By The T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Event in NYC was held today and as you probably know, current T-Mobile customers can now pre-order the device. We all know that the MyTouch is essentially a keyboard-less G1 or an American HTC Magic – but what did we learn about the phone that we DIDN’T know before.
Quite a bit… but lets take it from the top.
I recorded the actual event announcement but it was almost 40 minutes long, that will come later – here is a quick still pic to hold you over:
For now lets dive into the actual hands-on part of the event. When we first walked into the demonstration room, this is what awaited us:
It sounds like T-Mobile is REALLY going to drive home that “100% You” tagline and rightfully so – while you COULD boil this phone down to a keyboardless-G1/American-Magic comparison, there is certainly a good bit of added value in the customization features on the MyTouch.
Unfortunately, I didn’t feel like they really highlighted the unique offerings of the MyTouch 3G at the event. I spent some time with different staff showing off the device and they mostly concentrated on Sherpa even though Sherpa had their own stand to demo the product. Here is the MyTouch Tour I got from a T-Mobile rep:
Why not explain the phone from the top to bottom, talking about its sleek look, slim size, pocketability and feel in the hand, responsive touchscreen, convenient hardware buttons and trackball, great camera quality and all that jazz? I guess I’ll have to do that myself when a review unit comes across my desk.
If you want to be dead honest the actual MyTouch 3G isn’t too much different than the G1: It doesn’t have a keyboard and there are positives and negatives that come with that. The atmosphere of the MyTouch 3G event definitely shouted “100% You”. For example, there were 6 different stations that showed the MyTouch 3G customed for different types of people such as:
Movie Lovers:
Sports Fans:
Travelers:
Music Lovers:
Fitness Folks:
News Junkie:
I would have like to see the T-Mobile Reps have a more focused strategy at explaining how this phone is different from the T-Mobile G1 besides saying it is full touchscreen only. Why not really hammer home the various accessories that come with the MyTouch?
I think the MyTouch accessories are a great customization opportunity for customers – why not really drive that home in the presentation and from the representatives? Why not have the accessories on display? Here is a quick pic of the accessories I thought would excite a lot of people:
Great – accessories, accessories, accessories! But what REALLY struck me as pretty cool was T-Mobile’s concept that was tucked away on the very last page of the PDF – “Lifestyle Bundles”. Just as we saw with the different “stations” for different types of people, T-Mobile has a couple different “bundles” available for different types of people:
Notice the “Music” and “Fitness” bundles mention that they provide fitness application recommendations? I absolutely love this concept but I’m unsure of how it will play out in reality. I’m GUESSING that it’ll simply come with a pamphlet or guide that lists the suggested apps on a piece of paper and suggests you visit the Android Market to download them.
Why not accentuate this? Maybe T-Mobile already plans on this… but why not ask customers what “bundle” they want preloaded on their device with the option to select several? When you purchase the phone, it will already be loaded with these apps – saving you some tedious searching and downloading.
How about including paid apps in the bundle as well? Sounds like a great idea to me… and for a phone touting itself as “100% You” I think it would be a nice customization feature. This likely won’t happen and in reality, it is probably a logistical nightmare on the retail and sales level. But the idea of pre-customizing the phone based on a users interests allows them to tap into the power of Android Market without being overwhelmed.
When it comes down to it, you should ask yourself 2 questions when deciding whether or not to purchase the MyTouch 3G:
- Do I want Android?
- Do I prefer a slimmer touchscreen-only device?
If you answered yes to both questions than the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G is for you. Everything else is fluff and extra. I think the presentation of this phone shows how carriers and manufacturers may have trouble differentiating their devices from other Android devices. Think about it: Sherpa was perhaps the most highly touted feature of the MyTouch 3G today, but when the phone launches in late July or August, G1 owners will be able to download the application on Android Market as well.
Despite a less than perfectly focused positioning of the phone, I think the MyTouch Event was quite a success on many levels. The presentation was beautifully organized, the displays were vibrant and fun and the food (both taste and display) was fantastic.
On top of the aesthetics, T-Mobile has 2 Android devices out… and that is TWO more than ANY other American carrier. That – ladies and gentlement – is pure win. Lets chill with the inevitable talk of “why can’t we have the HTC Hero” and “What took so long to get a repackaged version of the HTC Magic?”
