World's Second Android Phone - HTC Magic

Despite all the hoopla surrounding Google's Android open-source operating system for smartphones, so far only one phone is available to date that actually runs the Android OS--the HTC Dream (also knon as the T-Mobile G1). The HTC Dream is finally going to get some company in the form of only the second official Android phone to be announced--also from HTC--the HTC Magic.

The HTC Magic will start shipping in "the spring," and it will initially only be available in Europe. European mobile phone service provider, Vodafone, snagged the initial exclusive rights to sell the HTC Magic in the U.K., Spain, Germany, and France (via SFR, which is co-owned by Vivendi and Vodafone). Vodafone claims that the HTC Magic will be "available from free on various price plans." The only place the HTC Dream will initially be available where it will not tied exclusively to a contract with Vodafone, will be in Italy. HTC promises that the HTC Magic will be available in more countries at a later date, presumably including the U.S.