T-Mobile myTouch, myTouch Q Smartphones Debut

The myTouch and myTouch Q are designed for users switching over to smartphones for the first time.

Wireless carrier T-Mobile USA, Inc. announced the availability of the myTouch and myTouch Q smartphones, both manufactured by LG, as the latest Google Android-powered handsets to join T-Mobile's line of myTouch products. The myTouch and myTouch Q are designed for users switching over to smartphones for the first time and are designed to be easily set-up on the first day.

Both devices are powered by Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and a 1GHz Qualcomm processor and are equipped with multimedia features, including a 5-megapixel camera and 720p HD video recorder for capturing photos and videos. The myTouch also includes a front-facing camera with access to T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik for face-to-face video chat. In addition, both devices offer built-in entertainment applications, including T-Mobile TV in Mobile HD, Netflix and YouTube for real-time mobile video streaming and on-demand TV and movies.

The myTouch is offered in two colors - black or white - and the myTouch Q is offered in two colors - gray or violet. Both phones, which will be sold exclusively through T-Mobile, are expected to be available in time for the holiday season, according to a company release. The handsets offer the option of two different styles of hardware to suit customer needs: the myTouch touts a 3.8-inch touch screen and a virtual keyboard with Swype, while the myTouch Q is equipped with a 3.5-inch touch screen plus a physical slide-out full QWERTY keyboard.

To help customers get up and running and keep running, the myTouch and myTouch Q offer a number of tools, including a set-up Wizard for simple instructions on quick e-mail and social network integration, a quick "how-to" widget that provides an overview of the available device features, including a collection of instructional videos and the Genius Button, which offers one-shot voice commands to call, text, or search the Web.

"When moving to their first smartphone, customers want a simple and uncomplicated experience without compromising on quality," said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. "With the introduction of these new myTouch smartphones paired with our worry-free data plans and fast 4G network, we're making it easier than ever to step up to 4G experiences."

Earlier this month the company, in partnership with retail giant Walmart, began offering consumers access to 4G capable phones via a monthly pre-paid service plan. The $30 unlimited Web and text monthly 4G prepaid service plan - is sold in-store at more than 2,200 Walmart stores and online via the companies' Web sites. In a survey of Walmart customers, approximately 60 percent cited that having a high-speed data network was a key factor in the purchase of a wireless service plan.

Under the offering, available with no annual contract, customers can access unlimited Web, with the first 5 GB at up to 4G speeds, unlimited text and 100 minutes of talk, with 10 cents per minute after the first 100 minutes. Monthly 4G plans provide access to wireless service for 30 days and the companies noted that a capable device is required to achieve 4G speeds. After high-speed allotment is used, speeds are slowed to up to 2G speeds for remainder of month. In further expansion of this offer, Walmart is increasing its line-up of affordable T-Mobile phones to six.