CONS
The texting takes time to get used to.

SUMMARY
To start I have had this phone for over a month and am still in love. This phone is not only stylish but just fun to use and explore. The texting is a little tuff in the beginning and can get frustrating, but give it some time and you will love it. So I highly recommend this phone for anyone
. So buy and enjoy, and this review is written from my MyTouch 3G.]]>http://www.phonedog.com/cell-phone-research/htc-mytouch-3g-black.aspx?utm_source=Rss&utm_medium=CellPhone_htc-mytouch-3g-black&utm_campaign=PhoneDog11/21/2009 11:05:10 PMVerizon jumped into the Android game with both feet last Friday, selling the much hyped Motorola Droid and its more-than-capable little Sis, the HTC Droid Eris in stores across the nation. With the US' number one wireless carrier now selling phones built around Google's Android OS, the platform is poised for a big uptick in mass consumer adoption. Heck, AT&T might even start carrying a Google phone before too long.

We want to take you on a quick tour of Android from a consumer perspective to help you better know the lay of the land, talk smack about iPhone/WebOS/Windows mobile at your next cocktail party, or even pick up a new smartphone to call your own. Here's a quick rundown of every Android device currently for sale on a US carrier, and a few that are expected in the coming months, led by John Walton, PhoneDog's resident Android Guru and Managing Editor of DroidDog.com, the place to go if you really want to get to know Android.

The Editors:

John Walton, PhoneDog Editor and Founder, DroidDog.com; Noah Kravitz, Editor-in-Chief, PhoneDog; Aaron Baker, News Editor, PhoneDog; Adriana Lee, Lifestyles Editor, PhoneDog

Special Guests:

David, Founder, TmoNews.com (for his T-Mobile expertise); John Edgar, Android Geek and Friend of the Dog

NOTE: We've broken this article into two parts for your ease of reading. Part One covers currently available Verizon and Sprint Android phones. Part Two covers available T-Mobile phones and upcoming Android devices already announced or strongly believed to be coming to the US market within the next several months.

NOTE: All prices are given as on contract/after rebate when bought direct from the carrier.

T-Mobile Motorola CLIQ ($199)

NK: CLIQ is T-Mo's best Android device, at least until Behold II comes out. I actually prefer CLIQ's keyboard to Moto Droid's, and while the aptly named MotoBlur system is a bit overwhelming, I found the Messaging and News apps to be pretty handy.

AB: I like the overall form factor of the CLIQ, but am not a fan of the QWERTY keyboard or the battery life.  For social communication, the CLIQ is top notch, and MOTOBLUR provides a good level of customization.

AL: As a newbie to MotoBlur, it left me a little confused. How do I shut some of this off?? Social networking or news fiends will like the pushed info on the homescreen, though it will drain your battery drier than a vampire at a blood bank. I like the hardware QWERTY and the capacitive screen (though there's no "pinch/zoom" for pics — bummer), but mostly, the unspectacular looks and sheer thickness of this device would make me look elsewhere to get my Android fix.

David: In my 24 hours with the CLIQ I have found MotoBlur to be, as Noah said, overwhelming. So my first move was to the Android Market for a task killer. If you love social integration this device will answer your prayers, with a slick keyboard to boot. Some might prefer a little more of a generic Android experience, however.

JE: I like the CLIQ. It's a solid phone with Motorola providing some great tweaks to vanilla Android 1.5. Two-thirds of MotoBlur is awesome. I love the Messaging and Status widgets. After some testing, I determined that the confusing Happenings widget is responsible for keeping the processor clocked to max, thus draining the battery. I wouldn't buy a future phone based on it having MotorBlur. 

T-Mobile HTC myTouch 3G ($179)

JW: myTouch feels very nice in the hand, and if all of them featured the upgraded specs of the Fender Limited Edition this phone would be much higher up on my list. As it is, myTouch isn't exactly on the front lines of hardware tech. Still I think it makes a nice gift for the casual user who wants a comfortable phone that they can adjust to their tastes.

NK: Unless you really want a touch-only Android on T-Mobile, skip it. Or at least wait to see how Behold II performs after it's launched later this week. This is old hardware backed by an annoying ad campaign (though as David points out, it is an effective ad campaign).

