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First off, hello, i am new to the forums and am a happy owner of a nexus one. I think it is a great phone, especially the insane hardware, and i like the android OS.
However i do have one issue with it. the stock android theme does not feel as good as the rest of the phone does. one of the things that make the iphone great is its UI. it just feels robust and high quality, which is something apple is know for. i love the android OS, but the stock icons, notification bar, and menus just dont feel quite as high quality as the device itself. if the iphone OS is based on os x, the silver and green of the android UI are reminiscent of windows XP.
i don't want to start an iphone VS nexus argument (as i clearly love my nexus one and have never owned an iphone) but i just wanted to see if i am the only one with this feeling.
NOTE: i have not rooted my nexus yet, i am still hoping for a relock. also, after looking at many themes, none IMHO has been able to create a true look of a high quality stock theme. Dont get me wrong, there are some pretty incredible themes out there, just none that are truely great.
in other words: do you agree that android needs a facelift?
I can't say I agree with u on any of those points.
Just yesterday me and my friends were discussing how the iPhone OS is nice but looking very outdated compared to android 2.1, I mean the icons are so much better on android not to mention the res.
If u want u can make it look just like an iPhone, just unimaginably clog up your home screens with nothing but icons : )
I don't really see the resemblance to windows, only that android has more of a desktop feel to it.
i agree with you about the incredible resolution. i dont want to emulate the iphone theme, that was just an example of a "solid" user interface. i just think the color choices, and several of the icons, and other images just dont look quite as high quality as they could be, especially on a phone with a 800X480 resolution.
I don't see what people like about the iphone. The only thing I ever liked about the iphone is the smoothness of its OS. Everything else is horrible.
I would never, ever give up the Android os, with the awesome notification window/bar, on screen widgets and direct toggles to different parts of the phone (direct text, calls, different app or system functions, etc...) for a phone with nothing but block after block after block. Nothing appealing about the iphone OS other than its smoothness.
Really, does anyone prefer Iphone home screen with nuttin but blocks or a home screen streamlined with news, weather and pretty much whatever else you need quick access to?
I have to agree that I think the stock UI looks like it is stuck in Win95 mode. However, I urge you to check out Manup's NexTheme. That's the one I have on my N1, and I love it. I think it adds just enough polish to make it good to look at. The black everything gives it a clean and futuristic feel, too. That will be my theme as long as he keeps up with Cyanogen.
EErez said:
First off, hello, i am new to the forums and am a happy owner of a nexus one. I think it is a great phone, especially the insane hardware, and i like the android OS.
However i do have one issue with it. the stock android theme does not feel as good as the rest of the phone does. one of the things that make the iphone great is its UI. it just feels robust and high quality, which is something apple is know for. i love the android OS, but the stock icons, notification bar, and menus just dont feel quite as high quality as the device itself. if the iphone OS is based on os x, the silver and green of the android UI are reminiscent of windows XP.
i don't want to start an iphone VS nexus argument (as i clearly love my nexus one and have never owned an iphone) but i just wanted to see if i am the only one with this feeling.
NOTE: i have not rooted my nexus yet, i am still hoping for a relock. also, after looking at many themes, none IMHO has been able to create a true look of a high quality stock theme. Dont get me wrong, there are some pretty incredible themes out there, just none that are truely great.
in other words: do you agree that android needs a facelift?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the beauty though.
You don't like something? then change it.
There is no possible way anyone could design an OS that everyone loves the look of.
You just happen to be one of those who don't like it.
Ummmm... What?
I have to agree with everyone else.
Android UI has such a better feeling that my iPhone did. I liked my iPhone for about 2 months then it began to get Boring. I did come from an Android UI, so i was kind of spoiled. but from an owner of both a Nexus, and an iPhone. I say the Nexus wins hands down. not only for the crazy hardware, but specially for the UI. Android FTW.
Amdathlonuk said:
That's the beauty though.
You don't like something? then change it.
There is no possible way anyone could design an OS that everyone loves the look of.
You just happen to be one of those who don't like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i guess you are right.
if only i could relock the bootloader as a safety net...
