T-Mobile USA
June 28 introduced its myTouch
4G Slide, an HTC-built slider smartphone based on Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Android 2.3 "Gingerbread" operating system that boasts an advanced
camera.
Slated to
launch in July, the 4G Slide has a 3.7-inch WVGA LCD touch-screen and a full
QWERTTY keyboard, powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.
The device also includes HTC's Sense 3.0 user interface, which proved quite
intuitive on the HTC
Evo 3D 4G.
While the Evo
3D 4G's calling card is the stereoscopic cameras that enable 3D photos and video,
the Slide 4G features an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash that removes
the infamous shutter lag—the precious couple of seconds it takes for an image
to be captured once a user hits the shutter button.
The camera,
demonstrated on YouTube,
also features premium features consumers are accustomed to seeing in digital
cameras.
For example,
the Slide 4G includes a backside illuminated sensor for superior low-light
performance; SweepShot for capturing panoramic still shots; ClearShot HDR for
capturing objects in bright settings; and BurstShot for capturing multiple
photos in rapid succession.
Picture takers
will then be able to share their photos and videos via Facebook, Flickr or
Google's Picasa with one touch using the dedicated camera button. The 4G Slide
also features a full high-definition 1080p camcorder with the ability to edit
videos right from the handset.
The idea is
that Slide 4G owners will be able to "leave their cameras at home,"
Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing for T-Mobile, said in a
statement.
However, this
may prove an elusive value proposition at a time when most smartphone owners
have already abandoned their digital cameras to use their smartphone shutters
instead.
Most high-end
Android smartphones come with 8MP cameras that work well enough for most
people. The Slide 4G seems targeted for the slightly-more-than-amateur
photographer.
That is not to
say only shutterbugs will buy it, but it's clear the Slide 4G is aimed at
photography buffs. Plus, there's no question zero latency from snapping the
shutter button to having the picture register is a huge bonus.
Available in
black and khaki, the myTouch 4G Slide also includes the Qik video chat and Bobsled
group text applications The Genius Button enables Nuance-powered voice command
with one button press.
The myTouch 4G
Slide also comes preloaded with Netflix and YouTube, as well as T-Mobile
KidZone, which lets parents restrict what applications their kids can access on
the device.
T-Mobile has
not announced prices or a specific launch date for the handset.
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