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HTC Magic Android Powered Mobile Phone
The first Android mobile handset to make it here before all the rest (or few to follow) is HTC’s No. 2 for the OS – The Magic. If you’re as perplexed about the name, let me know. The introduction of the Android OS into the Indian market was to be a really big deal, but sadly I don’t see it yet. Where’s the excitement? Airtel is the one who had brought us the Magic (no Pun intended I assure you) and here’s what all the fuss is all about.
Form Factor
I’m not crazy about the maroon strip running around the otherwise glossy black handset. It would have been better in all black is my opinion. The large 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display bears a 320 x 480 pixel resolution so it makes it easy to view and navigate the menus. Speaking of navigation, HTC has gone with a trackball to maneuver around the handset’s menus and also for selecting options. The set of keys that include a Home button, Menu, return and a quick access to Google Search along with the call take and end keys are evenly placed on either side of the trackball.
The slight ‘chin’ at the bottom of the handset is neither here nor there. I’m not sure what exact purpose it serves, but it doesn’t really affect the overall look. The Magic is still a pretty slick handset that’s slim and quite light weight. As usual, in some sort of pseudo effort to stand out, HTC has designed their all-in-one USB port with a slight difference so that it seems proprietary but it nevertheless still fits a standard mini USB plug like a glove. A set of volume/zoom keys are located on the side and the 3MP camera is located at the back.
Features and Performance
Truth be told I was not too sure what to expect from an Android device in terms of features and performance as this is unfortunately, only my first REAL experience with the new OS. If you’re considering purchasing the HTC Magic and wanted an opinion on the handset, that’s exactly what I’m here for - so here’s mine.
Interface
The UI is relatively smooth and quick. There is a little bit of a lag evident but only in a few circumstances with a few applications. Like quite a few other handsets these days the OS allows for multiple desktops. Three, to be more precise. Each one can be customized to host a list of widgets and shortcuts. The main menu can be accessed by simply sliding it up and down from any of the desktops.
What bothered me was the fact that the desktops are not really segregated but more like one continuous field as wallpapers would be spread across all three. There’s no option to have individual wallpapers for each desktop. It’s essentially one single image that covers all three. It becomes a little difficult making selections for the same and making your own. But it’s not a big deal.
Navigation is easy using the trackball or just your fingers. The UI is extremely responsive to touch and everything is easily accessible when necessary. It’s not flashy and yet it refrains from being just plain Blah.
The Magic’s UI uses HTC’s own onscreen keypad system with the option to select from three – Full QWERTY, half QWERTY and a standard mobile alphanumeric keypad. In landscape mode the QWERTY keypad is well laid out and large enough to use with speed. The other keypads are also well designed. The handset supports handwriting recognition as well although there’s no option for using it. Like the iPhone and Sony Ericsson handsets the messaging field is designed like an IM display, but not as colorful as those however.
Multitasking is effortless. With the handsets Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz processor and 192MB RAM, if there happens to be a few things running in the background, you wouldn’t even know.
The handset allows you to import all the contacts from your SIM card onto the phone’s memory, or you can opt to import only specific numbers (I’m not sure why). The Magic tends to take a while to access the SIM directory in order to view or make calls from the SIM’s directory before importing. This also appeared to be a one way transfer as I wasn’t unable to import new contacts I entered onto the phone’s memory to the SIM for back-up purposes.
Media
With regards to this segment the Magic, I have to say is no great shakes except for the music player. It’s an absolutely basic player with nothing more than a Playlist creator and a songs list. However this no frills player combined with the very comfortable handsfree provided (that has independent volume control on the microphone portion) makes for a really great audio experience. The tones are all in balance with a foot tapping, head bobbing bass level to boot.
The video player did have a few issues playing simple MPEG4 files if they weren’t in the very ‘specific to HTC’s Magic’ format. 3GP files played without a hitch and there were no other issues. The lack of even an FM radio makes the price stick out like a sore thumb.
Connectivity
The Magic is a 3G ready handset with support for HSDPA as well, aside from basic EDGE and GPRS of course. Other modes of connectivity include Wi-Fi and very limited Bluetooth and USB 2.0. By limited I mean it’s like the iPhone with A2DP connectivity and no option for data transfer. The browser is absolutely brilliant. It’s super quick and has full HTML support for Flash content as well. Text fits perfectly for easy reading and with the press of a single option the entire page is revealed with a magnified section that can be dragged around and settles in on any section of your choosing. An independent zoom in or out feature was also present along with a double tap to zoom.
