HTC Magic / Android

[edesignuk]

After dithering for a long long time on an iPhone, then being tempted but not won over by the T-Mobile G1, Vodafone just launched the HTC Magic Android powered handset in the UK last Friday.

Still unsure if I wanted the iPhone and it's "killer" App Store and iPod abilities, I finally settled on going the Android route.

I went Android because all I've ever really hoped for from an Internet enabled mobile device is pain free sync with my email, contacts and calendar, plus a good browsing experience. With my email, contacts and calendar already Google services, Android seemed the best way to go, and I'm glad I did.

Switch it on, log in with my Google ID, and that's it. All set up. My email, contacts and calendar ready to go. Brilliantly simple.

The Android Marketplace is surprisingly full of little gems. Still not a spot on the App Store granted, but I think it'll get there in the end. Right now I have found apps for everything I'd want anyway.

I love how all apps are kept in a tray that you drag out from the bottom of the screen. You can then have shortcuts to these apps on your "desktop". The really neat thing is that you can also have widgets on your Android desktop. Battery meter, calendar, weather. It's excellent.

The notification bar is also great. All your app alerts in one place. Simple and effective.

You can upload video and pictures directly to YouTube/Picasa too.

Overall very impressed.

If you have all your online services with Google rather than Mobile Me, make sure you give Android a fair chance.

 

[spikedfo]

I like google, I think I will try android.

 

[thomahawk]

if only the iphone OS had that sort of feature to integrate with google more i'd be a little more drawn to the iphone. but with not physical qwerty im not going near that thing

other than that, i have been very intrigued by the android OS and i would love to pick up a G1 or a magic if possible to get them in the United States. i love google and i love using gmail, and blogger often.

 

[SkillsToShow]

Whichever one comes 1st to Verizon, I will probably get.

 

[MadMacxxx]

Whichever one comes 1st to Verizon, I will probably get.

same goes for my gf....currently the best(?) Verizon has to offer is the BB strom and it sucks.

 

[podsonic]

I have recently gotthe iphone so I am tied in with O2 for a while now, but when the contract is up, I will consider an android phone or maybe even a WM7 phone (should be out by then). HTC are producing some nice devices at the moment, my mate has the new touch diamond 2 - really nice even with WM!

 

[edesignuk]

but with not physical qwerty im not going near that thing

The touch keyboard is incredibly good. Auto correct works very well, it seems to know which key you meant to hit most of the time, and it also does tactile feedback (vibration). The tactile feedback can be switched on or off at your preference.

 

[ruinfx]

yea i cant wait for cupcake, im jealous.

 

[kas23]

3...2...1..until the crapstorm of people saying ZOMG Android suxxx, should'ov got an iPhone!!

Seriously, Android is an excellent platform. I understand what you say about pain-free syncing. And the Marketplace is very underrated and has many quality apps. Android just needs to be offered on more devices, what are they waiting for?

 

[Nermal]

Interesting. I haven't really been paying too much attention since it's on Vodafone but I guess it's worth seeing what it can do. Does anyone know whether there's a WCDMA850 version planned/available?

 

[ruinfx]

Interesting. I haven't really been paying too much attention since it's on Vodafone but I guess it's worth seeing what it can do. Does anyone know whether there's a WCDMA850 version planned/available?

rogers will be getting the dream/magic soon (which hopefully will have HSPDA 850/1900) so you could buy an unlocked one from ebay if you want.

 

[sparkyms]

The thing that peevs me is when I go into a Voda store to go and have a look at the Magic in action, they don't have any working models. I want to see and try a phone to see if I like it. I want to know whether I want to switch from iPhone OS to Android when my 3Gs contract is up but I will not just go out on a whim and sign a contract.

 

[edesignuk]

^ Have you asked a member of staff? All the phones out on display are dummies. I just asked in a Voda store if they have a real one I can look at, and they gave one straight to me to have a play with.

 

[Nermal]

rogers will be getting the dream/magic soon (which hopefully will have HSPDA 850/1900) so you could buy an unlocked one from ebay if you want.

I've done a bit of research and it looks like my carrier could be getting a Samsung Android phone (I7500?). I feel like I'm derailing the thread a bit now... but it's still Android!

 

[iBlue]

I noticed that even though the touch keyboard thingy on the HTC Magic is nearly identical to the iPhone's, HTC's is somehow easier and more intuitive.

It allows you to customize preferences so much. It's a really clever piece of kit.

 

[edesignuk]

I've done a bit of research and it looks like my carrier could be getting a Samsung Android phone (I7500?). I feel like I'm derailing the thread a bit now... but it's still Android!

That handset looks very nice actually. First of many hopefully

 

[Nermal]

That handset looks very nice actually. First of many hopefully

I just shudder to think how much it's going to end up costing over here. The carriers here don't compete too much because we have three big networks that are all incompatible with each other (almost; you can use an XT Network phone on Vodafone and get 2G, but not vice versa), so there's no threat of people swapping SIM cards.

I can't actually find a price for the Magic on Voda's UK site.

 

[Klian]

edesignuk, have you connected your mac and the htc magic via bluetooth ? I can see the mac from the htc and viceversa, but I cannot connect them

 

[patrickdunn]

I'd love to give Anderiod a shot, but I am not going to leave AT&T. I wonder when they will get one.

 

[FearNo1]

IMHO the biggest problem android seems to be is that tmobile seems to have exclusive rights to their phones. I wanted to consider getting the magic but I think only tmobile will have it.

Seriously, Android is an excellent platform. I understand what you say about pain-free syncing. And the Marketplace is very underrated and has many quality apps. Android just needs to be offered on more devices, what are they waiting for?

 

[sparkyms]

^ Have you asked a member of staff? All the phones out on display are dummies. I just asked in a Voda store if they have a real one I can look at, and they gave one straight to me to have a play with.

Ah sweet, cheers for the tip, might just do that, although I have no intention of buying I really reaaaallly just want to have a play.

 

[dorqiekat]

The Magic only has one USB port. This would mean that you can't charge your phone and use a hands free set at the same time.

I almost always charge my phone while driving since I'm usually talking while driving. And no, I don't have bluetooth yet. Bluetooth for me is pretty much useless since I would only use it while I'm driving, and when driving you're not far from your phone enough to have the wire bother you. Though I understand it's all relative...

 

[ruinfx]

I just shudder to think how much it's going to end up costing over here. The carriers here don't compete too much because we have three big networks that are all incompatible with each other (almost; you can use an XT Network phone on Vodafone and get 2G, but not vice versa), so there's no threat of people swapping SIM cards.

I can't actually find a price for the Magic on Voda's UK site.

yea, the magic is free with a monthly contract of 30+ pounds. it doesnt look like there is an option on the site to buy it straight up.

 

[Ninja Dom]

Although I've been an iPhone user since Oct 2007, I work for Vodafone in the UK and the HTC Magic is a VERY GOOD PHONE!!

As far as I'm aware though, it has the exact same specs as the T-Mobile G1 without keyboard. I don't have one yet but have had a very long go on the phone.

 

[ruinfx]

Although I've been an iPhone user since Oct 2007, I work for Vodafone in the UK and the HTC Magic is a VERY GOOD PHONE!!

As far as I'm aware though, it has the exact same specs as the T-Mobile G1 without keyboard. I don't have one yet but have had a very long go on the phone.

the magic has a larger ROM