T-Mobile pushing apps hard with myTouch 3G; Sherpa pictured, detailed

Though the myTouch 3G is really just an HTC Magic at its core, T-Mobile seems to be doing everything it can to gussy it up with as much crapware bloatware value-add software that it can. All kidding aside, this really isn't crapware -- the carrier is apparently quite serious about calling out best-in-class apps in the Android Market, going so far as to create a separate "app pack" application that'll drill down stuff it wants to highlight. T-Mobile tells us this might even include T-Mobile's own visual voicemail application, which is currently in development, but whether that's available at launch or not, nothing in the app pack won't be findable in the regular Android Market, so there's no reason to worry.

The crown jewel in the myTouch 3G's arsenal will be Sherpa, an entertainment discovery app that learns your preferences in food, stores, and attractions over time based on your ratings and bubbles them to the top so they're easier for you to find. Naturally, it's location-based so that you can find things around you; it'll be interesting to see how well this works in practice, but at a glance, we're excited to give it a shot so that we can finally stop eating In-N-Out seven nights a week (not to say there's anything wrong with that).

[Look_Around_You @ Jul 8th 2009 4:02PM]

That app looks pretty darn cool.Android is definitely coming along nicely.

Gesuz Windows Mobile, can you clowns get your act into gear!?! Are you people all on permanent vacation or what???

[Greg @ Jul 8th 2009 4:02PM]

Hey guys I have an idea let's abbreviate first to fail into F2F

[kjb434 @ Jul 8th 2009 4:05PM]

If this phone is good, then tech savy users would just flash a new clean android rom onto it.

That's what I do whenever I get a WinMo Pro device.

[Rick @ Jul 8th 2009 4:19PM]

You can do that. There are dozens of ROMs out there. Unless I'm misunderstanding your statement.

[Tim @ Jul 8th 2009 4:20PM]

Amen. I void the hell out of any warranty i get on a WinMo device because i usually slap a new rom in within a week

[Jakob @ Jul 8th 2009 4:43PM]

Amen. To hell with warranty.

[Rahul @ Jul 8th 2009 7:24PM]

@kjb

It appears that one of us is confused. I was under the impression that this phone already comes with Android. Just with a few useful (as defined by T-mobile) apps pre-installed on the phone. There would really be no point in flashing a "new clean Android" onto the device, since you can simply delete the included if you don't want them.

Not really sure why you brought up WinMoPro, unless I'm wrong and this phone doesn't come with Android.

[Eyhk @ Jul 8th 2009 4:12PM]

"but at a glance, we're excited to give it a shot so that we can finally stop eating In-N-Out seven nights a week (not to say there's anything wrong with that)."

Unless it decides you like it so much that any other rating pales in comparison and only suggests In-N-Out for the rest of your life?

[SEVENim @ Jul 8th 2009 4:22PM]

Sherpa will either save us, or pile drive our lives into something worse

[wickedawesome @ Jul 8th 2009 4:15PM]

Did you have to misuse the already-overused schlocky crap-phrase "drill down?" I can't read the article past that point.

[Chris Ziegler @ Jul 8th 2009 4:19PM]

Probably for the best -- who knows what complaints you'd have come up with!

[Rick @ Jul 8th 2009 4:22PM]

ZING!

[Greg @ Jul 8th 2009 4:22PM]

They Might Be Giants has a list of phrases that are "outlawed" -- e.g. the band members used it to the point that it became way too annoying.

[Sisyphus @ Jul 8th 2009 4:29PM]

Chris,

Haven't you heard? You're just supposed to provide the read link and that's it.

Anything else is biased/ trite/ boring/ slow news day fodder/ grammatically incorrect.

[Eyhk @ Jul 8th 2009 5:52PM]

Here we have it, the future of journalism, blogging, and everything: A read link to a read link to a read link to a comment of a read link which is actually an AP article that uses 2500 words to say nothing at all.

[John Datserakis @ Jul 8th 2009 10:12PM]

haha @chris that was hilarious.

[mkboyle @ Jul 8th 2009 4:21PM]

.test.

[ljm @ Jul 8th 2009 7:01PM]

icle

[John @ Jul 8th 2009 4:36PM]

Now they just need to beef up their 3G coverage.

[Clyde Berry @ Jul 8th 2009 4:45PM]

I would eat In-n-Out 8 days a week, if time and space would possibly allow it.

[Mike @ Jul 8th 2009 4:45PM]

Why does everyone keep saying that visual voicemail may or may not launch, they are already officially including it when you sign up for a data plan on the MyTouch. During the checkout process you are told that you will be able to select between two options, $24.99 Internet with Visual Voicemail and $34.99 Internet with Visiual Voicemail and unlimited messaging. Sounds pretty solid to me, if not, I have a reason to get out of the contract (don't ya know I only signed up for visual voicemail on t-mobile..ha)

[T-Will @ Jul 8th 2009 4:53PM]

Ahhhhh...sherpa sherpa!

[edgar wong @ Jul 8th 2009 4:57PM]

thats a nice looking shot :)

[digitallysick @ Jul 8th 2009 5:52PM]

Sherpa seems pointless?

[Nicholas @ Jul 8th 2009 5:59PM]

Things are amazingly close together in Sherpa-sherpa land!

[Sean @ Jul 8th 2009 6:59PM]

Youmail has an app that brings their coolest free voicemail service to android with visual voicemail! Just found out last night after using youmail for over a year! Awesome!

[Sam @ Jul 8th 2009 8:44PM]

I don't wanna be THAT GUY, I mean I REALLY DON'T.. But could they copy the iPhone UI ANY MORE?

The black bar on the button, the grey selectors, the "i", the location icon.. Seriously T-Mo.. this is a little embarrassing for owners of this device.

[scape @ Jul 9th 2009 10:34AM]

sherpa, the app that tracks your habits and sells the information off...I mean helps you find things you might like...then sells it off