My Account v3.0 includes the following changes:

• Separated the app into two menu icons – My Account and Help
• Allow customers to setup paperless billing and make payments using previously stored payment methods

The real story here is that new versions of My Account are normally followed by updates for new versions of the Android firmware. Cupcake (Android 1.5) was released shortly after the first My Account app appeared and Donut (Android 1.6) was sent out after the app was updated to v2.0.

Most carriers are releasing their Android 2.1 upgrades around Q2 2010, but we do not have a specific date for the G1 and myTouch 3G.

T-Mobile CTO Cole Brodman recently said T-Mobile-branded devices like the G1 and the MyTouch 3G would receive updates together. Brodman also noted that certain devices like the Motorola CLIQ, which uses a custom Android UI called Motoblur, will take longer to receive updates because of “integration issues”.

Motorola already said the CLIQ Android 2.1 update was planned for Q2 2010, so based on Brodman’s statements it is not unbelievable to think the G1 and MT3G could see updates next month. Sprint recently pushed their Android 2.1 updates to early Q2 2010, which indicates the firmwares are nearing release.

Since the G1 and MT3G were the first Android devices to receive Android 1.6 updates, it is only fitting they could be some of the first to get Android 2.1. Both of Google’s Android developer phones are based on the same HTC models as T-Mobile’s phones, so they should be the high on the priority list for updates.

That is of course, if both phones are getting Android 2.1. It would be a huge mistake if the companies were waiting this long to drop the bad news, so I still think we are in for a surprise soon.

I just got an notification from Android Market informing me I had several apps that needed to be updated. I went to check which apps had a new version and found T-Mobile My Account had been updated to 2.0.3. According to the release notes, this new version was targeted specifically to support the new Android 1.6 (Donut).

Over the past couple of weeks we have seen Google deliver the Android 1.6 SDK then HTC released the Android 1.6 images for developer phones. Some sites are interpreting the update of My Account to mean that T-Mobile is ready to roll out Android 1.6. Tmonews even goes as far to say the Android 1.6 over the air update is coming at midnight.

Based on the history of the Android 1.5 rollout from T-Mobile, I think we still have several weeks to wait. It’s nice to see T-Mobile update their apps to work with the latest update, but many developers have not tested their apps and there are compatibility issues. Android Market Support typically sends an email out to developers before any rollouts occur and they have not done so for Android 1.6.

T-Mobile could surprise everyone and push the update out tonight, but I’m not holding my breath.

For those of you wondering about the article we wrote claiming the G1 might not get future updates, we have good news. As I explained in my G1 storage problem article, the Android 1.5 (Cupcake) update consumed 99.5% of the space available for the operating system. The system partition of the G1 is about 70 MB and Android 1.5 used around 69 MB.

I’ve had the chance to install and play with developers version of Android 1.6 and it only uses 60 MB. This means the Google engineers were able to shave off around 10 MB of code with new optimizations. The final T-Mobile version of Android 1.6 will be slightly larger when they add their MyFaves and IM apps, but it should have no problem fitting on the G1.

And now the wait begins.

T-Mobile prepares for Donut.

myFaves Calling Plans

Phonalyzr is a free Android application that generates graphs about your calling habits.  By analyzing your call log, Phonalyzr is able to display detailed information into your calling habits.  With the click of a button, you can easily see who your top 5 callers are for the current billing cycle or all time.  Some of the other graphs displayed are:

My Calling Habits Day to Day

• Top Callers by Minutes
• Top Callers by Calls
• Missed vs Regular Calls
• Outbound vs. Inbound Calls
• Number of Minutes per Time
• Number of Calls per Time
• Call Length Distribution
• Usage Summary

If you have recently downloaded the new T-Mobile Android application My Account, Phonalyzr makes the perfect companion.  By combining both applications, you can instantly get your account information and make informed decisions about updating your Fave 5.  No longer will you have to worry about wasting any of your minutes or accidently going over.  Basically overnight, I now see the increased value of myFaves.  Most users do burn the majority of their minutes on a circle of friends and Phonalyzer proves this visually.

I try to answer my phone.

Once you enter your billing cycle into Phonalyzr, you can identify trends from month to month.  This is extremely useful in managing your Fave 5 and keeping the top callers at the top of your list.  By activly monitoring your account and usage, you can then downgrade to a smaller pool of minutes and save money on your monthly bill.  T-Mobile recently offered a $49 unlimited minutes plan to loyal customers, but it has not become available for new users.

The T-Mobile G1 has many critics, but a strong argument can be made that it is the most powerful and the most affordable smartphone to use.  Allow us to compare the G1 with the current smartphone king: the iPhone from AT&T Wireless.  Which one will give you a cheaper monthly bill and still include all the features you want?  The results may surprise some of you.

HTC G1:  $97.99 from Amazon
Cheapest Minutes Plan:  $39.99 for myFaves 300
Unlimited Data + 400 Txt Plan:  $24.99
Unlimited Data Plan + Unlimited Txt:  $34.99

Apple iPhone 8GB:  $199 from AT&T Wireless
Cheapest Minutes Plan:  $39.99 for Rollover 450
Unlimited Data Plan:  $30.00
Unlimited Txt Plan:  $20.00
Cheapest Txt Plan:  $5.00 for 200

Your package will vary, but if you go with the basics, the G1 is cheaper.  The basic minutes plans are the same, but the G1 hardware is half the price.    T-Mobile has a cheaper data plan than AT&T, plus 400 txt messages are included.  Customers opting for unlimited data and txt will save $15 a month with T-Mobile.  If you are looking for the most affordable smartphone currently available, I highly recommend the G1.

[Video via YouTube]

Join the Android revolution.  Purchase your T-Mobile G1 from Amazon for only $97.99.

I wonder how many minutes...

T-Mobile has done all that and more with their first Android application “My Account”.  Inside the app you will find heavily requested features such as current activity, bill summary, plan information, online payment, help guides, forums, battery info, storage info, and more.  I’m having a hard time coming up with the words to explain how awesome this application is and it’s only the first release.  If you have the G1, this is a must download.

Who would ever think that T-Mobile would become involved as an Android developer?  They continue to surprise me every couple of months.  I’ve been a T-Mobile customer for years, but I have never been happier to hand them my money.  The G1 is the most useful phone I have ever owned and is the only reason I extended my contract.

With all the useful features and information, I expect this application to become standard on all future T-Mobile Android phones.  I also think this signals T-Mobile’s long term dedication to the Android platform.  While other carriers delay their plans and twiddle their thumbs, T-Mobile continues to innovate in the mobile space.  I’m excited to see what other applications they release to the Android Market.

My Plan and Services Information

While most of the apps on my phone would get labeled as nerd junk, I see My Account appealing to all T-Mobile G1 customers.  Everyone can benefit by seeing their information in real time and I think it’s a new selling point over other phones.  Even if you don’t plan to utilize all the power of Android, the ability to save money from overages is yet another reason to convert.

If you have been following the Android buzz but were waiting for an excuse to jump in, this is it.  With the new low $97 price point on Amazon, you could be holding your new phone tomorrow.  Units were initially on back order, but Amazon has received another big shipment.  Place your order before they are snatched up again.

If you have downloaded and played with My Account, please share your thoughts with us.  What other features would you like to see added?