HTC Magic Cell Phone

INTRODUCTION

NEWS FLASH: Vodafone has crippled many of the features you may have seen advertised on the HTC website, such as smart dialer, voice recognition for dialing, Exchange, etc. In part this is because of Microsoft and Google not entirely being friendly with each other - be warned and double check the features that interest you are not Microsoft led.

Ever bought something and enjoyed playing with it on the way home, only to arrive at home and then realising you'll actually HAVE to use it? That's what the HTC Magic is. You're impressed with the swishyness but then you have to get the job of transferring Contacts, messages, Notes, Calendar items and so on.

I received my HTC Magic AT 1pm today (19th May 2009), removed it from the slim box and noticed firstly that the cable connector is sadly NOT universal (Mini USB), it probably doesn't matter though, neither does the N96 (N95 did). (additional: Since then I have found that it takes a Mini USB connector).

The box contained:

A charger, headphones, connectivity cable, battery.

The phone already had a 2GB micro-SD card installed.

I put it on charge and there's very small but visible orange light glowing from the 'ear' end.

There's no screen protector, which is a shame - to one quite well known online auction site I go. I am suspecting that Vodafone have done it again and given me a second hand phone based on the slightly greasy feel of it (had no joy with screen cleaners). Oh well - someone has my second hand N96, but at least I double checked it was as close to brand new as possible, perhaps I shouldn't have bothered! This HTC Magic had user files on it, only music files though. AFTER THOUGHT: The type of plastic used may be the reason for the greasy feeling.

TURNING IT ON

Pressing and holding the hang up / red button)

It is slow loading (see vodafone logo then the android screen) which it will be every time. My immediate thought was that the qwerty keyboard in portrait is very small and can't be easily operated by finger nail - one thoughtful design feature is that you can press and hold a key on the qwerty keyboard and then move to the correct one before releasing. One of the greatest reliefs is the auto rotating screen - because this makes the keyboard much bigger, the transition is also pleasant, blurring out before rotating.

TRYING TO USE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME

I am quite impressed that initially during my first outgoing text message, i thought to myself, "this is going to take some getting used to". A few minutes later I was at ease - although still making mistakes!

One thing I am glad about, is that the navigation ball doesn't feel as horrible under thumb as those I have experience with the Blackberry series (gritty). It does feel a little loose though, providing fairly poor hap hazard navigation - best to just tap the screen.

The Drag and drop facility for applications and anything you fancy is very nice. Quite logical if you're from a generation used to the 'press and hold' options of modern electronics.

It does feel quicker to access contacts, texts and so on (although I no longer have a thousand odd messages stored) and accessing areas is better than a Nokia. So far I do feel that texting will never be as quick as on a traditional phone - fewer buttons on a smaller area will logically win that battle. I supppose that is the sacrifice to avoid "texters thumb cramp" and provides you with email sending and so on.

LIVING WITH IT - THE TRANSFER OF STUFF

I use a phones calendar a great deal and it's a shame to see that you appear to need a google account to access it. There's no offline version (although you can cheat, see below). I do have a google email account, but I don't wish to go abroad and accidentally forget to disable online activity. Coming back to £50 of data charges is not my idea of a good holiday! Phew, it does appear that you can disable it from sync'ing online - via settings, data syncronisation, even so, as a precaution I would recommend downloading WiSync).

I've been able to transfer my contacts and calendar notes - the contacts/calendar needed some cunning and a google email account, but otherwise all is well. Notes are another matter, so far I can't find anything that will transfer my outlook/nokia notes to the HTC Magic. This is the only current irritation with this phone, there is very little support so far as documentation. Tasks are also not directly transferable.

OUTLOOK NOTES TRANSFER: OK So I gave up, manually converted the 100 odd notes I had made on my Nokia N95 and Outlook to txt files (not fun). Threw them in a folder on the HTC and they imported very successfully via 'Note Me'. I then found AK Notepad which appears to be better so I'm using that instead (easily imported from 'Note Me'.

OPINION OF GOOGLE

Round of a applaus to Google for getting into yet another territory with Android (the operating sytem - the software that loads before you can use any other software, such as contacts, games, etc.). However, when you look through the included programs, it does surprise you that limited functionality can come from such a giant such as google.

THE 'MARKET'

Now it seems funny, but so far I have found the better (free) software for my needs by reading the opinions of users - because normally they say, "such and such is better than this!". This is brilliant and funny, removing the point of giving applications stars in the first place. There is a mass of free downloads though, I for one believe that those who contribute to these free programs should receive a standing ovation at least once a month. Considering the time it must take to create a program, the mind boggles.

I have downloaded and am happy with the following:

AK Notepad - A notepad
Astro - File manager/viewer
GPS Status 2 - Provides loads of function for using GPS, very intelligent design.
Netcounter - to keep an eye of data transfer via 2G/3G.
WiSync - to control when the phone connects to the internet and how.
Astrid - seems to be good for tasks, although not fully tested, seems stable.
Notepad - as the title suggests

TEXT MESSAGE TRANSFER

I really can't be bothered, it's not worth the hassle of getting third party software or conversion kits, they were only text messages after all. Transferring messages from a Nokia N Series to another N series requires additional software (if you use folders), so to transfer across whole platforms is just dreaming - I'd rather spend the time drinking Tea.

MAPPING ACCESS AND GPS

So far it seems you can't do what Nokia allow, and that is to download maps of whole countries (or the world, which is 1.5GB) to avoid you using an internet connection connection (i.e. needing plenty of data allowance pre-paid). Also, there are still a few places, as amazing as it sounds, that have very poor mobile/cellular coverage. There are many mentions on the phone about how to save battery life, but only a few on saving actual money, interesting? the Map viewing is very good though, including satellite and traffic views. Locating your position can take a long time although it confirms your location when a large circle reduces in radius to a spot (ADDITIONAL: The speed of locating you is actually incredibly quick, better than some purpose built GPS's I would say). I have successfully installed GPS Status 2 which seems to speed it up as well as providing a huge amount of information (FREE download).

OTHER LAST MINUTE COMMENTS

I do like the glide gestures to move around or down a page.

No form of integrated back-up found so far, so all you do is get some sync'ing software and hope that most of the user files are on the memory card and not locked.

No 3.5mm jack plug.

As a speaker phone it is fairly poor, sounds like the speakers are going to break at 75% volume when playing music.

Physically it's nice and thin and slips in pockets easily...also slips out of the pocket easily if you tie your shoe laces!

Charges via the USB Cable.

If you require access to the SD storage card, plug it in and then drag down the notification area - you will need to mount the storage.

SIDE NOTE:

I may have read wrong, but I'm sure the vodafone website suggests that data access from other countries will no longer be a massive con? Good news for those who pay the extra fiver a month for 'unlimited' internet access.

On cold mornings I would suggest charging it before you go out - that way you can hold it in a hand to keep warm (it gets quite warm).

CONCLUSION

This phone is perfect for younguns with enough time to customise it to their liking. If you want immediate productivity in a business/social situation I would suggest a blackberry. In either case, you must ensure you pre-pay for your internet connection as this is a very net based device.

I will update this review whenever something relevant happens, so occasionally come back if you want :-)

I finished this write up on the 20th May 2009, unfortunately Dooyoo did not have it listed, a product recommendation was submitted today...wonder how long it will take? (taken weeks in the past, so off to epinions I have come).