T-Mobile MyTouch 3G with Google Android Debuts in New York

T-Mobile is relying on the customization possible with Google Android to give it an edge in the increasingly competitive smartphone arena. The MyTouch 3G also includes the ability to multitask and run multiple applications simultaneously, an advantage also held by the Palm Pre but not by Apple’s iPhone, which is considered the device to beat in the consumer market. Also being heavily promoted are the MyTouch’s built-in music player and its 3.2-megapixel camera, which can take both still images and video.

The following eWEEK product gallery shows some of the smartphone’s most notable features, as well as a few elements of its Android OS.

The T-Mobile MyTouch features a 3.2-inch HVGA touch-screen with a virtual QWERTY keyboard and an auto-rotation feature for shifting between portrait and landscape views. In addition, screens can be navigated with the track ball and hard buttons on the bottom of the device.

T-Mobile plans to make the MyTouch stand out in a crowded smartphone marketplace by giving customers the ability to extensively customize not only the OS, but also the physical casing. Custom shell options include golf balls and a cool flaming skull.

Measuring 4.45 by 2.19 by 0.58 inches, with a weight of 4.1 ounces, the smartphone has a slim form factor. It will be offered in three colors: white, black and “merlot.”

The smartphone’s battery provides for up to 600 hours of standby and up to 6 hours of talk time.

With Google Android, menus and other screens are fully customizable.

The smartphone allows for multitasking, meaning that different applications can operate simultaneously-so the user can keep up with sports scores on ESPN while e-mail downloads in the background. This is a feature that the T-Mobile MyTouch shares with the Palm Pre.

In addition to Google Search by voice, other one-touch Google services include Google Maps (with Street View), YouTube and Picasa. The phone features built-in GPS capabilities for easier self-locating.

The 3.2-megapixel camera can shoot both still images and video, which can then be uploaded to e-mail, MMS, YouTube or Picasa.

Preinstalled with the Amazon MP3 Store application, the T-Mobile MyTouch allows for the downloading of non-DRM music through either 3G or Wi-Fi. The music player supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, OGG and RM formats.

The preinstalled Android Market lets users download dozens of applications.

Mobile Web supported by the T-Mobile 3G network allows for fast downloading or uploading of video clips.