Official: T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide to launch in July for $199

T-Mobile has just announced the new myTouch 4G Slide. We’re known about the handset for quite some time, but we now have on official spec sheet, launch timing and price.  The official specs of the myTouch 4G Slide include a four row QWERTY keyboard, 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD display, dual-core 1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 8 megapixel camera, and a front-facing camera for video chat all running on Android 2.3 with a modified version of HTC Sense 3.0.

Pricing on the myTouch 4G Slide is set at $199.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate for those willing to sign a two year contract.  T-Mobile has not given us an exact launch date, but we now know that the myTouch 4G Slide will be available in July in black and khaki.

While many will think of the QWERTY keyboard as the myTouch 4G’s killed feature, T-Mobile and HTC are really highlighting the camera on the handset.  According to T-Mobile the myTouch 4G Slide is perfect for “capturing that perfect moment with photos that rival high-end dedicated digital cameras.” Below are some of the highlights of the camera on the myTouch 4G Slide.

• Improved low-light Performance: with a backside illuminated sensor and a wide aperture lens (f/2.2)
• Zero shutter lag: innovative software features allow for an instantaneous shot at that precise moment
• SweepShot™: for capturing panoramic shots by sweeping across an entire scene in a single motion
• ClearShot™ HDR: for capturing objects in bright settings so your photos are not affected by high-contrast lighting
• BurstShot™: for capturing multiple photos in a quick burst so you don’t miss the perfect photo

In addition to some pretty nice features in the camera, the myTouch 4G Slide will come preloaded with Netflix, Qik, Swype, and Group Text by Bobsled along with T-Mobile TV, T-Mobile KidZone and the infamous Genius Button powered by Dragon Diction.

Some will dismiss the myTouch 4GSlide as just another mediocre handset under the myTouch brand, but don’t be fooled.  The new 4G Slide has top of the line specs (comparable to the HTC Sensation and EVO 3D) and some nice camera improvements which should really help the phone stand out from the crowd.  We’re also hoping that the myTouch 4G Slide will truly show what Qualcomm’s dual-core 1.2 GHz processors are truly capable of.  The HTC EVO 3D and Sensation’s benchmark number have been less than stellar, but we should see some noticeable improvements on the 4G Slide with its WVGA resolution display.

So, are any of you myTouch 3G Slide owners turning green with envy?  We’re not sure how many of you are actually interested in another myTouch branded handset, but we’re thoroughly impress with the specs that HTC has crammed into this phone. Leave us a comment and let us know if the myTouch 4G slide gets a thumbs up or thumbs down.

New T-Mobile myTouch 4G^ Slide Delivers Most
Advanced Camera of Any Smartphone

Latest myTouch device offers premium smartphone features paired with high-end digital camera capabilities for capturing and sharing life’s special moments

BELLEVUE, Wash. — June 28, 2011 — T-Mobile USA, Inc. today announced the myTouch^ 4G Slide, the latest 4G smartphone to join T-Mobile’s exclusive line of myTouch products. The myTouch 4G Slide features the most advanced camera of any smartphone with zero shutter lag, backside illuminated sensor and additional premium digital camera features that offer consumers a viable replacement for their digital point-and-shoot cameras. The myTouch 4G Slide is expected to be available in July.

T-Mobile’s high-speed 4G network continues to expand and is now available in more than 190 markets, reaching more than 200 million people nationwide. With the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide, T-Mobile customers in these areas can now take advantage of 4G speeds as they instantly capture and then share special moments at the speed of life.

“Knowing that the best camera is the one you’ve got with you, we set out to create a new best-in-class smartphone that allows our customers to leave their cameras at home,” said Andrew Sherrard, senior vice president, marketing, T-Mobile USA. “Our newest myTouch device takes capturing and sharing memories to a new level by combining high-quality smartphone hardware with features that customers would expect from a top-of-the-line digital camera.”

Ideal for capturing that perfect moment with photos that rival high-end dedicated digital cameras, the myTouch 4G Slide comes with an 8-megapixel camera with a dual LED flash and a host of advanced digital camera features, including the following:

• Improved low-light Performance: with a backside illuminated sensor and a wide aperture lens (f/2.2)
• Zero shutter lag: innovative software features allow for an instantaneous shot at that precise moment
• SweepShot™: for capturing panoramic shots by sweeping across an entire scene in a single motion
• ClearShot™ HDR: for capturing objects in bright settings so your photos are not affected by high-contrast lighting
• BurstShot™: for capturing multiple photos in a quick burst so you don’t miss the perfect photo

Running on America’s Largest 4G Network^™, the myTouch 4G Slide allows customers to instantly capture, and then share, quality photos and videos with a dedicated camera button and one-touch access to post to Facebook^, Picasa^ or Flickr^ ― all at 4G speeds. A true camera and camcorder replacement, the myTouch 4G Slide features a full HD 1080p camcorder with audio recording and ability to edit videos directly from the device.

Manufactured by HTC exclusively for T-Mobile, the new myTouch 4G Slide features a beautiful 3.7-inch WVGA super LCD touch-screen display, with Swype^, and a slide-out full-QWERTY keyboard, offering customers the freedom to choose how they want to input text. Powered by Android™ 2.3 (Gingerbread) and HTC Sense 3.0, the myTouch 4G Slide provides an intuitive and powerful smartphone experience. With support for T-Mobile’s lightning-fast 4G network paired with a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, myTouch 4G Slide customers will experience quick access to their favorite websites, videos, applications and much more.

The myTouch 4G Slide makes staying connected with loved ones more convenient than ever with T-Mobile Video Chat powered by Qik^™ for face-to-face video chat on the go and Group Text^™ by Bobsled^™, which offers an innovative way to send and receive text messages with groups of friends. The new advanced Genius Button^™ offers one shot voice commands, powered by Dragon Dictation from Nuance, that simplify the smartphone experience by enabling users to call, text, find a business or search the Web, all with the press of a button. With the myTouch 4G Slide’s Hands Free mode, customers can stay connected while on the road with the option for all notifications to be read out loud — simply tell the phone to text or dial to continue the conversation.

The myTouch 4G Slide offers preloaded entertainment applications, including T-Mobile^ TV, Netflix^ and YouTube^ for real-time mobile video streaming. The myTouch 4G Slide’s entertainment experience also can be shared with the whole family with T-Mobile KidZone, a built-in feature that allows parents to restrict what applications their kids can access on the device without worrying about them making a call or accessing inappropriate material.

Availability

Offered in two colors — black and khaki — the T-Mobile myTouch 4G Slide is expected to be available exclusively from T-Mobile in July at T-Mobile retail stores, online at         http://www.t-mobile.com, and from select national retailers and dealers. Customers can visit http://mytouch.t-mobile.com/4g-slide for more information.