The HTC Magic follows up on the HTC Dream G1, but comes in a more convenient form factor. Where the Dream was rather bulky, the Magic is small and slim, but it lacks the qwerty keyboard found on the G1. Instead of the keyboard you now have to use the touch-screen keyboard for writing, which works in both landscape and portrait format. Just like its predecessor, however, it retains the useful trackball. In terms of other hardware, the Magic has all the functionality we now expect from smartphones in this category, such as a built-in GPS and Wi-Fi.
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More Google
In addition, the Magic has also been equipped with a new search button that takes you straight to Google search. The phone is otherwise well integrated with your Google account – the first thing it ask for is your login information, so that it can sync contacts, email, calendar and the rest of your Google stuff.
The Magic’s user interface is neat, thorough and makes perfect sense just like other Android phones; it has three customizable start screens and the excellent status bar that keeps you up to speed with what’s happening in the phone right now.
No 3.5mm Jack
Unfortunately it takes after the G1 in some of the less positive aspects as well. This includes the absence of a 3.5mm standard headphone jack and a so-so camera, although 3.2 megapixels and auto focus at least puts it above the iPhone for features.
The music player won’t win any design awards but it has some nice features and does what it’s supposed to. Strangely, no video player is included, but there’s always the Android Market to pick and choose from. In all, there are some things that could have been improved on the HTC Magic, but it’s still a good phone that outsmarts most of its non-Android competition. A better option today, however, it the HTC Legend.
