HTC Magic in India is an unadulterated brick!
// August 13th, 2009 // Android, Technology
Update: Jan31, 2010
HTC announced the loong waited firmware update which makes all Android magic Indian bricks into an ‘open, smart, Sense UI enabled Android phone. Thats just awsum. http://www.htc.com/in/SupportDownload.aspx?p_id=267&cat=2&dl_id=859 Thanks to Arun and Harsha for the update
Before I start let me share something. Just like any other open source enthusiast, I was excited when Google announced Android OS. Luck was on my side when my manager told me that there’s some interesting work that I’ve to do and its totally Android. Things are very exciting after that. I’ve been using G1 from early December 2008, and a Google Ion (HTC Magic) after the Google IO developer conference. Undoubtedly thats the best experience so far that i ever had in my life with reference to gadgets and being connected. So you have some expectations set, since you’ve used those android powered beasts for almost 7 months. Meanwhile, I bricked my G1 in the dev process and I’ve to give the back the Google IO HTC Magic to my client. Once that happened, i was like in a lost world. Life without Android just sucks.
I jumped out of joy when Airtel launched the country’s first Android powered smart phone HTC Magic. Im a proud Indian for that moment. Im a Vodafone customer, so i almost made my mind to buy an Airtel connection. But i was a little skeptical that Airtel will definitely screw up something, as I already had some bitter experiences with the Airtel Connect (Store) people when i went to enquire about iPhone. So i waited. The D day came when i saw the advt in Hindu that HTC Magic is available for anyone and there’s no operator dependencies. I called a couple of mobile outlets in Chennai to check the availability and it was available in Wavetel, Kodampak, Chennai for a little less than 26K. When i went there I was shocked to see an Airtel logo on the HTC Magic box. I double checked whether it’s operator tied. The guy said that its the same phone that HTC distributes to all dealers, and it was unlocked officially by HTC. He opened the box and showed me the IMEI number and the unlock code sticker on it. He typed in the unlock code and a confirmation message got displayed that it’s successfully unlocked. I made a call using my SIM to verify. I made the payment since its a crowded store and came back home.
I opened the box, switched it on and was surprised that it never prompted me with the Google sign in. WTFiss! Ohkay, I can install most of the stuff via Market. So where’s Android Market? Holy crap, it’s not there.
- No Android Market.
- No Gmail.
- No Google contact sync.
- No Gtalk
- No Google Voice search
- No Google Maps, yes no *maps* at all.
I google’d for relevant info and i landed here and here . I started realizing the truth. I SOS’d Karteek (we work together), and he wanted me the check the SPL via fastboot and I got to know its 1.33.0010 which is not rootable yet. So there’s no way you can customize the phone, or rather use the phone. You can read his post here.
You might wonder ‘so what’s the big deal? Guys, You have to use a completely open Google powered Android phone to feel the difference. Leaving that aside, look at this. The specs at HTC India website talks about GPS, but there’s no application in the phone which uses that. So what am I supposed to do with that GPS hardware?
I still have a huge reputation for HTC Global. I’ve been watching the company for a while and I know how serious are they about Innovation and end user satisfaction. The way they pioneered OHA, the way they supported developers by launching the first Android powered phone G1, their recent HTC Hero launch, its all just awesome. Peter Chou sounds very committed and serious. I’ve interacted with few senior HTC guys during my work at LATAM. We are supposed to burn some customised OS into HTC phones and sell it as some ‘XYZ Phones’. I got an email from the HTC User experience team stating ‘Our experts will have to validate the user experience of your application before it goes inside any HTC device. Its a HTC brand image related thingy’. So i know how serious are they when it comes to end user experience. But then, I seriously wonder how can they sell dummy Android bricks in India. Are’nt we potential endusers who deserve the same Android experience that the rest of the world enjoys. I’m sure there’s a gap in the way I understand HTC’s global strategy and the way in which HTC India operates. You guys simply cant do this to us.
My question is, why not the CXO’s at Airtel and HTC India put themselves in users shoe before they strategize something like this. Why do you take Indian customers for granted? In a country like India, with 320+ million mobile users, ruled by Nokias and Sony Ericssons… Is this the strategy for HTC to penetrate? What are you guys upto? The smart phone market is mostly driven by word of mouth. We are the early adopters. Unless you do justice to us, its tough to survive. Im sure, if its not a crippled phone here, i would have influenced more than 10 of my friends to buy a HTC Magic by now. I cannot expect Airtel to do something on this, as I bought this phone totally driven by the fact its a HTC phone in an open outlet. Its pure trust on HTC. Comeon HTC. Its better to be late than never. Get us the actual Android experience.
Update: Aug 14
I got a surprise call from HTC India’s customer care and was told that ‘a firmware update is on the making, and will be available to all HTC Magic customers by September which takes away all the Google account restrictions’. That’s very nice to hear. Lets wait and see how fast they do it.
Update: Aug 28
After reaching out to many, HTC replaced my old brick with a real smart HTC Magic imported from Singapore. http://twitpic.com/fk8rt . But, honestly i want the firmware update to be released asap so that every magic buyer will be happy about it
Update: Jan31, 2010
HTC announced the loong waited firmware update which makes all Android magic Indian bricks into an ‘open, smart, Sense UI enabled Android phone. Thats just awsum. http://www.htc.com/in/SupportDownload.aspx?p_id=267&cat=2&dl_id=859 Thanks to Arun and Harsha for the update
63 Responses to “HTC Magic in India is an unadulterated brick!”
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Got the same problem with my HTC magic purchased in Thailand and have to admit that i have been really disappointed about the google restrictions on this mobile. I know i should have done my homework before buying this phone but who would have thought that they would remove all the good and useful things ?
Seems like a lot of HTC magic costumers in Asia ended up feeling cheated and disappointed. Sure hope that a firmware will come out before i decide to try to flash my mobile now that its become possible to root the 1.33.0010 SPL using goldcard. But i havent got balls enough to try it myself even though that the only thing that can happen us that i will brick my phone. Oh wait it’s already like a bricked phone, except that i can call from it and so on.
Well i found i way that i can get the applications from android market to my mobile, but its a longer process and wont be able to update on the fly.
But this still doesn’t change the fact that all the google applications cant be installed plus many others.
Well maybe i will wait a little while before risking to turn my brick into an even more bricked phone now that i read the update on your post.
Thanks for sharing!
@Ronni Yes, Even im waiting for the firmware update. I dint flashed it yet. I dont want to do as its my hard earned money. I already hav a bricked G1.
Try Open market, and Astro file manager. But not all APK files are installable. APK’s which require GPS access and Google libraries will turn out to be a problem. 3 out of 10 apps are not installable. Lets hope the new firmware will get us the real Android experience.
Early today i send an email to HTC costumer support to ask for a confirm on the phone call you got and if this would also be available for my Magic which is the same model as yours. But seemed like they misunderstood my question and i didn’t get to write again. But i kept searching an found some more info about flashing the 1.33.0010 SPL but ran into a post on xda-developers.com with an easy way to change the “Perfect SPL” by running 2 updates for the phone without making a goldcard or anything else than just running the .exe files and follow the basic HTC update instructions. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=548096
After running these 2 updates with sweaty hands and an uneasy stomach i now got a:
SAPPHIRE PVT 32A SHIP S-ON H
HBOOT-1.33.0009
With all the default google applications including the android market. And i’ve been installing and testing for quite a while now and everything seems to be running perfectly.
If anyone reading this decided to try the same i wish ya as much luck as i had.
Regards from an owner of an “unbricked” HTC Magic. (whole new mobile with all the features i expected when i bought the phone)
@Ronni Congrats on that. Yes I’ve been watching the XDA dev and i was jumping out of joy when the first goldcard method was released. http://twitter.com/balachandar/status/3321761713
But I made my mind to bargain with HTC as much as i can and see if i get my brick replaced with a open google magic. And it happened and i wasn’t in a need to flash it or anything else for now. http://twitter.com/balachandar/status/3602047061
Hi
I am living in bangalore. I am planning to buy a smart phone. I have 3 choices. E71, blackberry, and HTC Magic. I dont like windows phone and symbian either. I am follower of Android and iphone. It seems we can’t buy a iphone in india due the price tag. Nokia and windows phones sucks.
