HTC native browser vs vanilla ICS browser questions - HTC One S

Hi All,
I am currently an iPhone user, but this phone may make me change league. Just a few questions regarding this particular device running HTC Sense 4.
One of the reason I considering change league is because ICS finally support full OpenGL ES rendering in the browser and all over the UI.
As far as I know, HTC devices use their own branded theme HTC Sense, which bundled with its own browser rather than the vanilla ICS browser. I noticed that the vanilla ICS browser has the option to enable full OpenGL ES render path. This make the browser work a lot faster and better surfing exp. I wonder if HTC's native browser has the same setting(s). Or is it already coded to enable OpenGL ES rendering?
If not, can I change the default browser to something, say the vanilla ICS chrome browser? or Dolphin? (not sure if Dolphin support OpenGL ES rendering though.)
Thanks.

It's still the same Ice Cream Sandwich browser just with HTC Sense themed over it, but the code inside the browser should be a bit different for the Tegra 3.
As long as you enable 'Full 2D GPU Rendering' or something in the developer setting, other browser should have it.

Thanks,
Is there any easy way to disable the Sense Theme then? or even run vanilla ICS? Coz in previous HTC releases, Sense of earlier versions really slow the UI experience or even lagging, that put me off a bit even they have some of the highest-end hardware in the market.
Or Does it mean that unlock bootloader, root access or even custom ROM will be needed??

[email protected] said:
Thanks,
Is there any easy way to disable the Sense Theme then? or even run vanilla ICS? Coz in previous HTC releases, Sense of earlier versions really slow the UI experience or even lagging, that put me off a bit even they have some of the highest-end hardware in the market.
Or Does it mean that unlock bootloader, root access or even custom ROM will be needed??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as removing Sense (I did it on my Sensation), you will probably need to do all 3 (unlock bootloader, root access and installing a custom ROM) in my case i used Android Revolution HD, with the noSense script applied directly after installing ROM.
My guess is that it will be the same sort of thing to do it to the One S.
Hope that helps

mtgray said:
As far as removing Sense (I did it on my Sensation), you will probably need to do all 3 (unlock bootloader, root access and installing a custom ROM) in my case i used Android Revolution HD, with the noSense script applied directly after installing ROM.
My guess is that it will be the same sort of thing to do it to the One S.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate,
Although I may not like the Sense theme applied to the UI and browser, I found that the HTC's touch on the camera app is quite well received. I wonder if there is any possible ways to keep the camera app HTC way and just stop the Sense theme from working over the UI and Browser?
Cheers.

You can always change launcher to GO launcher, ADW or Launcher pro. That wont take sense away completely but a big part of it. That can be done without root.

virtq said:
You can always change launcher to GO launcher, ADW or Launcher pro. That wont take sense away completely but a big part of it. That can be done without root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's brilliant, thank you.
In terms of rooting the device and unlocking the bootloader, how hard will that be? As I know Sony's Xperia range even offer official unlock bootloader support, how good is this for the HTC's? Sorry for the noob questions.

You can unlock the bootloader via the HTC Dev website and there is already a method for rooting in the developer section of this forum.
The only true way to get rid of sense is to flash an AOSP rom, CM9 for example. AOSP is basically the stock android OS but when and if AOSP roms show up for this phone is hard to say. A lot of people buy HTC for sense so sense roms tend to be more popular.
AOSP means you will lose the HTC camera app which means you will lose all the cool features like burst mode. As mentioned you can use a different launcher, some like Apex launcher are based on the stock android launcher so it will be a good way to get the stock feel whilst keeping all the HTC apps. This is probably what I will do, as much as I prefer AOSP in general I don't want to lose the camera app.

Sarsippius said:
You can unlock the bootloader via the HTC Dev website and there is already a method for rooting in the developer section of this forum.
The only true way to get rid of sense is to flash an AOSP rom, CM9 for example. AOSP is basically the stock android OS but when and if AOSP roms show up for this phone is hard to say. A lot of people buy HTC for sense so sense roms tend to be more popular.
AOSP means you will lose the HTC camera app which means you will lose all the cool features like burst mode. As mentioned you can use a different launcher, some like Apex launcher are based on the stock android launcher so it will be a good way to get the stock feel whilst keeping all the HTC apps. This is probably what I will do, as much as I prefer AOSP in general I don't want to lose the camera app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate,
but using the launcher method will mean that I only get rid of the UI Sense home, but still need to stick with other HTC Sense features like HTC style multitasking, etc. where I prefer the original ICS.
What a shame! This phone is really a beauty in built and form factor is perfect for me. But many little flaws put me off a bit and a second thought is really in my mind...
e.g. The camera's output is too soft, the HTC sense in a burden for ICS, etc.

