updates — in a dedicated application accessible through a soft button and an easy-to-use widget complete with photos, contact information and one-touch ability to respond. All of your Faves get special status on your myTouch 3G Slide™; anytime they communicate with you or update their social network you get a notification in the notification pane. Even if you’re not using your phone, a custom green light lets you know you’ve got a communication waiting from one of your Faves. And you can respond right from the Faves Gallery, without launching mail or social apps, so you connect more quickly and more often with the important people in your life.
- myModes: myModes helps you draw the line between work and home by creating different themes with home screen apps, widgets and wallpapers to empower people in the different roles they play daily. You can program myModes to switch at a designated time, by location, or manually with the option to create and store up to 10 customized modes. myModes removes clutter and makes you more efficient both at work and at home. Want to forget about work on the weekend? No need to hide your “work phone” or switch to another device; just put away your work tools, like e-mail and your calendar, by switching modes and bring forward all the things you love to do on Saturday.
- Genius Button: With the Genius Button, you press one button, talk, and it delivers. The Genius Button is an easy-to-access button on the front of the new T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide, allowing the use of voice commands to control the phone and its features, including making calls, composing and sending texts and e-mails, and searching the Web or your surroundings. The Genius Button will even read text messages aloud.
Specifications of the myTouch 3G Slide include:
- Google Android 2.1 operating system with HTC Sense
- 600 MHz processor
- 3.4 inch HVGA display
- 5 megapixel camera
- Included 8GB microSD card
- Swype text entry input method (works amazingly well on Android devices)
- Dimensions: 4.55” x 2.37” x 0.6”; Weight: 5.8 ounces
The myTouch 3G Slide should be available in June. There is no pricing yet available, but this isn't the highest end Android device so I imagine you will find it in the $149 to $249 range. I personally liked the myTouch 3G form factor and feel and the QWERTY keyboard on this new devices looks quite nice. I know my text heavy teen daughter would love to have one, but I am not paying another $25 for data on her phone.