I happy that Magic is here but with the huge price tag again. Is it worth to buy this phone or should i wait for sometime for better android model.
@chandru. Comeon, you cannot compare E71 and a blackberry with an Android device in the smartphone lineup. What smartness does symbian and RIM has at this moment?
Agree, Nokia has got the best hardware, RIM is the best email communication device, but they are not smart.
Wait till HTC Hero launch, expected in September anytime. The current HTC Magic in India is a closed phone, don’t buy that. But Hero is going to be awesome.
Hi
I’m Planning to buy a new Smart Phone, Not Sure which one to Buy, I have been waiting for Iphone 3GS from past 2 Months, donno when will it Launch in India but I cant wait any longer, So i have to buy some other Phone, Kindly Suggest me which one would be best Smart Phone to buy. My Budget is 30K.
@Harsha. IMHO, I dont think we have a real smart phone in India market yet. iPhone 3GS is delayed here, HTC Magic in India has got a crippled Android distro (curse the Airtel), Nokia’s got that sluggish symbian…
You already waited long.My advice at this moment is to wait a lil longer for the Hero launch, like 10 more days to go. until then enjoy these videos http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=244C926444330B49&search_query=htc+hero
Thanks Balachander, I would think Wait is the best thing for me to do now.
Waiting for the Hero is sure a good idea.
I’m currently running the myHero 1.0.1 Rom on my Magic and i’m really pleased about the HTC sense. So now i’m actually happy that i bought the non-google branded HTC Magic cause then i got the 288mb ram instead of only 192mb as the google Magic got. Don’t think the google model got enough ram to run HTC sense smooth enough.
For people who consider rooting and flashing there Magic i will recommend flashrec and recovery-RAv which makes things really for non mobile techies
Hi
HTC Hero released with 32K price tag. I am confused with choosing iphone 3g or htc hero since both are in same range of price. Any chance of price getting reduced on this HTC hero
can someplease help me out. I have bought a HTC Magic Airtel one and am unable to use all the features, because of which i want to flash my ROM to HTC sense…..is there anyone from Delhi who can get my Magic flashed ?
@chandru yes 32k is a heavy price. As of now, HERO’s hardware ( 528 Mhz, ROM: 512 MB, RAM: 288 MB) is a lil better than iPhone 3G (620 MHz (underclocked to 412 MHz for better battery reasons, 128 Mb DRAM). But once 3GS is out here (833 Mhz, 256 MB DRAM), Apple India will price the older iPhone 3G competitively… something like 25K around. Im sure by then HTC HERO will be in the same price tag. Just my guess.
@sujoy Goodluck in your hunt
But you can do it yourself.
@sujoy I got a Magic purchased in Thailand which has the same hardware specs as the one you got. I found a really simple way to first change the perfect spl from HBOOT-1.33.0010 to HBOOT-1.33.0009 read more here. After that i used flashrec-20090815.apk to flash recovery-RAv1.2.1H.img into it which was really simple as well. I tryed out 2 different Hero roms for the 32A and currently downloading the 3rd one which will be down in 5 minutes and flahed into my magic in 10.
This is a really simple way do get started on flashing your magic without any knowledge about flashing mobiles at all!
@ronni
the above post does not contain ne link man is it possible that u tell me how to do it in simple steps or perhaps a link from where u had sucessfully managed to do it ?
@Balachander
sir it would be awesome if u could post a video or perhaps simple instructions on this site itself as to how to flash the rom into our airtel htc since its a pain searching and searching thou i tried to do it myself from the following link http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=4335330#post4335330 which did not work out by the way……its on the step no 9 that i get stuck giving me an error that the image file is not ok…..please help man
@Sujoy
Ah sorry about the missing link, but its actually in a previous post
But first you should to change the perfect SPL, that can be done easily by following the first post in this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=548096
After that i will recommend you to put recovery-RA on your mobile for easy backup/recovery and rom flashing, get more info here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4029315&postcount=1
But the easy way to get recovery-RA on your mobile is to use flashrec: http://code.google.com/p/flashrec/
To use flashrecto flash recovery-RA into the mobile:
Put recovery-RAv1.2.1H in the root of your sdcard, install and launch flashrec and you will see a screen where to begin with there is 1 text field and 2 buttons. First click backup recovery image so you got a backup then in text field write path/filename for the new recovery.img “sdcard/recovery-RAv1.2.1H.img” and you will be able to press the button “Flash custom recovery image” this only takes short time.
