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T-Mobile MyTouch 3G

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Just a couple of weeks after Google released its Android 1.6 SDK to developers, T-Mobile began its official roll out of Android 1.6 (aka Donut) to T-Mobile G1 and T-Mobile MyTouch 3G owners on Thursday.

The update will be delivered to customers over the coming days, and though it's not considered to be a major upgrade to the operating system, Android 1.6 does bring a number of new features and enhancements and fixes a bug that would reboot the phone after dialing 911.

Highlights of Donut include:

• An improved Android Market
• Quick Search Box, which lets you search across various apps, such as browser bookmarks and history, contacts, and the Web, right from the home screen
• Updated voice search
• Integrated camera, camcorder, and gallery
• Battery usage indicator

MyTouch 3G

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

T-Mobile's second Google Android phone, the MyTouch 3G, lands in stores and online today. The all touch-screen device goes on sale 10 months after the G1 made its debut. We've already had the opportunity to give it a thorough shakedown, and we found a lot to like. The sleeker design, improved features, and user-friendly controls fix many of our complaints with its predecessor. Yes, it lacks a physical keyboard, but we didn't mind. Some complaints remain, of course, but the MyTouch convinces us that Android is ready for prime time.

To celebrate the event, T-Mobile is holding a public relations brouhaha in San Francisco. If they can make it through the normal summer fog, 100 skydivers will descend on three different points around the city. And if that's not enough, the skydivers, one of whom will be dressed like Elvis, will be joined by skywriting airplanes. CNET TV's Molly Wood will be there to catch the action.

If you'd rather just buy the phone, you'll pay $199.99 for the privilege, and you'll need to sign a new contract and secure a data plan.

Competition in the smartphone market is heating up this summer as one new hot smartphone after another hits the street. The latest is T-Mobile's next Google Android device, called the MyTouch 3G.

T-Mobile MyTouch 3G

(Credit: T-Mobile )

T-Mobile will announce the new smartphone Monday. It is the second smartphone the carrier has introduced that uses Google's open-source mobile operating system, Android. T-Mobile introduced the world's first Google Android phone, called the G1, last fall. And so far the company claims it has sold over 1 million devices.

The MyTouch 3G is manufactured by HTC and is essentially the same hardware design as the Google Ion, which is also known as the HTC Magic. The device was introduced at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February and is now being sold by Vodafone in various markets around the world.

The Google Ion/HTC Magic has been described as thinner than the G1 and slightly smaller than Apple's iPhone.... Read more

No, it's not the best phone ever.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

I cringe every time I hear the phrase "iPhone killer." And in a month like this, when we've reviewed the Palm Pre, the iPhone 3G S, and the next Google Android phone that is expected to land at T-Mobile, I've heard it way too many times.

My biggest issue with the phrase is not that's it's overused--though that's part of it--it's that it implies that the iPhone needs to be killed. Calling the latest touch-screen phone an "iPhone killer" automatically elevates the iPhone to a place that it doesn't deserve. Yes, it's an excellent, innovative device that does many things well, but it's not the best cell phone on the planet. And with the possible exception of its multitouch Web browser, it's not the ultimate pinnacle of cell phone development.

We need only to look at the iPhone's 3G's latest rivals to know that other devices can pose serious competition. No, they're not perfect either, but they're certainly innovative in their own way. And despite what some Apple fans may argue, they're not going anywhere.

Palm's innovative new WebOS is like nothing we've seen before. The Pre multitasks beautifully, its Synergy feature and notifications system are incomparable, and its multitouch browser almost beats the iPhone at its own game. We didn't love the Pre's hardware, but Palm will be coming out with more WebOS devices. Who knows what round two will bring?

Android handsets like the Google Ion/HTC Magic offer a fantastic interface, great integration with Google services, and a truly user-customizable experience. What's more, since Android will run on more than one device, consumers will have a real choice of hardware. Of course, that last point depends on Google and handset manufacturers actually introducing more Android devices. I'm impatiently awaiting the follow-up T-Mobile G1.

There will never be a "world's greatest phone," though people will find the best phone for their needs. We also should remember that competition and choice are good things. We should not desire a world where there is only one kind of cell phone, much like we shouldn't desire to drive one kind of car, drink one kind of soda, or wear one brand of shoes. There is plenty of room in this world for multiple brands of phones, whether they be flashy, multimedia handsets like the iPhone or simple candy bar models that just makes calls.

So, please lay off the "iPhone killer." It's not fair, it's not accurate and it's just not right.