The oddest thing is that this system seems to ironically be as closed in as the iPhone was, even more so in fact. I was unable to upload images to any site that allows the same. From Flickr to Twitterpic and even Facebook, all the upload sections had the ‘Upload’ key showing – Upload’s Blocked. Airtel’s MobiShare application was one option to connect to Flickr and Twitter but as much as I tried it refused to connect to Twitter with a consistent error popping up saying it could not connect with the server. Perhaps I would need an Airtel account. Hopefully that’s the key. Another oddity was that the Upload section only picked up the wallpapers that were on the handset and nothing off the card, not even the images taken from the camera if they were stored on the memory card.
The email application worked without a single issue. It was extremely easy setting up multiple accounts and emails would download quickly and effortlessly. The layout of each mail was a little lengthy but easy to read nevertheless.
A very big disappointment was the fact that the HTC Magic sports a GPS antenna but lacks any software including Google Maps which wasn’t available for download either. A Google OS without Google Maps??? I’m sincerely hoping that this will not be the case for Airtel users again when they purchase a box packed device.
Misc. Features
It does lack a few features like a task and Notes application and the biggest problem is that the Indian handset comes sans the Android Market application which is your access to downloading applications. In this case you’re going to have to search for sites that offer applications to download. Almost all that I found refused to let me install apps. The one app that I did install, which is vital to running application is the Android File Browser which allows you to access the SD card in totality. I did try downloading a few Java Apps but the handset didn’t seem to support the .JAR files so that’s out too.
The problem was that it allowed me to view the entire contents of my card but refused to let me access any of the files and gave me an error stating that a problem occurred and it was forced to shut down. Suffice to say I was stuck with just the preloaded apps that Airtel provided with no ability to install anything more. Airtel has included a search app for locating files on the handset, but it’s a little too specific and didn’t find quite a few items I was looking for. The app is quite similar to Nokia’s Search on their handsets but didn’t work as well. Other pre-installed apps included City Search that allows users to locate various spots in and around a given city like restaurants, movies, shopping malls etc. Only a few cities are included and in some cases Mumbai has been omitted for some reason. Airtel has also included a Portfolio Manager and a Mobi Share app as well.
I’m sincerely hoping that Airtel customers don’t have these issues as this particular handset was unlocked by HTC to allow me to use my Loop mobile SIM. A couple of basic features like a Calendar for schedules and reminders is present and so is a calculator. A QuickOffice reader is available along with a PDF reader HTC’s Teeter accelerometer based game and a Weather Channel update app from Airtel again.
Camera
The handset is loaded, as I mentioned with a 3 megapixel autofocus shooter. The camera comes with settings that includes White Balance, a few effects and a Widescreen option. Some settings like Image Adjust for Saturation, Sharpness and Contrast are not easily accessible so you can use these only when you have the time to set up a shot.
On the whole though the images are not too bad. The colors are pretty standard and unfortunately since the city has been bombarded with downpours, I wasn’t able to test the camera in sunlit conditions, but it still fared quite well in cloudy circumstances but only with the White Balance set on auto.
Of course I have to say that there are cheaper 3.2MP AF cameras that do have more settings and do a better job.
Battery Life
This is one area that I had no issues with whatsoever. Raking in an average of well over four and half hours of non stop talk time, the HTC Magic fared well here. You’ll easily get a full two days of usage on a single charge even with emails downloading constantly and use of the music player tossed.
The Bottom Line
With a price tag of around Rs. 29,900 (2GB card included), I have serious doubts about how well it’ll do here. It may seem like a novelty, like the iPhone initially but the Indian Android is nothing like I expected and I’m very disappointed. It has the potential to be a great device but doesn’t deliver. For developers of applications who intend to purchase the handset for testing as well as running and developing their apps with the SDK, this could be construed as an investment though the tester was available earlier, but for a lay mobile user, the handset doesn’t offer anything spectacular and although it’s cheaper than the iPhone, Apple has a serious advantage with OS3.0 and what it brings to the table.
