HTC Magic in-depth hands-on, with video!
By Paul Miller 
posted Feb 17th 2009 12:54PM
posted Feb 17th 2009 12:54PM
Hardware
The new curvy design language doesn't feel like a strict departure from the G1, despite the many differences, instead the phone seems like a continuation of the "friendly" design nature of HTC's Android phones. We like it plenty, with a shiny look that doesn't make the phone look or feel too "plastic."
The rollerball is hardly a departure from the G1, and in fact, none of the internals are different either. HTC has tweaked the camera slightly, so it should be more responsive -- along with the video recording functionality courtesy of Cupcake. That also means that the pesky ExtUSB jack has popped up again, since this phone has been in the pipeline since before HTC discovered that 3.5mm jacks are a Pretty Good Idea -- though we get the impression they've learned their lesson, and won't be bothering us with these adapters for too much longer.
Software
Cupcake is a good update, but might need some improvement, since we managed to crash the software keyboard without too much trouble. The keyboard's methods of notification for key-presses includes sound, vibration and these odd "fireworks" letters that pop up in seemingly random locations instead of directly above the keypress. The portrait keyboard is certainly cramped, but the inclusion of proximity correction and the word guessing games and auto-correction Android includes should ease the pain.
Cupcake also brings built-in video recording and playback. We tested it and it works fine, but playback of recorded video is not exactly awe-inspiring in the frame rate or quality department -- perhaps there was a reason Google didn't put video recording into the first generation. Still, it's video, and it works.
We weren't able to check out Cupcake's new Gmail app on the phone, since the phone hadn't been set up for a Google account, but we hear good things, including checkboxes in the list view for mass archive and delete functions.
Wrap-up
Regarding the letters popping up elsewhere, a video on Gizmodo, the HTC rep explains that the phone does that so your finger doesn't cover up if you hit the key or not.
Did he explain why they made an already thick phone even bulkier with that dumb jutting ramp at the bottom?
for Information Central: one of the gizmodo editors asked why it had a chin and the guy told him that it was to keep the ball in place or something like that.
The chin is supposedly there so that they don't need to depress the trackball as much. The chin acts to product the trackball if the phone is placed face down.
**Protect (not product). Dammit I need sleep.
It's to allow the trackball stick out more than usual while still receiving adequate protection from the chin when the phone is faced down.
Any word on what size battery is in this thing?
My experience with the latest builds of Android is that it's still far from being optimized for power. There's no way I can rely on it during 'travel' days without some sort of extra juice, even with mild use.
MAN DO I LOVE CUPCAKE(S)!
You guys sure know a lot about balls on chin.
That's OK, just try to compare it to the iPhone. Does it have this feature the same as the iPhone? Does it have that feature the same as the iPhone? Why bother to ask? Just get an iPhone and get all the features (except for the video recording until iPhone HD 3.0). Regardless, that is a nice looking handset. It seems snappy and a nice size to carry if you just want a basic touch cellphone. HTC should sell plenty of them.
Am I the only one bored sh*tless by this phone? It's a decent phone, but I thought Android was supposed to be innovative and bring a lot of crazy cool hardware and software.
You're not alone. It's as if HTC is actively working on killing the Android hype with its awful designs.... or lack of design.
Not bored sh*tless but I agree, so far Android's been somewhat underwhelming.
You're not the only one. I agree, mediocre hardware at best, software that has loads of potential but has been tied down (god knows why) and things like snail paced action are all just turning me away from this. Come on is it tough to cram android on to a touch HD, put all the possible frequencies on earth on it ( like the touch pro) and out it ? It does not take a scientist to know that this means profit. There is something much bigger preventing this from happening. Guesses anyone ?
I'm not bored. I'm just puzzled on why HTC/Google are tying these phones down to specific carriers. I thought Android was supposed to be "open". It would be nice if they sold these phones unlocked, and capable of running on any 3G network.
I can't really blame HTC for this.
Android NEEDS to become sexier if it wants to be competitive.
The foundation is there. Now they need to pull a windows mobile 6.5 and dazzle us with some glossy buttons and smooth animations.
Right now it is ugly, touchwiz by Samsung or the lg s-class ui are prettier.
Make it sexy and the hardware makers will see a reason to create devices for it.
"Not bored sh*tless but I agree, so far Android's been somewhat underwhelming."
Not Android... Phones running Android. Cell makers (and providers) really don't want to sell it because they feel like they lose control. Demand will be the only thing driving uptake and if they can kill demand with lackluster phones... they can go back to business as usual.