The bottom line is that T-Mobile is the only carrier in the states championing Android and they deserve a LOT of praise and respect for that. They’re way ahead of the curve (along with HTC) and I think they’ll benefit greatly in terms of sales, customers, stock price and all of those types of positive results.
Awesome job, T-Mobile… thank you for bringing more Android to Americans! Here are some other pictures from the event you might like to see just for fun.
Waiting for the presentation to start:
The food was amazingly yummy – I only had a smidgen but it all looked delicious and was a pretty neat focal point in the center of all the MyTouch 3G stands:
The lovely Autumn who gave me a tour of Sherpa – the new Android Application which is made by a company called Geodelic:
And we’ll finish it off with dessert… MyTouch 3G Cookies and Chocolate Milk! Haha props to T-Mo for this one – definitely a nice, random and funny touch:
There you have it… my first thoughts on the T-Mobile MyTouch 3G. I’ll have a LOT more goodies for you folks later today and tomorrow with in-depth reviews with the device coming later this month. So stay tuned to Phandroid for the latest (and hopefully greatest!) Android news and info!
Thanks for the details! Very detailed and informative. Can not wait for the my new phone! August is way to far away!
Well I on the other hand am very disappointed with T-Mobile. Not only is the HTC Hero coming out in July we will only be getting our hands on the MyTouch in August. I mean common, and also what the hell is up with the price. Its supposed to be $199 with contract. I really want android but i think i might just get the iphone 3g for $99. The least tmobile could have done was given us multi-touch or maybe even a better camera. This is the same phone that was launched a few months ago with 2 dollar customizable freaking face plates. I mean common sherpa is a main part of the mytouch3g, its just an app that’s gonna be on all Android devices, they just have nothing better to show us.
Rob, Thank you. You’ve done an excellent job of the coverage and I look forward to more in-depth reviews, although, as a G1 owner from day one, I think i will wait for some more hardware upgrades and I’m not too sure if I would like not having a physical keyboard.
hmmm… they didnt make a big fuss over the G1… kinda feel jealous… :/
Thanks for keeping me informed about the launch of this phone. I think you have done the best job in covering this event. Although i do have one question, is the sherpa app going to be free or must one purchase it?
Thanks for the awesome coverage of the event today. Most tech blogs gave very little info, with very few pics. Keep up the great work!
Honestly, I don’t see what’s the big deal over this MyTouch 3G. I have the Google Ion which is another version to MT3G & it’s already boring me. The only excitement over this phone is the accessories. How sad!!
Anthony, it seems your Ion’s battery is half empty.
Anthony, who told you to get your so early. LOL!!
Anyway, you had your excitement.. Now it’s our turn!! Yeeppppyyyy!!
Btw, I’m sure there’s some differences between the Ion and MT3G. The hardware are probably the same but maybe some differences in applications wise.
Just wanting to point out T-MOBILE DOESN’T MAKE THE PHONE! @Adrian, be upset with HTC not T-Mobile. Yes T-Mobile has a say in if they will get the phone or not and then HTC builds the phone to fit those frequencies (example T-Mo US 3g vs 3G in Europe) but they ultimately only have so much input. HTC decided to do the 3.2 (or 3.0 whichever)MP camera not T-Mobile.
@Ted, THEY MADE A HUGE FUSS OVER THE G1!
Well I am just completely torn over whether to get this MyTouch phone or wait for the Samsung i7500. I haven’t yet owned an android phone and this one looks like a great starter phone to get into the whole touchscreen thing with…. but for some reason T-Mobile USA decided to go with a phone that has lower ram than all of the overseas phones have and that is kind of a let down to me and also why they didn’t put a 3.5mm jack in this phone is another let down….. yeah I know it comes with that wacky adapter but please…. I’m not so sure I want to look like a nerd trying to hook all that mess up just to listen to my tunes.
I just don’t know what to do. I love the looks of the phone and everything but the Samsung i7500 seems to have a lot more…… more memory, a 3.5mm jack for headphones, faster processing……………
What to do? What to do?