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this because it seems everyone around here is in love with Sense UI, but it drives me nuts. Especially that stupid Genius button. I now have to waste an entire row of my home screen with the Google search widget.
I...
****ing...
hate...
Sense!
Seriously, I can't stand it. I LOVE the hardware on this phone but am thinking of returning it and buying something used and rootable so I can install a vanilla version of Android.
Despite the facts that I would never use the physical keyboard and would rather have the front facing camera and the faster processor, I almost bought the G2 just for the clean version of Android.
Just curious if anyone else feels this way. I swear, if I could just double the RAM on my original MT3G, I would be satisfied to overclock it to 614 or so and go on my merry way.
I feel your pain.
I'm not a fan of any UI overlays, they just don't seem to add much. Most of their features are already part of Android.
I'm leaning to purchasing the MT4G, just waiting for full root first. Pretty sure I'm going to drop some coins into the pot for the devs next pay day.
1. G2 and mt4g have simlar processors, just that the g2 is underclocked. So they are capable of the SAME SPEEDS.
2. Sense, especially expresso on the mytouch, is absolute garbage! Its so ugly I can't believe people actually like it. It looks waaay to much like an iphone...only uglier.
3. I honetly don't care about ffc, if I need to video chat, then I can just use the one on the back of the g2.
4. Keyboard on the g2 is brilliant. Add in the fact that it comes with swype makes it ridiculous. Sorry you don't like physical keyboards, but I absolutely love this one. By far one of the p-keyboards...ever.
5. Screen on the g2 is slcd, unlike the mt4g which has an absolutley crap screen, reminds me of the screen on the motorola cliq.
6. G2 is amazing, sorry you made the wrong choice, should def switch back
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
pierrekid said:
1. G2 and mt4g have simlar processors, just that the g2 is underclocked. So they are capable of the SAME SPEEDS.
2. Sense, especially expresso on the mytouch, is absolute garbage! Its so ugly I can't believe people actually like it. It looks waaay to much like an iphone...only uglier.
3. I honetly don't care about ffc, if I need to video chat, then I can just use the one on the back of the g2.
4. Keyboard on the g2 is brilliant. Add in the fact that it comes with swype makes it ridiculous. Sorry you don't like physical keyboards, but I absolutely love this one. By far one of the p-keyboards...ever.
5. Screen on the g2 is slcd, unlike the mt4g which has an absolutley crap screen, reminds me of the screen on the motorola cliq.
6. G2 is amazing, sorry you made the wrong choice, should def switch back
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All good to know. I never said I don't like physical keyboards. In fact I really like the one on the G2.
I just don't think I'll end up using it because touchscreen typing is faster/easier for me.
It's ok. You can install another launcher to make it look different. The genius button, however, is a whole different matter. There is no way to override its behavior, so that really bothers me.
I hear you! I hate sense as well and it reminds me of Windows Mobile to much!!! I just use LauncherPro which is great!
I like it. I'd rather not see all the crazy widgets that it ships with however. I do like that it's prettier than stock Vanilla. I mean, I want to kill myself looking at some of the stock apps. I'd just as soon send them back to 2004. And, having that ugly Android robot thingy peeking out from the corner? Talk about tacky!
OK, flame away.
floepie said:
I like it. I'd rather not see all the crazy widgets that it ships with however. I do like that it's prettier than stock Vanilla. I mean, I want to kill myself looking at some of the stock apps. I'd just as soon send them back to 2004. And, having that ugly Android robot thingy peeking out from the corner? Talk about tacky!
OK, flame away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you kidding me? Sense, especially expresso, is one of the ugliest UI's I've ever seen. But if you like it....to each their own. I actually like what android was meant to look like. If I wanted that look I would have went with an iphone...
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Stock android is boring and lacks the great builtvin features that HTC Sense has. The menus, widgets, and built in functionality name HTC Sense more fun to use for me. I doubt many of you G2 owners have even used a myTouch 4G. The UI is a lot more polished than stock android 2.2.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
pierrekid said:
Are you kidding me? Sense, especially expresso, is one of the ugliest UI's I've ever seen. But if you like it....to each their own. I actually like what android was meant to look like. If I wanted that look I would have went with an iphone...