@Andir3.0
But I can't see why they wouldn't want it to sell. They do lose a certain degree of control, but Android's skinnable - i.e. Sprint could pick it up, turn everything yellow, preload Sprint TV and music services on the handset. The only thing I can think of is that people are worried about Google getting even more power in a new space.
Not really bored, but not as excited as I thought I'd be.
Phone companies wouldn't be able to charge for services like GPS Nav, image hosting, phone backup... etc. You'd have more competition because any low end phone company could create an Android phone that does exactly what the big boys do. It becomes a battle for hardware at that point. Providers wouldn't have you locked in for 2 year contracts. (Well, maybe some people would...but it gives customers the ability to take their phone elsewhere if the company is doing them wrong.)
@Andir3.0
Fair points, but WinMo and Symbian also have thousands of apps that can offer free alternatives to GPS and those types of services, and the cost of the OS isn't really what holds back the low end phone companies. I mean, WinMo costs $20, which is a lot less than the R&D and licensing for the GPS chips, Wi-Fi, etc. Symbian's going open source as well, which does undercut Google's open advantages.
I don't think Android has anything to do with the service lock-in, particularly in the United States. Due to spectrum allocation, you're pretty much locked in with a single carrier if you want the whole data and voice thing. Besides, you don't see a ton of G1 users unlocking to go to AT&T.
Two years ago, I would have been pretty damn excited by this phone.
We all know why now, not so much.
I know what you mean... I got incredibly excited about android when it was first announced, decided it was going to be on my next phone... but now i'm almost certainly going to get a Pre instead
As a coder, I'm not excited about the Pre or 6.5. Currently have a G1, hoping for the best. If not I'll hack it and run Linux on it.
Releasing a phone in the US that isn't locked to a carrier is almost unheard of.
Unlocking a G1 from T-Mobile and using it on any other carrier shouldn't be an issue. I'd put money on ability to run it on other simcarded carriers like ATT, possibly even overseas. It's the CDMA/GSM issue that typically keeps Sprint phones from working on ATT, etc. Not that each carrier owns its own exclusive spectrum.
seriously, with all the people bashing WinMo saying that andriod is a killer, right now.. just about every HTC phone running WinMo has looked better, both hardware and software wise, than the G1 or the Magic.
I want a keyboard dammit!
Buy a G1.
Although this is probably a good phone for those that like touch screen only devices, I agree with you. What makes the G1 so cool is that it packs the 3 punch for input: cap touch screen for casual use, trackball for precision, and full hardware QWERTY for less mistakes when typing.
The other Android phone HTC is working on appears to have gotten rid of at least the trackball, which makes me sad.
I really like this version. Its what I have been looking...need some change from the iPhone scene.
Nice job HTC....However, with that being said, the Touch Pro 2+Android love would be some juicy goodness...
N41
Hell yeah man, I was hoping the Touch Pro 2 would have android, but the phone will still be a lot better looking than most out there. But I totally disagree that any other HTC phone running WinMo looks better than the G1 or Magic. Your out of your head. The G1 is sleek unlike most other WinMo HTC phones, but don't get me wrong I would still use WinMo and like the phones that run it but they feel older now.
Again, it's clear that HTC has zero designers on its Android phones.
The phone is TOO FREAKIN' THICK for a phone without a keyboard, and such MODEST specs. The comparison with the G1 says it all.
And, due to the lack of designers, the phone has too much dead space, and looks like a bar of soap. Awful job, HTC. I am NOT looking forward to your coming Gphones.
Gizmodo has a video comparing the thickness to an iPhone 3G and they are damn near identical. The Magic is maybe a sixteenth of an inch thicker, but its front face is narrower so they are just about the same overall volume. I was shocked when I saw them side-by-side how close their thicknesses were.
I want cupcake on my G1 here in the states.
Still no 3.5mm headphone jack. What are they thinking?
Cripes, no kiddin.
On the other hand, once Cupcake w/ A2DP hits, I won't care since I have a BT headset.
Neither do the new Touch phones have em.
No 3.5mm socket = no thanks.
The audio quality with A2DP is extremely poor. :(
They're not thinking. They're not even designing. "It's a FREE OS with a lot of hype", Peter Chou is thinking. Slap it on the cheapest hardware even if it ends up looking like a bar of soap. Make copies and cash in millions.
On the other hand, with an expensive OS like WinMo, HTC dedicates its entire might to make the hardware appeal and the UI rock.
I am a google fan myself and expected great things from Android over the past year, but bitter truth to be told. Android is boring now.
Developers are split between RIM,WM,and the iPhone, where established handsets exist, and there is money to be made.
Android is too new, and too directionless to be more than a hobby platform. But it's open source, so it's up to its fans to help it break out.
