First look: G2 [Second Generation Google Android Phone] in India

Indiatimes Infotech

Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC is all set to launch G2, or the second generation premier Google phone that runs on Google's Android operating system, in India. It is likely to be priced between Rs 26,000- Rs 28,000.

The company is planning to sell the unlocked G2 Android phone through a large telecom service provider, most likely Airtel, according to sources. However, it has no immediate plans to retail the same through Vodafone with which it has a tie-up to sell G1 and G2 in most other regions, including the entire Europe.

G2 is the successor to the first Google Phone, G1. The device is a sleeker version of G1 sans keyboard. The second Google Android smartphone was unveiled at Barcelona earlier this year jointly by HTC and Vodafone.

• Touchscreen

The HTC Magic also known as the Google G2 is sleek, very slim and light weight. HTC G2 is the latest entrant into the android touch screen smartphone line up of HTC.

Its got a great 3.2 inch 320480 pixel touchscreen display. It will feature the cupcake version of the Android software and will have an onscreen keyboard.


• Size

The vital statistics of the phone is 113 x 55 x 13.65 mm. There is a trackball for scrolling screens without finger strokes. Other features include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mini USB and GPS. In addition to accelerometer, HTC G2 has one G Sensor. There is also an MP3 player that can support major audio formats.


• Apps on board

Being based on Google's Android platform, the phone offers Google apps, including search, Gmail, GTalk and Google calendar. The Android interface allows users to mark Gmail messages and assign them to a label or delete them.

Google Android is based on the open source platform for mobile devices. Using these smartphones, a user can download a wide number of utilities and productivity applications from Android App Store, both priced and for free.


• Camera

The HTC Magic sports a 3.2 megapixel with Auto Focus. There's no Flash. HTC G2 supports only video formats like MP4 and 3GP which are slightly less when compared to the current standards of android mobiles. The phone's video recording capabilities allows users to post videos directly on You Tube or share videos with friends via e-mail or MMS.


• Connectivity

HTC Magic has an HSDPA connectivity with speeds as high as 7.2 kbps. It also has a Wi Fi connectivity as well as GPS. The phone has an internal GPS antenna. The speed of GPRS is 32-48 kbps. It supports Quad Band GSM Networks and Dual Band 3G.


• Battery life

It comes with 512 MB internal memory and has a microSD slot for external storage. The Li-ion battery with 1340 mAh reportedly offers long life: 450 minutes of talk time and 420 hours standby.


• To go unlocked

The phone is likely to be bundled by the telco with talk time, data plans, micro SD card for storage and other offers which will make it a compelling buy for the consumers. But being unlocked means that users on other networks too will be able to lay their hands upon the handset.