Google Ion hands-on and unboxing

by Ross Miller posted May 27th 2009 at 4:41PM

Looks like Chris' hatred wasn't totally unfounded. We just got our hands on a Google Ion -- which as you can tell is a spitting image of the HTC Magic -- complete with 30 days' worth of T-Mobile service on an included SIM card. It's not a public release model, but seems fully capable. Yes, it's got Cupcake, and while the portrait keyboard seems more cramped than the iPhone's, we found it very comfortable to type in landscape mode. Form factor wise, this thing is as sexy as hardware gets -- light, sleek, and thin. The only thing that exceeds our love for it right now is its own love for fingerprints -- seriously, the entire body and screen attract them like flies to honey. Colorful similes aside, hit up the gallery below for all the pics you could ask for.

Gallery: Google Ion unboxing and hands-on

Filed under: Handsets, Features, HTC, T-Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, UMTS, Android

Tags: feature, featured, features, google, google io, google ion, GoogleIo, GoogleIon, hands-on, htc, htc magic, HtcMagic, io, magic

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Bill @ May 27th 2009 5:19PM

what a stupid design! nice big screen, but what is up with those small buttons at the bottom? it reminds me of those silly little buttons that Mogul had. FTL.

Neutral

jboy @ May 27th 2009 5:32PM

UMA???

Highly Ranked

Galen20K @ May 27th 2009 6:02PM

Sleek and SEXY!!!!

I like the New design!

No wonder they took so long to release Magic in the states, they wanted a whole New Distinct look.

GOod Job HTC!

Neutral

Steve @ May 27th 2009 6:18PM

Come on Sprint. Quit messin' 'round and bring us this android sweetness

Highest Ranked

Steve.G @ May 27th 2009 6:32PM

Now with band-aid goodness!

Highest Ranked

Michael S @ May 27th 2009 6:48PM

That must be an awfully sharp box. The guy has Band Aids on two fingers!

Highly Ranked

Wii60 @ May 27th 2009 6:47PM

No headphone jack!

Damnit HTC, get it together.

Neutral

Anthony @ May 27th 2009 7:24PM

Does this mean we can see this thing dropping on tmobile soon?????

Highly Ranked

Anthony @ May 27th 2009 7:25PM

Hopefully htc gets it together

Neutral

thebigbad @ May 27th 2009 11:02PM

The bottom buttons look horrible. Very 1985-ish.

Highly Ranked

Galen20K @ May 28th 2009 1:12AM

Wow you must be on Crack huh?

Neutral

Armo @ May 28th 2009 3:28AM

lol @ Galen20K

Ross, can you tell me if this device has the 3.2 mp cam like the Magic or the rumored 5mp the myTouch will have?

Neutral

Galen20K @ May 28th 2009 7:11PM

I really hope its True about the US Version of Magic/MyTouch 3G will have the 5 megapixel camera. It would be Even Nicer than Originally THought!

You know when I FIRST saw the Magic in that HTC Reveal for all their Gadgets but you know what since then its REALLY Grown on me in an UnHealthy way as its just been looking better and BETTER all the time, especially in its Appearance as the ION.

Armo do you think people will Flash GOogle Android onto the Touch Pro2?

Neutral

Tking @ Jun 2nd 2009 10:45PM

cant wait for the htc lancaster on at&t...this phone pretty much with a slide out qwerty keybord....nice right?

Neutral

pbgtek1 @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:15PM

HELLOOOOO... can i get a slideout keyboard please!!!!!! these virtuals are crap!!!! and take up too much screen space

Neutral

Lancelot @ Jul 4th 2009 5:10AM

I'm selling my G1 because even with cupcake there are to many shortcomings. My main complaint is the 3.2" screen that is just to small. No smartphone should have anything less than a 3.5" screen, unless you don't mind getting an eye ache from squinting. Also, the fonts they use are just to small in gmail, mail & messaging. finally, cupcake only has zoom in the browser.
this feature should be available throughout the whole OS, not just the browser. This phone just isn't designed for those of use who have less than 20/20 vision. As much as I like what I could do with the Android OS I was forced to go back to my 3.5" screen iPhone. Give apple credit for knowing anything less would require a font that most would not be able to read easily..