...who's becoming a bit tired of the phrase "only on O2"?

NO IPHONE

Job maybe the Devil but his shit works

As soon as there s an Android that supports Skype over wifi I'm getting one, but not before (with the 3G coverage being so patchy)

Until then i'm staying with Fring (the native skype for symbian doesnt support wifi) on my Nokia E71)

Of course the carriers hate that and so part of the Customer Experience is to make sure there are no naughty apps and that it is sufficiently locked down

This is the trend started by Apple I am afraid - locked down devices that can only install approved apps (Symbian were too early and too open to close their platform in that way - so far).

Now where's the jailbroken Android?

I've been waiting to try out this and the new HTC phone. However, the contracts on O2 tend to be rubbish if you aren't getting an iPhone.

agreed, how the hell do they manage to get so many exclusive deals? Does nobody else have any money anymore? I thought they weren't even the biggest of the 4 anyway? crazy :(

Android handsets now available on Voda, O2, T-Mob and Orange. That can only be a good thing.

Worldwide HTC Magic sales topped the one-million mark this week too, which isn't bad considering it was only released a couple of months ago. Okay, so it's got a way to go before it starts harassing the iPhone, but competition in this market can only be a good thing.

For me, that phrase just means that the handset is one I'll never own.

I don't like handset exclusives, never have and never will. I might have had an iPhone if it'd been available on other networks, as I'm not going to shell at that much money for a SIM-free one.

I choose my network based on performance, reliability, price, and signal strength in the areas that I need to be, not on the handsets that they offer subsidized under contract.

Yes, the model looks like its only on o2. But if you really want an Adroid handset, you can get them on Tmobile and Orange?

O2 sucks - their data network hasn't been the best lately.

Muppets.

I am, Dam O2.

No, you are not the only one

Not just "only on O2", but "only" on any network, surely moves like these by phone manufacturers severely limit how many handsets they sell.

Or does the nice payout from O2 (or similar) balance things out??

Also, do all of these "exclusive" network deals have an end date? Like with the latest iPhone

...the only one. Getting sick of O2 swiping all the latest and greatest mobiles off the market. :/

And I was so looking forward to maybe getting one of these. The reviews seem pretty positive. Guess I'll have to wait & see what other manufacturers are releasing in the Android flavour this year. Or surrender and switch providers.

as O2's coverage up here is worse than 2 cups with a piece of string. Why are these companies so keen to limit their phone userbase? It's a real shame as the phone looks pretty good.

I was waiting for this handset to appear on T-mobile so that I could take advantage of one of their cheap "unlimited" data tarriffs with it.

Looks like it'll be another £30+ a month O2 ripoff instead.

No, you're not.

I wish O2 would spend some of their money on their hopeless 3G network, rather than on securing phone exclusives.

not at all

With Android, you are free to install any application you like. That is one of the big advantages over the iPhone: It is a very open platform.

As for exclusivity, there are already retailers offering the i7500 unlocked. That will allow you to use it with any network. And the pricing is transparent that way.

I've been after this phone for a couple of weeks. Was told by O2 CS on the phone that it was due out w/c 10th August. Phoned them every day this week to see, nothing. Called into the local retailer, and was told it was meant to be in-store by the 17th, so it would probably come in on the delivery today. This was later confirmed by someone from O2 on the phone saying that the release had been pushed back w/c 17th.

Just got back, after having been told that there is "a problem with the software" that the stores have had a memo about, and that the release has been pushed back with no projected date.

Not sure what the "software" problem supposedly is, especially as this phone is ALREADY out, and has been for a month or so, on O2 in Germany...

By Christ O2 are useless.

@By Was Steve

I reckon you're spot on there...My rooted Magic can do these things

When I called to get a PAC code from o2 they offered me this handset as an alternative to the HTC hero, I told them to get stuffed.. They told me that it was going to launch around the end of the month (think he said 28th but not 100% on it)

If you want an Android phone you have the option of:

Samsung Galaxy - o2

HTC Hero - Orange & T Mobile (called the g2 touch)

HTC Magic - Vodaphone

Android is on pretty much all carriers, surely 3 will get one soon enough.

Doubt this one will sell as Samsung have been making some pretty dodgey phones recently..

For once, a smart phone article that DOESN'T mention Apple or iPhone. But of course the first 2 or 3 comments do. I thought you haters, uh, hated always having to read iphone this and iphone that in articles about other smart phones.

Well, congrats, this article's for you. So why bring it up then?

I'm just waiting for a sub £150 Android on PAYG. Maybe on something like 3's £5 for a month of unlimited* internet.