Now we’re talking. Finally a “real” Android device is being released in the New Zealand market. The HTC Desire is a wicked fast phone with the latest (well, almost, but let’s not quibble), Android software. HTC also have a reasonable track record of keeping their current devices up to date, so with Android 2.2 out to the public yesterday, we might see it on the Desire in the near future.
There’s a new Sony Ericsson listed there too, but it’s running 1.6 and Sony have been appalling at getting upgrades out. Hopefully I’ll get a Mini Pro to test, but I’m not holding out any hope that it will be a decent device.
Brilliantly titled full press release follows:
These are the Droids you’ve been looking for
Vodafone is unleashing the power of Google’s Android operating system on the New Zealand public with three new Android-powered devices joining our line up.
Vodafone was first in the country to offer the revolutionary power of Google’s operating system on a smartphone with the HTC Magic and we followed up last month by launching Sony Ericsson’s flagship Xperia X10i.
Now we’re adding three new Android smartphones to our range.
First off the rank we have the HTC Desire, with its 1GHz snapdragon processor and its 3.7” AMOLED full touch screen. The Desire is one of the leading lights of the Android world and includes HTC’s native platform “Friendstream” which collates all your social media updates from Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.
The HTC Desire will be selling for $999 RRP (less if you’re on a contract).
Complementing our Sony Ericsson Xperia X10i is the X10i Mini PRO which offers a full touch screen plus slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 5MP camera with autofocus and LED flash. Retailing from $599 RRP.
Rounding out the Android collection will be the LG Optimus (GT540), with its 3” full touch screen display, 3MP camera with auto face tagging technology and advanced multimedia supporting DivX & Xvid. The LG Optimus will be selling for $399 RRP.
Vodafone’s Director of Sales, Grant Hopkins, says Vodafone is leading the smartphone revolution in New Zealand.
“We already offer some of the world’s best-known brands in the smartphone space and now with this full range of Androids at different price points, we have the country’s most complete range of smartphones.
“Smartphones are the fastest growing segment in the handset world, yet the devices themselves have always been at the top end of our price range. With Google’s Android operating system available right across the range we now have a smartphone to suit every pocket.”
HTC Desire and Sony X10 Mini Pro coming to Vodafone
(29 posts) (3 voices)
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Posted 2 months ago #
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Yeah that $1k mark seems to be the standard for “smartphones” in New Zealand at the moment. The Mini Pro is interesting simply for the fact that it is a “full” Android phone (running 1.6) at a cheaper price.
Posted 2 months ago # -
Perrin
InactivePosted by unregistered user: PerrinI think I should take credit for Vodafone finally announcing these. I knew they would do it as soon as I gave up waiting and imported my own HTC Desire, which I did last week. It’s almost as though Paul saw my tweet about it and finally pulled the trigger…
Joking aside, $999 is actually a reasonable price. Mine ended up costing me just under $900 to import, including courier and GST.
I think I’ve already made one sale for Vodafone by demonstrating it too.
Posted 2 months ago # -
rob-nz
MemberYeah, although it must be rough on the hardware vendors.
5 OS version releases in the space of 12 months.
I guess it's more than the SE behemouth can handle!
Still, the X10 is rooted now, so who knows?
Even Google havn't got the final build of 2.2 onto their own phone!
HTC and Moto have promised that they will have 2.2 out on their flagship phones soon.
Some of the older ones may take a little longer, but even the Magic is supposed to be getting 2.2!.
Now we’re talking. Finally a “real” Android device is being released in the New Zealand market. The HTC Desire is a wicked fast phone with the latest (well, almost, but let’s not quibble), Android software. HTC also have a reasonable track record of keeping their current devices up to date, so with Android 2.2 out to the public yesterday, we might see it on the Desire in the near future.
There’s a new Sony Ericsson listed there too, but it’s running 1.6 and Sony have been appalling at getting upgrades out. Hopefully I’ll get a Mini Pro to test, but I’m not holding out any hope that it will be a decent device.
Posted 2 months ago # -
John
InactivePosted by unregistered user: JohnI think for me it might come down to iPhone4 or HTC desire for my next phone in July. I have an investment in iPhone Apps already which swing me towards iPhone4, but I really want to see if the “touch the corner, kill the signal” is going to be an issue, as I am very left handed, and hod the phone that way when talking all the time. I might decide a 3GS is fast enough (and cheap enough to get the one with the most memory, but the retina display does sound really good, and flash for the main camera etc It will also be good if some apps come out letting you use the front cam as a webcam, or some apps that do propper VoIP chat so I can call my home VoiP system and use video calls over 3G (I’ve got 2GB data and barely use 10% of it a month as I always have wifi at home and work), not the wifi only limited Facetime.
I’ve wanted to try a real 2.x ‘droid phone though, the 1.x versions have always felt poor in comparison to my iPhone3G.Posted 2 months ago # -
Max James
InactivePosted by unregistered user: Max JamesHow could anyone consider investing in the iphone 4 with a hardware design fault that cannot be fixed with firmware upgrades of software patches.
The HTC Desire running andriod 2.1 , soon being upgraded to version 2.2 is the way forward.
It amazes me how the Apple marketing hype sucks in the millions.Posted 2 months ago # -
robbie
InactivePosted by unregistered user: robbieSame boat exactly – will be upgrading jul/aug, am left handed, want to try droid, etc. But I think there are some savings to be made by picking up a 3GS so might go there too. Like yourself I have heaps of iPhone apps too, so would need to still carry a legacy device if I upgraded to droid… Hmmmm… dilemmas dilemmas!
Posted 2 months ago # -
rob-nz
MemberDepends on the apps many of the better iPhone apps are now available on Android.
Otherwise, there are equivalents in pretty much every category, although Android is currently light on high-end games.
If you have invested a lot of money in Apps I can understand the reluctance..
Posted 2 months ago #
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