AB: I feel like the myTouch 3G is the cheap sedan that's trying to compete with the mid-range SUV.  Sure, it's a good entry-level Android handset for someone who is entering the arena for the first time, but I'd opt for CLIQ and MOTOBLUR over the myTouch 3G (especially for $20 more).

AL: Cuter than its predecessor (the G1), MyTouch seems like a decent upgrade from the original Android phone. But compared to other offerings, the lack of 3.5-mm headset jack, lackluster vid quality, and syncing problems are annoying. And the virtual QWERTY could use some tweaks. (Why won't it go landscape for Google search terms? Ugh.)

D: Love, love, love the size of this device. As pocket-friendly as smartphones can come, and the ad campaign music might annoy me but everytime I hear that song, I think "MyTouch." Mission accomplished. This phone still appeals to the user looking to jump into the Android game and succeeds in winning over many a T-mobile customer.

JE: I believe this was a fail by T-Mobile. I would have loved to have seen a jump in RAM and ROM specifications. This device does not have enough memory, especially with how big in data size apps had become and quantity of apps that were available in the Android Market, at the time of its release.

T-Mobile HTC G1 with Google ($129)

JW: I have been a fan of the G1 since release, and while definitely aging, this QWERTY-packing, awkward chunk of kit can still hold its own - if only for the hacking, tweaking geek set. Average consumers seeking a keyboard should probably look elsewhere for an updated Android, though I love the G1's keys.

NK: G1 did a great job of getting Android launched and into the hands of early adopters and developers. I never much liked typing on the shallow keyboard, and so would much prefer a Moto CLIQ to this, despite CLIQ's smaller display.

AB: I tend to forget that this thing is still on the market.  Great first Android device, but the chin, keyboard placement, and battery life made me return this phone within 4 days of getting it.

AL: Simply put, the G1 was great in its heyday. Say whatever you want about the hardware (chunky looks, terrible QWERTY, big chin, etc...), there was nothing else quite like it on the market when it came out. At this point, though, only open-source geeks or tech museum curators should even consider it. There are way better offerings now (and even better ones about to drop).

D: Within 20 minutes of using this device the slide out keyboard had my right hand cramped up and ready for an ice bucket. Have the expectation this device will find itself on the EOL list shortly, making way for better looking and better equipped Android devices.

JE: Its quirks are well documented. I will say this, though: the latest Android phones have instilled greater appreciation for G1's combination of trackball, touchscreen, and keyboard . Interesting to note that the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1 has been removed from HTC US's products page. The G1 is looking out at a large green pasture.

Android Devices Expcted Soon

T-Mobile Samsung Behold II (Mid-November)

JW: I've generally had good luck with Samsung phones and get along just fine with TouchWiz. I'm not so concerned about the Cube interface as I am about the device's power. Specs are hard to come by at the moment and video demonstrations don't tell the whole story. If Behold II packs a decent punch, I'd like to give that Cube a spin.

NK: Goodbye myTouch 3G, hello Behold II. Though I'm not so sure about that "Cube" interface.

AB: Noah is spot on - I couldn't have said it better.

NK: Stop sucking up, Aaron ;-)

AL: I wouldn't consider this a "pretty phone," so looks aside, everything depends on the specs and how the Cube performs. So far, the UI just looks like a novelty gimmick to me, but I really hope it proves me wrong.

D: Having not yet seen this device but having been shown plenty video covering it, the "Cube" interface looks more beautiful than functional to me. I for one, love TouchWiz and can't wait for a Samsung/Android lovechild on T-mobile.

JE: I love TouchWiz on feature phones, but I'm concerned how it translates to the user working in conjunction with Android on a smartphone. Reminds me of the Compiz cube desktop from Ubuntu. Sometimes I disable it because it just gets in the way. But the Omnia, after the last update to TouchWiz, is an awesome phone.

HTC "Dragon" aka "Passion" (Q4 2009, No Carrier Announced)

(Photo via theunlockr.com)

JW: Second only to Sony Ericsson's X10 on my list of anticipated Androids, Passion has me all giddy for a phone that can run HTC's Sense without a single stutter or trace of lag. This is the stuff of legend, and will cause plenty of folks to jump ship and sign new contracts - regardless of escape fees.

