why do phone manufacturers use a custom skin on there devices? - General Questions and Answers

i see no reason to put time and resources in a skin when vanilla android is good.
also, customers dont have to wait a year to get there updates,
anyway its a question that has always bothered me.
can anyone give me some info on this matter.
thank you.

I thought the custom skins were good on gingerbread, bringing improved design and extra features, but vanilla ICS is gorgeous and I wish people wouldn't mess with it, or they could give a theme option.
I especially hate touchwiz!
Sent from my LT18i using xda app-developers app

Aden.JD said:
i see no reason to put time and resources in a skin when vanilla android is good.
also, customers dont have to wait a year to get there updates,
anyway its a question that has always bothered me.
can anyone give me some info on this matter.
thank you.
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Click to collapse
Suggest a way to distinguish them?
Why will you buy the same product if it's already available in market? You won't. So it's very necessary to add personalized touch for each manufacturer.
Think of coca-cola and Pepsi. Same basic ingredient but still different?
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app

To each their own I guess. I love the Sense UI from HTC. I've owned 10 or so android phones from Samsung, Motorola, and HTC, and it's night/day experience between the brands.

Aden.JD said:
i see no reason to put time and resources in a skin when vanilla android is good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before ICS "vanilla" Android wasn't very good.

The reason is differentiation. If two phones have exact same hardware, what would make you prefer one over the other is the skin. At least the ordinary customer.
Sent from my U8150 using XDA

ordinary people would just look at the design of the phone rather than the specs.
TeeJay might be right that before ics android was not so good.
my first experience with an android phone is with gingerbread and htc sense on top of that.
dont know what it was like before that.
but after playing with a nexus s i already made up my mind.
my next device will be a nexus.

its called differentiation and it's useful to distinguish them from the others. hehe

Related

[Misc] future of android.

