HTC debut second Android phone: HTC Magic!

At this weeks Mobile World Congress event, held in Barcelona, HTCshowed commitment to the Android platform with the announcement of the HTC Magic. Currently the only mobile phonemanufacturer to launch an Android device with the T-Mobile G1, the Taiwanese company have doubled their Android range with the Magic. As to be expected, the Android is a touchscreen mobile phone, incorporating a 3.2 incher with familiar perks such as an Accelerometer for auto screen rotation and Handwriting recognition. To look at, the HTC Magic does look remarkably similar to the T-Mobile G1, so why all the excitement? What’s new?

Well firstly, the Magic sheds precious weight and size (13mm thick and 117 g compared to the G1’s 17mm 158 g) as it does away with a hardware QWERTY keyboard. Running the newest Android version means that the Magic can display an on screen QWERTY keypad for all your texting and emailing needs. This does make for a considerably more pocket friendly phone than it’s predecessor (the G1 was never exactly a handsome beast). The Magic, or G2 as it has also come to be known, runs the latest Android OS known as ‘cupcake’ (no, really). The benefits this will bring over its predecessor (apart from the afore mentioned on screen keyboard) include support for stereo bluetooth so you can listen to your music through a compatible wireless headset, video recording, music can now fade in or out around calls and lastly a general overhaul which should eradicate bugs and make the OS more stable and responsive.

Away from the OS, the Magic does look quite similar to the G1. The phone features HSDPA and Wi-Fi connectivity for high speed web browsing, a built in GPS receiver for SatNav services and location based applications, a Built in MP3 player and expandable memory for all your storage needs. A 3.2 Megapixel camera with Autofocus is included though unfortunately it lacks a flash of any kind so photos in low light are pretty much out of the question (unless you carry a torch round with you). And then apart from the usual suspects such as Bluetooth and the like, that’s pretty much your lot.

Android market gets paid apps: good or bad news?

Since the launch of the T-Mobile G1 late last year, theAndroid Market (the Google phones answer to Apples app store) has hosted some intriguing applications such as the much publicised and highly praised Barcode scanner. Those of you who took the plunge with the HTCGoogle phone have been the envy of iPhone enthusiasts, enjoying a wealth of downloadable applications absolutely free. But all that is about to change with the announcement that softare developers will now be able to charge for downloaded content. Though it was already possible to fork out your hard earned cash for certain applications, the official shop front of the Android market has only ever offered free downloads. The best applications have, up until this point, been free but all this is about to change.

But before you sulk and discard your precious T-Mobile G1, consider the positives. The Apple App store has been charging for content since day one and has seen some of the most unique and innovative content ever found on a mobile phone. And i think this is in no small part to do with the monetary incentive on offer for developers to create new, exciting and of course popular apps. So the news that developers will get 70% (Google state the remaining 30% will cover server hosting costs) should encourage a new wave of creativity and innovation. Penciled in for Q1 of 2009, those of you who have been enjoying free downloads best get your fill, as time is running out. But it’s not all doom and gloom; look on the brightside and just think of the possibilities…