T-Mobile unveils Cupcake update to G1 phone

G1 owners will automatically receive the Cupcake update

T-Mobile has made available an update to its Android-based G1 phone, adding new features such as a touch-screen keyboard and the ability to film video and upload it straight to YouTube.

T-Mobile said that the so-called Cupcake update has now gone live, and that G1 owners will receive the code as an automatic download delivered to their phone sometime during May. The company announced at the same time that sales of the G1 handset are now approaching 100,000 units since it went on sale in November 2008.

The update to the G1's Android platform includes an on-screen touch keyboard, giving users a choice of input methods. The touch-screen keyboard might be used for short bursts of text such as Twitter updates, while the device's slide-out Qwerty keyboard is better for heavy duty use such as emails, the firm said.

Also included in the update is the ability to use the 3.2-megapixel camera to shoot video clips and upload them straight to YouTube. Photos can similarly be uploaded straight to a user's personal Picasa web album.

Other improvements include a speedier acquisition of GPS location with the phone, and user interface refinements to applications such as the email client, web browser, calendar and contacts. Users will also now be able to see the Google Talk status of their contacts in various messaging applications.

Browsing has also been given a performance kick with an updated webkit and JavaScript engine, T-Mobile said.

The operator also confirmed that it intends to make available another Android handset on its network in 2009.

"We are looking forward to launching another ground-breaking phone on Android later this year," said Richard Warmsley, head of internet and entertainment at T-Mobile.