That is true, but i think Android is competing against the all hyped iphone, a really well established (but unpolished ) Winmo and the corporate favorite b'berry. I think its upto google to take up the initiative to take it to levels that were expected and then leave it to the dev community to decide who to code for. Google just brought up the product and said "devs do ur job". Android needs HD playback, excellent media capabilities, 5 and 8 mp cameras. What HTC and google have now brought to the table is tiny considering what nokia, samsung and LG have. Doesn't google have a fair say in the hardware too ?
as everyone has been saying its such a shame that this has poor specs, i want to see android running on something like the omniaHD or the idou, then i'd be all over it, the OS appears to have such potential its just such a dissapointment seeing it on this hardware, i mean does this even have an accelerometer?
The predictive text feature is absolutely identical to the Apple iPhone patent drawing. Same keyboard below, text entry field above, with bar in the middle suggesting words from left to right. Exactly the same.
Apple didn't actually end up using it (so far) but they totally have a patent on it. Just sayin.
I'm praying that the next one will have a proper headphone jack. Even Sony Ericsson have learnt their lesson now. :)
there is a headphone jack adapter that comes with the g1 for those that use skullcandy lol.
Meh...I'll stick w/ my G1 happily. When ever they bring this to the states, they need to call it the G1/2 since it's the exact same thing sans a keyboard.
complete fail.... Android is going to be nonexistent in a year
If devices keep maintaining the same level of ugliness, then ABSOLUTELY.
WebOS, WM7 hell even S60 (which will become open) could easily kill it off.
So is this the rumored g2?
FOR THE LAST TIME, NO!
No & thank god. If that were true it would be extremely underwhelming & disappointing.
I'm not sure why you'd be so quick to say no.
Right now, this phone is not scheduled for a US launch. If and when it is, I think it's pretty likely that it'll be on T-Mobile and it'll be called the "T-Mobile G2". That's unconfirmed conjecture, of course, but I would be shocked if it didn't happen.
I like this phone, clean lines, capable software. With the right price it could be very successful. I understand the complaints about the specs but the average buyer really won't care. In any event, the hardware in this phone is more capable than many of the most popular phones out there (popular as in actually purchased, not as in envied & desired at a distance by the gadgetaku).
Of course with the name "HTC Magic" we can almost be assured at least one "they-just-HAD-to-do-it-didn't-they" commercial with a Robin Thicke-powered soundtrack, especially a North American version is released.
MWC 2009 has failed to have an ounce of win as far as I can see. Nothing new. Steve Ballmer knew his press-conference was boring. Phones are jumping out at me. The people want answers!
Personnaly i think the android homescreen deeply sucks. This blue sky and this ugly watch aren't really exciting!!even if it should be. for those of you who knows, is it possible for HTC to put something like TouchFLO 3D above android?
It's possible for YOU to put something like TouchFlo on Android if you know Java. The Home Screen is user-replaceable, and custom home screens can be distributed for free on the Android Market.
I don't get why the phone has to be so thick when it doesn't have a hardware QWERTY. Though they say it's still pocketable, what's all the bulk for?
I'm fine with my G1 for now. I'm not willing to ditch my hard keyboard unless the phone's a huge leap forward.
Get me something of Touch HD quality, then I'll sacrifice that tactile feedback.
this device looks good, but i hope that they will make it with the bigger buttons like on the HTC website http://www.htc.com/www/product/magic/overview.html
all rounded rather than the line like ones
The one on the website is the intended final design. The version at the show is a slightly older prototype, HTC reps have already stated that the render you linked to is intended to be the final button configuration.
No one thought to pull up the firmware version page? Argh!
Okay so the video recorder is really nice, other than that just a bunch of stuff I've had (and possibly had better) on my iPhone for 1 1/2 years
Wow, you've been running Android apps on your iPhone for 18 months...
Bored with Android?
It's called "The Pre Effect"
All other phones seem witless.
Call me when the Pre gets a real SDK. As it stands, the Pre can run exactly one program (the web browser) and no matter how fancy that web browser gets, it will never be as capable as rich clients on other platforms. I don't care how many Pre-specific APIs that browser exposes, a web app is simply incapable of being as advanced as a similar rich client can be. The ceiling is much lower.
Palm talks up their HTML and Javascript platform as some huge advancement forward, but in reality it was just a shortcut for them. Writing an OS that only has to run one program must have vastly simplified their jobs. Look at the iPhone and the G1, they can already do multitasking in a nearly identical fashion as long as you never leave the browser, which is really all that the Pre is doing.
webOS is not a web browser, despite being based on one, and the only thing "rich" about iPhone and Android is their execution of 3D. Your lack of technical knowledge is glaring, every 2D app on Android and iPhone can perfectly recreated with webOS's currently released specs.
