T-Mobile MyTouch 3G is a solid Google phone -- no, not an iPhone killer [Updated]

T-Mobile released the MyTouch 3G last week, its second cellphone based on Google's Android operating system. I've been testing the phone, which goes by the name HTC Magic in other countries, and can see why it has already sold a million units. It's a powerful gadget with a lot of great features. But please, don't call it an "iPhone killer."

It's tough reviewing a smart phone without drawing parallels to the apple of the tech world's eye. I carry an iPhone in my pocket every day and have completely adapted to its quirks -- both good and bad.

A lot of the subtle additions by manufacturer HTC and developer Google, including removal of the physical keyboard of the first Google phone and greater customization for media and apps, clearly follow in Apple's footsteps. Not a bad thing. But it makes it that much easier to compare the two.

On its own merits, the MyTouch is a very good phone. It looks nice; the touch screen is responsive; the virtual keyboard works well most of the time; and it has apps. Who doesn't love downloading apps?

When putting those features side-by-side with the iPhone's, however, the MyTouch looks less shiny.

As for the hardware, the MyTouch is sturdy and attractive. But it's noticeably thicker than the iPhone and its screen is smaller -- both downgrades.

It has way too many tiny buttons for a phone that's supposed to be relying on software navigation. But it does have that scroll-ball nipple thing I love about the Blackberry. Makes scrolling through lots of e-mails or tweets a breeze.

The software is laid out well and certainly works with a mostly-touch interface. A lack of multi-touch gestures, like the iPhone's pinching for zooming in and out, slows down common actions. And with all of those ...

... buttons below the screen, I have to think for a moment about which one I need to press for a given command. Does the "menu" button go back to the home menu? Nope, it brings up a contextual menu. Does the red call-hangup button go back? No, it doesn't.

T-Mobile MyTouch 3G. Credit: Associated Press

Users of the G1 will be hugely disappointed with how little has changed between Android iterations. Seriously, they've added almost nothing. On the flip side, the physical, slide-out keyboard of the G1 got the boot. The MyTouch relies exclusively on a virtual keyboard. It works fairly well, but it doesn't learn from repeated mistakes the way certain other software does (you know which one I mean).

Google Android does have an app marketplace. Unlike downloads from the iPhone App Store, most Android apps are free. For example, most of the good Twitter apps on the iPhone cost between $2 and $5. The free Twidroid keeps pace with them, for the most part. There aren't a ton of apps available for Android -- something that may not change majorly any time soon.

Someone new to Google's operating system will really appreciate some of its standard features. It ties in directly with your Google account to sync e-mail, calendars and contacts.

The deal maker could be its integration with Google Voice. Apple notoriously shot down the attempts by Google and third parties to list iPhone apps that connect with Voice. The new Google service provides users with one phone number that rings all of their phones, as well as free calls and text messages.

Android's integration with Voice is seamless. The app takes over the phone's default voice mail, call logs and text messaging software, complete with voice mail transcription and free everything -- as long as you have a cellular Internet connection or Wi-Fi.

But for G1 users, the MyTouch is a snoozer. The HTC Hero -- whenever that comes out -- will offer much more (including, undoubtedly, an absurd name like the "MyPhone 3GS"). For iPhone users, the MyTouch doesn't make the grade.

But cost-conscious iPhone users looking to save some dough with this $200 smart phone, its cheaper calling plan and free texts via Google Voice won't be disappointed. At the very least, it should sway some of the many hacked iPhone users on T-Mobile to get an officially supported phone already.

Corrected, 1:46 p.m.: A previous version of this story said HTC had sold a million MyTouch 3G phones in its first week. In fact, the company has sold a million units worldwide since launching in other countries earlier this year.

-- Mark Milian

Follow my commentary on technology and social media on Twitter @markmilian.

Comments

[GoodmanBrown]

Wow -- I really don't think the buttons could be more clear. Menu button taking you home? No -- that's the button with a "home" icon. Red phone takes you back? No -- that's the "back arrows" job.

