The HTC Magic handset runs Google's Android operating system and is widely called the "Google phone".

If cellphones were wheels, one could imagine that their development went something like this. First, there was no wheel. Just a long mammoth- gut string linking one hut to another, with a giant mollusc at each end for an ear piece (apologies to Hanna- Barbera).

Then, someone invented cumbersome rectangular wheels, which freed man from his mollusc phone and allowed him to impress others by lugging it around and speaking very loudly on it in public.

Wheels got smaller, rounder and improved with pneumatic technology over time.Then the iPhone came along, and while the world was coasting along on its comfortable treads, owners of this new technology zipped past on Pirelli racing tyres.If you're still reading this after such a tortuous analogy, you'll have some idea of the gap between the iPhone and the others.

Some would argue that this is a perceived gap, which has more to do with the strength of Apple branding than technological dominance. Nevertheless, for a while now, the others have had to play serious catch-up. And some look like they finally are.

Which brings me to the HTC Magic.

This new smartphone combats one super brand with another, running as it does on Google's Android operating system. As one would expect, it is seamlessly integrated with Google applications such as Gmail, Maps and Street View, Picasa, Calendar and Talk.

If you are one of the 113 million Gmail users, you will enjoy the ease with which you can check your email, with the phone alerting you whenever you receive a new message.

The web browser comes with Google search, and there is also a Google search toolbar on the desktop if you wish to jump straight into a search without having to open the browser first.

The Magic also gives you access to the Android Marketplace. This allows the easy downloading of relevant apps, as well as ringtones and games.

The phone's GPS works in conjunction with Google Maps to target your present location, which to some not used to such technology, might seem a little disconcerting. It was generally accurate, but went a little awry when hills were involved. An additional feature is StreetView Compass.

What this means is if you are using StreetView, you can activate a digital compass.

So, when you turn with your phone, StreetView pans with your movement. Some might prefer the old drag and pan, but still a nifty addition.

Being a part of the Google stable, YouTube also features with its own dedicated player.

The interface is different from the proper site. New or featured videos were easily accessible, but searching for old favourites proved more difficult.

And it could be our woeful download speeds in New Zealand, but videos seemed to take ages to load.

However, when they did, playback was smooth and the phone switches to landscape mode automatically.

Soundwise, the rear-facing speakers caused some muffling when held. And a bit of a letdown was the fact that the USB charging jack doubles as the headphone jack, ruling out plugging the phone into external speakers or using the headphones while the phone is charging.

However, it does provide a Bluetooth option for audio allowing streaming to wireless headphones or speakers.

The Magic has a tablet-style touch screen with an accelerometer (de rigueur these days). The accelerometer allows the phone to switch from a portrait to landscape view depending on how you are holding the phone.

This is helpful when browsing the web, watching videos or reviewing photos taken on its 3.2-megapixel camera. The touch screen itself is overall very responsive, which is helpful considering the only keyboard on the Magic is of the virtual kind. If you are a rapid texter, you will never reach the dizzying heights of data entry that you could with a physical keyboard. But if you can text at lightning speed, chances are that you are too young to be able to afford this phone anyway.

The 3.2-megapixel camera is pretty average. No flash, but it does have autofocus, which avoids that blurring which is common on cellphone cameras. Video capture is also a bit meh, with a jumpy quality produced if there is too much movement in the frame.

Now for the design. The Magic comes in a glossy white or black plastic finish. Although this plasticky feel has a certain comfy charm, it doesn't quite have the classy feel of an iPhone handset.

The Magic also differs from the iPhone in that it has six hard buttons for navigation, with some positioned below the screen.

These include a call/hang up key, and home, menu and search keys. There is also a trackball if you prefer, and although the touch screen is excellent, the trackball does add a degree of accuracy, particularly when doing things like selecting text. It also helps keep the touch screen fingerprint-free.

The Android interface is intuitive and easy to use.

There is also an extended desktop. One flick to the left or right brings up more screen real estate, quite apart from the dedicated menu.

It gives the interface a roomy feel, nice for those who dislike clutter, even the virtual kind.

Being a quadband handset (850/900/1800/1900MHz) allows it to be used on nearly all mobile networks worldwide.

The Magic supports High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), giving quick download of web pages, email and maps. It also supports Wi- Fi, so you can browse the web using your own broadband connection (or the free one at your local cafe if you're lucky).

The battery-life was good, considering how powerful the phone is. Standard usage got me through two or three days before a recharge was needed.

So, to abuse the analogy I began with, does the HTC Magic keep up with the iPhone's Pirellis on the technological highway? I don't think it manages to overtake the quality, class and usability of the iPhone. But it certainly comes close.

Google apps users (of which there is a significant number) will find this phone tailormade for their needs. Others will find a welcome change in a phone which actually gives Apple a run for its money. Let the battle of the super brands begin.

COSTS

HTC Magic, running Google Android: $1099 handset only or from $319 on a Vodafone smart phone plan. Late last week, Vodafone removed the HTC Magic from sale "due to a commercial issue within Vodafone" but a spokesman expects the device back on the market shortly.