Just got an interesting little e-mail from T-Mobile USA. The note was short and sweet--and vague--but the carrier has announced its plans to release its next Google Android device in early summer. The handset will be a "follow-on" device to the T-Mobile G1, so we're guessing it's the Google Ion (aka HTC Magic). T-Mobile said it will have more details to share later this month, so stayed tuned!

I usually follow a simple rule when it comes to consumer electronics: I avoid buying any first-generation products. That doesn't mean I haven't ever done it, but I tend to wait for generation two or three before I plunk down my dough, particularly when it comes to heavily hyped stuff.

As I've written before, I'm a prime candidate to buy the Palm Pre. I'm a Sprint customer who has a contract conveniently expiring in June and I have a phone (the Mogul) that's on its last legs. Ideally, the Pre would cost $50 less and not have a mail-in rebate, but at least Sprint didn't price the thing at a pure $299, as I'm sure it would have preferred to do. Pricing aside, the biggest hurdle I'm facing is the fact that the Palm Pre is a first-gen phone--and platform--and I'm really not a first-gen guy.

By contrast, the iPhone will be on its third generation and its platform is already fairly mature. We'll find out exactly how the new third-generation iPhone specs out at next week's WWDC event, but it's safe to assume that many of the small, nagging kinks that were found in earlier editions of the iPhone will have been ironed out. I don't expect it to be perfect (no phone ever will be, because there's always something better around the corner), but I feel pretty good about getting a lot more iPhone for my $199 than those who purchased the original non-3G model (which was originally $599--with contract!) or even the iPhone 3G.

Sometimes, of course, a brand new product can come along that's so far ahead of the pack that even the introductory version is too tempting to avoid. ... Read more

Come on, give us something!

2009 was supposed to be the "year of Android." But we are now five months into 2009 and not a single new Android device has landed in the United States. And outside our borders, only the HTC Magic has arrived at carriers.

It all started at CES, when rumors abounded that a gallery of new Android devices would debut at the show. Yet, CES passed without a single Android announcement. So the focus shifted to the GSMA World Congress, but only the HTC Magic landed in Barcelona. Like a skipping record, the buzz then repeated itself for CTIA. But that show passed--you guessed it!--without any new Android models.

It's not that new handsets aren't coming; it's that they're taking so much time to get here. The FCC has certified the HTC Magic for T-Mobile USA, and Samsung and Motorola have models on their way. T-Mobile has promised more models this year, and other phone manufacturer companies are joining the chorus. The latest is Acer, which only joined the smartphone game in February. Reuters reported yesterday that an Acer exec promised an Android device by the end of the year.

Well, I've got news for you, Acer and others. I want less talk and more action. Promises are great, but as we pass into summer (or winter, depending on your hemisphere) I want to see a real handset actually go on sale. It's been seven months since the release of the G1, so the time has passed for something new and better. I'm concerned that Sprint is a member of the Open Handset Alliance, but also hedges on if it will ever offer an Android device.

I love Android's potential, but I'm impatient and I fear that if we have to wait much longer the gadget world will move on. We're getting the Palm Pre next month and a new iPhone should be on the way. It's now Android's turn to deliver the goods

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET)

If you're a T-Mobile G1 owner who has been patiently waiting for your Android 1.5 update, we hate to be the ones to tell you that you're going to be waiting just a bit longer.

T-Mobile USA announced on Monday that it's still finalizing the build to "ensure optimal functionality and smooth delivery" so it has delayed pushing out the over-the-air update by one week. The carrier said it expects all G1 owners to have the Cupcake update by early June.

You can check out T-Mobile's official statement here.

(Source: Phonescoop)

Write about Android for CNET!

Are you a Google Android fan? Did you rush out and buy the T-Mobile G1 the moment it came out? And are you eagerly awaiting the next Android device? If you answered yes to any of these questions, we may have something for you.

CNET is looking for a freelance blogger for a new Android-focused site. You'll be responsible for updating the blog regularly with news, developments, analysis, tips, and troubleshooting related to the Google Android Mobile operating system.

Qualifications include experience with technology and gadget journalism, preferably in an online environment; demonstrated writing experience; an ability to meet deadlines and react quickly to breaking news; and access to and a solid understanding of the Android OS, supported devices, and the competitive environment, including the Apple iPhone.

This is a contract position. You will work with an editor in San Francisco, but can reside anywhere in the United States. If interested, please send a letter of inquiry to cellphoneadvice@cnet.com.