It has come to our attention that the HTC Magic has been removed from sale on the Vodafone online store (Link). Now take this with the usual dosage of salt, but we’ve been told the HTC Magic is an “End of life” device at Vodafone, meaning that once they run out, it’s gone. With that in mind, it begs the question: “Will Vodafone Magic owners be able to upgrade to Android 2.1 or above?”.
We’ll get in contact with Vodafone to clarify this, but those of you with the Vodafone Magic, you may just be stuck on Android 1.6.
thankyoooooooooooooooooooooo
Some other links – most been dead for a while now:
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1328510
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1392848#r1
http://ausdroid.net/2010/07/21/vodafone-will-update-htc-magics-later-this-year/comment-page-1/#comment-7055
Hi people!
Especially John. You said that you saved an image of the website stating “Vodafone & Google will push out firmware upgrades to Vodafone HTC Magic customers so that customers will always have the latest software improvements on their device.”
Would you be able to post this image somewhere (like http://imgur.com/) so that we can all make our point more easily?
Thanks a lot!
Hi David, Done. Try this link: http://i.imgur.com/PtA7E.png I have 2 other press releases from vodafone stating the same thing. These are at: http://www.vodafone.com.au/stelprd/groups/webcontent/documents/webcontent/dev_007354.pdf and http://www.vodafone.com.au/stelprd/groups/webcontent/documents/webcontent/dev_007450.pdf I have been trying to get info on magic update for months but Vodafone are either dumb or just playing dumb. I have not got a response stating that the magic won’t be updated so I don’t know if CA can help. That is not the point though as 1.6 is hardly the latest software as was promised. I have printed all the emails, press releases and screen shot and will write a letter and… Read more »
I’d be interested to know too. So poor from Vodafone.
It’s now 6 months since the above article was written. Is there a follow up?
Posted by Buzz Moody on May 19th, 2010 10:55 PM
“We’ll get in contact with Vodafone to clarify this, but those of you with the Vodafone Magic, you may just be stuck on Android 1.6.”
I asked them ages ago, and haven’t heard a word about it. They said 2.1 back then but nothing since.
folks, this has made my day. stuck with VF magic and frustrated with 3 panes and dumb look drawer. look here and i have installed with no issues on OS 1.6 and magic. simple as. happy days.
http://gadgets.apnafundaz.com/2010/06/helix-launcher-for-android-xperia-x10-fix-battery-life-problems-improves-performance/
I have this quote from an official press release from Vodafone, dated May 21, 2009. “Edward Goff, Head of Consumer Markets, Vodafone Australia, commented: “Vodafone is thrilled to be launching an exclusive version of the HTC Magic. We will offer both the black and white variants to our customers – the white of which is exclusive to Vodafone – and Google branding. In addition, the Vodafone exclusive device comes with Firmware Over-the-Air software which automatically updates handsets with the latest Android software, ensuring our customers always enjoy the best possible user experience.” I believe that would be evidence to support… Read more »
Yeah, there are a few of those:
Screen shot of now deleted web page:
http://i.imgur.com/PtA7E.png
2 press releases from vodafone stating the same thing. These are at:
http://www.vodafone.com.au/stelprd/groups/webcontent/documents/webcontent/dev_007354.pdf
and
http://www.vodafone.com.au/stelprd/groups/webcontent/documents/webcontent/dev_007450.pdf
All lies.
Any luck with cancelling contract?
I got my phone from ebay and it was a UK Vodafone handset. I was on optus then went to Vodafone Aus and I still haven’t been updated past 1.5. I don’t know enough to root my magic and have given up ever updating my phone. I’ve haven’t even had it for a year and I’m ready to get an iphone.
I want to manually update but I fear it will never happen.
What i don’t understand is why HTC don’t put up the Android updates on there website so it had nothing to do with the carrier and you could up date your phone by manually downloading on your pc?
They do some times. They usually have both ways available.
Not for the Vodafone Magic. They do for the 3 Magic, but you need to provide the serial number in order to download any updates.
Lets hope they replace it with a Motorola Milestone. They would be doing themselves a favor if they did as they would have lots and lots of people lining up for it
I’m pretty sure the Milestone has passed it’s used by date. The HTC Legend _should_ take it’s place any time soon.
Too be really honest I am not fussed with HTC Sense. I like the plain Vanila Android or Motoblur. And i like QWERTY Keyboards 😀
Have to agree; the Milestone has been available in Europe for over 6 months without any rumours appearing in Australia of anyone ever stocking it. Honestly it’s a mixed blessing, re: the whole issue of it being iPhone-ised by Motorola as opposed to HTC who let you do whatever you feel like with their handsets.
more evidence legend is on the way…
yes but there are still people on contract with them. The phone is only a year old on Vodafone. And there is silly people like me that signed the contract for one 3 weeks ago
I have a magic and would love 2.1 I do not think it is ever going to happen. Do I have a case for a refund as I was told when buying the phone it would get future andriod updates.
Might be going a tad too far here, but I’m going to speak to the ACCC about this…
Vodafone did mention on their site that OTA updates would be continually pushed out for the Magic. When the Sense UI update came out, VF customers learnt they could not get it, not long after, the part about OTA updates was removed from the VF website.
I purchased my Magic based on the fact that VF would push out OTA updates..they did for 1.6, but nothing since.
yes the told me also only just 2 weeks ago when i got mine that i would be getting regular updates over the air and was told to save 50MB of data a month for updates
i would be very keen on knowing the outcome with your discussion with accc please keep us informed
I spoke to someone a few days ago at Vodafone about this who told me 2.1 was currently being tested and would be available “around the end of the month”… I won’t be holding my breath
David, I signed up to the magic under the same understanding. I saved an image of the now removed vf page stating “Vodafone & Google will push out firmware upgrades to Vodafone HTC Magic customers so that customers will always have the latest software improvements on their device.” I have spoken to the ACCC who referred me to consumer affairs. Consumer affairs said, without having read the fine print of my contract, I SHOULD be able to notify Vodafone in writing and terminate my contract early without facing any repercusions as VF have not honoured their side of our agreement.… Read more »
Consumer affairs suggested yes but could not be certain without reading the contract.
with Motorola Quench out on Optus for $19, HTC Magic becomes obsolete anyway. But at least Magic users can still benefit from the XDA-Dev community.
If they dont update past 1.6. Do you recommend rooting it and putting a 2.1 Build on it. Also anyone got instructions on how to root the HTC Magic and to put a new ROM on