Zeinal Bava presented the HTC  Magic, the new TMN device

TMN extends its smartphone portfolio by launching the HTC Magic, the first Android-based smartphone launched in Portugal. TMN customers may pre-register for the purchase of an HTC Magic at http://www.tmn.pt/ and learn more about this new device.

“TMN has been betting on smartphones. One year ago, Sapo and the University of Aveiro started to develop applications for the Android platform, which we present today with the new device”, explained Zeinal Bava, Portugal Telecom’s CEO.

Featuring an extremely attractive design, the HTC Magic is a compact smartphone based on the Android platform, enabling a unique experience in terms of mobile access to the internet and to interactive content and services. According to PT’s CEO, smartphones “afford an enhanced usage experience so that users can’t live without them any more”. The latest HTC model offers through the Android market access to thousands of applications for the Android platform, many of them cost-free.

According to Pedro Abad, country manager, HTC Iberia, HTC stands for innovation, a new way of communicating. “We are very pleased to be part of this partnership”, he stresses.

Android is an Operating System for smartphones that will enhance the existing value services. It is an open source platform that underpins application development for customers. “Sapo has already developed two applications – Banca Sapo and Sapo Mobile – and will keep doing so”, says Zeinal Bava.

Any user may access the Android Market via HTC Magic and download applications from the vast portfolio available. Here, Banca Sapo stands out, an application developed by Sapo that allows access to cover pages of newspapers and to the news in Portuguese, updated instantaneously.

Also via the Android Market, Sapo Mobile may be accessed and downloaded, fully customised for the Android browser. Sapo and TMN aim to make available other applications for Android-based mobile phones throughout the year, with content in Portuguese language, for Portuguese.

“We are pleased with this launch and we promise that TMN will keep investing in devices and in its customer service network to keep giving more and more to its customers”, says PT’s CEO.

About the HTC Magic

Featuring a 3.2” HVGA touch-screen and an accelerometer, with a sensor detecting the movement and position of the device, the HTC Magic allows the navigation throughout its menus via a trackball, including fast access keys, aiming to afford the user an intuitive and easy access to all its features. The device may be synchronised with the Microsoft Exchange Server and has multiple access options to email accounts and instant messaging such as Gmail and Google Talk for example.

Pedro Pinheiro, TMN Product Manager, spoke about  the characteristics and specific features of the device

It is worth recollecting that TMN has had an enormous success in the mobile market with smartphones HTC Diamond, HTC Touch HD and, more recently, the first smartphone with its own brand, TMN Bluebelt. The mobile telecommunications operator contributes thus to democratising the use of advanced smartphones enabling the access to relevant data services: real-time email, Internet access, applications, Meo Mobile, SAPO Mobile, internetnotelemovel, MSN, useful information in mobility, among others.

As the market keeps valuing mobile services more and more, smartphones are one of the fastest-growing segments mainly because they are sold at each time more competitive prices and because of content access. In this framework, TMN has played a role of paramount importance. “This is a new cycle for mobile communications which are undergoing a qualitative jump forward. TMN has contributed to making access to these devices more popular both due to the growing number of models in its portfolio and to the investment in its 3G network, ensuring access to excellent services” concludes PT’s CEO.