Would like to start a general discussion here.
Would it be a good idea if Google only use android on their own ( Motorola) hardware?
Take this as current state and not the changes in ice cream.
Currently android is a mess 6 versions of the the os in the market.
Three main ones app makers have to support.
I love aosp so I use cm7 as I missed the nexus one and the nexus s didn't have an SD card.
I have tried touchwiz on a galaxy s. Sense on a hero and desire HD. Motoblur on a dext and defy.
They add nothing all they do is slow down the phone and updates.
Why do company's feel the need to add old ui's ( most are ported from older model phones)
Something I miss from my iphones was updates on all devices as the same time, no waiting around for a manufactor to mess around with it,then a network to spoil it even more, then for me to get it after a slow roll out.
So maybe android needs to take a look at ios and think why do app devs like it more? Why do normal users like it more?( XDA users are not normal users)
I would like one of three things to happen.
1- all android phones are aosp.
2- added UI are installable as an option not bundled into the phone.
3- Google to only release phones for purity.
Would like to see peoples thoughts on this.
And also if you like a UI why do you like it? what do you think it adds?
I repair things I am not a writer so hope its coherent enough to get the jist.
Sent from my Tablet
HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc... they put those UIs on to dumb down the OS. Make it simple. Simple sells.
Simple UI plus a Powerful OS = great sales!
But sense adds even more settings and more to the lockscreen more everything.
Motoblur seems to need a blur account then you need your Google account for market.
Not that simple to me.
Touchwiz just seems to change things not add or take away.
Sent from my Phone
All of those make it simple. How do you add to the lock screen on stock Android?
vetvito said:
All of those make it simple. How do you add to the lock screen on stock Android?
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You can't on stock its a simple unlock or mute
Sent from my Phone
What makes apple so "great" in most customers eyes is the simplicity. I love android just for the fact that there are so many ways time customize it it's ridiculous. Example: apple had to release almost 5 generations of the iPhone just to try to keep up with the android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
aurgerman said:
Example: apple had to release almost 5 generations of the iPhone just to try to keep up with the android.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Not sure I agree with that.
Android only really took over apple when android got to 2.2( not everyone even has that yet)
Ios is very rock soil and before ios4 didn't really crash on me. I have only started noticing problems since ios4.
And with the customization with our phones there is a limit to what you can theme on stock rom without root.
Installing cydia on ios devices you get loads of themes and changes some of them are even better then android visually.
Sent from my Phone
Are you sure ^ ? 2.2 - 2.3 is on 85% of Android devices right now.
Let's keep in mind that all these companies need to distinguish themselves from their competition. Consider all the competing phones based on, say, the ARM A8 platform. With similar core hardware under the hood running the same underlying OS, the interface is simply the best place to make a given model noticeably distinct to the average consumer.
Google may not be thrilled with platform fragmentation, but I'd wager that the various royalties / licensing fees / brand recognition opportunities / whatever more than make up for it. Going full-turtle would be bad business. Just my 2 cents...
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
iammodo said:
3- Google to only release phones for purity.
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Click to collapse
Coming soon from Google: AryanOS, locked down tighter than **** Cheney's butthole to guarantee purity!
/Godwinned
Sent from my SCH-I500 using xda premium
vetvito said:
HTC, Samsung, Moto, etc... they put those UIs on to dumb down the OS. Make it simple. Simple sells.
Simple UI plus a Powerful OS = great sales!
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Click to collapse
So true.
Also, Google, Moto, Sammy, and HTC don't fight back enough with carriers, mainly Verizon, against bloat. Verizon would probably say "To hell with Android then" if they did, since they don't have as much leverage as the iPhone and Apple.
Jazz is also right. If every manufacture had stock on their phones, you wouldn't know which to choose since there would be no difference. Only buyers, like us, that actually care about the speed of a phone, and the ram and rom and all that jazz would know the differences, but average users wouldn't. Hell, my sister, who is only 21, doesn't understand the difference between a Droid and an Android phone, she assumes that every phone that runs Android is a Droid...like my aunt's Evo. (lol)
I actually like Sense, especially Sense 3.5. I think it makes Android look a little nicer, especially if you don't want to root or use custom roms. Touchwiz is also kinda nice, but it's really just the launcher that is changed. Blur is a piece of doodoo though. Can't even install the Facebook app onto my X2 because of Blur's useless Facebook integration that works like hell. Tells me everything I don't want to know, and nothing that I do.
I seriously don't see the point of bloat anyways. If the app is already installed on my phone and I never use it, what is the difference between that and it not being on my phone entirely. If I wanted the dang app, I would've clicked the Verizon tab in the market and downloaded VCast or VMusic. Best answer is probably that Verizon has some stupid person in HR or whatever deciding on what is preinstalled on the phone, instead of the actual consumer. (Then again, I don't see the point in a Facebook phone as well..)
Thanks
Enviado desde mi SM-G925F mediante Tapatalk
Its like looking into a time machine , i remember iOS3 & 4 when it was as simple as jailbreak.me man it used to be so easy :/

