HTC has released the long awaited ROM update so that some HTC Magic users can now experience Sense UI on their Android phone. It has been long rumored that the Magic would eventually see this addition. The ROM upgrade brings it to ROM v. 3.05.401.3. This doesn’t include an update to the Android OS build as it’s still with Android 1.5. Notice, the word “some” in the title. One of the first steps required is to insert your phone’s serial number before it will even let you upgrade. While the T-Mobile myTouch 3G is a Magic at heart, myTouch users are not able to flash the new ROM at this time. After reading some comments at other sites, those users who have Magics that are “with Google” seem to not be able to flash the new ROM either.If you happen to be one of the lucky users who can flash it, here is what HTC has to say about the ROM:
This ROM Upgrade for your HTC Magic will let you experience HTC SenseTM on your phone. HTC SenseTM lets you create a phone just right for you. You can customize your experience to be any way you like. Discover intuitive experiences that make everything you do on your phone effortless and delightful.
As a current HTC Hero owner and user, I can say I enjoy the Sense UI, but sometimes I wonder if vanilla Android would be better. With that said, I’m not sure if I ever used the word “delightful” to describe a gadget, ever. The ROM flashing process takes two steps, first three programs are updated then five, with a nice error message in the middle, which HTC states is normal so don’t freak out. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes and requires a Windows PC to do. Sorry Mac heads. If you have a magic and can and do apply this update, let us know how it went.