Is the MyTouch only out in USA? I know the Magic is in UK on vodaphone but vodaphone is awefull.
I’m sorry Rob, but I am pissed we don’t get the HERO. So pissed as a matter of fact, when that sucker releases in the US, Whereever it is, that’s where I’ll be.
I’ll be dropping T-MO for that or the Sony Ericcson phone, because we all know they won’t be the carrier to get those.
I’ve been a T-MO customer for over 6 years. The slow 3G rollout coupled with a MASSIVE fail on the handset front is grating. The only thing they have going for them is the price of their data plans, and that is starting to fall by the wayside as well.
You guys correct me if I’m wrong here, but isnt’ a good reason to go with the G2 Mytouch because it is UMA ready, and the G1 isn’t? One of my main reasons for sticking with TMO is because of UMA. It’s challenging to get good signal inside my work and apartment.
I have to agree with Anthony; the Ion/Magic/MT3G, what ever you wanna call just doesn’t excite me. I do have the ion and it’s really no difference than the G1. Really. It’s just thinner and better looking but that’s it. The only thing I like about T-mobile’s version is the original rubber battery cover they have compare to my glassy figure printing ion battery cover.
T-mobile is trying to be slick by adding enough accessories within the package and developing 2 unnecessary apps to make it seem like its an upgrade to the G1 but it’s not. I rather go with the Samsung i7500 or the upcoming Xperia Android,(hopefully that supports t-mobile’s 3G) but who knows when those comes out!!
After seeing the Hero demo videos the Mytouch 3G is such a waste. It really could have been more than just a G1 with no hard keyboard.
Who the heck cares about Sherpa anyways ?
I dont think I seen an app so useless with so much hype, and no one cares, because no one will use it.
I went to the local T-Mobile store today and the 3G beta tester was not impressed with it at all.
His comment is its just a sleeker G1, but its basically the same as the G1.
And he told me if you do a lot of emailing and texting (which I do a ton of emailing) that the G1 was the better choice.
The hard keyboard is much more suited for fast typing.
I wont be getting the G3 and I am so disappointed, thinking about what the phone could have been.
Almost a year since the G1 was released and all T-Mobile does is repackage the G1 and say lok at the new phone.
Its just lame.
Wont even play flash videos or anything.
:-(
@Say-Low, yeah your right its not exactly the same as the ion, the mytouch has less RAM
I feel its messed up that Tmobile UK gets the HTC HERO a phone that actually looks like a keyboardless G1 and we get this MyTouch… the MyTouch doesnt even compare to the Hero, the Hero is 100x better but we cant get our hands on it.
I have been reading about this phone everyday now. At first it does seem like just another version of the G1, but we have seem to forgot that the G1 was the first android phone. So we will always be comparing the predecessors to the G1. But the G1 doesnt have a 5 mp camera or support exchange. The battery sucks on the G1, I have heard the MyTouch is alot better. It is an upgrade, not a completely different product.
PS
I went to my local corpo tmobile and saw the phone. I dont see why anybody would really want theG1 anymore. ITS A BRICK. If i wanted a small computer i would buy a netbook. O WAIT, I DID
And your point? Don’t get it?! LMAO. I PreOrdered already. I can get it, play with it, if a better one come out, maybe get it. Again that’s just me. But I don’t know if you have that kind of money to spend so I understand your frustration. =D
Anyway, it’s a personal choice.
Point is. All these people are knocking this phone when they probably havent even touched it. I like the physical difference myself, its so sexy.
Bottom Line is if you don’t like it don’t complain just don’t buy it. It is simple as not buying the MyTouch. I pre-ordered the MyTouch expecting it to be an upgrade to my G1 and have a more modern and sexy look. If I don’t like it I will return it. There are going to thousands of people who like it and thousands who don’t. T-Mobile nor HTC can’t please everyone so just grow up and stop your complaining.
better battery…. more memory…. cooler phone…. enough i want my MT3G !!!!
First I like to inform, that this phone is pretty much a rip off of the g1. no new improvements like: g4 network, camera flash,no regular 3.5mm headphone input (another usb rip off input),the os is still the same, no improvement on the web flash player. no tv or radio, a course no key board and the price is too much….for less features.