please tell htc you want stock opt out options

i wrote them this below and they sent me a link here http://www.htcdev.com/contact
we want two os versions with each phone one stock the other sense we want the ability to opt out of sense to have pure android without the need for rooting give us the choice of a faster update with stock or wait for sense you say we make the phone customize it anyway we like but you change so much you make it almost impossible to add custom ringtones even using 3rd party apps we still cant make changes to it ect.. sense can slow it down quite a bit from time to time give us vanilla options
so what i am asking and begging is that you guys leave feedback for them any feedback even if its against faster stock options so that the phones and software will improve and have better options to or liking without the need to root just to get stock and more useability i for one do not want a mutilated ice cream sandwich
Won't work. The average non-tech user likes sense, and doesn't want to deal wtih complications like dealing with vanilla or sense. So it's going to remain this way. Thats why they made it easy for you to root, cause if you are interested you have the choice.
LOL!
HTC will not be removing its proprietary software anytime soon. That's how it makes its money. Companies pay to put bloatware in HTC Sense.
Why would HTC give customers the option to chose Sense or stock? I don't see your logic behind it. From a business standpoint, this is absolutely ridiculous.
You have to look at both sides. As customers, it would be great to have that choice. But it would not make sense (no pun intended) for HTC to do this from a business standpoint.
If you want stock, get a Nexus. Or root and put your own AOSP ROM.
im not expecting pure as snow of course i expect some bloat but before they do a full customization they had to make a runnable stockish version for each phone and drivers first so its not like they have to do more work that comes after they start trying to port sense so im not asking for much just no sense Samsung phones you can flash the new update all i want is for them to provide two options available after you buy the phone an an update rolls around and did not ask for root did i
Why would it not make sense? From a business stand point, look how many users of HTC phones are coming on to XDA and downloading custom ROMs, including vanilla Android ROMs. And clearly by the amount of "newbie" questions that constantly show up, more and more, its obvious more people want this option. To ignore this growing segment of users would be a bad business move.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
GManLynx said:
Won't work. The average non-tech user likes sense, and doesn't want to deal wtih complications like dealing with vanilla or sense. So it's going to remain this way. Thats why they made it easy for you to root, cause if you are interested you have the choice.
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Click to collapse
with your warranty removed or effected yes
andyln3 said:
Why would it not make sense? From a business stand point, look how many users of HTC phones are coming on to XDA and downloading custom ROMs, including vanilla Android ROMs. And clearly by the amount of "newbie" questions that constantly show up, more and more, its obvious more people want this option. To ignore this growing segment of users would be a bad business move.
That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because, in HTC's eyes, Sense is A PART OF THEIR PRODUCT! They're not going to strip down their product, which is a focal selling point on their devices, for a hand-full of tech enthusiasts who want vanilla android. Google activates 550,000 new Android phones per day. The portion of that 550,000 that want vanilla Android is less than 10%. Which means the other 90% want a phone that's good straight out of the box with all the goodies.
It's called a target market.
The target market that HTC is catering to are the new android users, which produce the most profit. Sense is easy to use for noobs, it's flashy and gives the WOW factor, and has a lot of premium widgets.
That's more than enough for their target market.
They cater their product to their target market. Simple as that. They know damn well that Google and Samsung are already targeting power users with the Nexus product line. If HTC were to go into that market, they'd be the late movers. It wouldn't be profitable to them.
I'm a business man. As a marketing officer for my company, it's my job to know this stuff
LPChris47 said:
Because, in HTC's eyes, Sense is A PART OF THEIR PRODUCT! They're not going to strip down their product, which is a focal selling point on their devices, for a hand-full of tech enthusiasts who want vanilla android. Google activates 550,000 new Android phones per day. The portion of that 550,000 that want vanilla Android is less than 10%. Which means the other 90% want a phone that's good straight out of the box with all the goodies.
It's called a target market.
The target market that HTC is catering to are the new android users, which produce the most profit. Sense is easy to use for noobs, it's flashy and gives the WOW factor, and has a lot of premium widgets.
That's more than enough for their target market.
They cater their product to their target market. Simple as that. They know damn well that Google and Samsung are already targeting power users with the Nexus product line. If HTC were to go into that market, they'd be the late movers. It wouldn't be profitable to them.
I'm a business man. As a marketing officer for my company, it's my job to know this stuff
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its not stripped is providing the option for those who want it device will still ship with sense that wont change but there will be an option available what is there to argue against they had to make a stock version before porting sense ? they can lock it down all they want im just asking for is a build along the line of the htc desire z for tmobile and btw from a business standpoint all your customer will be more happy not as much complaints and as stated before noobs asking questions about how to root to get stock most of that would be swashed all i was asking is that people ask so the option would be created from those that wanted it and theres nothing wrong with that is there?
btw they have done similar before remember the mytouch European version would be like that but the opposite instead of adding sense would be removing it
superg05 said:
its not stripped is providing the option for those who want it device will still ship with sense that wont change but there will be an option available what is there to argue against they had to make a stock version before porting sense ? they can lock it down all they want im just asking for is a build along the line of the htc desire z for tmobile
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Click to collapse
With all due respect, you aren't listening to business reasons as to why HTC won't do it. I'm not arguing that we, as consumers, shouldn't get that choice.
I'm saying that HTC won't do it because it makes no sense for them to do it, from a business standpoint.
HTC doesn’t just sell phones, it offers the “Sense experience”. It even says on the phone “powered by HTC Sense”. So putting stock Android would be against their philosophy (but still better for the users!).
Also, the G2 had one of the shortest life spans that an HTC phone has ever had, according to tmonews.com
It didn't appeal enough to their target market (beginners), because it lacked out-of-the-box functionality. People had to go on the Android market to get stuff that they wanted, but HTC's target market would rather have everything fully functional and to satisfy their needs right out of the box (Friend Stream, HTC mail, HTC clock, etc...)
LPChris47 said:
With all due respect, you aren't listening to business reasons as to why HTC won't do it. I'm not arguing that we, as consumers, shouldn't get that choice.
I'm saying that HTC won't do it because it makes no sense for them to do it, from a business standpoint.
HTC doesn’t just sell phones, it offers the “Sense experience”. It even says on the phone “powered by HTC Sense”. So putting stock Android would be against their philosophy (but still better for the users!).
Also, the G2 had one of the shortest life spans that an HTC phone has ever had, according to tmonews.com
It didn't appeal enough to their target market (beginners), because it lacked out-of-the-box functionality. People had to go on the Android market to get stuff that they wanted, but HTC's target market would rather have everything fully functional and to satisfy their needs right out of the box (Friend Stream, HTC mail, HTC clock, etc...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your the one not listening the phones would still ship with sense but...... to stop the buzzing in your ears and make everyone happy they could do this its an optional flash not to be shipped with if someone does not like stock they can flash back sense then can't they 'done I'm not gonna debate it with unopened minded people it as just an idea that those in favor take a few seconds to tell htc or that people share there idea with them in general to make the product better and everyone happy its up to the individual to decide what they want to do with those few seconds be help or debate about it like bureaucrats and get nothing done but talk
superg05 said:
your the one not listening the phones would still ship with sense but...... to stop the buzzing in your ears and make everyone happy they could do this its an optional flash not to be shipped with if someone does not like stock they can flash back sense then can't they
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Click to collapse
Okay buddy, whatever you say lol.
Last thing I'll say about this issue is: HTC doesn't have the obligation to "make everyone happy". They're only focused on their target market. Sadly, that's how business works.
HTC Sense is loved by many. The most popular ROMs for the Sensation are just modified Sense ROMs. It's their differentiation from their competitors...no way they do this.
If you want a phone that has a stock android experience.. buy one that has it out of the box. Why would you prefer an HTC phone over say.. Nexus? Because of the OVERALL phone. Both, hardware and software.
Business standpoint for HTC isn't to make every single consumer happy, but instead make money. They make money from Sense. Not from a stock experience.
Its like asking Microsoft to make the Classic 98 theme default out of the box because some people go out of their way to add it.
Good points everyone. Remember, nobody is asking HTC to stop making Sense products. We're simply asking for a choice. An HTC phone comes with Sense by default, wonderful... now give us an option to have the non-skinned experience as well. It's like buying a desktop computer with bundled bloatware. Do you think Windows would have been as successful if you couldn't install a clean, barebones version of Windows? No...everyone would go to something else. We're buying the product. Give us options. Everybody has their own tastes. (why I loathe Apple products ;-)
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
andyln3 said:
Good points everyone. Remember, nobody is asking HTC to stop making Sense products. We're simply asking for a choice. An HTC phone comes with Sense by default, wonderful... now give us an option to have the non-skinned experience as well. It's like buying a desktop computer with bundled bloatware. Do you think Windows would have been as successful if you couldn't install a clean, barebones version of Windows? No...everyone would go to something else. We're buying the product. Give us options. Everybody has their own tastes. (why I loathe Apple products ;-)
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree.
I can't believe people are even considering HTC would do this
Go buy what you like - but don't expect manufacturers to cater for individual tastes in a single unit. That's what this place is for.
#1, OP. I hated reading your posts because it was like a continuous sentence. I'm calling you out.
Business standpoint. Business standpoint. I keep hearing this word, but I never hear real business analysis. So here we go boys.
For all customers that think HTC should change something, remember, you're just a customer. You are #2 on the totem pole, and their #1 goal is to appease creditors/shareholders in terms of profits, through either interest payments, dividends, or equity accretion (and the amounts that these increase come from Net Income). That means, they need stuff to stand out from their competitors (remember, Android is a fragmented platform, where companies are in monopolistic competition). BRANDING IS THEIR LIFEBLOOD. WITHOUT IT, THEY'LL LOSE TO OTHER COMPANIES. This includes Sense. Got that?
Just because having AOSP will make your life easier, doesn't mean that HTC has to give up their competitive advantages. Just wait for CM to release CM9. It will be better AOSP than what HTC releases anyway.

