Live data from Hacker News

Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

news.bbc.co.uk

1–10 of 20 posts

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#2
>> The touchscreen HTC Magic will feature a 3.2 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS, but no slide-out keyboard

Is there any further information on what technology they'll be using for their keyboard? I'm hoping someone will use the Swype stuff.

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#3
post #2

>> The touchscreen HTC Magic will feature a 3.2 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS, but no slide-out keyboard Is there any further information on what technology they'll be using for their keyboard? I'm hoping someone will use the Swype stuff.

I thought it was the Cupcake's update soft keyboard. There were a couple of leaked videos about this I think...

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#4
post #2

>> The touchscreen HTC Magic will feature a 3.2 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS, but no slide-out keyboard Is there any further information on what technology they'll be using for their keyboard? I'm hoping someone will use the Swype stuff.

I thought it was the Cupcake's update soft keyboard. There were a couple of leaked videos about this I think...

Yep, the cupcake update should be coming for the G1 soon. The nice thing about android is that I can look at the change sets and see whats coming for my phone. :)

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#6
Video here: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/17/htc-magic-first-eyes-on/

Although the phone does not have the most impressive hardware specs, it's nice to see a powerful company like Vodafone show support for Android. (FWIW, Vodafone has a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, but Verizon, which owns the other 55%, is not part of Google's Open Handset Alliance.)

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#7
post #6

Video here: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/17/htc-magic-first-eyes-on/ Although the phone does not have the most impressive hardware specs, it's nice to see a powerful company like Vodafone show support for Android. (FWIW, Vodafone has a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, but Verizon, which owns the other 55%, is not part of Google's Open Handset Alliance.)

I really want Google and Android to succeed, esp. against the iPhone, but I'm just not seeing it in these devices - the scrolling isn't instantaneously responsive as it is on the iPhone, the keyboard and drop down styling is a cheap ripoff of the iPhone... this just isn't going to cut it. And a proprietary headset? Really?

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#9
Mobile phones were a solved problem. You can buy a almost indestructible low-end Nokia or SonyErricson that's small, will make clear phone calls, pair with a bluetooth headset, has a keypad sufficiently good for sms, and a battery that lasts the better part of a week - all for less that $100. Remember when phones used to be big, fragile... we waited so long for them to get better! And the did, eventually, then it was hard to imagine what more we'd want in a phone. We had it all!

It seems to me that the revolution of the iphone and it's ilk, is that it has inspired the manufacturers and users to see the promise of the next generation of devices.

Unfortunately even the best of existing technology isn't able to deliver on that promise - mobile internet speeds aren't as fast as we'd like them to be (Apple had to speed it up in the adverts), the keyboards range from passable to intolerable, and the battery life - well, the best way to make any of this generation of devices last all day, is to not use them as much as you'd like.

How long does HN think it'll take until this generation of devices is mature again? How long before we don't have to make a tradeoff to get everything? 1 year? 5 years? More? GSM mobile phones have been around for 15 years now.

And yes, I know there's the next next big thing waiting around the corner, once smart phones and mobile internet devices are a solved problem.

But if I wasn't excited about that, I woudn't be on HN.

Re: Second 'Google phone' is unveiled

#10
post #7
post #6

Video here: http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/17/htc-magic-first-eyes-on/ Although the phone does not have the most impressive hardware specs, it's nice to see a powerful company like Vodafone show support for Android. (FWIW, Vodafone has a 45% stake in Verizon Wireless, but Verizon, which owns the other 55%, is not part of Google's Open Handset Alliance.)

I really want Google and Android to succeed, esp. against the iPhone, but I'm just not seeing it in these devices - the scrolling isn't instantaneously responsive as it is on the iPhone, the keyboard and drop down styling is a cheap ripoff of the iPhone... this just isn't going to cut it. And a proprietary headset? Really?

I am really interested to see where Andriod devices go in the marketplace. I really like my iPhone but would happily consider an Android phone if it offered the same level of hardware/software integration and polish of operating system I enjoy with the iPhone. I think the biggest struggle for Google may be providing that experience since they do not manufacture the hardware.
Post reply on HN