“This step is not needed, you can use recovery-RAv1.2.1H through command prompt using adb drivers and commands. But above is the easy way.
When you got recovery-RAv1.2.1H installed you download the Rom you want, but be sure its an 32A rom now! I can recomment myHero:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=552274
Download the rom you want and place it on your sdcard. Power down the mobile. Hold home button and then press and hold power button untill you come to a black screen with green text which is your selections in RA recovery.
1) make a nandroid backup.
2) wipe data.
3) apply sdcard: choose zip
4) Reboot system now
You can restore your nandroid backups here if you test Roms and figure they where not what you wanted. So always make nandroid backup before flash.
Wipe data is needed when you change rom, but not always when you update a rom from same developer!
But keep in mind that if you can’t restore the phone back to how it was when you bought it, you will loose the warranty!!!
A good thing before starting on any of this is to read this:
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=HTC_Sapphire_Hacking
Hope this helps you, and good luck
not that i think you need it, its really simple to do it this way.
Hi, We Can download some of the Android applications on to Airtel HTC Magic @ http://www.androidfreeware.org/
The applications are getting installed but some times the applications are getting crashed
@Charan there is also slideme and other pages out there but even if you can find the google applications they wont install. So still NO google applications for it, and also no auto update for the application.
But if you just want to be able to get the apps from android market it can be done using the emulator from the androidSDK whith a developer rom and market enabler. Then you can pull the apps from the emulator so they can be installed on the mobile. But this is in my appinion an annoying way to get the apps from android market.
Looks like HTC announced tatoo also worldwide. 3.2 px camera and with FM also with lesser budget it seems.
Hey, thanks for all the ‘easy to understand’ information available here. The information about the limitations in the Indian markets has been really helpful. Its really hard to find a complete overview about it on usual forums.
I was gonna go and buy a HTC Magic tomorrow but now, (after finding out that all i can do on this phone is call and message) i am considering buying a cheap 3k nokia phone instead.
Really unprofessional of people at HTC India and google to release this stripped down version of the phone. No point in buying it.
The option of flashing the phone is there but I don’t wanna void the warranty. But still being curious, I have few doubts and would really appreciate some clarifications.
How stable are these developed ROMs ?
After flashing, can we download all the google apps and do they work properly? Also, does android market place work properly on them?
Also, warranty issues? Is bringing the phone to original ROM easy?
Also, up there you were talking about a firmware update by HTC with all apps and market place. Wanna know if that has been released? If yes, if I buy the phone now, will it have that firmware upgrade?
I might consider running my old N72 on a life support system (considering the fact that it has almost died) and waiting for this firmware upgrade to come.
Hats off to you!! and ronni! for all the information.
Also, i read somewhere that you cannot exchange files between phones via Bluetooth on Magic. Can only use bluetooth to use wireless headsets.
Is it true? If yes, any way out?
@pulkit. Yes these limitations on HTC Magic still exists. I heard that Magic is available in grey market for 15k around. With reference to the ROM images, they are absolutely solid. With Donut being available now that is not a matter of concern at all. But once you flash, your phone’s warranty is gone. Again once flashed and after successfully installing a ROM the phone is a powerful beast. No limitation whatsoever.
With reference to the official HTC Magic firmware update, I haven’t seen that happening. But all i can say is that those words are from senior HTC folks of India.
My recommendation is, if you have the budget go for a HERO. If not, strike a deal for a <20k magic and flash it. You wont regret it. Trust me.
