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Tagged: G2

HTC Magic clears FCC with T-Mobile USA branding

By Chris Davies
on 27 Mar, 2009

The HTC Magic has passed the FCC bearing T-Mobile USA branding, seemingly confirming that the touchscreen smartphone will be the second Android device the carrier offers in the US. No official name has been attached to the Magic by T-Mobile - the original G1 was named by the carrier (HTC distribute the handset as the HTC Dream) and it seems likely the Magic will end up as the G2. Launched back at CTIA in February, as a Vodafone exclusive in Europe, HTC had already told Android Community that they would be happy to work with a US carrier. A T-Mobile branded version of the device was then used in a Google demonstration, prematurely confirming the carrier's intentions. As for specifications, the Magic has a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 7.2Mbps HSDPA, WiFi and GPS. For live photos and our demo videos from CTIA, head over here. [via Engadget]

T-Mobile G2 (US-spec HTC Magic) outed by Google?

By Chris Davies
on 20 Feb, 2009

Google took to the stage to unveil GMail's offline functionality this week, but may have inadvertently announced something else, too: the T-Mobile G2. Vic Gundotra, vice president of engineering, used the new HTC Magic to demonstrate the app, but rather than Vodafone branding the handset he brought out had T-Mobile's logo. Currently, the only announced version of the HTC Magic is Vodafone's exclusive European deal. However HTC told Android Community at MWC this week that their deal with Vodafone only covers country-by-country availability, and that if a US carrier approached them regarding a version of the Magic tailored for US 3G they'd jump at the opportunity. This new branding certainly seems to suggest that rather than being a question of when a US carrier will pick up the HTC Magic, it's more a question of when T-Mobile USA will announce their sequel to the G1. For the video of Gundotra's demonstration, click here. [via AC forums]

Vodafone HTC Magic confirmed as second Android handset

By Chris Davies
on 17 Feb, 2009

It's been all quiet on the Android front here at Mobile World Congress, and for a while we worried we might end up leaving the show without seeing anything other than reference platforms and non-functional dummy phones. All that has changed with the news that Vodafone have clinched a deal to launch the second Android handset, in the shape of the HTC G2, which will go on sale in Europe as the Vodafone HTC Magic.

Full details on the handset won't be available until after a press conference later on today- which you know Android Community will be attending - but Vodafone CEO Vittorio Colao did confirm that the HTC Magic would be an exclusive to the carrier in Europe "for a limited period". Availability beyond that point is unclear, though it's likely that just as the HTC Dream (aka T-Mobile G1) has gone on sale under HTC's brand elsewhere in the world, so will the Magic. Although there are no official shots of the HTC Magic yet, Pocket-lint managed to snap a few pictures of the handset prior to the official announcement. It certainly bears a strong resemblance to the non-QWERTY G2 that we saw leaked images of back in January. [gallery]

New “Dream G2″ video surfaces, no surprise its out of China

By Staff Editor
on 15 Jan, 2009

Looks like we have picked up another curious Android-powered handset that is being called the “G2 mobile phone china cellphone” as the video claims, or “Dream G2” as the device actually states. From what we can see this is nothing more than a cheap knock off of an Android handset that China is producing. There is no HTC branding, as the HTC Dream was the running name of the T-Mobile G1 in the early stages. The first clue we the inconsistency in the name, the title not being the T-Mobile G2 is a clear indication. At first glance this handset reminded me of the Velocity 103. Many of the menus and the need for a stylus suggest that it is possible this is running on top of Windows Mobile 6.1. Go ahead and watch the entire seven minutes and try to think of what the continuous “Connection failed, please press OK to continue” may indicate. Handwriting recognition is a clear indication that this is a Chinese based phone and what kind of phones usually come out of China? Even the charger was the cheap Android USB one that is selling on the Internet currently. We will let you be the judge, let us know what you think. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOnV5lAvW4Y&feature=channel_page[/youtube]