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, coming from the Vibrant, I like it much better. The Vibrant's UI was little Fisher-Price for my tastes. This just seems a little more fresh, almost business-modern. Why does everyone come back to the iphone when this topic arises anyway? We're here to stay, so let's just drop the iphone comparison. There is almost unanimous agreement that the iOS offers one of the greatest UI experience bar none. It's too bad there are too many glaring omissions in its functionality. So, to compare this UI to the iphone's isn't a bad thing in my book. I mean, if this Android phone were encased in an iphone's garments, complete with a skin that looked exactly like the iphone's, I would be no more apt to go with an iphone. To suggest that you would points to your obsession with that device, no?
I understand that, hence why if you love the iphone UI, you should go get one. If you don't, stick to a UI that does not resemble iphone ie anything not sense...
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Personally I like the functionality that expresso brings to the table. Its like an ugly girl that has a great package who gives a great blowjob in return atleast that's how I see it.
pierrekid said:
I understand that, hence why if you love the iphone UI, you should go get one. If you don't, stick to a UI that does not resemble iphone ie anything not sense...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, I don't even think this looks remotely like iOS, let's be reasonable. OK, perhaps a *tad* bit more than stock or TouchWiz. Secondly, I won't hide my affection for the iOS's UI. It's very nice. But, your reasoning still alludes me. Why "should I get one" if I like its UI only? Android is infinitely more customizable and inherently more powerful and scalable - not to mention, it's a lot more open-source-y. I make my decision based on the whole package, not simply a phone's UI. While important, it's not the end all. So, can we stop the whole childish "if you love the iphone UI, you should go get one" bit? Really. While it may not be apparent, you're giving the iphone more credit than it deserves by bringing it up in the context of an Android overlay.
Preference. Sense has a huge following and for good reason. Not just the widgets but browser functionality and mail pinch to zoom. The cut, c.c.p. and dictionary search, language translation is nice to have. If stock Android had the, desk clock, browser, mail pinch to zoom, FM radio, wifi calling, Flip weather clock, bookmark widget and ffc, I wouldn't mind vanilla. Just that HTC brings nice functionality that many of us prefer. All you have to do is venture over to Nexus development and check out Evil D's following and the EVO and DINC, Desire and you will pretty much see there is a huge market for the Sense UI. If you don't like it or think it is ugly then by all means have you some Cyanogen or Enom or MIUI. Coming on here crying about your preference is kinda lame and retarded.
Phateless said:
I'm sure I'll get flamed for this because it seems everyone around here is in love with Sense UI, but it drives me nuts. Especially that stupid Genius button. I now have to waste an entire row of my home screen with the Google search widget.
I...
****ing...
hate...
Sense!
Seriously, I can't stand it. I LOVE the hardware on this phone but am thinking of returning it and buying something used and rootable so I can install a vanilla version of Android.
Despite the facts that I would never use the physical keyboard and would rather have the front facing camera and the faster processor, I almost bought the G2 just for the clean version of Android.
Just curious if anyone else feels this way. I swear, if I could just double the RAM on my original MT3G, I would be satisfied to overclock it to 614 or so and go on my merry way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install launcher pro, and enjoy having the best of both worlds. The sense launcher sucks (in my opinion), and launcher pro gets rid of that problem. Then the things that the sense UI does better (like the lock screen) you still have. I hate sense, and after minor tweaks and mods, like my MT4G way better than my G2.
RealityDesign said:
Install launcher pro, and enjoy having the best of both worlds. The sense launcher sucks (in my opinion), and launcher pro gets rid of that problem. Then the things that the sense UI does better (like the lock screen) you still have. I hate sense, and after minor tweaks and mods, like my MT4G way better than my G2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mt4g sense is still running smart one, so you loose all that great ram while at the same time running launcherpro. Meaning a severe decrease is resources.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
I have always been a vanilla Android fan, I always bought vanilla handsets and the OS updates, and stock features were more than enough for me.