NK: Android 2.0 plus HTC sense on a fast device with a huge touchscreen? Please, please, please let the rumors come true - including the one about this being available in the US before this Christmas.

AB: 1 cup HTC, 1 cup Android 2.0, 1 cup Sense UI, 1 cup speed - the recipe to a truly great Android device.  Needless to say, I'm excited about this one.

AL: 1 GHz Snapdragon processor running Android, part deux, with Sense? The mere thought makes my toes numb. (It's even got the rollerball I love!) Simply cannot wait to get handsy with this phone. I wonder how many people are holding off on the Droid because of this. I'd have to say I don't blame them.

JE: I agree with all these points. I love Sense. That being said, some of the features of the Sense UI are wasted on me. Like John, I don't use all seven screens because it's easier to pull things from the app drawer than go horizontal 6 screens. Sense leaves me longing for another desktop like the Huawei Pulse's Canvas UI with 3 screens up and 3 screens down that can zoom out to one big desktop.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 (Q1 2010, No Carrier Announced)

JW: This phone has me excited like no other. Will Sony Ericsson's custom interface and apps meet the hype generated by leaked videos and enthusiastic rumor posts? It's hard to say right now, but this UI, known as Rachael, is getting the introduction HTC's Sense deserved - albeit overseas - with the support of a 1 GHz Snapdragon processor.

NK: I'm excited for this one. Android may be the solid, modern OS that Sony Ericsson needs to showcase their skill in designing user interfaces and multimedia-heavy handsets.

AB: I'm looking forward to this as well.  Android is building quite the reputation, and I look forward to seeing more Sony Ericsson choices in the US market.  If they were subsidized on a carrier, that would be even better.

AL: Specs ahoy! If the rumors pan out, and it does feature an 8 MP camera, 4-inch screen, Snapdragon processor and 32 GB of onboard memory, this will be an amazing beast of a phone. And i can't wait to see the release version of the Rachael UI up close and personal.

JE: Sony Ericsson is my favorite manufacturer. I am a little worried about the comments from people that have had time with the UI. By all accounts, Rachael is not "ready for her closeup, Mr. DeMille". A big time processor can actually exacerbate bugs within a UI. There is not much time left before her curtain call. Fingers are anxiously crossed.

Dell Mini 3iX (2010, No Carrier Announced)

JW: I think this launch is more about Dell's officially diving into the cell phone game than it is about creating the greatest Android on the market. That said, I've been impressed with Dell's direction and engagement with consumers in terms of R&D over the last couple of years, and I'm rooting for them.

NK: Just because it passed FCC muster with AT&T-compatible banding doesn't mean AT&T's going to carry it. Though they really should; not everybody wants an iPhone.

AB: Yes, it's floating around in the US, and yes, it passed through the FCC.  Perhaps more importantly, it shows where devices are headed (much to my dismay): large, touchscreen-only devices.  I would guess that we'll see the 3iX in early 2010.

AL: Dell's day job is all about offering low- to mid-range specs for desktop computers, so it's no surprise that its premiere offering didn't shoot for the moon and unveil a top Android competitor. Having said that, I think the arrival of this phone, if it does land on AT&T, has a chance of success (since it would be the only Android phone on the carrier).

JE: This arranged marriage was destined to happen. Dell produces more Linux machines than any other company except Quanta Computer (who produces the OLPC or One Laptop Per Child computer). I expect great things from this partnership.

We want to take you on a quick tour of Android from a consumer perspective to help you better know the lay of the land, talk smack about iPhone/WebOS/Windows mobile at your next cocktail party, or even pick up a new smartphone to call your own. Here's a quick rundown of every Android device currently for sale on a US carrier, and a few that are expected in the coming months, led by John Walton, PhoneDog's resident Android Guru and Managing Editor of DroidDog.com, the place to go if you really want to get to know Android.