HTC comments on Jelly Bean for the One Series

http://ausdroid.net/2012/06/29/htc-comments-on-jelly-bean-for-the-one-series/
"We are excited about Android Jelly Bean and are planning to support it across a variety of our devices. We are reviewing the software to determine our upgrade plans and schedule, so please stay tuned for more updates on specific device upgrade plans.”
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They say basically nothing.
We'll obviously get jelly bean.. In fall..
karan1203 said:
We'll obviously get jelly bean.. In fall..
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Click to collapse
2014
Who cares when we get "official" JB? We'll get it long before HTC gives it to us. And honestly I could care less if we ever get it at all. My phone is quite literally perfect the way it is and will do just fine for me until HTC's quad core S4 phone comes out.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
I love how htc spins its wheels regarding every issue...
I understand from a big business point of view of wanting to balance sounding good while not giving any definitive answers, but honestly its getting a little old now...
Sent from my iphone 7s using Tapatalk 2
How awesome would it be if htc let's us run plain android ala nexus on the one x .
I think it would make this phone even better than it already is.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
one thing I really dont understand is the reason manufacturers put their own ui on top of android phones. Its not like they are gonna get any extra money from it. It seems like they are just too ignorant to realize that paying software engineers to create Sense UI and making their customers butthurt while using it is a complete waste when all we want is an unobtrusive android experience. I would gladly take a delayed kernel source if that meant that phones shipped with vanilla android.
ethantarheels123 said:
one thing I really dont understand is the reason manufacturers put their own ui on top of android phones. Its not like they are gonna get any extra money from it. It seems like they are just too ignorant to realize that paying software engineers to create Sense UI and making their customers butthurt while using it is a complete waste when all we want is an unobtrusive android experience. I would gladly take a delayed kernel source if that meant that phones shipped with vanilla android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The custom ui's draw some people in, the buy the phone because the love sense, or touchwiz. Many people run custom launchera, but some but phones specifically because the want that custom ui.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
gunnyman said:
2014
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Click to collapse
From AT&T ya... if at all. HTC will prolly push it out around September/October.
Red5 said:
From AT&T ya... if at all. HTC will prolly push it out around September/October.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed
As soon as we have source builds will start so maybe July/August
They are probably working on it now. They might be one of the few oems that got the pdk a bit early that Google announced. So hopefully updates will roll out faster
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda premium
ethantarheels123 said:
one thing I really dont understand is the reason manufacturers put their own ui on top of android phones. Its not like they are gonna get any extra money from it. It seems like they are just too ignorant to realize that paying software engineers to create Sense UI and making their customers butthurt while using it is a complete waste when all we want is an unobtrusive android experience. I would gladly take a delayed kernel source if that meant that phones shipped with vanilla android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sense 4 is not bad and better than stock ics in some ways.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
ethantarheels123 said:
one thing I really dont understand is the reason manufacturers put their own ui on top of android phones. Its not like they are gonna get any extra money from it. It seems like they are just too ignorant to realize that paying software engineers to create Sense UI and making their customers butthurt while using it is a complete waste when all we want is an unobtrusive android experience. I would gladly take a delayed kernel source if that meant that phones shipped with vanilla android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do this to help differentiate a saturated market. And believe it or not, I know quite a few people who dig sense, or tw. I myself prefer vanilla. But you have to remember there is a lot of little handy things sense does, like fb integration, that stock vanilla android does not do, and most users couldn't be bothered to play with it and mod it to work. I am just against manufacturer overlays as the next Xda user(the minority), but I'm just trying to enlighten you as to why these overlays exist, mainly to stand out from one another.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
