Vodafone – the world’s largest mobile operator by revenue – has joined the growing list of mobile operators offering a smartphone based on Google’s Android operating system. The company said yesterday it has selected HTC’s new Magic handset, with exclusive rights to market the device in the UK, Spain, Germany and with SFR in France, and non-exclusively in Italy. Other markets will follow.

HTC was the first handset manufacturer to launch an Android handset, teaming with T-Mobile last year on the G1. Earlier this week Huawei announced it will ship its own Android handset later this year, whilst most other big vendors – with the exception of Nokia – are also expected to launch similar devices. The HSPA device appears slimmer (113x55x13.65mm) than the G1 – something that early adopters had complained about. It has also been dubbed HTC’s “first fully touch Android device.” Containing Qualcomm silicon, it will reportedly be priced between €99 and €199 when it becomes available.