The Editors:

John Walton, PhoneDog Editor and Founder, DroidDog.com; Noah Kravitz, Editor-in-Chief, PhoneDog; Aaron Baker, News Editor, PhoneDog; Adriana Lee, Lifestyles Editor, PhoneDog

Special Guests:

David, Founder, TmoNews.com (for his T-Mobile expertise); John Edgar, Android Geek and Friend of the Dog

NOTE: We've broken this article into two parts for your ease of reading. Part One covers currently available Verizon and Sprint Android phones. Part Two covers available T-Mobile phones and upcoming Android devices already announced or strongly believed to be coming to the US market within the next several months.

NOTE: All prices are given as on contract/after rebate when bought direct from the carrier.

Verizon Motorola Droid ($199)

John Walton: Droid looks and feels like a high-end device and may be the poshest Android to date. I prefer to leave the hardware keyboard hidden and avoid that sliding mechanism altogether, but the display makes up for any complaints. Not to mention that this phone comes with the sure-to-be-a-smash Google Navigation and Android 2.0.

Noah Kravitz: My qualms with the lousy, awful, terrible keyboard aside, Droid is sleek, fast, and sports perhaps the best display on any mobile phone ever. It's also the only way to get Android 2.0 and Google Nav, which as John says are both pretty keen. I'd love to see Droid2 as a super thin, touch-only version of the same phone.

Aaron Baker: A 3.7-inch display, Android 2.0, and a great form factor make the Droid my favorite Android device this year.  Despite the keyboard and some battery life issues, the design appeals to business professionals (a group that Android needs to begin catering to) and media junkies.

Adriana Lee: Stunning display, yes. I could even see it in full daylight with the sun blasting my eyes. Okay, the keyboard isn't perfect, but as an iPhoner who'sbeen pining for a physical QWERTY, I'd rather have this than none at all. A bit too boxy for my taste (I prefer more rounded corners), but the excellent build quality is evident. And Android 2.0 rocks! Can't wait till all my favorite apps (like Layar) support it.

John Edgar: The metal, glass, display, weight, and feel all scream quality. Android is ready for prime time with version 2.0.  I have concerns about app compatibility and how fast apps will come online for use on Droid. App developers have only had the SDK for a few weeks. There was a 4 to 6 week lag in compatibility for some apps with Android 1.5.

HTC Hero: Sprint Hero ($179), Verizon Droid Eris ($99), Unlocked "European" GSM Hero (Price Varies)

JW: The European Hero swept me off my feet with its daring design and the debut of HTC's customized flavor of Android, Sense. Sprint's version may be lacking the retro-geek lines of the GSM version but it has all of the original Hero's grace - and then some - behind the screen. Sprint's Hero is a great introduction to HTC's custom UI, but Sense will be extra impressive on a more powerful phone.

NK: Hero has a leg up on Droid with a Web browser that does iPhone-style pinch-and-zoom, and HTC's custom widgets and apps. Despite Droid Eris' low price tag, Sprint's Hero is still the better value over the long haul of a two-year contract. But Droid Eris looks cooler all done up in black.

AB: While this is a "love or hate" thing, I much prefer the form factor of the Sprint Hero to the Droid Eris.  That being said, there will always be a group of people that prefer physical QWERTY keyboards to virtual keyboards, and I am one of those people.  Despite the inclusion of a physical QWERTY, HTC's Sense UI along with pinch and zoom capability make this device a winner.

AL: European Hero = serious win. Sprint's version? A little less so for me, re: the form factor. Yes, it has rounded corners, but the flat "buttons" at the bottom don't appeal to me. But I'll take it if it means I get to use Sense. As for Eris, I like the rubberized exterior, so this felt good in the hand. In both cases, I love the rollerball action, but I felt like the onscreen QWERTY keyboards were a little small and spaced close together.

JE: I am a Euro Hero fan. The feel of the white teflon coating on the hardware does so much for the tactile feel of the device. Personal belief is that a bad hard keyboard is better than no hard keyboard at all. I would not purchase Eris, when the Motorola Droid is available, and woudn't be swayed to Sprint's Hero when the European version is available. But that's just me.

Sprint Samsung Moment ($179)

JW: Moment is a powerful handset in disguise. The physical design leaves plenty to be desirerd in my book, but if you're looking for a capable, customizable Android with a hardware keyboard, then Moment is worth a look. Just be sure to thoroughly test drive that QWERTY.