However, I was open and gave mySense a shot on this phone and I have been impressed so far. The contacts, gallery, music, alarm clock and several other apps are so much more fully featured and integrated than I thought. Also, if you pick the right theme, widgets and wallpaper combination, the UI can really be beautiful. I think I would have a hard time going back to stock android now.
For example, I really miss having the vibrate slider on my lock screen like my Nexus had, but with this phone I get a seperate lock screen wallpaper for more customization and I can read text messages and emails on the lock screen. The trade off works for me.
Obviously it's a matter of personal preference, but bashing someone for liking a skin is idiotic. I have an iPod Touch, and I cannot stand iOS, I think it's hard to understand, boring and limited, but most of the world thinks it's the greatest OS on the planet. I don't bash iPhone owners for liking it. Like most things, you just have to have an open mind, give it a shot and maybe you will be surprised.
I prefer mySense now for what it can do, but I will jump to the next great handset in another year or so and be perfectly happy. If that phone happens to be vanilla or sense I have no idea, but I would be cool with either.
I don't mean to sound rude, but is installing Launcher Pro really that hard?
I'm just waiting to being able to install miui on this phone. Expresso sense is not THAT bad... i could do without some bloatware but it doesn't bother me much. I happily retired my nexus and traded in the bulky g2 for this phone.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
SE7EN- said:
Personally I like the functionality that expresso brings to the table. Its like an ugly girl that has a great package who gives a great blowjob in return atleast that's how I see it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't have put it any better myself
So, what do my fellow MT4G'ers think of mySense? Love, hate, indifference?
Coming from TouchWiz, I must say I deplore mySense. I seriously don't understand why people rag on TouchWiz and claim Sense is amazing -- my experience says otherwise: I absolutely loved TouchWiz. Then again, most of this is subjective to personal preferences; so cast your vote and let us know how you feel!
Can you add an option for "I haven't seen it since day one"?
Sense was great on WinMo because the alternative was horrid. I'm not a fan on Android, but I have to say the day I got it I played with it and it's not as bad as full blown Sense IMO.
I had a Samsung captivate on att. It had touchwiz 3.0. I found it to be very usable... particularly because of how well it mimiced iOS which I just switched from. I liked the slide contact to call feature. And although the samoled was rich, I find this screen to be sharper... almost on par with iPhone 4.... but definitely washed out. I am surprisingly liking he UI on this phone. I haven't even bothered to perm root it yet. I like the fact that it all just works.
On the captivate I ran launcher pro. On this phone I have no real desire to change launchers.... and the sense clock and weather widget is frikkin sweet.
I don't find the UI to be intrusive and some of the added features are the best I have seen on a phone... in particular the copy context menu where you can look up anything your browsing is better than iOS. Hands down.
My smartphone acquisition disorder has been quelled.... for the moment.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App
I saw on your "what rich colors" thread you mentioned your love for touchwiz.
I think if manufacturers were to make their UI an app instead of implementing it on their devices it would speed the updates. And they could sell them on the market for $2 make some money and please a lot more people than they are now. Just my opinion.
I'm impartial, would prefer Vanilla android though.
mySense is growing on me, I'm starting to love it.
I like it so far..
Sent from my HTC Glacier using Tapatalk
Adw launcher + mysense framework = bliss
Sent from my anti titanic
Only thing I can say I TRULY hate about it is the blocks around the icons on the desktop and in the application drawer...
Other than that I have no problems with it!
I've used vanilla 2.2 (N1) and TW (Vibrant) and I can say that MySense isn't bad at all... do away with those blocks and it's golden - definitely better than TW.
Been using it for about 20 mins now and HATE it. Theres a reason my buddies on the Hero and Aria (that i flashed with cm6) dont miss that crap, because its just that, crap.
I'll pray every night for a vanilla rom until its available.
I have been a vanilla android user since my G1 (then N1). The mysense is starting to grow on me. There are some good functions that aren't on vanilla android.
thelamacmdr said:
Adw launcher + mysense framework = bliss
Sent from my anti titanic
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i just downloaded ADW from the market and im deff loving my phone more with this launcher, altho i must say, its a bandaid fix at best.
