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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.