Without simple options to download apps the way it’s supposed to be, the absence of simple features like a Notepad or tasks option, the apparent lack of GPS applications like even Google Maps (for crying out loud) and an FM radio with a very average 3.2 megapixel camera and just 512MB of internal storage space, handsets like the Samsung Pixon and Sony Ericsson W995 with 8MP cameras and more features could be better options. Even the iPhone seems like a better option for the Indian audience at least.
Form Factor
I’m not crazy about the maroon strip running around the otherwise glossy black handset. It would have been better in all black is my opinion. The large 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display bears a 320 x 480 pixel resolution so it makes it easy to view and navigate the menus. Speaking of navigation, HTC has gone with a trackball to maneuver around the handset’s menus and also for selecting options. The set of keys that include a Home button, Menu, return and a quick access to Google Search along with the call take and end keys are evenly placed on either side of the trackball.
The slight ‘chin’ at the bottom of the handset is neither here nor there. I’m not sure what exact purpose it serves, but it doesn’t really affect the overall look. The Magic is still a pretty slick handset that’s slim and quite light weight. As usual, in some sort of pseudo effort to stand out, HTC has designed their all-in-one USB port with a slight difference so that it seems proprietary but it nevertheless still fits a standard mini USB plug like a glove. A set of volume/zoom keys are located on the side and the 3MP camera is located at the back.
Features and Performance
Truth be told I was not too sure what to expect from an Android device in terms of features and performance as this is unfortunately, only my first REAL experience with the new OS. If you’re considering purchasing the HTC Magic and wanted an opinion on the handset, that’s exactly what I’m here for - so here’s mine.
Interface
The UI is relatively smooth and quick. There is a little bit of a lag evident but only in a few circumstances with a few applications. Like quite a few other handsets these days the OS allows for multiple desktops. Three, to be more precise. Each one can be customized to host a list of widgets and shortcuts. The main menu can be accessed by simply sliding it up and down from any of the desktops.
What bothered me was the fact that the desktops are not really segregated but more like one continuous field as wallpapers would be spread across all three. There’s no option to have individual wallpapers for each desktop. It’s essentially one single image that covers all three. It becomes a little difficult making selections for the same and making your own. But it’s not a big deal.
Navigation is easy using the trackball or just your fingers. The UI is extremely responsive to touch and everything is easily accessible when necessary. It’s not flashy and yet it refrains from being just plain Blah.
The Magic’s UI uses HTC’s own onscreen keypad system with the option to select from three – Full QWERTY, half QWERTY and a standard mobile alphanumeric keypad. In landscape mode the QWERTY keypad is well laid out and large enough to use with speed. The other keypads are also well designed. The handset supports handwriting recognition as well although there’s no option for using it. Like the iPhone and Sony Ericsson handsets the messaging field is designed like an IM display, but not as colorful as those however.
Multitasking is effortless. With the handsets Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528 MHz processor and 192MB RAM, if there happens to be a few things running in the background, you wouldn’t even know.
The handset allows you to import all the contacts from your SIM card onto the phone’s memory, or you can opt to import only specific numbers (I’m not sure why). The Magic tends to take a while to access the SIM directory in order to view or make calls from the SIM’s directory before importing. This also appeared to be a one way transfer as I wasn’t unable to import new contacts I entered onto the phone’s memory to the SIM for back-up purposes.
Media
With regards to this segment the Magic, I have to say is no great shakes except for the music player. It’s an absolutely basic player with nothing more than a Playlist creator and a songs list. However this no frills player combined with the very comfortable handsfree provided (that has independent volume control on the microphone portion) makes for a really great audio experience. The tones are all in balance with a foot tapping, head bobbing bass level to boot.
The video player did have a few issues playing simple MPEG4 files if they weren’t in the very ‘specific to HTC’s Magic’ format. 3GP files played without a hitch and there were no other issues. The lack of even an FM radio makes the price stick out like a sore thumb.
Connectivity
The Magic is a 3G ready handset with support for HSDPA as well, aside from basic EDGE and GPRS of course. Other modes of connectivity include Wi-Fi and very limited Bluetooth and USB 2.0. By limited I mean it’s like the iPhone with A2DP connectivity and no option for data transfer. The browser is absolutely brilliant. It’s super quick and has full HTML support for Flash content as well. Text fits perfectly for easy reading and with the press of a single option the entire page is revealed with a magnified section that can be dragged around and settles in on any section of your choosing. An independent zoom in or out feature was also present along with a double tap to zoom.