Android Community Week in Review – Week 51 2008

By Staff Editor
on 21 Dec, 2008

This week we learned that only a month before the new Kogan Agora and Agora Pro are set to release the handset underwent a few minor but annoying changes. First the good, the directional pad has been tweaked and appears to be easier to use now. Now for the bad new, the screen was made smaller to give a widescreen appearance. That’s not all that went wrong here, the softkeys also took a hike. My Maps Editor hit the Android Market so now you can bring your desktop maps wherever you want and even edit them on the fly. With this applications users can create, edit, share, and view personalized maps on your Android-powered handset and synchronize them with the My Maps tab on Google Maps. Just before Jeffrey Sharkey headed to Google he gave us one more little gem called OilCan. This application is basically Greasemonkey on steroids. Users can run scripts to modify many things from the way a web page is laid out to being able to touch and hold an application to uninstall it. Mocana’s NanoPhone has provided Android users with more security options for those who are finding it hard to trust the built-in browser after recent security issues. Interestingly enough this service does not compromise battery life at all. We also got a few more shots of the new Lenovo “Ophone.” The more we see of this new Android-powered handset, the more we like. We can’t wait to get our hands on this device so we can bring you a full review. HulloMail has come fourth and brought visual voicemail yet again to the Android. This however is a UK based service so not everyone can try it out unfortunately. The top ten downloaded applications for Android have been announced and it took us by surprise that the number one spot was filled by a game. It was an easy guess just which game made the spot, the Namco classic Pac-Man has been a number one classic for years. There is a new update for Android in the works and it goes by the name “cupcake”. Included in this update are plenty of features that you would be crazy not to love. The most notable change in this update is video recording! The T-Mobile G1 maintenance guide found its way to the internet this week providing anyone with teardown, troubleshooting and repair tutorials. There are going to be plenty of voided warranties after this move. T-Mobile has also chosen to drop the $18 upgrade fee for the holidays; there is no word just how long this promotion will last. Android Community is giving away 6 Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headsets for the holidays this season. All you have to do is register and create a post telling us what is on your Christmas list. Couldn’t be simpler. Huawei has announced that they will release Android-powered handset in 2009. There is still not many details on this handset, but we are certainly glad to hear that another Android-powered handset is in the works. Android has gotten the first turn-by-turn application this week, the really catcher though is the price. With the help of in application ads, AndNav2 will remain free to all users. This certainly beats out the turn-by-turn subscription costs of most services. Samsung is also set to release a touchscreen Android-powered handset for release in late 2009. Lets hope this touchscreen does not resemble the others, which are milky and hard to see in the sun. CellphoneSignal fabricated a story about the new T-Mobile G2 coming in late January 2009. Of course the specs seemed a little off including video calling features. This turned out to be false as we suspected. Sorry for any confusion there might have been.There are more reliable rumors, but even then theyare just rumors.

T-Mobile G2 rumors get a little clearer

By Staff Editor
on 20 Dec, 2008

As more and more tips come in regarding the T-Mobile G2 it gets harder and harder to sift through and decipher what is true and what is not. So all information as of new should be taken as nothing more than a rumor. Here is what a tipster told The Boy Genius Report. All of the specs that CellphoneSignal reported are very wrong and the launch date could not be more off. The device is a fully touch handset and as much as we would like, does not have a physical full QWERTY keyboard. Yes there is a trackball at the bottom; they simply could not let it go. The launch of the device has been delayed from late February to April due to uncontrollable software issues. The T-Mobile G2 will actually be launched on another global carrier with a different name, as T-Mobile G1, G2 and G3 are trademarks of T-mobile. The tipster did not see the G3, yes there apparently is a G3 and it is reportedly coming not long after the G2. We hate to drown you with more rumors, but we felt that we should give you the most reliable rumor out there right now. [Via BGR]

T-Mobile G2 hits stores the end of January with video calling! [Updated]

By Staff Editor
on 19 Dec, 2008

Well we called it, the new Android-powered handset that is coming to T-Mobile will appropriately be called the T-mobile G2. With the T-Mobile G2 there is plenty to get excited about. The new Android-powered handset will have many features including 3G, full Touchscreen Enterprise capabilities. CellphoneSignal brought "leaked" specs but without any pictures which we find odd. What else could you want in a phone? How about a 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and flash that goes great with video messaging? Now that we’ve got your attention, we will tell you about the microSD card slot that doesn’t stop you at 8GB, but gives you the full 16GB capability so this handset can creep up on the iPhone in terms of available storage. You will still get the features you have grown fond of, such as picture messaging (MMS), wireless backup and Stereo Bluetooth (for those who miss it). Your going to have the basic T-Mobile services such as Web2Go and MyFaves. Word on the street is the T-Mobile G2 will be hitting T-mobile retail locations the end of January 2009. The T-Mobile G2 will also be the first T-Mobile phone with video calling. With no pictures we can't help but think something is a miss.

Editor’s note: Of course the rumor of the T-Mobile G2 is completely bogus! As with any breaking news or rumors, there’s very little time for fact checking and unfortunately this is the world we live in.

I admit that Shawn was slightly overzealous with the story (and that's what make him the perfect editor). That being said, I fully support and back him on this piece. Android Community does not owe any of you “displeased” visitors one f-ing apology. Those of you claiming AC should be ashamed for running this story --- well I guess you can say the same for countless other major publications starting with Mobile Crunch, Michael Gartenberg of Media Bistro or ZDNET.

So here's the bottom line, if you’re not satisfied with our coverage, I’ve said it before in the community and I’ll repeat it here ---- you’re welcome to visit other Android sites, Android Community isn’t the only Android news / community source on the web! One last thing, feel free to email us your member ID (androidcommunity @ gmail.com) and we’ll be more than happy to delete it from the system.

-Vincent Nguyen

Here is a full list of the available features that the tipster has provided us: