While T-mobile has been getting ready for the new MyTouch 3G 1.2 (just a MT3G with a little more RAM and a 3.5mm jack), by doing things like lowering the price of the original MyTouch to $99, more and more news keeps coming to the surface about this mysterious device. This particular tid-bit happens to be of the Swype variety (you know, that crazy new keyboard input method). Tmonews has gotten a tip from one of their ninjas that the MyTouch 1.2 will be shipping with Swype as the default keyboard. I don’t really know what would prompt this decision (other than the fact that Swype is AMAZING), but it may be the start of a virtual keyboard revolution. If you haven’t seen Swype in action yet head over to our article where you can find it live in action on a G1. Viva la innovative software revolucion!
While I’m not sure the “v. 1.2″ name will stick, it looks like TMoNews was right on the money with an earlier leak about the phone’s existence. This new image from T-Mo’s internal system (which is difficult to read even at full size) confirms that David and friends even had the date right. Now that the LE is sold out and the shelf life of the original myTouch is drawing to a close, it looks like at least the black and white models will be replaced by the new device, which sports a 3.5 mm audio jack. It probably won’t last long though.
It looks like this phone has taken the nickname, “Clapton,” according to the title of the video below, posted to T-Mo’s official YouTube account. Maybe that’s the name of the commercial. Does that make this the God of phones? Sounds like a good title to me, and this phone needs all the extra style it can get at this price. Don’t get me wrong; I love the finish, the 3.5mm audio jack, the 16 GB SD card and the 288 MB of RAM (See update after the video). But with Nexus going for the same price on a new contract ($179), there’s not much of a contest here. For existing customers who want a new hack toy, be prepared to peel off $449. I really, really want one…but it just ain’t gonna happen. Ships with 1.6 and should see 2.1 before long. Goes on sale Feb 10th.
UPDATE: It seems there has been confusion regarding the RAM of this device. Apparently, T-Mo posted the wrong specs at their site!
Heres another one for the “it could happen” file. There is speculation circulating around that both the HTC Hero and HTCH Magic/MyTouch will be receiving an update to the new and improved 2.1 platform. We already know of a possibility that T-Mobile already has an update to 2.1 packaged and ready for transmission. And Rogers has also confirmed that 2.1 will be coming to their Magic handsets leaving the HTC Dream (G1) on a cupcake diet.
It is still only a rumor (But a pretty good guess) because T-Mobile has only confirmed that the new MyTouch Fender edition will be receiving the 2.1 update. But no official word has been released about the original MyTouch 3G or G1 yet.
HTC has also already confirmed that the HTC Hero (GSM) will be receiving the Android 2.0 update in the near future. But now rumors are making the rounds about a 2.1 update coming as early as Febuary 15. This will more than likely exclude the Sprint HTC Hero for now.
It seems like this device has been bumped back a couple of times, though I don’t recall any officially announced dates being blown. There was talk of a December 30th launch at one point but it looks like the latest rumored date – January 20th – has now been set in stone.
At least that’s when the ads will begin, featuring Eric Clapton and other public figures. The phone will cost $179.99 on contract and will ship with a 3.5mm audio jack, a 16 GB SD card, Android 1.6, and a handful of Eric Clapton songs. T-Mobile is also sponsoring Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival this year.
