Finally an upgraded Android phone worthy of replacing my venerable T-Mobile G1.

A few years ago, I started this column with a rave review of my T-Mobile G1 smartphone. The first handset to use Google’s Android operating system, it was just plain cool. Of course, back then, everyone was all iGaga over Apple’s phone, and not many were paying attention to the little G1 and its meager apps store. Today, Android is everywhere and is nipping on the heels of the iPhone for its share of the smart phone market.

The G1 set the standard for me on smartphones, particularly with the combination of a touchscreen and slide-out keyboard. Virtual keyboards are nice, but I have a 13-1/2 ring size that doesn’t adapt well to the small on-screen keys. With practice, I can get by, but having that slide-out keyboard is so much nicer.

After years of use, the G1’s flaws became apparent. The built-in memory was painfully inadequate once you started adding new applications and widgets. With apps being stored on the internal 256mb of flash memory, and only 128mb of RAM, even T-Mobile’s suggested apps, like an improved dialer and visual voicemail made the unit drag it’s feet at even simple tasks like answering the phone. All too soon, the G1 was left behind as T-Mobile introduced new Android units like the MyTouch.

While I was frustrated by the G1’s lack of power, the MyTouch and it’s ensuing variants all lacked a keyboard, and while the Moto Blur had a keyboard, it was hamstrung with Motorola’s social networking overlay that limited the Blur’s adaptability. The Verizon got the Droid, and I was tempted to convert, but Verizon struck a bad note with me when they told me that only being able to use ringtones purchased from their store was to protect copyrights and not to rip users off for an extra buck.

I waited patiently. Google’s own Nexus looked nice, but again, no physical keyboard. More MyTouch variants came out with not much changing other than colors.

Until finally, the MyTouch 3G Slide. With a slide-out keyboard like its grandfather, the Slide offered me everything I wanted in an upgrade and more.

The Slide has 512mb Flash and RAM each, a 5mp camera with LED flash and the most current Android operating system (as of writing this). It also came with an 8gb MicroSD card.

However, there is so much more. More than I expected. More than I can probably go into here in this space.

And a lot of it is the little touches that I am just beginning to appreciate. Things like the track pad replacing the track ball, and how the phone turns off the touchscreen when raised upright (like to your ear for a call) and then back on again when you bring it down to end the call or enter account numbers or some other use. No locked screen requiring awkward manipulations to regain access.

In addition, an integrated contact system brings contacts together from different networks, such as your Google address book, your Facebook account and phone’s directory, and bringing them together under one entry on one list. (Probably an aspect of the Moto Blur’s modifications that proved useful.)

Overall, the Slide is bigger, stronger and faster than the old G1 and any other Android I have seen yet…At least for another couple months.

Christopher Huff is an unrepentant geek living, writing and playing on the Grand Strand. You can learn more about him and his writing at www.piratejournalism.com. Comments can be sent to chris@alternatives.sc