HTC Magic Review

The HTC magic has completely surpassed its forerunner the Google G1 in style and size whilst retaining its fantastic, efficient Android operating system. It manages to do this while encompassing a larger 3.2 inch display showing off the Android graphics to their full potential but what important technological and practical advancements have been made? Due to its extraordinary operating system and user-friendly qwerty keyboard the Google G1 was real competition for the iPhone but unfortunately with mobile fashion being as, if not more, important to many mobile users it did lose out on the looks front. Luckily HTC has brought magic to the beauty of this new device using clean white lines, which rebel against the usual black of the iPhone. The QWERTY keyboard has been replaced by soft onscreen pads to create the slim-line look but this combined with the 13.7mm thickness means the phone is smaller so more practical for storage, and the balance of practicality and style is restored. Furthermore the Android system has been updated to the ‘Cupcake’ version enabling faster web browsing when using Google applications courtesy of the Google Android Marketplace. Other technological advances include Wi-Fi, GPS and Qualcomm CPU as well as a 3.2 MP camera. Also the HTC Magic is available exclusively on Vodafone as opposed to the older version’s T-Mobile exclusivity. This Phone exceeds the G1 in every way but in my opinion it also outshines the reputable iPhone especially in regard to its more advanced technology and sexier looks. HTC TOUCH HD Review I received the latest HTC Touch HD this week. I had been eagerly awaiting its arrival with much anticipation. It was out there in the world at last and seemed to be the coolest and most desirable “must have” item. I had seen a few pictures and spoken with a few owners via the net so the challenge was to find a supplier with a good reputation and after sales help, as I don’t normally have time for long debates about malfunctions or those lengthy instruction manuals. I like to pull things straight out of the box, switch it on and get going so I was highly satisfied when it came as I did just that. The box is huge compared to the unit but conceals many “extras” in the tray below. I am impressed by the grippy surface of the case I think it is a polymerised rubber of some sort that should stop it being dropped. The Windows Mobile platform is much improved by the TouchFLO 3D GUI, which becomes quite intuitive when you play with it for a while. The display is a good size and the definition and contrast are realistic and useable. The nice big clock was the first thing I really wanted to play with and with a tap here, a tap there up comes the time preference settings. I knew I would be using this feature as a back up to the bedside alarm and thought it best to get the settings sorted out before trying to take over the world via the wireless internet I knew it had hidden away in its darkest corners. It does seem somehow to be alive, almost sentient in its own way but I suppose it’s my imagination, playfully it sounds its alarm and I smile in satisfaction at my control of the technological beast. A quick perusal of the multitude of helpfully self explanatory icons reveals the true nature of its designer’s intent, to replace so many larger and more power hungry domestic toys and trap your mind in its silicon heart. It may be some time before I get to sleep this night, a new pet in the household and the feeling that one used to have when Santa had left a bulging sack at the foot of the bed. What a wonderous contraption, highly responsive to my every touch and gesture, I think I’m going to have a pal for life in this one.