One of the Android firmware update scenarios we’ve been keeping a particularly keen eye on is the fate of the Vodafone UK HTC Magic, which is/was sold via Vodafone in Europe as a “With Google” branded handset and, therefore, is unable to receive any official HTC updates.

A user on the Vodafone UK forums has emailed HTC direct about the matter and been told, pretty comprehensively, that responsibility for updating any “With Google” branded phones lies with the operator, which is required to compile its very own build from the official Google releases.

Here’s what HTC had to say on the matter:

Thank you for your enquiry.

HTC own and make the magic, but the rom that is in the uk phones is owned by Vodafone this means that vodafone will have to supply the new rom(only if they wanted to) so this is to do with the legal branding of the htc magic.

when the phone is branded there is no legal way to unbrand the phone, if this is done then it will valid any warranty that you have.

If these steps have not helped, please let me know by responding using the link provided and I will be happy to check again for you.

Best regards,

lee
HTC

So it looks like the ball is in Vodafone’s court when it comes to further Android updates for the Magic in the UK. Here’s hoping, eh? Sadly, the Magic has been removed from Vodafone’s UK store, with the company only currently offering the HTC Tattoo on a £20-a-month tariff if you want an Android phone – and all mentions of the Magic firmware situation are being locked on the Vodafone forums.

Which makes us believe the chances of seeing Android 2.1 on the Vodafone Magic are pretty remote, as it appears Vodafone would rather push its bizarre branded Samsung Vodafone 360 handsets rather than Android models.

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