HTC Magic

The HTC Magic is an Android-powered smartphone that features seamless email synchronization and instant access to Google Search, Gmail, Google Maps, Google Talk and YouTube.

Specifications
The HTC Magic measures 113 mm x 55.56 mm x 13.65 mm (H x W x D) in dimension and weighs approximately 116 g including the battery it is provided with. It runs on a Qualcomm MSM 7200A, 528 MHz processor and an Android operating system. There is a TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with 320 x 480 HVGA resolution that measures 3.2 inches when measures diagonally. The HTC Magic is compatible with networks including HSDPA/ WCDMA 900/ 2100 MHz with up to 2 Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds as well as quad band GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900 MHz. Device control comes in the form of a trackball with an enter button. Not only that, the HTC Magic also incorporates an internal GPS antenna. In terms of connectivity, the HTC Magic has support for Bluetooth 2.0 with enhanced data rate and A2DP for wireless stereo headsets, Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g and HTC Ext USB (11-pin mini usb 2.0 and audio jack in one). In addition to that, there is also a 3.2 mega pixel colour camera that has auto focus function. The HTC Sync system requirements for the HTC Magic include Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) or higher or Microsoft Windows Vista, as well as Microsoft Office Outlook 2000/ 2002/ 2003/ 2007, Windows Address Book (Outlook Express), or Windows Contacts. As for Microsoft Exchange Server synchronization requirements, it includes Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or Microsoft Exchange Server 2007. In addition to that, the HTC Magic can also perform audio and video playbacks. Supported audio formats include AAC, AAC+, AMR-NB, MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC-LC, MIDI and OGG. Supported video formats include MP4 and 3GP. The HTC Magic runs on a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that has a capacity of 1340 mAh. It is capable of providing up to 400 minutes of talk time for WCDMA networks and up to 450 minutes of talk time for GSM networks. Alternatively, it can last up to 660 hours for WCDMA networks and up to 42 hours for GSM when put on standby mode. For expansion options, there is an expansion slot for microSD memory cards that is SD 2.0 compatible. The HTC Magic also comes with an AC adapter that has a voltage range/ frequency of 100 ~ 240 V AC, 47/ 63 Hz and DC output of 5V and 1A. Additional special features include G-sensor and Digital compass. In addition to that, the HTC Magic also comes with a Google suite of services including Gmail, GoogleTalk, Search, YouTube and Maps with Street View. It is also further enhanced with Outlook synchronization, Smart Dialer and an onscreen keyboard with predictive text input. Not only that, HTC Magic also allows you to take your inbox or inboxes wherever you go with easy account set up, multiple mailbox support and Microsoft Exchange Server synchronization for email, calendar and contacts. The Smart Dialer software allows you to make calls in whatever way you think by either dialling their phone number or by dialling the first few letters of their name. It is further enhanced with the versatile on-screen keyboard that comes with predictive text completion to help you write faster. The HTC Magic also has support for the Android Market where users can access features including “Social”, “Shopping”, “Travel” and “Arcade”, where they can discover and install applications and games.

Reviews

“In short, this is a very good upgrade from HTC, which has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the last 18 months, and all we can do now is salivate at the prospect of a year chock-full with new Android handsets. However, they’ll all have to go the extra mile to beat this new kid on the block.” (TechRadar, 2009)

“It was a pleasure having the HTC Magic around. The little fella puts the young OS into a nicely-looking device with much broader appeal than the G1. The Magic performed quite well, all the more so considering that its platform is just about coming of age. It does have a few flaws and they do count against when choosing your next handset but the handling and the novelty are a huge point in favor.” (GSMArena, 2009)

“The first Android-powered phone to market, the T-Mobile G1 (HTC Dream), was an awkward device with its main appeal derived from the fact it was Android-powered. The HTC Magic is the second Android device to reach consumers, and in terms of hardware, it’s largely the same as its predecessor. The key difference is the move from a slide out, physical QWERTY keyboard to an iPhone-style on-screen keyboard.” (GizMag, 2009)