Interface and Specs

HTC Magic is a Google Android-based phone running on 1.5 version of this OS, which brings many improvements over the previous version. Perhaps the most prolific change made is the introduction of a virtual keyboard, which means it's possible to make a full Touch Android based device.

That's not all though as Android 1.5 brought other changes as well, such as video recording, more widgets for the intro screen, browser update and many other things.



The interface is pretty much unchanged from the previous model, so if you're transfering to Magic from G1, you won't even notice it.

Another interesting feature is that Magic's intro-screen is fully customizable and allows for placing shortcuts and directories next to the Widget, which is much like working in Windows. This allows for your own ideal shortcut/icon layout.



Android's way of dealing with apps is pretty interesting. Compared to Windows, Android manages its tasks in a different way where the concept of closed and open apps is pretty much non-existent. Working with Android feels like all the apps are opened all the time. Furthermore, Android will independently close the apps which featured no activities for a while, but a click on the app will revert it back in the same state in which you've left it. Needless to say, it does wonders for the mobile-phone experience. If you decide you want to turn the app off, you'll need to connect to the Android Market and find the appropriate Task Manager, which will allow for user-controlled apps.

Our test sample runs on Android 1.6 which fixed many bugs and improved compatibility with newer devices, such as HTC Tatoo, HTC Hero, Samsung Moment and Moto Cliq.

Hardware-wise, the phone doesn't differ much from the G1. Unlike the G1, however, Magic comes without a hardware-keyboard and is much lighter. Both models run on Qualcomm's 528MHz CPU although Magic comes with more RAM, which shows during operation.

Specs:

HTC Dream (G1):
•    Android OS v1.0 
•    3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen 
•    Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz CPU,
•    192 MB RAM and 256 MB ROM
•    Dimension: 117.7 mm x 55.7 mm x 17.1 mm
•    Weight: 158 grams
•    Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
•    3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps
•    3.2 megapixel autofocus camera  (w/o flash)
•    Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
•    Li-ion battery 1150 mAh (talk time 400 min GSM)
•    microSD™ memory card slot (2.0)
•    GPS
•    Trackball navigation
•    Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard
•    Accelerometer sensor
•    Digital compass

HTC Magic spec:
•    Android OS v1.5 (our model updated to 1.6) 
•    3.2-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen (320 x 480)
•    Qualcomm MSM 7200A 528 MHz CPU,
•    288 MB RAM and 512 MB ROM
•    Dimension: 113 x 55.56 x 13.65 mm
•    Weight: 116 grams
•    Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
•    3G with HSDPA 7.2 Mbps and HSUPA 2Mbps
•    3.2 megapixel autofocus camera  (w/o flash)
•    Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
•    Li-ion battery 1340 mAh (talk time 450 min GSM)
•    microSD™ memory card slot (2.0)
•    GPS
•    Trackball navigation
•    Accelerometer sensor
•    Digital compass

Android Market

Android Market is of course a must-visit spot for those who own Android based device, and you'll find many useful as well as less useful apps for the phone. Searching the market is a breeze, I mean after all – this is Google we're talking about?



You'll find many free as well as apps but there are some for which you'll have to pay, usually peanuts though. Any Magic-owner will have to come by Android Market and the reason is simple – Magic doesn't come with apps that will add to the phone experience, such as video players, file managers, games, etc.