June 17, 2009, 11:34 AM — What's smaller than the iPhone and thinner than the G1? It's T-Mobile's second Android-powered phone: myTouch 3G. Or at least that's the rumor, anyway. Next week, T-Mobile is expected to announce a summer launch date for another Android-powered phone from HTC called the myTouch 3G, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The myTouch 3G will have a touchscreen but no physical keyboard, as well as a G1-styled trackball and navigation buttons. But that's where the similarities end; overall, the new Android phone will reportedly resemble the HTC Magic, currently available in the U.K. In fact, the myTouch 3G could simply be a renamed version of the Magic. Earlier this month, PC World's Daniel Ionescu posited this theory after all attendees of Google's I/O conference received an HTC Magic handset to take home and try out. That free giveaway seemed very generous at the time, but it makes more sense from a marketing viewpoint if the Magic is about to be released in the U.S.
The Journal says the myTouch will have a glossy look with a rounded back that is smaller than the iPhone but thinner than the original Android phone to hit the U.S -- the G1. As for new features, the myTouch 3G could come with voice-activated search and video capability.
This is the third time we've heard about a new Android phone from HTC in the coming months. Just a few weeks ago, rumors were circulating about the HTC Hero launching on June 24, with a big bash planned for London. Based on the rumors, however, the Hero and the myTouch don't sound like the same phone. The Hero is rumored to be coming to AT&T and would also be a touchscreen-only device. A second Hero model may also be in the works, possibly renamed the Lancaster or Memphis, that would come with a keyboard. The Hero is supposed to use HTC's TouchFlo 3D user interface, but there's no word on whether the myTouch would use TouchFlo as well. We've also seen reports about a refreshed G1 coming to T-Mobile called the G2, which could be the same phone as the myTouch 3G.
Google has been saying for some time to expect numerous Android models to hit the U.S. market. The Journal said the search giant is looking forward to seeing around 18 different models this year. Despite these announcements and predictions, so far only the G1 has appeared in the U.S.
But here are some other signs that a new Android model could be hitting store shelves soon. The myTouch 3G is rumored to have a $179.99 price tag with a two-year contract. That's the same price as the G1 -- or at least it was. T-Mobile recently slashed the price of the G1 by $30 to $149.99. Is this a sign that a new Google phone is about to hit the market? I guess we'll have to wait until next week to find out.
