what exactly is "Sense"

[rudeguy]

As in "HTC Sense"? I've watched videos and don't see anything that stands out.

Someone please explain to my puny brain what the heck Sense is?

 

[Deeko]

A UI layer. Its the evolution of the TouchFlo 3D interface they created for Windows Mobile. It made its first appearance on Android with the Hero - its just a new skin. New dialer, new messaging app, calendar, etc. Also added some new widgits for things like contacts, clock/weather, Twitter, etc.

On Android, everything still functions very similar to its stock components, just looks a little nicer. On Windows Mobile its an entirely different user experience from stock.

 

[rudeguy]

So its just fluff on Android?

 

[Deeko]

Sense home screen (Android)

Sense "carousel" of home screens (also showing the HTC sense-specific widgits)

The difference is more pronounced on Windows Mobile...

Windows Mobile 6.5 Stock (Titanium)

Sense UI

 

[Deeko]

So its just fluff on Android?

Basically. Its a bit nicer looking than stock, runs a bit smoother than stock, and has social networking widgits that far outclass what you'll find in the Android Market - but in the end its not a real experience-changer.

On WinMo its a completely different UI....and while it gets good reviews, frankly, I like the WinMo 6.5.3 Titanium UI better, personally.

 

[Gooberlx2]

From what I've read, it also replaces (or enhances?) the stock android keyboard, which is greatly improved.

 

[Deeko]

From what I've read, it also replaces (or enhances?) the stock android keyboard, which is greatly improved.

It does replace it - but having used both, I still prefer Better Keyboard from the market to either of them. Or Swype, which crushes them all.

 

[rudeguy]

It does replace it - but having used both, I still prefer Better Keyboard from the market to either of them. Or Swype, which crushes them all.

I used better for a bit and it was ok. It crashed cyanogen though, so I've grown used to the HTC keyboard he includes. I

 

[boomhower]

It's not a skin, it's actually baked into the OS.(atleast on Android) You can't just turn it off. If you have a sense phone, you are stuck with Sense unless you flash another ROM. Personally I prefer stock Android.

 

[Deeko]

It's not a skin, it's actually baked into the OS.(atleast on Android) You can't just turn it off. If you have a sense phone, you are stuck with Sense unless you flash another ROM. Personally I prefer stock Android.

If you go into Settings->Applications, you can remove Sense as the "default" home screen. Then the next time you hit the home key, it will ask you if you want Home or Sense. If you choose Home....Sense goes away. From what I've read, anyway. I've never tried on an actual OEM Sense device.

 

[Phobic9]

If you go into Settings->Applications, you can remove Sense as the "default" home screen. Then the next time you hit the home key, it will ask you if you want Home or Sense. If you choose Home....Sense goes away. From what I've read, anyway. I've never tried on an actual OEM Sense device.

On Android 2.1 devices, you can't turn off Sense at all. It's baked into the OS and HTC even removed all the vanilla Android assets.

 

[boomhower]

If you go into Settings->Applications, you can remove Sense as the "default" home screen. Then the next time you hit the home key, it will ask you if you want Home or Sense. If you choose Home....Sense goes away. From what I've read, anyway. I've never tried on an actual OEM Sense device.

Sense is still running and taking up resources. It may not look like vanilla but sense is till there.

 

[sswingle]

After having used both, I prefer Sense. (Android)

 

[destrekor]

animated and scrollable widgets are win.

Stock Android, and most home replacements, are not compatible with them. The developer for GDE included a scrollable messaging widget, and the developer for Home++ offered code for animated widgets, but it seems like no one really made any widgets for it, which is sad.
But I've really grown to love Launcher2 so much (with the fixed app tray) that I cannot justify returning to Home++. And like I said, there really aren't any awesome widgets anyhow.

 

[Psyrecx]

Sense on Windows Mobile 6.5

WM may not run better than android or have as many apps, but I still think it looks way better.

 

[YoungGun21]

Sense on Windows Mobile 6.5

WM may not run better than android or have as many apps, but I still think it looks way better.

How exactly does it look better? I could make my HTC Incredible look just like that.

 

[boomhower]

How exactly does it look better? I could make my HTC Incredible look just like that.

Your Incredible has Sense as well so of course you can.

 

[Deeko]

Which is HTC's biggest reason to push Sense. A recognizable, consistent interface across platforms.

I think HTC struggles with brand identity. Their earlier phones were either carrier branded (T-Mobile Dash, T-Mobile G1, etc) or built for another manufacturer (Palm Treo 750, Sony XPeria X1), the average person doesn't have a clue who HTC is. So I think they want to use Sense - along with newfound advertising dollars - to try to establish that brand. I can't imagine they're pleased with the non-skinnable nature of WP7...