NK: Moment's an interesting device that I want to like more than I really do. The AMOLED display is gorgeous, and the combination of a stock Android release and fast processor makes for a smooth ride through apps and Web browsing. But whoever designed the hard QWERTY board should be fired - the keys are okay but the layout makes no sense at all.

AB: I absolutely love the Moment's AMOLED display, fast 800 MHz processor, and roomy QWERTY keyboard.  Overall build, not so much.  Yes, there's a lot packed under the hood, but the Moment is a bit bulky.

AL: Fast and snappy. If function matters more than looks, then this handset might be up your alley. But for guys, this fattie of a phone isn't the most pocketable (and ladies, don't even think this will fit in your skinny purse). As for the keyboard, staggered keys and dedicated number rows are generally good, but not in this case. The "z" isn't where you expect it to be.

JE: This would be the phone I would choose from the current Sprint Android offerings based on sheer horsepower alone. That combined with a physical keyboard, albeit a quirky one, seals the deal for me. AMOLED is a huge plus. Not my ideal phone though, making it a device that would not get me me to sign on the dotted line with Sprint.

Continue on to Part Two: T-Mobile and upcoming Android phones.

So, I guess this means the myTouch will likely be the most popular Android device of this year. I sure hope they got that spontaneous bootloop issue resolved, or T-Mobile's national exchange center will be in a world of hurt.

In this industry, new devices seem to launch every other day (oh wait, they usually do), so keep the date of this article in mind when you're reading this around, say, Christmas.  I'm sure the list will look outdated by then.

More Top 5 lists:

Noah: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

Aaron: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

1. HTC Touch Pro2
The premier smartphone for Windows Mobile junkies, the Touch Pro2 offers a 3.6-inch tilting touchscreen, full QWERTY keyboard, Windows Mobile 6.1, and more.  Too bad T-Mobile opted not to include the 3.5mm jack, but beyond that, it's a feature packed device perfect for a true PDA user.

2. BlackBerry Curve 8900
It may not have 3G, but the Curve 8900 packs a good looking screen with a strong 3.2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi with UMA, and OS 4.6, packed into a .  The keyboard is love or hate by die-hard BlackBerry users (keys together or separate is a common argument within the community).  Hopefully T-Mobile will get the upcoming BlackBerry Bold 9700, but until then, this is as good as it gets on Magenta.

3. T-Mobile myTouch 3G
What good would a T-Mobile list be without some Android love thrown in there?  Though it doesn't have a physical keyboard, the myTouch 3G offers a cool design, cool colors, and a cool operating system.  From what I've gathered, many want the Hero, but until then, the myTouch is more than capable.

4. Samsung Memoir
With an 8-megapixel camera and 3G connectivity, the Memoir is the way to go in regards to dumbphones.  Snap pictures and look cool with the touchscreen - what could be cooler?

5. Motorola W490
About as basic as it gets, the W490 is a solid phone with good reception.

RadioShack and T-Mobile USA Announce Retail Agreement
RadioShack to Offer T-Mobile Products and Services in Stores Beginning This Summer
FORT WORTH, Texas and BELLEVUE, Wash. — July 23, 2009— RadioShack Corporation (NYSE: RSH) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced a retail agreement to offer T-Mobile® products and services in more than 4,000 RadioShack stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico beginning later this summer. 

The relationship expands RadioShack's postpaid wireless offerings, and enables RadioShack to offer its customers a selection of T-Mobile's most innovative, in-demand handsets including the highly anticipated T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G with Google™. For T-Mobile, the agreement nearly doubles the number of national retail partner stores offering its postpaid products and services nationwide, and makes RadioShack T-Mobile's largest national retail partner. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

"RadioShack is focused on growing our mobility category and is committed to providing our customers with a broad selection of the best wireless products and services in the industry," said Peter Whitsett, executive vice president and general merchandising manager at RadioShack. "The ability to offer a full line of T-Mobile devices, including the hottest exclusive T-Mobile handsets, reinforces RadioShack's leadership in wireless."
 
Doug Chartier, senior vice president of sales at T-Mobile USA, said, "Through our milestone partnership with RadioShack, T-Mobile's presence in national retail stores expands nearly twofold, giving millions more people the opportunity to readily access our products and take advantage of the tremendous value T-Mobile provides its customers. By combining T-Mobile's innovative devices and great value with RadioShack's knowledgeable sales representatives, we expect customers to have an excellent in-store experience."
 
