It won’t bump you up to Android 2.2, but T-Mobile’s myTouch 3G Slide update, officially beginning to roll out today and scheduled to finish my the 19th, does offer some new features and performance enhancements. For one, battery life should be improved. MMS capabilities over WiFi, Faves Gallery, and Genius button improvements are also on the menu.

Keep an eye out for the following prompt on your MT3GS:

“T-Mobile Msg-Software update is coming to your myTouch 3G Slide. New features & improvements from T-Mobile myTouch family!”

Read the official announcement over at T-Mobile’s forums:

Beginning August 4, T-Mobile will send an over-the-air (OTA) update to myTouch 3G Slide customers, which will provide a number of benefits, including increased battery performance and enhancements to software features such as Faves Gallery and Genius Button. This is not an update to the Android operating system (i.e. This is not Froyo/Android version 2.2).

The update will be sent to customers beginning August 4 and we anticipate all customers will receive it by August 19. Customers will be notified of the OTA via a free SMS text message from T-Mobile.

The timeline for receiving the OTA cannot be expedited. T-Mobile will be unable to manually push the software to customers who ask to receive it before August 19.

Improvements included with this update are as follows:

1. Battery Life:
Updates to the T-Mobile online contact backup connection, which will improve battery life.

2. Wi-Fi:
Ability to send MMS messages when connected to Wi-Fi.

3. Genius Button improvements:
Ability to turn GPS on and off using your voice, such as “Turn GPS on.”
Will announce Caller ID for incoming voice calls and allow you to “Answer” or “Ignore” using your voice.
Will announce incoming text messages and allow you to “reply” with dictation.

4. Faves Gallery improvements:
The Faves icon will be displayed beside notifications that appear while the device is locked to indicate that the communication is coming from one of your Faves.
Fave photo display speed will be enhanced.
General stability will be improved, including more seamless scrolling and consistent display of photos.

Thanks for sending this in, Chris.