T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide to go on sale June 2 for $180

Computerworld - The T-Mobile myTouch 3G Slide will go on sale June 2 for $180 after rebate and with a two-year voice and data agreement.

T-Mobile says the myTouch 3G Slide will be available June 2 for $180 after a rebate and with a two-year, voice and data service agreement.

The slider phone includes a four-row physical keyboard -- a feature that seems to be attracting younger texting-centric users, based on other recent releases such as the Kin Two from Microsoft.

T-Mobile USA advertises the myTouch 3G Slide as a phone designed to "keep you crazy-close to friends and family," with both the physical keyboard and a 3.4-in. touch screen that offers virtual text input with Swype software for quicker and more accurate typing.

A 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash is included to take photos for uploading via e-mail, MMS, YouTube, Facebook and other social networks.

The device runs the Android 2.1 operating system and supports 3G and Wi-Fi. It includes an 8GB microSD card (which can be swapped for a larger one).

The MyTouch 3G Slide comes in black, white or red. It is 4.55 by 2.37 by 0.6 in. and weighs 5.8 oz.

The Slide is a variation of the HTC myTouch 3G launched in 2009 (with the addition of the physical keyboard, mainly) and has been also called a descendant of the HTC G1 launched by T-Mobile in 2008 as the first Android phone in the U.S. That G1 phone still is on sale for $99 with a two-year contract, while the HTC myTouch 3G goes for $150 and a two-year contract.

Three widgets give the myTouch 3G Slide some distinction, including a "Genius Button" that allows voice commands to control the phone, compose texts and e-mails, search the Web or even read texts aloud.

MyModes is another widget designed to give users different modes for work or home use, with each mode associated with its own home screen apps and wallpapers. The modes can be programmed to appear only on weekends or at a certain time.

The Faves Gallery provides a list of up to 20 favorite people and different ways to communicate with them, such as text, e-mail, instant messaging or social network updates.

T-Mobile requires a voice and data plan starting at $80 a month with 500 talk minutes, unlimited text and Web, or unlimited talk and text and Web for $100.

Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at @matthamblen or subscribe to Matt's RSS feed. His e-mail address is mhamblen@computerworld.com.

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