Related

Sense like calender widget

I just moved from the HTC Eris(Hero) to a Motorola Droid 2 and so far I am liking it, but i am missing Sense calendar widget. Is there anything in market or something an XDA dev created that is similar to it? Or is there some how a way to get it working on the D2 with out Sense, which I hear because of the locked boot-loader is not possible at the moment. Thank you.
Launcher Pro Plus has a built in calendar widget that looks very good and similiar to the sense calendar.
No, it can't be ported because Sense is closed source and widgets rely too heavily on the sense framework. I use pure calendar grid for this function.
I prefer not to use another launcher as I am enjoying stock Android right now(a difference change from sense which I really like). I will take a look at pure widget.
BTW they were able to get most of sense on the original Droid/milestone because the boot loader was not locked. Or on the G1, G2, and other HTC device that didn't natively come with sense. As long as you have access to the framework and bootloader I think you can use a sense based rom.
tbaker077 said:
I prefer not to use another launcher as I am enjoying stock Android right now(a difference change from sense which I really like). I will take a look at pure widget.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For what it's worth LauncherPro is based on the stock launcher, and is almost the same in terms of looks.. just added smoothness and functionality like said widgets, resizing, built-in notification dock, etc.. you could even put the Froyo dock background on it and it would look just like the stock Android. Just saying in case you think it will look all themed-out..
tbaker077 said:
BTW they were able to get most of sense on the original Droid/milestone because the boot loader was not locked. Or on the G1, G2, and other HTC device that didn't natively come with sense. As long as you have access to the framework and bootloader I think you can use a sense based rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes but you are not able to use the widgets without using the sense launcher... it's as easy as that
I will demo both and see what I like better. I just assumed that pro meant paid version.
Edit: I guess if I want the calender widget I have to go with the paid plus version. I wish I could demo the Plus before I make a decision.
I have tried a few calendar Widgets including the one from launcher pro and Calendar Pad, but found that Jorte is the best one for me and my wife. Many options from sizes to colors. Extremely customizeable.
Look up Jorte in the marketplace, plus it's free
I use jorte. I think youll like it, http://androinica.com/2010/04/16/jorte-is-a-promising-android-calendar-replacement-app-reviews/
That doesn't look like a bad option either. Hmmmm.

