The spec gap between the
Magic and the
Hero is mighty small -- other than the entirely revamped Sense UI, the Hero's 5 megapixel camera is about the only thing the newer model has over the original, physical design notwithstanding. That gap is on the fast track to getting even smaller, too, now that HTC has issued a press release detailing
a Sense upgrade for the Magic (assuming you haven't already nabbed it off xda-developers, that is). It looks like current owners will get hooked up some time in October for NT$1,500, which works out to about $46; what we don't know, though, is which Magics will be eligible for the upgrade. Just like HTC's WinMo wares, we're guessing that subsidized units are going to be at the mercy of their carriers, which means that T-Mobile, Rogers, and Vodafone customers (among others) should take a somewhat pessimistic view of this announcement until they've heard otherwise. Hey, we're just looking out for your mental health here.
[Thanks, Steve G.]
Update: Depending on how you interpret the press release, HTC could be saying that the upgrade is
valued at NT$1,500, but will actually be free. We're working to get a clarification.
Update 2: Alright, we've gotten the skinny on this straight from HTC. The update will be free -- thing is, it's only coming to Taiwan's Chunghwa so far. The fate of Magics on other carriers remains unknown, but we do know that so-called "with Google" versions will definitely be left out (that includes you, myTouch 3G).
posted Aug 16th 2009 1:03PM
I hope AT&T get this phone!
the phone is going to sprint
its already on tmobile. its the mytouch 3G
Hah! $50? If I had an Android I would definitely go the XDA route.
whoa! this is the best news ive heard in ages. but will the update provide multi-touch? and flash?
i dont know if it will support multi touch but flash yeah cause on october as well, the flash company thing said they will have flash player 10 for android, wm, and others, so do expect flash for the magic
I know that it's probably basterdized Chinese but according to the translated page: "In addition, until early October ended October 31, where to buy HTC Magic of consumers will be able to HTC official website to download the latest software free of charge (to upgrade the market value of about NT services 1,500 million), HTC to allow more users to experience the HTC "to people-oriented "design concept, specially-made mobile phones are the perfect you."
That Free of charge part leads me to believe it's free of charge. The NT1500$ seems to indicate that it has a value of $46. But that's my understanding. :P
Also, this page seems to indicate that it is free of charge.
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eprice.com.tw%2Fmobile%2Ftalk%2F%3Fprod_id%3D3402%26tid%3D4211197&sl=zh-CN&tl=en&history_state0=
From what I understand is whoever buys the phone during that promotional period will get a free upgrade whereas if you bought it earlier (or after it ends) you will have to pay for it. Like Windows 7.
Sorry to triple post, but I think it's important to consider the two versions of the HTC Magic; PVT32A with 288MB RAM, and the PVT32B with 192MB RAM. I think that is what is going to determine which Magics will get the update and which won't.
In the case of the Magic from Rogers, even if it's subsidized and has a custom Rogers ROM what sets it apart from the T-Mobile myTouch3G in the US and the Vodafone HTC Magic in Europe is that it is the PVT32A version of the phone so I do believe the Rogers HTC Magic has a decent chance of being eligible for the update (or at least have some version of the Sense UI that will not remove the Rogers changes in their Android ROM).
What about the G1??
The G1 isnt as powerful as the hero and the magic/mytouch, and considering sense is already a little laggy on the hero, id assume it would be a disaster on the G1. I bet that over time, Sense ui will be streamlined, and there will be a build that can perform well on the G1
can someone PLEASE help!? ive looked far and wide, and i have yet to see an htc magic phone that isnt "google" branded. the only one i know of is the rogers one, but that has the lower RAM. doesnt make sense. at all. what if i got an Ion? would that work??? help! please!
The Rogers HTC Magic has the higher amount of RAM (288 MB; http://www.htc.com/ca/faq_detail.aspx?p_id=270&act=spec).
Just to clarify. Does the update mean I will be able to play streaming video/audio on my Rogers magic besides Youtube? BTW for those interested you can listen to Shoutcast radio on the magic. Just find the streamfurious app which has a list of stations and scroll to the bottom for the Shoutcast link. You can save to favourites and the stations will automatically open in streamfurious.