With 4,450 company-operated locations, RadioShack offers one of the largest selections of wireless phones. RadioShack's knowledgeable sales associates are committed to helping customers choose the best technology solution to meet their needs and the company was named one of the top customer service retailers in the nation in the fourth annual National Retail Federation Foundation/American Express Customer Service Survey.
 
T-Mobile is dedicated to providing the best experience in wireless, and has achieved the "Highest Ranked Wireless Customer Service Performance" in J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Wireless Customer Care Performance StudySM Volume 1,* which ranked T-Mobile higher than all of its competitors for overall customer care performance. T-Mobile continues to expand its retail footprint, bringing this award-winning customer experience and the company's wide array of innovative products, such as the iconic T-Mobile Sidekick® and groundbreaking
Android™-powered devices, to more people nationwide. T-Mobile currently has more than 1,900 company-owned retail locations and distribution agreements with a number of large national retailers.
 
For more information on RadioShack, please visit http://www.RadioShack.com . For more information on T-Mobile products and services, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com .
 

David over at TmoNews swears up and down - or blogged, anyway - that a trusted source got wind of some kind of a "new" G1 coming from T-Mobile soon and a myTouch 3G Version 2 already on tap for next year:

First, MyTouch is now considered a franchise name for T-mobile. ThinkSidekick. Other details were pretty sparse, but apparently topics ofdiscussion were a "new" G1 coming "soon" and the MyTouch2, coming 2010.

On the one hand, the first myTouch 3G hasn't even hit stores yet, but it's also customary for carriers and handset makers to plan their product lines a year or two in advance, so it's certainly feasible that the next myTouch is already on a product roadmap PowerPoint deck somewhere in Tmo-Land.

Given that T-Mobile's CTO made no bones about calling myTouch 3G the carrier's flagship Android phone for the rest of 2009, I have to guess that we're looking at a minor refresh to the G1, if this information is valid. T-Mo's done it before, with the Dash 2.0, so a G1 2.0 could certainly be possible for the holiday shopping season. Maybe with an integrated 3.5mm headphone jack and a better keyboard? That'd be kinda nice, right?

The Google Experience virtual keyboard

HTC's Sense keyboard

I should point out that several of those devices were refurbished; someone had damaged the phones or was unhappy with their condition when received and they decided to return them. Therefore, my observations do not necessarily evidence unusual build quality anomalies. So does this indicate that the G1's keyboard is easily damaged or just that some people are really careless with their phones? I don't know. What I do know is that tiny flaws can have a huge impact on satisfaction when it comes to hand-held keyboards.

The G1 keyboard comes in two flavors: silver and black. The white and bronze G1 come with the silver kb, the black, with black. On the silver model, you'll find blue letters with red symbols. On the black, white letters with blue symbols. Overall, the silver keyboard is far more difficult for me to see. When the back-light comes on, the red symbols practically disappear; in bright light, I can barely see the blue. It's maddening. The black keyboard is perfect in my mind when it comes to the color scheme, but there are other variations to consider. (cont.)

You can touch-type with your thumbs, right?

Ah, that's better!

Some keyboards don't sit properly; the keys are pressed up against one or two of the edges of the holes through which they protrude, causing friction and a shoddy look and feel. The back-lighting is sketchy and inconsistent, and this problem seems worse on silver model keyboards. For instance, the bronze G1 I'm using now has a light nearly as bright as the Sun sitting under the number 6, while the rest of the keyboard is dim at best.

These issues were a contributing factor to my G1 exchange cycle, which has been resolved. But as I look around, and handle other G1s, I realize that I'm not the only one noticing inconsistencies. Some people have perfect keyboards like I did, before I bricked my G1 with hacked software. They think the G1 QWERTY is fantastic. Others have never even used what I consider to be a high-quality G1. They take a crappy board for granted. But those who have been around know the difference.