CM 6.1 or Liberated FR008

I have finally gotten my Aria rooted and running with both Liberated FR008 and CM 6.1. I am looking for people who have tried both and why they decided one or the other. I like the way CM lets you customize the Mod itself but I miss the Sense widgets that the Liberated has on it. I'm hoping that some of you have found things within either Rom that I have not discovered yet to push me in either direction. Thanks for the help.
bcarruth62 said:
I have finally gotten my Aria rooted and running with both Liberated FR008 and CM 6.1. I am looking for people who have tried both and why they decided one or the other. I like the way CM lets you customize the Mod itself but I miss the Sense widgets that the Liberated has on it. I'm hoping that some of you have found things within either Rom that I have not discovered yet to push me in either direction. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM without a doubt. Yea the sense widgets are nice and fancy but to be honest, that's a small sacrifice for complete customizability.
bcarruth62 said:
I have finally gotten my Aria rooted and running with both Liberated FR008 and CM 6.1. I am looking for people who have tried both and why they decided one or the other. I like the way CM lets you customize the Mod itself but I miss the Sense widgets that the Liberated has on it. I'm hoping that some of you have found things within either Rom that I have not discovered yet to push me in either direction. Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you use a Bluetooth headset with your Aria? If so, then CM 6.1 fully implements all of the BT Voice Dialing features that have been added to Froyo 2.2, whereas HTC has not fully implemented all of the BT Voice dialing features. Both of these ROMs will launch the Voice Dialing app by pressing the headset button, however, the Voice Dialing app can apparently be started in BT mode which allows you speak the voice command through the BT headset. On HTC Sense the Voice Dialing app will launch, but it is not running in BT mode, so you have to speak the commands into the phone's mic.
Another thing I noticed is that HTC is not using the Froyo email client which allows for a combined inbox.
Other than that, to each his own. I am running CM 6.1, but I have installed the HTC_IME keyboard; it is the only thing from Sense that I really missed.
They are both excellent roms, but I must agree with the above statements. Especially since CM is coming out with 2.3 for Aria hopefully in the near future.
I liked the sense widgets as well but I was able to fix that craving with beautiful widgets and launcher pro. Life is good on CM 6.1.1. Now if I could just fix my exchange bug that keeps showing up every couple of days...
None. I would choose Liberated R012. Works flawless and it doesn't lag like the Froyo ROM. CM is great but the basic android looks horrible to be honest.
A few things keep me on Sense, even though I really like CM. Last time I ran CM6, it did not have copy/paste in the Email app or the Browser whereas Sense has it. Gingerbread seems to have better text selection, so when that's available for Aria, I'm there!
Also, Gallery 3D does not run well on my phone.
Lockscreen gestures on CM are a pretty huge feature for me... without unlocking the phone, I can draw a heart to call my wife, an H to call home, a C to activate the camera and a V to activate the camcorder. You can use a gesture to do almost anything on the phone, so these are just a few basic examples.
guys I am looking at rooting my phone, but instead of flashing a whole new rom onto it, can I just do the root and have clockwork recovery installed, then can I install just the froyo update ontop of what I already have on my phone?
badboysoulja said:
guys I am looking at rooting my phone, but instead of flashing a whole new rom onto it, can I just do the root and have clockwork recovery installed, then can I install just the froyo update ontop of what I already have on my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no Froyo update for your phone.
so the froyo rom thats release and is used by attn1 etc isnt that the froyo update? Cause I heard its available in Asia atm.
Also without the update or flashing a new room, but rooting the phone and installing titanium backup etc, I know that I can delete bloatware apps using titanium backup, can I also move apps to sd without having froyo installed but as the phone is rooted, will it allow me to do so?
Thanks again
badboysoulja said:
so the froyo rom thats release and is used by attn1 etc isnt that the froyo update? Cause I heard its available in Asia atm.
Also without the update or flashing a new room, but rooting the phone and installing titanium backup etc, I know that I can delete bloatware apps using titanium backup, can I also move apps to sd without having froyo installed but as the phone is rooted, will it allow me to do so?
Thanks again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ATTN is a rom, it is not an update. You have to start from scratch. Also you cannot remove bloatware with Titanium or any other app.
Liberated, but without sense launcher. I love the way sense sync does it's job and keep my contacts updated with their fb and twitter. I know there is ways for this in cm but its not the same. I use launcherpro because sense launcher is kinda laggy.
You will probably get bored sense Widgets after some time. I just like clock and weather widget and there is absolutely the same known as fancy widgets.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
911jason said:
Lockscreen gestures on CM are a pretty huge feature for me... without unlocking the phone, I can draw a heart to call my wife, an H to call home, a C to activate the camera and a V to activate the camcorder. You can use a gesture to do almost anything on the phone, so these are just a few basic examples.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the kind of info I've been looking for, did not know CM could do that but still investigating the Rom. Thanks for the info.
guido3300 said:
None. I would choose Liberated R012. Works flawless and it doesn't lag like the Froyo ROM. CM is great but the basic android looks horrible to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that R012 seemed more stable than FR008, and a tad more responsive. However, R012 does not support app2sd so I can't have as much crap on my phone as I do now. I did slim down the FR008 ROM a bit by removing the Mail, MMS, calendar apps, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube as well as most the Sense widgets (you delete them from ATTN1's zip file before flashing).
I have tried CM6, many people have good things to say about it but the UI just seems so... unpolished for lack of better word. Yeah, this is eye candy, but I like the Sense eye candy. Having 7 home screens helps too. Last but not least, for the life of me I cannot figure out how to disable the home screen animation and it annoys me to no end so CM had to go. Credit where credit is due... it does seem very zippy on the Aria.
guido3300 said:
None. I would choose Liberated R012. Works flawless and it doesn't lag like the Froyo ROM. CM is great but the basic android looks horrible to be honest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lag? Maybe it's because I am using Launcher Pro but my phone moves on both FR008 and CM 6.1.1. Very crisp and very responsive. The only thing that lags for me is the gallery app in CM. Everything in FR008 is butter.
barisahmet said:
Liberated, but without sense launcher. I love the way sense sync does it's job and keep my contacts updated with their fb and twitter. I know there is ways for this in cm but its not the same. I use launcherpro because sense launcher is kinda laggy.
You will probably get bored sense Widgets after some time. I just like clock and weather widget and there is absolutely the same known as fancy widgets.
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second launcherpro! I paid for launcherpro and beautiful widgets and I don't miss sense at all. Launcherpro has a nice calendar widget(like sense) and a nice messaging widget as well as some others. Launcherpro is faster than sense for me as well. Beautiful widgets can look just like the sense clock/weather widget but with tons of skins to choose from. Both are worth every penny.
badboysoulja said:
I know that I can delete bloatware apps using titanium backup
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can't. Titanium backup will not do this on nand-locked phones, even with root. Until S-OFF is available for the Aria, it is nand-locked.
The Froyo IS available for the Aria if you have clockwork - just flash LA FR008 or CM6 - soon CM7.
attn1 said:
No, you can't. Titanium backup will not do this on nand-locked phones, even with root. Until S-OFF is available for the Aria, it is nand-locked.
The Froyo IS available for the Aria if you have clockwork - just flash LA FR008 or CM6 - soon CM7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soon CM7?? yay!
Sounds exciting. How long are we going to wait approximately for a RC version?
barisahmet said:
Soon CM7?? yay!
Sounds exciting. How long are we going to wait approximately for a RC version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't ask ETA's or the devs will crap on your doorstep. :]
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App

