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The myTouch 3G as a possible e-reader—with promising Android apps on the way
June 22, 2009 | 9:18 am
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By David Rothman
As shown by the sneaky device limits that may beset Kindle users, you can’t really own e-books from Amazon
The Apple iPhone (more than a million 3GS units already sold!) is in many ways a closed system. Apple will be doing its best to herd users through its costly e-turnstiles.
So what’s left for freedom-minded people looking for e-readers, especially the handheld kind?
Well, there’s always the more open Android approach. The number of Android apps pales beside the count for the iPhone and iPod Touch, but they already 
include FBReaderJ for nonDRMed e-books. And eReader is on the way for both the open and DRM-tainted variety. Yet another app to watch is Aldiko, which, unlike FBReader, will offer full CSS styling for ePub-format books. Amazon acquisition notwithstanding, Stanza still appears headed for Android phones. We’ll at least hope that Amazon doesn’t hobble Stanza early on.
New Android entrant: MyTouch 3G, T Mobile style
In the Android area, a new entrant is the myTouch 3G (left), which in the States will be T-Mobile’s version of the HTC Magic, with spiffier looks.
Compared to the earlier choices such as T-Mobile G1 (right), the myTouch 3G might be better for some e-bookers. T-Mobile is to offer the 3G in the U.S. for $199 in early August for those committing to a two-year subscription.
Lacking a keyboard, the myTouch 3G smaller than the G1. Plus, it comes in at least several colors. The chip is the same but the memory is double the G1s’s, according to Tech Crunch. And the screen? A 3.2-inch TFT-LCD with 320-x-480 res and capacitive touch. You can replace 4G memory card with something bigger.
“But the most noticeable difference has to be the battery life,” writes MG Siegler in TechCrunch. “In my experience, the G1 had very poor battery life. The myTouch offers a huge improvement in that regard. How much? Well just in everyday use with a couple applications running in the background, my G1 battery would be gone in a few hours. The myTouch battery easily lasts all day in the same environment.”
So, gang, from afar, based on what you know, what do you think of the 3G’s possibilities as an e-book reader?
Technorati Tags: myTouch 3G
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Comments:
I for one am very excited to get myTouch3G. I’ve been using an unlocked iPhone on T-Mobile for a while now.
I like T-Mobile’s network where I live and the call quality is excellent. I’ve been testing their 3G network out here in LA and I like what I see. They don’t have 80 million users clogging up the network so at least in my area it’s all mine for the taking.
No complaints here!
I text and email a lot for my business. Using a virtual keyboard is good for quick stuff, like searches. An actual keyboard is a must. If only the MyTouch had a slide out keyboard. It would be awesome.
I would have preferred a 3.5 mm jack, but when I stop and think about how many times I’d need it it’s really a moot point. I use my Nano for music and a BT headset for calls while driving.
Discuss more about this phone at http://www.myTouch3GForum.com, I usually hangs out there.
Hey all,
former G1 user here in Virginia. I currently have the iPhone 3G on AT&T, but really love the Android concept and although I used to have an active G1 (still have it, just use it on WiFi), I am really thinking about getting the black MyTouch 3G on Wednesday. I think it is an improvement on the G1; I feel also that after nine months, that there should be better hardware in it–it many ways it’s so similar to the G1. Thoughts? Also, how’s the call quality? Reviews so far say not bad.
share your view with me at http://www.myTouch3Gforum.com