Here's a handy cheat sheet :)
Menu button takes you to a contextual menu
Home button takes you to the home screen
Back Arrow button takes you back
Green Phone starts call
Red Phone Ends Call
Search Button starts search.

Have Fun!

[Tannim]

OK, but what about the ports?

Both the Samsung Behold and the G1 had the same problem in that there was only the one port, meaning you couldn't used the wired headphones and charge the phone at the same time. One port is just the wrong answer.

[zelrik]

I have an HTC Magic (rogers, Canada) which is basically the mytouch 3G. I must say that I agree with the button thing, it's too many physical buttons for a touchscreen device. I still love it though and wouldnt trade it for an iphone.

You forgot to mention that one can install updated software on it : I have tried the Hero Sense UI on my device, which is slow but includes multitouch support, a much better interface and nicer widgets (I think they ll be available on the app market soon too).

[vinny]

Its called a trackball not a nipple thing! Shows how much you know about smart phones

[Jerry w]

You've failed to mention the true high point of this phone, which has nothing to do with apps, features, keyboards, or anything on the phone itself.

You're not tied, bound, or owned by AT&T.

And to me, that's priceless.

www.boskolives.wordpress.com

[BOSTONMAN]

IPHONE IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN DONT EVEN COMPARE!!!

[WadeK]

I disagree with this post completely. I personally own the MyTouch 3G through T-Mobile in the US and upgrade from the HTC G1. To say that this phone does not do anything exceptionally well is misleading. I use it for many things and I absolutely love the phone. Even though it may have alot of buttons for a touch screen the trackball is extremely nice for bouncing between controls when web browsing of if you happen to have an app that your finger is to large to hit a button on.

I could go on and on about how much I love this phone, but I just wanted to let people know it is very nice and to not be lead astray by the Apple Fanboys.

[Ryan D]

I played with my friend's MyTouch and I liked it, though not enough to switch from my iphone which has a better overall 'feel' IMO. Agreed with the reviewer that the buttons are a huge mistake on a phone that is supposed to be all about the screen.
The fact that someone down below here had to post a cheat sheet for the buttons, well, therein lies a problem.

[Mark Milian]

@Tannim You're right. I remember when Nintendo tried pulling that with one of the Game Boy revisions and got ripped for it. Those single port deals are really annoying.

@Vinny C'mon, you know you think "nipple" every time you scroll e-mail.

[@vinny]

Does the 'ball' rotate? If so, it isn't a trackball.

[Bias Evaulator]

“I carry an I-Phone every day. I work for apple. Date Steve Jobbs.”

My objective opinion is the I-Phone is the best thing since the I-Pod which was the best thing since the Mac. Which was the best thing since Apple decided to forget about the computing world and focus solely on their bottom line.

[ez]

"Users of the G1 will be hugely disappointed with how little has changed between Android iterations. Seriously, they've added almost nothing."

This is simply wrong:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/android-1.5-highlights.html

Besides the comparison don't got much depth anyway.

[Christopher Puga]

I have had this phone since the 31 of july and its awsome i will never go wrong its called the my touch because it asapts to your habbits and its really cool i really hope other ppl will get it its a aesome phone!!!

[James]

Hmm. Interesting review ... I do agree with a previous poster, a more in depth review concerning features and "feel" would be more useful. Admittedly I am one of those iPhone-istas BUT I am constantly looking for and keeping an eye peeled for a truly competitive phone to the iPhone. Like many, I chafe at the exclusivity with AT&T and cannot wait for the 5 year deal to expire. The wireless giants love to give lip service to "competition" in the marketplace but work tirelessly to avoid any real semblance of it in the form of competitive choice. But I digress. Other mfg's are gaining on the iPhone and some have come very close, notably the Pre from Palm. Perhaps Google and Palm could join forces and REALLY come up with something killer. Dare to dream. For now, I'm not trading in my iPhone but I'm still hopeful ....

[Mark Milian]

Palm has invested too much into its OS to abandon it for Android. I'd like to see RIM install Android on some of its hardware. Maybe a supped-up version of the Storm with Android... Man, wasn't the Storm's OS just atrocious?

