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T-Mobile G1

(Credit: Corinne Schulze)

With the recent flood of new Google Android phones, some of you may be thinking of making the switch. You're right to consider it, as there are many advantages to the operating system, not the least of which is the growing line of attractive handsets. But for the uninitiated, Android can be a bit of a mess. It's supposed to be a uniform operating system across all devices, but in practice, the user interface on each device varies slightly. It offers third-party applications, e-mail syncing, and a media player; however, the capabilities of those features also will differ by handset. Lastly, while Android promises a high degree of user customization, that may not mean a whole lot to the average person.

Understanding the operating system
Fear not, as Android takes only a brief period of acclimation. Even after a few minutes, you'll get the hang of the interface and you'll be able to navigate your way through your phone. Yet, you need to know a few things about Android before making the jump. Below I've told you what to expect, because I'd hate for you to be surprised by what you find. And equally as important, because your Android experience will vary by device, I'll break down the current U.S. handsets and give you the basic scoop of the Android features on each device. ... Read more

Droid Armies invade Cupertino, launch coup d'iPhone

(Credit: Flickr/cnraether)

If you weren't in The 404 live chat room this morning, you missed an insanely '80s dance party! It turned out to be a blast, so we're going to start doing it every Friday. Don't worry if you missed out this time, just be sure to check us out next Friday for more Starship, Outfield, Buggles, etc...

Last week we reported on a story about Pepsi's "Amp Up B4 You Score" iPhone app that offered "helpful" pickup lines targeted at a very specific type of girl. For example, if you choose the "political girl," the app offers several jokes about stimulus plans, global warming, etc...you can use your imagination to figure out the rest. Unfortunately, if you didn't download the app you're out of luck, because Pepsi removed the app from the iPhone store.

All this talk about iPhones brings us to the first big topic of the day: DROID. The TV commercials for the new Verizon phone running the Google Android OS mock the iPhone and its fans, making claims that Android's open architecture and physical keyboard will draw unsatisfied Apple fanboys to its camp, but we're hesitant to jump onboard after the G1 flopped.

If you're currently in the market for a new smartphone but can't decide between an Android phone, the iPhone, a BlackBerry, or Palm Pre, this is the perfect episode for you! For more Droid info, check out this episode of Dialed In, another awesome CNET podcast with Bonnie Cha, Kent German, Nicole Lee, and Jason Howell!

(Credit: Konami)

In sadder news, Hulu may finally start charging a fee to view its broadcast content online. After that cryptic extraterrestrial commercial that Hulu aired during the Super Bowl last year, we figured that a monthly fee would eventually come, but the site definitely needs to offer more incentives before we bite the bullet. If we decide to support the paid version, Hulu needs to offer the entire back catalog of every show in HD and improve the movie selection...if not, then users might be tempted to simply visit another not-so-legal site. Get it, Hulu? Now get to work.

Today's Beck's Beer Audio Draft is my (Justin's) choice and Jeff is pretty surprised because the band plays a fully orchestrated, instrumental-only version of popular video game music! The band is Konami Kukeiha Club, and it features the composers who worked on original Konami games like Gradius III and Contra.

In addition to releasing several original soundtracks (i.e. Silent Hill), the group also makes original music, and it's great for anything active: gym workouts, bike rides, long distance runs, anything that requires you to get pumped up! The two tracks of the day are "Beginning" and "Bloody Tears" off the album "Konami Battle the Best."

Have a supreme weekend everyone!

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.

T-Mobile myTouch 3G photos

We've told you about its cool new packaging, and now we can tell you about the phone itself. It's been a long wait for T-Mobile's second Google Android phone, but the MyTouch 3G has finally arrived. We've given it a shakedown, and we like what we see.

The MyTouch improves on its G1 predecessor in a few ways. It offers a sleeker design, more comfortable controls, and all the benefits of the Android "Cupcake" 1.5 update. And even better, we finally get Microsoft Exchange Server support for e-mail. It's still far from perfect, but there's a lot to like about this phone. Read our full MyTouch review for the whole story and check out our MyTouch slideshow.

Good news Android fans: our T-Mobile myTouch 3G arrived today. And before we get knee-deep in reviewing T-Mobile's second Google Android phone, we wanted to show you its nifty packaging. We're not taking about a standard paper box with a plastic tray here. Rather, it comes in a padded zippered case that slips into a paper sleeve.

The case, which is covered in a nylon-like material, is exceptionally cool. Separate compartments securely hold the phone, wall adapter, USB cable, headphones, and user materials. Not only can you use the case for storing the phone's various parts, but you can also use it for taking the phone on the go. If desired, you can even remove the foam compartments and use the case for other purposes. Clad in simple black with just a silver myTouch 3G logo, we'd almost call the case stylish.

We unwrap our myTouch 3G.

(Credit: Kent German/CNET)

Of course, the phone is virtually identical to the HTC Magic and the Google Ion. We like the sleek shape, attractive display, and spacious navigation controls. Though some users may miss a physical keyboard, we think that the myTouch 3G is more attractive than its G1 predecessor.

The feature set is about what you'd expect, though the myTouch 3G comes integrated with the Android 1.5 "Cupcake" update. What's more, the addition of Outlook Exchange Server support means that Android is finally crossing into the business phone realm. We set up our work e-mail in just a few minutes and it's working like a charm so far.

We'll have our full review in the next day, so stay tuned.

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!