Despite it being the public release of a developer's preview, my number one complaint about the G1 is the poor quality of the keyboard. I love the design. I love the materials--at lease the ones used for the black phone. But what many see as the device's greatest strength is, to me, it's greatest weakness. So aside from the pretty colors, potential for skinning, and all the other superficial stuff that comes along with virtual keyboards, I'd have to say that their single most significant advantage--at least in the case of current Android devices--is uniformity. (cont.)

Black ink on white keys. It almost makes too much sense.
 Anybody know where I can get one of these? (I'll need to hold it first.)

Have I answered the question of whether or not you need a hardware keyboard? Probably not, but I can help you decide for yourself. If you're looking to buy a G1 for the keys, test them out first. Test them on the exact phone you plan to purchase.

Astrid is Google's task management program for Android and has evolved to become the end-all, be-all to-do list for the platform. The app integrates content from Google Calendar and my old favorite, Remember the Milk. It even functions with Locale. RTM support is what finally got me on the Astrid train and I haven't looked back. 

Go to the Android Market and give Astrid a test drive. It's free and extremely powerful. Set tasks with levels of importance, due dates, repeating nags, tags, alarms, and more. I think it's the most customizable, flexible, and feature-rich personal task manager available for Android. Perhaps for any platform. Even if you don't bother with the survey, take the time to acquaint yourself with the software.

Read this page to find information on the contest. Fill out the form found here on 7/13, and you'll be entered to win a myTouch 3g.

[EDIT: You must be a current T-Mobile customer.]

Astrid

Astrid

RTM applet for the Linux dock, AWN

T-Mo hosted a launch shindig for media in NYC today, and to nobody's surprised they used the event to launch myTouch 3G, which is essentially a re-branded HTC Magic.  They also unleashed a slew of myTouch accessories and made it generally known that they're going to hype the customization angle when it comes to marketing myTouch to the peoples.  Which is good, because everyone and their cousin has been wondering why T-Mo didn't name the thing "G2" instead of "myTouch 3G."  Now we know: $199 with a two-year contract won't merely get you a thinner, keyboard-less G1.  No, no, it will get you a supercustomizable smartphone worth of YOUR touch.

I think the $199 launch price is a bit high given the shot across everyone's bow Apple and AT&T sent with the $99 iPhone 3G, but it also places myTouch in line with everyone else's flagship phones, most notably iPhone 3GS (AT&T) and Palm Pre (Sprint).  I'd preferred to see myTouch slotted in at $149 or less, more to play up T-Mo's "best value" angle than anything else, since the real cost of a smartphone to the consumer comes in the form of those hefty monthly service bills.  People - well, American people at least - don't seem to look at the long-term cost of ownership when making a purchase like this, though.  We're suckers for that lowball up-front price.  Hence the genius of the $99 iPhone 3G and my slight scoff at myTouch costing twice that.

That said, I like how T-Mo is positioning myTouch 3G as an uber-customizable experience.  Let's face it, I might me miffed that we're not getting that other (newer, faster, better) HTC Android phone, but most consumers won't know the difference.  They won't even know what Android is.  What they will know is how they react to a smartphone that:

• - Has the Google name on the back
• - Looks like an iPhone without being an iPhone (c'mon, it looks enough like an iPhone to fool the Average Joe)
• - Can handle Email, messaging, Web browsing, and Maps with ease

and ...

• - Comes with a metric ton of customizable accessories in a slew of fashion-conscious colors!

•  Custom Shells: Choose from ready-made options or create and upload your own
•  Gel Skins available in eight colors
•  Wrist straps in colors to match those Gel Skins
•  Microfiber pouches, also available in those eight colors
•  A commuter mug.  Seriously, with the myTouch logo on it.
• And so much more!

So while I am mad at you, T-Mo and Google, for not giving us Hero's faster platform, better camera, 3.5mm audio jack, and Sense UI today, I am very proud of your marketing efforts.  I'll be very curious to see how this plays out, and if the mainstream set is drawn to the MY in myTouch 3G.  We already know those mainstreamers are interested in smartphones.  Could a commuter mug and "Fashion Case with wrist strap" be just what those folks need to tip them away from iPhone and Pre and towards myTouch 3G in finally signing up for their first smartphone?

Could be.  Geeks like specs and UIs.  Mainstream consumers?  Sometimes they're all about a choice of high-fashion colors.