[iceberg020]

tell u what, my touch is already old phone and you are wasting your time comparing my touch to iphone. what u should be doin is comparing htc hero to iphone and then mayb i can give u some credit. so catch up buddy

[goon]

Don't forget, currently there are only 2 android phones on the market, the G1 and the G2 (mytouch). By year end, there will be a lot more android phones on the market (as many as 30 phones within the next according to some analysts).

Today, android has about 6000 applications in its marketplace, which is already a lot in my book, but I would expect this number to grow rapidly as more android phones are released.

Here's my prediction: If 30+ android phones are released within the next year, the android market place will have more apps than apple within the next 2-3 years.

[Nick]

I think you hit mostthe major point on this. The G1 and the myTouch feature the same hardware guts and the operating system is identical.

You might wantto check up on the 1 million sold story a little more. HTC noted that they have sold 1 million units of the hTC Magic since it launched in April. I don't think that 1 million unit count indicates that T-mobile U.S.A. has sold that many. From what I can remember, T-Mobile pre-sold around 80,000 units, but not hard numbers have been released yet on how many they have sold to date.
http://htcsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=667&Itemid=1

[Mark Milian]

@Nick Ah, good spot. A million in a week, even worldwide, would be pretty high, huh? I added a correction. Thanks.

[lbgrrl]

I am one of the many "hacked iPhone users on T-Mobile" and I have no plans to get this phone. Why would I? You just spent the whole article making the case for it not being the "iPhone killer" (and sort of shooting the phone down), then at the end say that those of us who use iPhones should "get an officially supported phone". Why should we use what you say is an inferior phone? I love my iPhone, and I have no desire to use use the loathesome AT&T network here in Los Angeles. So the unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile works great for me! BTW, T-Mobile is actually pretty supportive of the iPhone. There are supposedly over a half-million of them in use on T-Mobile's network. Their Tier 3 support will actually tell you how to set up the network configuration. All in all, a win-win situation--T-Mobile's great service with the coolest phone on the planet :)

[androidRunsMultipleApps]

How many apps can iPhone run at once? Is it more than one? Really?

Doesn't that make you sad? You carry around a cute phone. We carry around tiny computers that make calls.

My 4y (sadly) has figured out all the buttons easily. @GoodmanBrown's list is just that easy. I just don't want my kid on youtube, so i have to watch him ;)

[Anon]

Google is following Apple in the steps of customization? I hope that's a horrible joke..

Apple hardly let's you customize anything. The iPhone can't care as many apps as Android lets. And I give Google a plus 1 for their "widgets".

I think Google has put a lot of pressure on Apple and will continue to do so as Google releases Android for Verizon and multiple other companies.

[Hana]

Wow. Fanboy much?

[Branon]

At a broad level, I agree with the reviewer's conclusion. Being a Tmobile user, I find using this phone to be a much better alternative than carrying around a hacked iphone. I have had the latter for a year. However, other than that I beg to disagree with the overall theme of the review. The reviewer has benchmarked the review to see if it is an iphone killer. It is not an iphone killer but it is one great substitute. Indeed, after having used the iphone for a year, I find using the mytouch a liberating experience. The extra buttons, contrary to the reviewer, makes navigating a much more fluid experience with this phone than the iphone's limiting requirement of having to go "home" before going anywhere else. What you give up for in "slickness", you gain in terms of functionality and MULTITASKING. The drawer system is really clever and useful. Lastly, widgets!!! That's one great advantage over the iphone. Perhaps the review would have been a little more balanced if the reviewer had contrasted the advantages offered by this phone that are absent in the iphone. In its current form, the review basically asks if the phone does better, the things that the iphone already does rather than asking what it does that the iphone does not do.

[Ted]

I especially liked how the soft keyboard did not go in to landscape mode.... he turned the phone in the wrong direction....

Should the phone flip it's orientation in any direction you flip it? Sure, but not showing the proper way to enter landscape is a little disingenuous.