We've gotten the lowdown on that HTC
Magic seen sporting Exchange support over in
CNET Asia's capable hands, and as many readers opined, it's indeed a custom solution rolled by HTC without any Google involvement. Of course, HTC is no stranger to customizing OS builds loaded onto its devices; it already does this with every single Windows Mobile phone it sells, so we shouldn't be surprised to see some tweaks on its Android wares, either. Here's where it gets juicy, though: it turns out that Google forbids user of the "with Google" branding (as seen on the back of the
G1, for example) when the build is customized, so the particular Magic that was being tested here lacked the Google name. Not all Magics are sold this way -- it's a carrier decision. Vodafone's version
is Google-branded, for example, but in order to score the Google name they've got to comply to Google's standards for the software load.
Some unlocked Magics (like
CNET Asia's) are being sold in this sans-Google configuration, but if you like your Google apps, don't sweat it -- these devices still have GMail, Maps, and the like installed -- it's strictly a marketing and branding issue we're talking about here. In addition to Exchange support, the HTC-customized Magics include a reworked Smart Dialer with better contacts integration, a "much more responsive and full featured" camera app, and additional home screen widgets not found on the Google-ified Magics. We know which version we'd choose.
posted May 15th 2009 6:26PM
So where can I get in line for this and will it work on my T-Mobile account? I also wonder about the exchange support, will be like the not completely supported solutions out there now or is it true push email? Either way, I'm needing to save some pennies.
Give it a few weeks and you'll probably be able to install this build onto any HTC Android device. Because it's an HTC firmware, the folks over at XDA developers are guaranteed to jump on it and port it to all their other Android phones.
I had this build installed on my developer G1 about a month ago.
Why would you line up to reward the stupidity of this phone's design?
Until HTC wises up and puts a headphone jack on its phones, you shouldn't be voting for them with your money.
Hello guys, this is not really the place to ask but OCN is down..
Anyways, what is a good phone for internet viewing like youtube with Wifi but no need for a Data plan. If someone can point me in the right direction it would be nice. And yes, it has to be less than $50 with 2 year plan.
Good luck with that dream.
A t-mobile Dash maybe? $99 dollars official, but you might find one at an authorized retailer for less.
is anybody going to really care if it doesn't say "with google"? that is more for google's benefit than for the phone mfr. I don't think google will even care, their main goal is to get google search on mobile devices, and prevent the dominance of winmo.
The absence of the phrase "with Google" is probably to avoid future lawsuits. As long as it can do Gmail, Gmap, and Exchange well, I am sold. I have been wanting an android phone since the G1, I did not get one because I just don't like how it types. Your two hands are not even while using the pull out keypad.
BTW, does anyone know if this thing has pull-out QWERTY? I goolged it and it does not seem like the case.
I am sick of using the iPhone's touch screen to reply to emails, txt, and the like.
It doesn't have a QWERTY. It is essentially a nicer looking G1 without the qwerty and with Cupcake. Although I guess the G1 has (or is getting very soon) Cupcake.
Have you tried typing on a G1 for any length of time? If you have I apologize, I'm sure it's a matter of opinion, but I've found that it feels fantastic in my hand while typing, far more so than traditional slide-out keyboards. The right-hand side rests against your right palm and carries the majority of the weight so it feels really solid in your hands. It definitely doesn't get in the way or make it feel uneven while typing.
No... it doesn't... but the G1 or HTC Dream does have one...
Why is Icello's post above mine despite being posted later?
Because Engadget's commenting system is horrible. Or he divided by zero, your choice.
So...does the non-google phones with google apps still require a bloody google login to work?
WTB phone free from ad corporations, pst.
yeah get a Satellite Phone.
OpenSource ma ballz.... time to root my G1 to get all the HTC goodies...
Well i hate to say it again. But people refuse to understand.
If a device runs an OpenSource operationg system or not have nothing to do with how open the system is.
That the source is open only means that the source code that make up the OS is aviable under an open licence, as defined by the OSI. Not that any device running it have to be "open" for all forms of modification.
I had my G1 flashed with HTC's firmware for a bit. I liked the contacts/dialer app MUCH better, and the Exchange support was awesome!
It also didn't require me to sign-in to a google account. Magic has no slide-out keyboard.
As long as you are pretty technical and have some sort of familiarity with linux then I would highly suggest rooting your G1 :)
This is looking more attractive every day. Do you have a link to the most comprehensive and easy to understand/follow rooting guide?
Real Exchange support is the main reason I have avoided even considering an Android-based phone. That and I am a little tired of Google in general.
Why would google exclude Exchange? It's not like corporate email managers are going to suddenly switch to gmail because of the google phone. What a joke, google has their head up their ass.
They would exclude it because Microsoft has to grant a license to the Exchange ActiveSync standard.
As an owner of a G1, I say: lame.
But then again, I don't use Exchange, so what do i care?
This might be a stupid question, but I'm a pretty technical person and I honestly don't know what everybody is using Exchange for. It seems like the demand for exchange among commenters here is really high, but the only Exchange servers I have ever encountered are the ones run by companies I've worked for, and those have always been locked down to only work with company-supplied phones.
So, if you're an Exchange fan, what are you using it for?
Maybe they're all geeks running their own exchange servers?
I'm a geek running my own exchange server so I can have push gmail with my iPhone, and it is worth it
I've been using a personal exchange account for about 5 years now. It basically ensures that any device I have will always have an up to date push/synced copy of all my contacts, calendar and email.
Very simple.
Get a new phone, put my exchange info in, 3 mins later my phone is as up to date as my last phone. No need to hook it up to some computer or manually add anything.
Ease of use is everything.
Likewise, I run my own Exchange server. Back in the day I didn't like the 10 MB limits, and now it's just nice to know that I have my email wherever I go and don't have to put up with advertisements to have it. I also feel a bit better having control of who can read my email.
HTC's new slogan --- 'Your phone....with less (Microsoft / Google) suck'
I have a G1 running the Haykuro version of the HTC build of Android. I must say I love it. if anyone has a rooted G1, give this build a test run. its not free of quirks. But its damn fine and stable.
Damn right, huge improvement, makes the G1 a lot more of the phone I wanted it to be when I got it!
the dialer on theese phones are horrible! at least in my opinion. The on on the G1 is much better
Hmm I wonder if the Rogers versions will be Google branded...can't wait to play around with one in (hopefully) a couple weeks!