Im a Keep It Simple STUPID!!!! type of guy and dont like the thought of one launcher overlayed over the sense launcher thats running in the background.
only used sense for the first day then downloaded and upgraded to launcherpro plus!! amazing!!!!
I'm gettin use to it. used launcher pro plus for a min, but came back.
DarkAgent said:
So, what do my fellow MT4G'ers think of mySense? Love, hate, indifference?
Coming from TouchWiz, I must say I deplore mySense. I seriously don't understand why people rag on TouchWiz and claim Sense is amazing -- my experience says otherwise: I absolutely loved TouchWiz. Then again, most of this is subjective to personal preferences; so cast your vote and let us know how you feel!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is tmobile version of sense....not a true rep of the HTC sense~
it's ok to me...coming from a vanilla G1 and vanilla G2
Up in the air
I'm not sure what to think about the UI. There's elements of Sense that I like and there are those that I could do without.
I wish I could have the ADW Launcher with the Sense widgets since I hate the boxes around every icon and the mySense Launcher is kinda weak.
The theming idea is cool for those that don't want to run custom ROMs... maybe CM will port some of the goodies over.
What I would REALLY want is the ability to use HTCSense.com... Here's to the Sense port team!!!
It's ok with me for now. The MT4G has more than enough memory to support it, so the whole "slow" factor is irrelevant really. If it had a proper bluetooth stack so I could use my wiimote I would be much happier.
I like it better than vanilla Android but not a big fan of the launcher or app drawer
I'd like the original Sense UI personally
- White MyTouch 4G -
Permaroot + S=Off
I thought it ran pretty good! Installled launcher pro after a day. I just like the look alot better now.
Its not true sense but espresso or mysense or whatever they are calling it. I really don't like it tbh. I hate the fact that I have to choose a theme, which I think all look like crap. I love Launcher Pro and that gets rid of most of the sense ui. Just waiting for CM6.1.
So I decided to take the plunge and try out a stock Android rom. I'm a fan of Sense. I actually prefer all of the overlays from the various manufacturers but I decided to see what all the fuss was about with stock.
To me, stock Android just seems boring. Sense, to me, seems more polished. The widgets are nicer and more useful. The stock Android widgets are plain and boring.
I don't notice the speed difference, that people claim is so substantial, at all. In fact, the sense roms we have seen to be speedier.
So, my question is, why all the fuss over stock Android? I know people complain about Sense taking up a ton of resources, but I don't notice a dip in performance at all.
P. S. Remember, these are my opinions. You may not agree. Don't flame me for it.
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app
SkizzMcNizz said:
So I decided to take the plunge and try out a stock Android rom. I'm a fan of Sense. I actually prefer all of the overlays from the various manufacturers but I decided to see what all the fuss was about with stock.
To me, stock Android just seems boring. Sense, to me, seems more polished. The widgets are nicer and more useful. The stock Android widgets are plain and boring.
I don't notice the speed difference, that people claim is so substantial, at all. In fact, the sense roms we have seen to be speedier.
So, my question is, why all the fuss over stock Android? I know people complain about Sense taking up a ton of resources, but I don't notice a dip in performance at all.
P. S. Remember, these are my opinions. You may not agree. Don't flame me for it.
Sent from my One X using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it's a blank canvas. Check out mycolorscreen.com, justreveal.net for some examples of what I mean.
Also, if the stock Android ROM you tried was on this device...then you haven't really experienced stock Android yet. There are still lots of bugs and what not that are being ironed out which cause lags in performance and other issues, so it's not really fair to judge the experience if it did occur on the One XL.
I do strive for AOSP on all my devices, but Sense is the ONLY tolerable manufacturer "skin" as far as I'm concerned. I dealt with Sense right up until a couple days ago since having my device. When I had my Samsung devices, Touchwiz was gone ASAP.
nooomoto said:
Because it's a blank canvas. Check out mycolorscreen.com, justreveal.net for some examples of what I mean.
