Google Ion hands-on and unboxing

Looks like Chris' hatred wasn't totally unfounded. We just got our hands on a Google Ion -- which as you can tell is a spitting image of the HTC Magic -- complete with 30 days' worth of T-Mobile service on an included SIM card. It's not a public release model, but seems fully capable. Yes, it's got Cupcake, and while the portrait keyboard seems more cramped than the iPhone's, we found it very comfortable to type in landscape mode. Form factor wise, this thing is as sexy as hardware gets -- light, sleek, and thin. The only thing that exceeds our love for it right now is its own love for fingerprints -- seriously, the entire body and screen attract them like flies to honey. Colorful similes aside, hit up the gallery below for all the pics you could ask for.

Gallery: Google Ion unboxing and hands-on

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[Templarian @ May 27th 2009 4:46PM]

"Careful when unboxing"

[grull27 @ May 27th 2009 4:54PM]

Zing!

[darkmind @ May 27th 2009 5:07PM]

very cutting edge technology

[3rdsun @ May 27th 2009 5:21PM]

looks like Ross got cut on its edge

[David @ May 27th 2009 7:09PM]

This looks like toy

[fistpittingnork @ May 27th 2009 4:47PM]

To answer my own question from the previous Ion post, the trackball IS that ginormous.

[iKurt 5D @ May 27th 2009 5:00PM]

That's what she said.

[Pete @ May 27th 2009 4:48PM]

Get some paper cuts ripping that handset from the box?

[fistpittingnork @ May 27th 2009 4:48PM]

No duct tape band-aids?

...And you call yourself a nerd...

[msalivar @ May 27th 2009 7:42PM]

Wouldn't nerd bandages be made of electrical tape?

Or some cutting edge prerelease bandage from a new startup with cutting edge adhesives, micro fiber gauze, and a top secret polymer that lets your skin breathe, but doesn't let moisture in.

[Najakwa @ May 27th 2009 4:48PM]

what happened when you opened that thing? did google rough you up?

[Luke @ May 27th 2009 4:58PM]

google packed the case with razer blades stuffing peanuts

[Robert Harrold @ May 27th 2009 4:54PM]

it wasn't the box it was the phone's chin that all the android phones seem to require.

[Qubix @ May 27th 2009 5:04PM]

Android is being secretly funded by Jay Leno and he has requested that all the phones have his trademark chin.

[Robert Harrold @ May 27th 2009 5:20PM]

lol I never saw the connection but now that I do it seems so obvious!

[ashton dubey @ May 27th 2009 4:55PM]

Does anyone else thing this looks like an LG Decoy with a large touch screen?

It still looks hot, though. But I kinda prefer the white over it.

[m3tric @ May 27th 2009 6:56PM]

Agreed. White is sexy as hell. Some high-res shots of the Magic:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v709/monez/HTC%20Magic/?albumview=grid

[Setnev @ May 27th 2009 9:09PM]

This phone is soo sexy. I just jizzed in my pants.

[konshuss @ May 28th 2009 12:45AM]

looks great in its simplicity with familiar htc curves, but those buttons look kinda cheap.

[Andrew @ May 27th 2009 4:56PM]

Hrm - nifty! If Tmobile's 3G service existed where I live and work, I might have a real doozy choosing between an iPhone / Pre / Magic. Thankfully for my indecisiveness, Tmobile's slowness (in my neck of the woods), and ATT's pricing (about $50/mo more than Sprint's for two lines with comparable minutes/features) make the Pre an easy choice for me.

[TareX @ May 27th 2009 4:56PM]

Yeah, I don't think I consider it to be "as sexy as hardware gets".

[bandigolo @ May 27th 2009 6:10PM]

Do you think they are referring to the aesthetics or the specs/innards? I prefer the Diamond2 to this (on the outside), but I'd love me some Android.

[spencereholtaway @ May 28th 2009 2:37AM]

Totally. This thing looks pretty standard issue. Next.

(that was all about the 'form factor', not the UI, never used the UI before.. it's just fugly as every other HTC device)

[Clyde Berry @ May 27th 2009 4:56PM]

I'm guessing you hurt your fingers making devil horns because of your excitement over a free Ion?

[Markos @ May 27th 2009 5:40PM]

Whatever the reason he sure picked the wrong hand to take a picture of.

[Gad Get @ May 27th 2009 9:44PM]

Actually, the other one's missing a finger.

[snowglyder @ May 27th 2009 4:58PM]

As I was looking at those pics, I got goose bumps.... that is until I saw the 3.5mm adapter. Then they go and tease us by showing it next to the iPhone, with the 3.5mm plug in plain view!

[va jj @ May 27th 2009 5:02PM]

the screen looks as big as the PSP's.

[pina @ May 27th 2009 5:46PM]

Except it's not... Didn't you see when he held it against an iPhone for comparison? It has a smaller screen than the iPhone which is not nearly as large as the PSPs screen

[pina @ May 27th 2009 5:48PM]

Except it's not... Didn't you see when he held it up to the iPhone for comparison? It has an even smaller screen than the iPhone which is not nearly as large as the PSPs screen

[pina @ May 27th 2009 5:49PM]

broken comment system ;[

[sonicwind @ May 27th 2009 5:02PM]

ho hum... next?

[Jesus @ May 27th 2009 5:05PM]

looks great... im waiting for a CDMA android phone! lol

[Hmm @ May 31st 2009 10:21AM]

OMG Jesus approves.. haha :P
CDMA? Why not WCDMA??

[Dorf @ May 27th 2009 5:07PM]

Stop with your douche comments.
Agree????

[robopony @ May 27th 2009 5:08PM]

Seriously? You're supposed to take it out of your pockets before sitting down?

[gerrrg @ May 27th 2009 5:08PM]

Wow...nice.

[AndrewNoNumbers @ May 27th 2009 5:09PM]

Makes the iPhone look fat for some reason.

[Cheddar @ May 27th 2009 5:18PM]

I thought it looks HUGE! That or the guy in the photo has midget hands!!

[Duke @ May 27th 2009 5:53PM]

Agreed, it looks big until its next to the iPhone. I am liking the design here. Especially that there are some buttons.

[crawdad689 @ May 27th 2009 5:15PM]

Android's definitely on the come-up!

I think the software's still just a bit immature, though. Once we see Android and Android apps making it into other devices like picture frames, home climate control and security systems, and car audio head units, owning an Android phone will be much more enticing. Lots of connected, mobile devices = good things.

2009 will be one hell of a year for mobile devices in general.

[trevor @ May 27th 2009 5:15PM]

enjoy your grey for today

[Cheddar @ May 27th 2009 5:17PM]

Ok, unless the guy in the photo with the band aids has midget hands that thing looks HUGH!! The pic with the box on his knee (Pic 3) makes the unit seem very large also...are these things really that big??

[Cheddar @ May 27th 2009 5:19PM]

Huge...sorry

[The Walrus @ May 27th 2009 6:20PM]

There are pics with an iPhone right next to it. They are literally touching

[Munkcy @ May 27th 2009 5:17PM]

What, did you have the phone delivered to your local park bench?

[digitallysick @ May 27th 2009 5:18PM]

engadget was a little too eager to open the box

[Monkey with glasses @ May 27th 2009 5:20PM]

Just hit the [!] next to his name.

[Jack Storm @ May 27th 2009 5:21PM]

Guru, you sir, are a douschebag and should go to a cartoon network blog site not a tech site because clearly you dont belong nor are welcome. ty.

[macfan406 @ May 27th 2009 5:25PM]

Ouch. Sounds like some rough work going on at that I/O conference... Lol.