Another Smartphone Contender Enters The Battle

T-Mobile announced the second 'Google' Android handset today, called MyTouch 3G (with Google), offering choices galore along with a very iPhone-like touch screen, home screen email alerts and, of course, all things Google.

Users can customize everything from menus and wallpapers to various widgets and pre-loaded software upon activation.

While "Google" applications (maps, email, search) are fully integrated, the handset was not designed and built with Google's input like the first Android handset put out by HTC called G1.

A countdown clock at T-Mobile's site informs visitors how many days, hours and seconds until pre-sales starts on July 8th.

According to Forbes (there was no release on T-Mobile, and calls to media reps were not returned) the handset will cost $199 with the typical two-year data plan subscription.

While the customization is neat, as is the revamped keyboard and touch screen, it's good to know HTC has used updated Android software (the first G1 suffered some security issues early on as T-Mobile hadn't pulled in the most recent open-source toolkit).

But will it help pull T-Mobile from the gallows of the carrier market?

Will it push HTC into the same playing field at Apple and Research in Motion?

No. If the first-ever G1 didn't do it, it's hard to imagine this handset will.

Why?

Well, HTC and the Android development community are still in catch-up mode (despite all the hoopla of Android as the smartphone platform of the New World)  for providing extraordinary smartphone features.

Second of all, it's T-Mobile remember. The carrier isn't Verizon or AT&T. Heck it's not even Sprint.

Third, consumers love lots of funky choices, fun stuff and fast service. But they want to spend less, and $199 isn't going to cut it given they could get the first iPhone 3G at this point for $99 for making a similar data plan commitment.

Now, if T-Mobile would push this out at say, $79 for a limited time, or maybe go renegade and cut the subscription model to one-year or offer with unlimited data access for six months -- basically give something no other carrier is willing to give -- then you might see a stampede come July 8th.

The G1 debut was hyped to the max with full Google marketing and flare, and where is it now?

MyTouch 3G doesn't have the marketing machine and advertising budget to make it work in a market that's more competitive than ever, and an economic climate where more people than ever are using pre-paid phones to save money.