Also, if the stock Android ROM you tried was on this device...then you haven't really experienced stock Android yet. There are still lots of bugs and what not that are being ironed out which cause lags in performance and other issues, so it's not really fair to judge the experience if it did occur on the One XL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah buy a nexus 7 or a galaxy nexus if you to experience aosp.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
I do agree that the Sense widgets are awesome and much better than what is available on stock, HD Widgets is pretty nice though but still prefer the Sense ones IMO. And I too like the Sense launcher, at least with 4.0, seems to be much improved upon HTC's previous Sense versions. I'm no developer, but if it was at all possible to port the widgets to stock ROMs and launchers, that would be incredible.
All-in-all though I think I still prefer stock ICS/JB to Sense (can't wait for new stable AOKP and CM10!). I think part of the reason many people prefer stock is that although Sense is very nicely polished in places, many tasks feel like they take more actions to complete than it would on stock. Another part would be customization, especially if you go with stock-styled launchers like Apex or Nova, you have more control. And finally I think simplicity plays a part, stock ICS and JB have a very simple, clean, but still aesthetically pleasing interface IMO.
This is also I think was really puts Android above iOS and WP, the choices. It's really what you want to make of it.
Honestly, Sense is the only reason why I own an android device. I tried to like TouchWiz or stock, but I just couldn't. To me it feels like using a powerful computer on windows xp, but sense to me is like being on windows 7. Don't know if this is understandable. Anyways, that's just my opinion.
Sent from my HTC One X using Xparent SkyBlue Tapatalk 2
I don't mind sense. Been using it over its various generations. Modern versions are far less resource-hogging than the older ones.
Stock android i find far more appealing bar a couple of things like the calendar widget, but i had replaced the android one with Pure Grid calendar anyway so I wasn't missing anything there
i love stock android, its a much cleaner platform to me than sense, but I still have much love for sense.
I love both. Sense for me is just easier to use though. But if a fully working CM10/AOKP build came out, I would definitely switch.
I use to have a SGS and I hated the TW. Nova was my default launcher.
But I kind of like Sense. The only think I don't like are the Dialer app ( very ugly... I use exDialer instead ) and messaging app ( using jellybean Aosp)
Other than that widgets are pretty cool. They are all themed and they change when you switch to another theme.
Good job on that HTC... But really Phone app is horrible.
Personally, I am loving AOKP/Stock for a few reasons. Note that I'm going to try to keep this to Stock-specific things, since I know AOKP adds a bunch of cool (but non-Stock) functionality.
1. Accurate signal quality, rather than AT&T's bull**** "4G" icon (this is a small one, I know)
2. Stock multitasking (both interface and performance). I don't know why HTC changed the multitasking interface with Sense, because seeing one app at a time is a lot less efficient than seeing 4-5. I use the multitasking switcher a lot more sense installing a stock ROM.
3. This is related to #2, but things generally seem to "work better". I think this is due to the Sense skin's over-ambitious task killing, but for example, in Sense, sometimes my background Pocket downloads would randomly get stuck. Same with Store app updates. Haven't had this problem on Stock yet. Also, Stock didn't seem to want to kill RunKeeper while I was in the middle of an activity, so that was nice.
4. The general "feel" is more consistent, because apps that use the Holo interface are designed to "blend" better with Stock Android. I also prefer the transition animations in Stock. Overall, Android just feels more "right" because this is how it's intended to be used. It's hard to explain beyond that.
Those are the big things. Notice there aren't all that many, and it's (mostly) about personal look-and-feel preferences...that's because Sense really isn't bad, and there are even some things I prefer, like social network integration and (of course) the camera. If I was forced to use Sense, I would still love this phone, because really, we're splitting hairs at this point. This is an amazing piece of hardware, whether it's running Sense or Stock.
Of course, its hugely a matter of personal preference, especially as far as aesthetic differences go. But XDA folks seem largely in favor of AOSP ("vanilla") ROMs versus manufacturer skinned versions of Android like Sense. On older devices, this was largely understandable. On those devices, Sense looks nice, but leads to huge lag. But with the One X, you don't really have that. Maybe some minor lag in a few places, like opening the app drawer, but really its not significant. The hardware has finally reached a point that it can handle Sense smoothly (plus HTC's streamlining of Sense with version 4). There has also been the argument that Sense takes up too much memory. But that seems largely solved with 4.0.4.
