Vodafone confirms NZ release for “G2” Android phone

New Zealand is poised to get its first official Google phone: HTC’s Android G2-powered Magic, described by one fanboy at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona as “close to perfection”.

Officially known as the “Magic”, but popularly known as the G2, the new HTC handset drops the G1’s clunky, slide-down keyboard in favour of an iPhone-style near all-touchscreen interface.

Previewed in Barcelona today, the Magic – only the world’s second Google phone – will initially be released for Vodafone’s networks in Spain, Germany and France, plus multiple carries in Italy. Vodafone New Zealand external communications manager Paul Brislen says New Zealand release will follow mid-year.

HTC’s G1 was launched on T-Mobile’s US network last year, though SIM card unlocking and grey marketing saw it pop up in a number of markets, including New Zealand where it’s sold by Parallel Imported for $999 (Vodafone has warned local buyers about service and data charge issues).

The G2, or Magic, features a slimmer design thanks to its lack of keyboard, and other higher-end features like a flash for its so-so (3.2mP) resolution camera.

A new firmware update to Google’s Android operating system, dubbed “cupcake” is said to include user feedback from the G1, whose sales trailed iPhone and high-end BlackBerries by some margin.

The Magic’s 3.2-inch screen is a little smaller than the iPhone’s, leading a Gizmodo reviewer to complain that while the G2 is “getting closer to perfection”, its software keyboard feels cramped.

Like its predecessor come with native support for Google apps from Gmail to YouTube. The Magic also shares the G1’s GPS and wi-fi.

The Magic, and the G1, also still have access to less software, though Google has recently opened its Android Market to paid downloads in an attempt to peel developers away from Apple’s widly successful AppStore.