Hasta La Gadget!

Android and Google may seem inseparable to some, but Vodafone is apparently suggesting that some of its future Android-based phones could possibly pack a little less Google and a little more Vodafone. While the carrier unsurprisingly isn’t offering much in the way of specifics just yet, it did tell TechRadar that future Android phones could ditch some of the familiar Google services in favor of a more “basic package” that would let Vodafone (or other carriers following the same route) offer their own client software instead — a winning idea if there ever was one. And it seems that there will indeed be more Android phones in the offing from Vodafone sooner rather than later, with Vodafone’s Rachel William’s telling TechRadar that the carrier is “looking at other Android devices,” and that “by joining the Open Handset Alliance it shows our commitment.”

[Via Talk Android]

Filed under: Cellphones

Vodafone suggests future Android phones could have less Google originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While white seems to have been the color of choice for most official demos of the HTC Magic, there’s also a black version headed to Vodafone (and other carriers, eventually), and the folks at Netbooknews.de got their hands on one of those once mythical handsets for a video unboxing. As you can see above (and in the video after the break), the packaging is a pretty sparse affair, as are the bundled accessories, which includes only a USB cable, a power adapter, a basic wired headset, and a case that apparently “feels a little cheap.” And, if by some chance you still haven’t seen the Magic in action, you can get a glimpse of that in the video as well.

[Via Android Community]

Continue reading Vodafone’s HTC Magic gets unboxed on video

Filed under: Cellphones

Vodafone’s HTC Magic gets unboxed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the jury’s still out on its US name or release date, the HTC Magic is gearing up for its European debut by way of Vodafone. The pre-order page is now live with an irresistible price of zilch, provided you agree to a monthly plan of £30 or more. The company says it plans to ship out the Cupcake-powered phone by May 5th.

[Via Phandroid; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]

Filed under: Cellphones

HTC Magic up for pre-order from Vodafone: due out May 5th, free with monthly plan originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There’s not exactly much in the way of details just yet, but Pocket-lint looks to have confirmed that Vodafone has pushed the release of the HTC Magic out of its promised April launch window, with the Android-powered handset now apparently set to launch on May 1st. That word comes from both HTC and Vodafone’s sales reps, although neither seems to have elaborated much on the delay, with HTC only going so far as to say that it was “due to a last minute hardware change.” No word if that change will also affect the launch of the phone on other carriers, although it’s tough for it to be “delayed” when they’ve been even less specific about a launch than Vodafone.

Update: Chris wrote in to let us know this delay has been confirmed by Vodafone.

Filed under: Cellphones

Vodafone’s HTC Magic reportedly delayed until May originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC and Google are getting closer to perfection with the new Android G2, the HTC Magic. Nice finish, great form factor. Check out our video, including the obligatory comparison with Apple’s iPhone, and hands-on impressions:

The bad news first: Apart from my gripes about the user interface—which are still there—there is one but. A big BUT, bigger than Ramona’s, the planetary lady with accidental moustache who serves the bocadillos down at one of the fair’s restaurants: The software keyboard. On this first touch, the keyboard felt cramped, probably a result of the screen size, which is smaller than the iPhone’s—which is the obvious soft keyboard reference, since it was the first one to implement a finger-touch software keyboard.

In addition to that, there’s an additional user interface problem, this time having to do with perception: Instead of popping up above your finger—like in the iPhone so you can clearly see what you pressed—the keys appear on the sides. They flash quickly as you press them, and I found it extremely distracting. They said that they put them on the sides not to obstruct the view, but knowing the over-the-key implementation in the iPhone’s software keyboard, it doesn’t make much sense. Furthermore, when you are typing with one finger only—like I often do—you will be obstructing the view of the flashing key with your finger. The reason: When you type on the right side of the keyboard, the flashing keys appear on the left. When you click on the right, they pop out on the left.

Other than this, the rest is great. There’s a new Google Mail feature to delete or classify mail in bulk, as well as a faster camera, which now can take video—which obviously means you can play back video as well. The rest of the interface and features is what you already have in the Android G1. However, what really steals the show here is the hardware itself.

HTC has got a very smooth phone, which feels great on your hands and in your pants’ pockets. While it’s sightly thicker than the iPhone, the narrower, rounded body, and weight makes it feel the same size. For sure, a lot less bulky than the G1, which looks like a brick next to this. And as you have seen in the shots, the final HTC Magic is quite pretty. Have no doubt: This thing alone will make many consumers put up with the less-than-ideal software keyboard.

Overall, the first feeling is that we got a potential winner here. If they can manage to make the software keyboard better, Apple will definitely have a formidable enemy in the Android G2.