Sense has some nice widgets and apps. But while some may see these as a "pro", other may see it as a "con". If you don't use them, they can be seen as bloatware. Personally, many of the widgets and apps are superior to what you can get on the Play Market. More functional, and the fact that they are themed to match the overall UI is very nice. Getting Stocks and other apps/widgets from the Market for use on AOSP ROMs just makes it feel like a messy mish-mosh. One thing I am continually shocked about is that AOSP ROMs don't have a built-in timer and stopwatch. Seems like a no-brainer to have these integrated into the clock, just like alarms. When I've been on AOSP ROMs, it was always a bummer to have to use 3rd party stopwatch/timer apps. Even though there are dozens of choices, they are all fugly and clumsy compared to what HTC has integrated into the clock.
Again, it all comes down to your own preference. The great thing is that the devs give us a variety, and let us choose whatever we like better!
I used to be all about aosp roms, customizing them is easier, on older devices they were noticeably snappier. However, on this hoxl, and specifically sense 4.0, I have been converted. Customization is less, true, but sense 4.0 really adds quite a bit to our phone that I can't seem to let go.
I've tried many roms here on xda, aokp, cm9, cm10, clean rom, three different roms from xsmagikal, and I discovered with the aosp roms that I missed fully working roms, and many features from sense roms and would flash back within two days.
I did the ota, and honestly, after being on stock (rooted, unlocked, but bone stock 2.20 ota) for five days or so, I almost think I could stay stock through the next year,and I would be satisfied with my phone.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Guys I've be wondering...why do OEMs always skin up their UI in a way so that it becomes disgusting to use...
Many custom ROMs sure only exists just to bring the native Android feeling like on the Nexus devices to those phones, right?
I myself own a Galaxy Note, and the day I bought it I feel its system was so crapped over with all that Touchwiz bs and Samsung Apps that nobody is going to use but still runs in the background.
So, if OEMs start building 'stock' Android firmwares and only add the essential features (like S-Pen Apps), wouldn't that be awesome for its users and for the OEM, due to not having to port everyting over once a new Android version arrives, which maybe means lower costs and faster updates?
I know that it would be making phones harder to differentiate, and marketing those would be harder, but they could make two production lines or two software versions and let the users choose which they want to update to...
Maybe I am just too naive lol, but I've been searching for a phablet with as much stock UI as possible and eventually I gave up
Any answers appreciated
This already started during Gingerbread and I think even before, back then Android looked hideous and the phone manufacturers actually did a decent job back then like HTC with it's 'Sense'. I think the manufacturers are still stuck in their old habits, and trying to differentiate themselves from competitors just like before. However Android started to look beautiful from ICS and on and most of these skins now look ugly and outdated.
I think the manufacturers have to step up their game just like google did with ICS, with either improving their skins or just remove their custom skins all together.
If you want the AOSP look, buy a nexus device or flash a ROM. You will just have to trust me when I say the masses like things the way they are. Stock Android is getting pretty good, but Sony's UI I just love, and I can see a lot of things which Sony and other OEMs bring to their skin a whole version before Google does
I for myself hate Touchwiz, but if you say so
You may dislike touchwiz UI (join the club) but the fact is Samsung has a lot of closed source features not available on stock AOSP.
As mentioned before it is just brand differentiation.
Sent from my SGH-I747
Sense is my custom skin, and I honestly don't mind Touchwiz, but stock jb or ICS is beautiful.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Bull_Moose said:
Sense is my custom skin, and I honestly don't mind Touchwiz, but stock jb or ICS is beautiful.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
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While it would be nice to have the option of choosing Stock or Skin at setup, it would be difficult because their software is completely different. I personally like Stock Android and would rather not go back to any skin for that matter.
You could also just use a launcher (and de-bloat if it's an issue for you) to get a "look".
On my phone, I only use a launcher so that I can get T-Mobile's native WIFI-calling that's TW-only. I really didn't mind TW and there were some things I really liked - but the dealbreaker was lack of customisation - little changes that I wanted to make that made the phone go from good to awesome.
If you just want the look, try Apex or Nova launcher - you don't even necessarily need root.