The oddest thing is that this system seems to ironically be as closed in as the iPhone was, even more so in fact. I was unable to upload images to any site that allows the same. From Flickr to Twitterpic and even Facebook, all the upload sections had the ‘Upload’ key showing – Upload’s Blocked. Airtel’s MobiShare application was one option to connect to Flickr and Twitter but as much as I tried it refused to connect to Twitter with a consistent error popping up saying it could not connect with the server. Perhaps I would need an Airtel account. Hopefully that’s the key. Another oddity was that the Upload section only picked up the wallpapers that were on the handset and nothing off the card, not even the images taken from the camera if they were stored on the memory card.
The email application worked without a single issue. It was extremely easy setting up multiple accounts and emails would download quickly and effortlessly. The layout of each mail was a little lengthy but easy to read nevertheless.
A very big disappointment was the fact that the HTC Magic sports a GPS antenna but lacks any software including Google Maps which wasn’t available for download either. A Google OS without Google Maps??? I’m sincerely hoping that this will not be the case for Airtel users again when they purchase a box packed device.
Misc. Features
It does lack a few features like a task and Notes application and the biggest problem is that the Indian handset comes sans the Android Market application which is your access to downloading applications. In this case you’re going to have to search for sites that offer applications to download. Almost all that I found refused to let me install apps. The one app that I did install, which is vital to running application is the Android File Browser which allows you to access the SD card in totality. I did try downloading a few Java Apps but the handset didn’t seem to support the .JAR files so that’s out too.
The problem was that it allowed me to view the entire contents of my card but refused to let me access any of the files and gave me an error stating that a problem occurred and it was forced to shut down. Suffice to say I was stuck with just the preloaded apps that Airtel provided with no ability to install anything more. Airtel has included a search app for locating files on the handset, but it’s a little too specific and didn’t find quite a few items I was looking for. The app is quite similar to Nokia’s Search on their handsets but didn’t work as well. Other pre-installed apps included City Search that allows users to locate various spots in and around a given city like restaurants, movies, shopping malls etc. Only a few cities are included and in some cases Mumbai has been omitted for some reason. Airtel has also included a Portfolio Manager and a Mobi Share app as well.
I’m sincerely hoping that Airtel customers don’t have these issues as this particular handset was unlocked by HTC to allow me to use my Loop mobile SIM. A couple of basic features like a Calendar for schedules and reminders is present and so is a calculator. A QuickOffice reader is available along with a PDF reader HTC’s Teeter accelerometer based game and a Weather Channel update app from Airtel again.
Camera
The handset is loaded, as I mentioned with a 3 megapixel autofocus shooter. The camera comes with settings that includes White Balance, a few effects and a Widescreen option. Some settings like Image Adjust for Saturation, Sharpness and Contrast are not easily accessible so you can use these only when you have the time to set up a shot.
On the whole though the images are not too bad. The colors are pretty standard and unfortunately since the city has been bombarded with downpours, I wasn’t able to test the camera in sunlit conditions, but it still fared quite well in cloudy circumstances but only with the White Balance set on auto.
Of course I have to say that there are cheaper 3.2MP AF cameras that do have more settings and do a better job.
Battery Life
This is one area that I had no issues with whatsoever. Raking in an average of well over four and half hours of non stop talk time, the HTC Magic fared well here. You’ll easily get a full two days of usage on a single charge even with emails downloading constantly and use of the music player tossed.
The Bottom Line
With a price tag of around Rs. 29,900 (2GB card included), I have serious doubts about how well it’ll do here. It may seem like a novelty, like the iPhone initially but the Indian Android is nothing like I expected and I’m very disappointed. It has the potential to be a great device but doesn’t deliver. For developers of applications who intend to purchase the handset for testing as well as running and developing their apps with the SDK, this could be construed as an investment though the tester was available earlier, but for a lay mobile user, the handset doesn’t offer anything spectacular and although it’s cheaper than the iPhone, Apple has a serious advantage with OS3.0 and what it brings to the table.
Without simple options to download apps the way it’s supposed to be, the absence of simple features like a Notepad or tasks option, the apparent lack of GPS applications like even Google Maps (for crying out loud) and an FM radio with a very average 3.2 megapixel camera and just 512MB of internal storage space, handsets like the Samsung Pixon and Sony Ericsson W995 with 8MP cameras and more features could be better options. Even the iPhone seems like a better option for the Indian audience at least.