Gagging for Google – carrier runs out

On the same day that Telecom announced it would sell a Google Android phone, Vodafone ran out of stock of its HTC Magic – the only device to feature the operating system that has been sold by a New Zealand carrier to date.

Vodafone spokesperson Paul Brislen says the company sold out of HTC Magic devices last Friday, 12 February. The device was launched amidst a blaze of publicity in July last year, during which it was temporarily pulled from shelves, with Vodafone citing “commercial reasons” at the time. Just how many devices have been sold in the past seven months has not been disclosed, but according to overseas research Android devices are catching up with the iPhone in popularity.

Brislen wouldn’t be drawn on whether Vodafone New Zealand will be offering the latest Google Android device, the Nexus One, which was unveiled in January at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. “No word on replacements as yet but Vodafone Group has several Android powered phones available. I can’t comment on what we’ll be offering at this stage, however,” he says.

Meanwhile, Telecom announced at its second quarter financial briefing on the Friday that it intends to sell a Google Android device in the next six months. However, when asked for details, company spokesperson Carly Morris was coy. “I can confirm that yes, we have an android device on the roadmap, but we’re not in a position to confirm the model at this time. You’ll have to hold tight for just a few more weeks.”

By offering a Google Android device, Telecom may finally have an answer to the question it’s been plagued with since it launched its XT Network in May last year – “When are you getting the iPhone?” This question has come up at every Telecom financial briefing since – and it’s always asked by an analyst, not a journalist.