@pulkit Yes OBEX support is still missing in Android at the OS level. But you have apps in the market which makes it to work exactly like any other phone for file transfers via bluetooth.
hey bala,
I bought my HTC Magic. I tried flashing it with the Gold Card method. However, I failed in making the Gold Card. Tried two different SD Cards.
Can’t use the One click method referred at Unlockr.com as that requires a file manager that I currently dont have and can’t access Android Market.
Please help with any of the two problems.
Hey,
Don’t bother about the previous post. Hacked my phone and flashed the DONUT ROM. Its working perfectly!! Its amazing!!
I was literally jumping on my bed when I saw the amount of things I can do with this phone. Its my newly found love. Used the one-click method to root. Damn simple. Used the SDK Tool to run the *.apk file. Yoohoo!!
Thanks a lot. If it weren’t for your suggestion, I would have given this device a pass and would have bought a Windows Mobile based phone. Thanks a lot!!
Hey Balachandar, I would like to request you to share the official ROM update you got from HTC (mtupper…) unless if there is any problem. The frustration level is so high that I want to bring HTC/Airtel to court for selling bricks in India.
Again I request you to share the ROM if any you have received from HTC.
-Rgds
Ravi
@Ravi. Its not a ROM upgrade. I got the phone replaced. I would be happy to share if its a HTC official ROM upgrade. I got the leads to take this issue to some of the very senior HTC folks in US. Since i was involved in some Android app dev at very early stages, i got the leads and my request was counted. But its clearly the guys at HTC India who screwed it up. My guess is this. HTC India made a custom ROM as requested by Airtel (limiting the data transfer by all means) and launched it, since the phone sales dint met their expectations, they decided to sell the same pieces of brick in the open market with just the radio unlocked so that it works with any SIM.
I was expecting that they will release a upgraded ROM. It never happened. Im sure if they are serious about Indian HTC users, they can do it. Its not rocket science. Selling it as a GPS enabled phone without maps is a clear win for consumer rights.
Thanks Balachandar. Let me try if I can reach out to some seniors of HTC who has brain in India.
-Ravi
Any idea if HTC Hero launched last month has similar limitations?
Though on the website they claim “will full suite of google applications”
No worries. HERO is a complete smartphone, as its launched without any operator tieups in India. It has HTC Sense UI, the most evolved Android UI till date. So its a complete smartphone with all Google apps in default and access to Market as well.
Hey bala,
I’m facing a new problem these days. The default browser on my HTC Magic does not open SSL Sites on my GPRS/EDGE connection. I have a Vodafone connection. Also, not able to access Gmail/Gtalk/Android Market/and many more net based applications.
Please help!!
Also, I had a doubt. The Wifi connection in my college is proxy based. So, will I able to connect to it from my phone. If yes, then how?
@Pulkit, I think you are subscribed to Vodafone Live rather than Vodafone Mobile Connect. Vodafone Live is Closed Wall GPRS, So, it supports connections only to port 80.
For SSL and other apps to work, you need to get Open Wall GPRS and that is Vodafone Mobile Connect.
For proxy, check http://discuz-android.blogspot.com/2008/01/set-proxy-for-android-web-browser.html for instructions.
@ K
Ohk. Thanks a lot!
Will let you know if the pages open up after switching to Vodafone Mobile Connect.
@ K
I called up Vodafone ppl. What dicks they have in there call centre. But eventually, found out the info that Mobile Connect is not available on prepaid. I’ll have to switch to postpaid.
What connection do you have?
Hi,
I am another victim of this scam. I am trying to root my phone but am having trouble in creating the gold disc. I followed the instructions in the link give but multiple trials did not work. Has anyone found a method which does not require creating the gold disc?
Thanks and Regards,
Nishith
@Pulkit,
I’m on Prepaid – Vodafone Chennai. And I am using Vodafone Mobile Connect. I know, Vodafone support sucks big time.
http://vodafone.in/existingusers/hns/faqs/pages/faq_vodafonemobileconnect.aspx
BTW, if you are open for switching networks, Docomo has nice Open Wall GPRS plan. At the same time, I think Vodafone has also better plans on postpaid.
