T-Mobile Releases HSPA+ Phone Details

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 9/9/2010

Bellevue, Wash. - T-Mobile released details of the Android-powered T-Mobile G2 with Google, the carrier's first phone designed specifically for use in its HSPA+ network to deliver 4G speeds.

T-Mobile's G2 with Google will be the carrier’s first phone to offer 4G speeds.

The HTC-made phone, which will be exclusive to T-Mobile, is the successor to the G1, a touchscreen/slider that T-Mobile launched two years ago as the world's first Android-based phone. The G1's successor, also made by HTC, will be available for preorder later this month, the carrier said without providing additional details or pricing.

The new model, incorporating the latest version (2.2) of the Android OS, features 3.7-inch multitouch screen and a hinged design that opens up to reveal a full horizontal QWERTY keyboard. The phone incorporates a Qualcomm 800MHz processor, 720P high-definition camcorder, 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and autofocus, and pre-installed 8GB MicroSD memory card with support for up 32GB cards.

T-Mobile said the G2 is the industry's first smartphone to offer integrated access to Google Voice, enabling users to create a Google Voice account from the phone's home screen. Google Voice automatically transcribes voicemails to text so they can be read on the phone's screen or on a computer.

The G2 is also one of the industry's first smartphones to offer Google's Voice Actions feature, which delivers voice control of such phone functions as calling contacts, sending messages, browsing the Web, listening to music and completing other common tasks.

Other features include seven customizable home screen panels and dedicated quick keys for one-touch access to favorite Google shortcuts and applications.

HSPA+ technology delivers theoretical peak data speeds up to 21Mbps compared with 7.2Mbps on the carrier's 7.2Mbps HSPA network, which reaches more than 206 million people. The new G2 will deliver maximum theoretical download speeds of 14.4Mbps in the 55 major metro areas where HSPA+ infrastructure is in place. The 55 markets have a population of 100 million people.

The carrier also offers two HSPA+ USB modems.

A total of 16 HSPA-equipped phones, including Samsung's Android-based Galaxy-class Vibrant, get a speed boost when used in the HSPA+ markets, though not to full HSPA+ speeds, the carrier noted.