T-Mobile to launch successor to G1 with Google Android software
T-Mobile USA said today it’s preparing to launch a successor to the G1, the cell phone that uses Google’s Android software.
The T-Mobile myTouch 3G with Google is a big mouthful. But it’s certainly timely. It’s clear that T-Mobile needs to do release a new model in order to present some kind of counter to the launch of the iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre.
Customers can start to pre-order the device — which comes in black, white, and merlot — beginning July 8, and it’s expected to be available later this summer. The phone has a 3.2-inch HVGA touch-screen display and virtual keyboard, which orients automatically from portrait to landscape mode in most applications. T-Mobile is focusing on the ability to customize menus, wallpapers, icons, and download thousands of Android Market apps as a reason to upgrade to the new phone. A version of the myTouch phone is going to debut on Vodaphone’s network in Europe.
The phone also has deep integration of Google services and the latest Android software. You can use Google Search via voice. You can view Google Maps with Street View (which shows you real 3-D pictures of streets), as well as use Gmail, YouTube and Picasa.
One of the new apps being touted is Geodelic’s Sherpa, which has an engine that customizes itself to the user’s preference. It learns your dislikes and likes when it comes to retailers, restaurants and attractions. It can then make recommendations based on what it knows about you.
In a statement, Andy Rubin, vice president of mobile platforms at Google and the visionary behind Android, said the new device will pave the way to attract more developers and lead to the creation of a new wave of “killer Android applications.”
The phone was designed by HTC. In addition to its touch screen and virtual keyboard it has a 3.2-megapixel camera, a music player with a preinstalled 4 gigabyte microSD memory card, and enhanced video capabilities to make it easy for users to record and share pictures and videos. You can share via multimedia messaging (MMS) or, with a single click, upload videos and pictures to YouTube and Picasa. The device can tap into Wi-Fi or T-Mobile’s 3G data newtork.
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About the Author, Dean Takahashi
Dean is lead writer for GamesBeat at VentureBeat. He covers video games, security, chips and a variety of other subjects. Dean previously worked at the San Jose Mercury News, the Wall Street Journal, the Red Herring, the Los Angeles Times, the Orange County Register and the Dallas Times Herald. He is the author of two books, Opening the Xbox and the Xbox 360 Uncloaked. Follow him on Twitter at @deantak, and follow VentureBeat on Twitter at @venturebeat.
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John Smith
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10things.me
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myTouch Apps
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gregbowen
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