@K,
I wish to retain my number. I think I’ll switch to postpaid. Not a big deal for me. Without an Open Wall GPRS, this phone is again like a BRICK.
HTC Tatoo prices anounced in univercell. Looks like its 16K
http://www.univercell.in/english/pages/user/display?mode=product_details&productId=28049#
I am going buy this
HTC replied me saying tattoo is releasing next week in india.
@Chandru, Tattoo has a resistive QVGA screen … think about it
Whats the issue with resistive QVGA screen. I am not aware of that
Cos its resistive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistive_touchscreen#Disadvantages)
and its QVGA (http://mobilyazilar.blogspot.com/2007/01/what-is-difference-between-vga-and-qvga.html)
QVGA closes my door
. Can’t we get a HVGA (like hero) for 24K?
@balachander, my smart phone search is going no where for 2 months. can you please comment on which of these options is the best:
1. Is sense upgrade for HTC magic in india imminent or just an eyewash by htc. even if it happens, would android market be available after that.
2. looks like htc tattoo is not worth after all with its qvga.
3. looks like hero is the only phone with complete android experience. correct me if i am wrong on this. but its expensive.
any cheap gray market heroes ?
if i buy a gray market hero, what are the disadvantages ????
@ balachander, forgot to ask this previous post, have seen htc heroes on ebay india for 28.5 k. are they worth buing and would they have complete suite including android market.
any disadvantages of hero from ebay. ????
@Ratnakar
1. Sense upgrade in India? I doubt, cos I still see HTC selling those bricks with Android banner without shame. But if it happens, it will not impact the Android market / Google apps… atleast for the unlocked phones sold by HTC. Im not sure about the Airtel Magic customers.
2. Agree. Im not with QVGA. But again, dont go by those links. Things might have gone for a change with Tatoo. See for yourself before you decide. Wait till you get to see a working piece.
3. Sense, so far the best that an Android phone can get. Even initial reviews on Rachel is not as promising as Sense. I’ve used HERO for a day and it simply works as shown. If you’re willing to buy a HERO, dont buy it from a grey market unless you get a decent margin. 28.5k vs 32k is a mere 3.5K diff, but remember you’re investing a huge price, so better get it under proper warranty.
If you’re budget conscious, get a grey market Magic for 18k around and change the ROM. Thats the whole discovery phase.
@ balachander, thanks for that.
after a 2 month search for a good phone, i think its high time now for me to buy one, and i hope i dont feel guilty spalshing 30 thousand odd on hero.
just one more info needed from you as i am now almost frustrated with state of affiars in smartphone market (htc for its bricks, apple for its monopolistsic practices of nto giving subscribers the freedom of carrier), have zeroed in on HERO.
1. Univercell lists hero at 30.5K. guess will go for that. can you please confirm its a freedom phone with no restrictions and once i am connected to net can acess android market and any damn apps.
2. have seen HERO’s performance issues being highlighted on some blogs mainly while multitasking. what is your opinion on that ?
hi bala,
that was great about htc magic. Because i also brought the phone as the same way as u did, with lot of expectations. Now i am fed up with my mobile with no apps…
I have recently raised a ticket to HTC support team for new update software which supports android market. Following is the reply from them
2009/12/08 18:48 Gyanendra (India Support (Tech)) Dear Mr. Sirish ,
Thank you for contacting our Customer Support Center. We are dedicated to providing you with the best quality service and answering all of your questions and concerns.
You recently wrote us about an issue that you have encountered with your HTC Device.
To clarify your issue, you stated that: Android market.
Sir, Thank you for your feedback. We have already escalated this issue to the product design team, and an upgrade version is under testing now. We will release the upgrade publically in the near future. If you could please provide us with your contact information, we will inform you immediately whenever website revised. Thank you for your understanding and support.
If the above steps do not resolve your issue, we invite you to visit the support area on our Web site. Please go to: http://www.htc.com/www/support.aspx
Or you can go to: http://www.htc.com/select_country.htm, select your country and then click on the Support tab.
You can also call our Call Center at: 1800-11-33-77 if you have further questions.
Thank you once again for your continued patronage.
Best regards,
Gyanendra Singh
HTC.