corythug said:
They do this to help differentiate a saturated market. And believe it or not, I know quite a few people who dig sense, or tw. I myself prefer vanilla. But you have to remember there is a lot of little handy things sense does, like fb integration, that stock vanilla android does not do, and most users couldn't be bothered to play with it and mod it to work. I am just against manufacturer overlays as the next Xda user(the minority), but I'm just trying to enlighten you as to why these overlays exist, mainly to stand out from one another.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the ONLY reason I use a sense based rom is due to facebook syncing contact pictures. Its very handy. I know of haxsync, but I don't want to pay for something that should be/is free.
Everyone is entitled to there own opinion. I for one really like sence and would never bash someone for liking aosp. If I'm not mistaken I believe the manufactures are required to mask the ui of stock android. Except for the nexus series which is marketed as a google device.
Sent from my HTC One™ X, an WCX Illuminati 4G LTE smartphone
jayv81 said:
Everyone is entitled to there own opinion. I for one really like sence and would never bash someone for liking aosp. If I'm not mistaken I believe the manufactures are required to mask the ui of stock android. Except for the nexus series which is marketed as a google device.
Sent from my HTC One™ X, an WCX Illuminati 4G LTE smartphone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not true at all. It's the opposite. They like adding their own stuff because they think that's what sells. Go look at any "cheap" Android phone. They're actually lucky enough to get stock Android.
I've been wishing they could just make it the customers choice. It can't be hard to make a vanilla rom on top of their Sense or TW. At initial setup let us choose whether or not it installs Sense or whatever.
rquinn19 said:
Not true at all. It's the opposite. They like adding their own stuff because they think that's what sells. Go look at any "cheap" Android phone. They're actually lucky enough to get stock Android.
I've been wishing they could just make it the customers choice. It can't be hard to make a vanilla rom on top of their Sense or TW. At initial setup let us choose whether or not it installs Sense or whatever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rquinn I have to believe Google wants the same thing.
Google puts a lot of work into the Stock Android experience. ICS is by a huge margin better from a UI standpoint than any version that has come before it.
Trouble is, unless you're a phone geek, you won't see it.
I can only think of one or two devices besides the Nexus that DON'T skin Android.
I want to try a Huwai device for this reason. I've decided that after I'm done with this device, I'm buying a Pure Google one. If the release of the Nexus 7 and the Galaxy Nexus to the play store is any indication, Google is going into the hardware business full time, and I can't wait to see what they do.
Skins can be great, but they should be an option that you can enable or disable with a button click.
I personally love Sense, but it's what works for you, obviously. HTC's Mail app has the best Exchange support I've ever seen in Android. Granted I've never used Samsung's mail client, so maybe it's comparable, but everything else is either really flaky, incomplete, or ugly. I actually wish they would bring back the My Shelf application that was on a few phones (like the DHD.) Of all the eReaders I've tried, it's been my favourite. I also haven't seen any calendar app/widget combination that has, IMO, come close to the HTC one in terms of fluidity and completeness.
But, on the topic of Jellybean: As someone else mentioned, I'm in no rush. This phone's damn near perfect. It's almost always buttery smooth, so I don't think Project Butter will improve it a whole lot. Google Now and the improved notifications would be nice though, I guess.
craig0r said:
I personally love Sense, but it's what works for you, obviously. HTC's Mail app has the best Exchange support I've ever seen in Android. Granted I've never used Samsung's mail client, so maybe it's comparable, but everything else is either really flaky, incomplete, or ugly. I actually wish they would bring back the My Shelf application that was on a few phones (like the DHD.) Of all the eReaders I've tried, it's been my favourite. I also haven't seen any calendar app/widget combination that has, IMO, come close to the HTC one in terms of fluidity and completeness.
But, on the topic of Jellybean: As someone else mentioned, I'm in no rush. This phone's damn near perfect. It's almost always buttery smooth, so I don't think Project Butter will improve it a whole lot. Google Now and the improved notifications would be nice though, I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Project butter will, think of it like a tune up to a car, but a tune up to the Android code, probably a copy of linaro code on cm9.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium

[DISCUSSION] iOS 7

Being the centerpiece of the Android community, I would like to see what my fellow Nexus owners think of iOS 7. I did not create this thread for "flame wars" or any thing like that but rather a place where we can all maturely discuss our thoughts on Apple's new mobile operating system.
Personally I think it looks very interesting! Certainly a change of pace from where they have been going since the beginning of iOS and that's a good thing. I do believe they took a lot of cues from Android though including the look and feel, notification drawer, and the control center. The thing I'm most excited over though is what Google has in store for us to top it (and you know they will).
That's why I love technology, competition creates awesome new things for us consumers. What are your thoughts?
Here's a YouTube video of it just in case you didn't see it yet:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKibbvhajOA
Looks very Android-esque, esp. the messaging app and the new "style" looks very much like MIUI, however I think there's already a thread open regarding this
Last iOS7 thread was closed, let's see how this one fairs.
On topic:
My thoughts are that I don't care how they make the OS look, or even function. Until they open up their OS and make it more flexible, I will never buy a device that runs it. I don't need them to tell me what I can and can't do with the phone I've already purchased. Then again, most Android phones have bloatware put in by OEMs and are just as restrictive. Guess that's why I bought a Nexus 4, browse the Nexus 4 forums, and genuinely enjoy AOSP. I don't exclusively run AOSP, but the fact that I can, and do, switch between ROMs is why I won't be using iOS7.
It looks like MIUI....:beer:
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Can I click on downloadable links and download what I want?
Can all apps see/use a downloaded file?
No? It's still for girls then.
I don't see why these threads keep getting closed just like the 4.3. Its related so ....anyways. I do applaud them for trying. But in the end their os is still closed. You get what you get and you can't change anything about it. When you buy and android phone you get more . you can make it yours . as for innovation, under all the new icons, new colors, new notification center, etc, the os is technically unchanged. But you know what, people will buy it. Some people like being told what's cool and what to buy . some don't like modifying and just want something that gets up and goes. While that may be good for some it may not be good for others.
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monkeypaws said:
I don't see why these threads keep getting closed just like the 4.3. Its related so ....anyways. I do applaud them for trying. But in the end their os is still closed. You get what you get and you can't change anything about it. When you buy and android phone you get more . you can make it yours . as for innovation, under all the new icons, new colors, new notification center, etc, the os is technically unchanged. But you know what, people will buy it. Some people like being told what's cool and what to buy . some don't like modifying and just want something that gets up and goes. While that may be good for some it may not be good for others.
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Looks pretty cool but Android all the way
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I definitely like the aesthetics of it, but no file manager/downloading files makes it a hard sell.
It looks pretty nice actually..
At least it has widgets now.
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Still not there but, does look good
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Last ios vs Android argument I had was back at the iPhone 4 times. It has since become boring to bash them. Who cares..
Vangelis13 said:
Last ios vs Android argument I had was back at the iPhone 4 times. It has since become boring to bash them. Who cares..
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That's not the purpose of this thread?
It is to discuss it and possibly compare it. Not bash it.
I think it looks good. Refreshing for iphone users to have a new look!
k0lega said:
I think it looks good. Refreshing for iphone users to have a new look!
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I'd say it's starting to look more like Android, and the iPhone users who preferred the "iPhone look" (Like the missis) agreed that she won't upgrade as it's begun to stray, and then she'd rather just buy and Android phone and let me set it up for her - if those are the kinda looks she's looking for.
Neefy said:
I'd say it's starting to look more like Android, and the iPhone users who preferred the "iPhone look" (Like the missis) agreed that she won't upgrade as it's begun to stray, and then she'd rather just buy and Android phone and let me set it up for her - if those are the kinda looks she's looking for.
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Good to see it from a users viewpoint. I guess they have grown into that look
It's good that they changed the UI and it does look somewhat nice, but I couldn't help feeling I was watching i/o again.
From a Nexus 4 bathing in Jelly Beans
My girlfriend and I watched the whole conference, she has an iPhone 5, and I have to admit I was impressed with the overhaul. The semi-transparency and the white mixed with vivid colors will look great on her phone and iPad. The iPad is where I'm really looking forward to seeing it. It's about time Apple stepped up and really pressure Google to make Key Lime Pie the best OS it can be.
That being said. Not to start a debate... I personally wouldn't leave Android for iOS 7. I like my Nexus 4 too much... At least until the Nexus 5 comes out.
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Although I applaud Apple for overhauling the look of their iOS (it looks better than iOS 6 for sure) it looks like they taken features from android/blackberry/win8 and just complied it into one. Does it impress me? No it doesn't, Android is still by far more advanced than iOS will ever be and this is coming from someone who had the iPhone 4. I got tired of not being able to customize anything and have to use the phone just like Apple wants people to. Does it impress those people who use apple iPhone and apple products only? Yes it does it probably does.. I was disappointed, I was expecting Apple to come up with something new I guess but of course they didn't. "Innovative"..
I'm not one to bash Apple but....
It's like android, blackberry and win8 had a 3 way marriage and it created iOS7.
Although, their Mac Pro looked interesting.
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I think the new OS screamed "Android!!!!!!" and the new Safari reminds a bit Google Chrome for Android, specially the card-tabs (which looks identical to me).
But I also don't care if they are being inspired by Android, after all, that's a good thing, right? Back in the days people would say Android used to copy Apple, now it's going the other way!!! AND it was about time Apple did some major changes to iOS so I'm happy for'em

