Second Google phone dispenses with the keyboard

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By Barry Collins

Posted on 17 Feb 2009 at 12:28

HTC has launched only the second handset to be launched on Google's Android platform.

Unlike the first ever Google Phone, HTC's rather lacklustre T-Mobile G1, the Magic is an entirely touchscreen device.

This means the device is both slimmer and lighter than the G1, measuring 113 x 55 x 13.65mm and tipping the scales at 118g.

The 3.2in display boasts the same 480 x 320 resolution as the G1 and the iPhone 3G, although it's a few millimetres smaller than the screen on the Apple device.

The Magic boasts the full arsenal of wireless data connections, including support for 7.2Mb/sec downloads over HSDPA, 802.11bg Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0.

It also includes GPS to help take advantage of the Google Maps app that is bundled with Android.

Irritatingly, the device sports a proprietary headphone/mini-USB jack, meaning that music fans will either have to put up with the bundled headphones, or risk draining their battery with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

The camera is restricted to 3.2 megapixels - a relative pauper in the same week that Sony Ericsson announced a model with more than 12 megapixels.

Vodafone will be selling the second Google phone exclusively in the UK, and it will go on sale over here in April.