[Q] Help with HTC Notes and Tasks ICS apps

dudes and dudettes,
I tried out one of the Sense ICS ROMS (ARHD 5.0.2) and while aspects of it were great, at the moment (due to kernel development) it's a lot slower than the Gingerbread ROMs available.
However, I really loved the HTC ICS "Notes" and "Tasks" apps.
My questions,
1. Is it possible to run these apps on Gingerbread? Obviously the widgets couldn't really be integrated with a current ROM without recooking the whole thing, but just being able to use the apps would be great. Could someone provide the APKs if it is possible?
2. If that won't work, could somebody strip the icons from the apks for me? I love them and I'd like to use them for my note and to do apps.
Thanks for reading,
zuka
They work on Sense Gingerbread ROMs, yes.
I've installed both on a Gingerbread Sense 3.0 ROM and they both force close. Am I doing something wrong?
I should have clarified, Sense 3.5 ROMs have them.

[Q] Will future "senseless" roms remove Media Link HD functions?

Hello,
As always, developers are sliding further and further away from the Sense UI. While I am also for this, I am curious as to what will happen with the functionality of the Media Link HD. Will developers be able to keep the functionality in there while removing most of the sense bloat or will this be considered bloat? Can somebody tell me exactly what "apps" htc has added for the functionality so that we can put them back if the developers remove them? What kind of dependencies do these apps need? Thank you for your help.
I imagine no one will know that until it is tried/we get an unlocked bootloader
Sense apps are usually pretty intertwined with the Sense framework. AFAIK, there has been little success importing Sense apps and features to AOSP ROMs. On the other hand, Sense ROMs stripped of some of their features and bloat, and themed to look AOSP are not out of the question (and pretty prevalent on other devices). Its possible a dev will make something like this, and leave the Media Link HD function intact. The only way to really answer this question, is if some devs come on here and tell you themselves. Even then, its so early on, and those plans may well change.
Scott's CleanROM Dev edition is pretty close. It still has the media link and some other sense features but the launcher and widgets are all stripped out. Runs very nice and Apex launcher is built in.

[Q] Combination of stock ICS and Sense 3.6/4 apps?

Hey guys, I've been away from Sensation development for a while so I'm not that current on what ROMs are available.
Basically, I've been using AOSP for a while and it's so much better at multitasking/fluidity that I don't really want to go back to Sense 3.6 or 4. However, I just don't think there's an app available that beats HTC's clock and weather functions - they really are amazing. I don't want or need access to Sense widgets, just the apps would be fine.
Is there any way to get Sense 3.6 or 4's clock and weather on a stock ICS Rom? I know it's not as simple as just chucking an apk on there because they come with additional services and libraries, so has any dev done something similar I might be able to have a look at?
Thanks for reading, I'd appreciate any advice or replies
Cheers!

Categories

Resources