Is it just me or should EVERY Android phone have a Google edition?

Perhaps it's not such a big deal on the new fancy phones like the S4 and One, but on lower end phones I don't believe it's fair to have TouchWiz, Sense, or MotoBlur completely destroy the usability of the phone. I think it's unfair. They developed a stock Android Rom and then shoved all their theming up its rear end. A flashable stock Rom should be readily available from the manufacturer. Does anyone else agree?
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BlackFire27 said:
Perhaps it's not such a big deal on the new fancy phones like the S4 and One, but on lower end phones I don't believe it's fair to have TouchWiz, Sense, or MotoBlur completely destroy the usability of the phone. I think it's unfair. They developed a stock Android Rom and then shoved all their theming up its rear end. A flashable stock Rom should be readily available from the manufacturer. Does anyone else agree?
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A lot of low end devices are just pumped out of factories by the manufacturers just so they can make a bit money. These devices generally screw the users because it isn't updated much (or possibly not even at all). A Google Edition ROM should be made for every device. But we don't need the manufacturers to make them for us - we on XDA are developers, and a Google Edition ROM is pretty much AOSP android built for that device. Also, flashing ROMs usually voids the warranty, so I don't see why most manufacturers would support that. And yes, all the manufacturer skins such as Touchwiz, Sense, etc waste RAM and make the CPU load heavier. AOSP android would not only be pretty, it would also generally provide better performance.
My life is heavily firewalled preventing me from getting much if any development work done :c and honestly if it means I can use my own device that I paid for, I could give 2 craps less about the warranty. My phone is struggling to type this post. It's pathetic.
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BlackFire27 said:
My life is heavily firewalled preventing me from getting much if any development work done :c and honestly if it means I can use my own device that I paid for, I could give 2 craps less about the warranty. My phone is struggling to type this post. It's pathetic.
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Try getting Google Keyboard if you want a better typing experience. There are several Galaxy Rush modified stock ROMs. There are dozens of scripts that you can apply to your phone. Some phones just aren't that fast. I have a Ace II X (Galaxy S Duos) and it doesn't lag much, but your device seems to have better specs than mine! Try the app lagfix from the Play Store. Unfortunately I cannot help you with compiling a ROM, I don;t have time to help you with that (I'm compiling my own ROM). Don't be afraid to try anything and everything for your device. Just keep a backup of your ROM (system folder) beforehand.
It's like buying a Windows PC to install Linux.
Part of the price goes to an OS that you don't want.
To change that, the demand must greatly increase.
I would love to finally see a paradigm shift away from manufacturers butchering Android with their own versions. I've heard and read a ton of reviews recently about these Google Edition phones and in all cases they've had better than favourable reviews. Of course, reviewers are tech savvy and like most people on xda would love to see AOSP Android become more widespread. The message that's emerging is that the people want AOSP. It's better in every way. Now we just need to make the general buying public realise that! I like the branding and 'Google Edition' is the sort of hook that might generate more interest, but i wonder if the manufacturers have the motivation to market these devices properly.
Some interesting points i've heard raised include HTC, Samsung et al being hardware companies that should be differentiating their products by releasing better hardware than their competitors. They're not software companies. They get the software from Google. They shouldn't be sabotaging their own devices by adding bloatware features that nobody likes, needs or uses. Look at the recent outcry over the lack of free storage on new devices!
It's time for things to change!

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