14 DAY TRIAL // Several weeks ago, wireless carrier T-Mobile USA announced plans to come to the market with a new version of its myTouch 3G, and additional details on the matter were recently made available. The new handset, T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide, is expected to be put on sale on the carrier's airwaves as soon as June 2, featuring a price tag of $179.99 upon the signing of a two-year contract agreement with the carrier and after a $50 mail-in rebate.
As its name suggests, the new myTouch 3G Slide will hit the shelves with a sliding four-row physical QWERTY keyboard, in addition to that touchscreen display that was inherited from its predecessor. The new feature is expected to attract a lot of texting-centric users on its side, and the wireless carrier seems set to bet a lot on this feature.
According to T-Mobile, the new myTouch 3G Slide handset has been designed to keep users “crazy-close to friends and family.” The QWERTY keypad is complemented by a 3.4-in. touchscreen on which one can enjoy the capabilities of Swype software for faster typing. On the back, the new mobile phone sports a 5-megapixel photo snapper with auto focus and flash, and offers users the possibility to easily upload images on social networking sites like Facebook, YouTube, or via e-mail and MMS.
Based on the Android 2.1 operating system from Google, the phone comes with support for 3G networks, as well as with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity options. Measuring 4.55 x 2.37 x 0.6 inches and weighing in at 5.8 ounces, the handset also includes a microSD memory card slot for additional storage space, and ships with an 8GB card in the package. The myTouch 3G Slide will arrive in black, white or red.
One other thing that should be mentioned is that HTC announced recently that the device might also receive an update to the latest version of Android, 2.2 or Froyo, which was officially unveiled only yesterday.