It’s not every day that we walk into a carrier’s store and get to play with a new Android handset, but those days are becoming more and more common… especially at T-Mobile.  As expected, the new T-Mobile Cliq XT was launched today.  The rumored price was $99 with a new two year contract, but it appears as if someone got the numbers mixed up. The Cliq XT is actually selling for $129 with contract and $329 if all you want is the phone.  On paper, the Motorola Cliq XT and HTC Magic (myTouch 3G) are nearly identical in size, but somehow Motorola has managed to make the Cliq XT feel a lot smaller in your hand.  It could be an optical illusion from the design cues and all the sounded corners or the slightly smaller 3.1 inch screen.

If you’ve played with the Motorola Cliq, the Cliq XT really has nothing new to offer.  Internal hardware on the two devices is identical and Motorola is shipping Android 1.5 with MOTOBLUR on both devices.  In essence, the Cliq XT is to the Cliq what the myTouch 3G was to the G1.  Same handset, just no QWERTY.  Since I’m a proud owner of a G1 and a huge fan of QWERTY keyboards, I have a hard time trying to imagine who would be interested in handsets like these when their older brothers offer a much better messaging option at slightly cheaper prices.  But then again, my biggest gripe that I had about the original Motorola Cliq was the poorly designed QWERTY keyboard.  With the XT, Motorola has removed the phone’s major fault and has taken a step further to improve the typing experience on the phone by adding in the new Swype keyboard. 

Overall, the new T-Mobile Motorola Cliq XT is a pretty decent Android phone.  Some might complain that it’s running on Android 1.5 or that Motorola screwed up Android by including MOTOBLUR.  The average Joe who’s walking into a T-Mobile store looking for a new phone doesn’t care or even know what Android 1.5 is and having access to all his social media all in one spot is most likely a huge selling point over the Samsung Behold II or the HTC myTouch 3G.

If you’ve ever looked at Samsung’s Android lineup, there really has not been much to impress you.  Fortunately, Samsung is hoping a new update to the Android OS will be enough to make up for pretty dull hardware.  Just yesterday, we got out first official glimpse of Android 2.1 on the Samsung Galaxy Portal (UK version of the Spica), and today Samsung has announced that owners of the Samsung Galaxy Spica i5700  can now download Android 2.1 for their phones.  Probably the best news out of all this is the fact that Android 2.1 is finally rolling out to older Android phones.  HTC promised an Android 2.1 update with Sense to the HTC Hero which should be unveiled before the end of the month. 

The android 2.1 update for the Spica will hit Germany first and then slowly trickle out to other markets in Europe and Asia. For full details on the new Android 2.1 build for the Samsung galaxy Spica, be sure to check out the press release below.

Press Release: Samsung Delivers World of New Experiences With Upgraded Galaxy Spica

Android 2.1 gives Galaxy Spica new functionality and unrivalled user experience

SEOUL, Korea – March 17, 2010 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced it has upgraded its powerful Galaxy Spica (I5700) smartphone to harness the power of the latest version of AndroidTM, Android 2.1. The smartphone now offers users a galaxy of new features and an unrivalled mobile experience.

The Galaxy Spica retains all the features inherent in the successful Galaxy Spica (I5700), such as seamless connectivity and access to GoogleTM mobile services, multimedia functionality and speedy processor performance

“Lovers of the Galaxy Spica appreciated the ease with which they could access their contacts and personalise their experience – our upgraded handset offers all this and much more; a rich and rewarding and powerful mobile experience,” said JK Shin, President and Head of the Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics.

The upgrade will be available via PC Studio 7, Samsung’s unique in-house software upgrade program. PC Studio 7 was included in the package of Galaxy Spica or can be downloaded at the Samsung mobile website (http://www.samsungmobile.com).

Enhanced User Experienced
The Galaxy Spica becomes a highly intuitive communications device offering users the option to personalise no less than nine side-scrolling screens. Users can really let their imaginations run wild, creating different home screens according to different personal interests or requirements.

The handset now features augmented reality technology that displays real-time digital information of your surroundings over the view-finder of the Galaxy Spica’s 3 megapixel camera. The Galaxy Spica also features Samsung widgets, Visual bookmark and PC Sync support to enable users to synchronise their devices quickly.

Enhanced Multimedia and Messaging Functionality
The handset now comes with a number of enhanced multimedia features which transform the Galaxy Spica into a personal entertainment device. Media browser allows you to browse through your media collection with ease. The camera has been upgraded to offer enhanced picture options and viewing functionality.

Improved messaging functionality means that it is much easier to attach files to MMS and email that users can easily add contacts to messages direct from the phonebook. Improved contact management enables users to find a necessary contact very easily through the alphabetical index.

The upgrade will be available from March 2010 in Germany and gradually rolled out to other European markets, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and rest of the world.

Samsung I5700 Product Specifications
Network HSDPA 3.6Mbps (900/2100)
EDGE/GPRS (850/900/1800/1900)
OS Android (ver. Android 2.1)
Display 3.2″ HVGA(320×480) TFT
Camera 3MP Camera (Auto Focus)
Video / Audio Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV,DivX
Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA
Value Added
Features ** Google mobile services (Google SearchTM including search by voice, GmailTM, Contacts, Google TalkTM, Google MapsTM, YouTubeTM, Android MarketTM)
Full Web Browser, 3.5mm Ear jack, GPS
Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.1, USB 2.0, MicroUSB, WiFi
Memory Internal memory: 180MB
External memory: Micro SD (Up to 32GB)
Battery 1500 mAh
Size 115 x 57 x 13.2mm

* Android, Google, Android Market, Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk are trademarks of Google Inc.

** The launch of Google Mobile Service can differ by region.