I apologize for responding to you, your other posts prove that you are clearly a nut.
i am also waiting for the pre
meanwhile, Brazil doesn't even have the HTC Dream (the G1 for you T-People). but will we have the Magic???
because we do have the iPhone, many WM phones and many GSM BlackBerries.
I'm just as happy with my Samsung BlackJack II running WM6.1 (which I upgraded myself). Can (this) Android (phone) sync with Outlook's contacts, calendar and Windows music files? My phone does it through ActiveSync - it's a breeze to sync up everything at one time.
It can sync music libraries through Windows Media Player, but you have to puchase third party software to sync with Outlook. Out of the box it will only sync with Google's services for Email, Contacts, and Calendars.
Not entirely true - out of the box it does support POP3 and IMAP. It's just exchange it doesn't work with.
Contacts only sync with gmail, but I don't imagine it would be hard to interface with the contact list.
Fortunately my corporate email is Gmail based.
How hard is it to make the phone flatter if it doesn’t even have a QWERTY? Flatten it out make it wider and get rid of most of the dead space. We need lots of screen to have fun with. HTC come on think about things before you make them. Give us at least a 5 mega camera with flash and if you’re not going to improve the onboard memory then at least Google needs to give us the ability to run and save apps on the sd card. Who gives a damn about 3.5mm head phone jacks give us loud external stereo speakers so our music can be heard by everyone. Android needs to be sexy sleek, it needs to have an appearance so once you see it you know it’s a Gphone not just another brick. Android has lots of potential and it’s just minor thing that need to be fixed if it’s ever going to kick the iphone's ass.
I thought it would be a lot cheaper looking because of the spy shots leaked earlier, but it actually looks really good.
Nice work HTC.
Yeah, i guess it's kewl. Am I the only one who want's it in black tough?
Hmm, this phone looks like my 5-year old HTC Magician (Qtek s100). Even the color is almost the same.
you kno, i played with the G1 more today, alot more then I did in the past and Im really really liking it even more then before. But Im really anxious for this G2 that supposedly was this, but if it isnt gonna have a QWERTY on it then forget it. My contract is up in july with T-Mobile, what the hell am i gonna do, NOKIA or G1 or get a NOKIA and wait for the G2. you figure thou the G1 will have all the software updates that the G2 will have, its just a matter of its gonna have a physical keyboard for me, thats my biggest thing. i got tons of research to do
i guess he found his red stapler...
Im a die hard iPhone fan and this is the first android phone I would consider.
Anyone knows release date?
these videos suck!... let's see the side vertically.. now lets see it from the same side only horizontally... then lets here about what you think THINK "proximity correction" is for about 5 minutes... oh and spend another couple minutes telling us how it adds apostrophes, just like my treo 650 does... amazing!
same crappy processor, same RAM, same ridiculous extUSB headphone jack....minus the keyboard but only a few mm thinner..........ummmmm, yeah, right......the G1 was an outdated POS by the time it was released.....so I guess that makes this phone a downgraded version of an older outdated POS.....great job HTC!!! If you're trying to kill the android platform, or just your own market share of android phones, you're doing a smashing job! Maybe the next android phone can have an antenna, faux wood siding and a stylus in place of the trackball!!!! Put android on a good platform like the Touch Pro 2 and you've got a winner!
Guys, just get iPhone. My original iPhone was amazing and the iPhone 3G is even better. I have a feeling the next iPhone will change everything again. It's just so easy to use, it's sleek and feels great in the hand. The iPhone is seamless integration of hardware and software. That's why it's number 1 and nothing compares to it. I know other phones have more features, stronger processors, more megapixals etc. The iPhone does have it's limitations but what it does, it does well.
I'm not an Apple fan boy as the iPhone is the only apple product I've bought. I've been using Windows 3.1 and right now I'm happy with Windows 7 and Firefox 3. Right now I have no incentive or reason to buy an Android device. The interface is not smooth and responsive like the iPhone 3G. $30 a month for the iPhone data plan from AT&T is expensive and I hope they drop it to $15 a month. But, I see value in having access to the internet anywhere I go. Google maps with GPS on iPhone is really slick. There is nothing like having your girlfriend navigate using your iPhone on road trips.
47 pics of HTC Magic !
http://www.cnetfrance.fr/news/mobilite/prise-en-main-et-visite-guidee-du-htc-magic-le-google-phone-de-sfr-39387755.htm
Really cool! For dutch information go to http://www.htc-gsm.nl/htc-magic
umm... ill wait until android os matures. symbian is a awesome right now especially Nokia E90. ^^