ZOMG!! Update!

[scaryjim]

tbh, the title is exactly how I feel. After countless hours searching desperately to see if my HTC Magic (on vodafone, Google branded) would get a ROM update, I'd given up and assumed that I'd never get anything beyond 1.6

Then this morning, it told me I had an update to install, so I let it do its thing. Once it was finished, couldn't see any difference, so I assumed it was just some stability update. A few minutes later, it tells me I have another update to install. So I tell it to get on with it.

Turn my phone back on and I've been updated to 2.2.1

The only real difference I've noticed so far is redesigned icons and a different transition animation when you back out of screens. Obviously I know that 2.2. is meant to bring flash support, so I'll be messing with a few sites later once I'm back on the wireless network. Anything else I can look forward to now I've caught up with the masses?

[Terbinator]

I thought Android based phones all had a universal OS, so when a new update was released even by carrier X you could download, install and use it anyway ?

[scaryjim]

*shrug* dunno tbh. I was pretty happy with 1.6: it did everything I needed. Always nice to have some shiny new stuff to play with though

AFAIK you *can* install different roms but there's no guarantee that everything on your phone will work with them, due to driver support and stuff like that. I have to admit I'm really not a phone geek - as long as it makes calls I'm pretty happy - but given the Magic is essentially a budget Android phone I think it's pretty good that those of us who've stuck with it have got the update

[Flibb]

Best thing about 2.2 is the ability to install to your SD card.

Having recently come from a HTC winmo, to android 2.1, I was absolutely gob smaked that I couldnt install to the SD without hacking the phone. Overall android feels like winmo with a different front end on it, and with HTC sense you can have the same front end on both. Market on android is great, but a lot of things (coming from winnmo) you would think would be built in aren't. What I really like is that you can get a good phone on android for under £100 (PAYG), thats great, and for me has stopped me even considering a new contract.

[capt_cornflake]

I think you should be able to able to use the phone as a wireless AP (unless the carrier has disabled it). Flash as you mentioned, generally better performance.
I think live wallpapers were introduced in 2.1 so this might be new to you.

There's also a new "update all" option in marketplace.
On the Galaxy S there was a new option to disable mobile network Data as well, but I'm not sure if this is in standard froyo or not...

Can't think of anything else of the top of my head, but I'm sure there are other things.

[scaryjim]

Hmm, there appears to be a tethering option in the networking settings: that's new, I think (had been using easytether up to now, but perhaps I don't need to any more ) - according to the help it'll work with Windows Vista / 7 & linux, so something to try when I get home

Can't find anything for using the phone as a WAP though: presumably it'd just be under Wirless and Networks in settings?

[capt_cornflake]

Yes on my galaxy S it's in wireless and network -> Mobile AP.

The galaxy S had this ability on 2.1 though, although it only became standard in 2.2, so it's possible that Samsung stuck the options in a different location...

[scaryjim]

Looks like I don't get that on my magic: maybe the hardware doesn't support it, or maybe Voda have disabled it. Their forums say they're quite happy with you tethering though, so not sure why they'd not allow the WAP settings which are basically the same.

Still, enjoying some of the new look UI and stuff. Must try out flash soon