HTC's Android-based Magic official

View this article at: http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/02/17/htc.magic.official/

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2009 7:30am

HTC's Android-based Magic official

HTC today after a brief run-up introduced the Magic, the second-ever Android device and the first to rely on an iPhone-like virtual keyboard thanks to Google's impending Cupcake update to the software. The upgrade slims the device down without shrinking the 3.2-inch touchscreen or sacrificing the remaining hardware controls, which still include a trackball for using the phone one-handed. Cupcake should also bring video capture and stereo Bluetooth support, though whether these reach the final device is unknown.

The Magic represents a minor hardware upgrade versus the G1 with a slightly improved 3.2-megapixel camera and 7.2Mbps HSDPA-based 3G data access.

HTC is also breaking away from T-Mobile for the launch in Europe and will sell the phone solely through Vodafone in Germany, Spain and the UK; SFR handles the phone in France, while Vodafone Italy has a non-exclusive. The Magic lacks support for North American 3G but does include 850MHz GSM and EDGE, suggesting the phone may still be brought to the US under T-Mobile.