Database Users

Current Android Owners - Wary of SenseUI/Sprint Bloatware?

I've had Android since it was released - first on a G1, and currently on my Droid. I've grown to love stock, vanilla Android. The EVO seems to be everything I want in a phone, but unfortunately, it also has SenseUI. And on top of that, from what I've seen, it's also going to come with some Sprint bloatware (i.e., Nascar app, NFL app, Sprint TV, etc.). These things have me very hesitant to get an EVO. I was wondering if there are any other hardcore Android users out there now who share my feelings, and I'm wondering what your plans may be. I guess I can cross my fingers and hope for a custom stock ROM to be released, but I don't really want to buy a phone, pay an ETF with Verizon, and take a chance on Sprint's coverage when I'm not even sure if this will be an option any time soon.

I will just throw this out there:
This phone has plenty of memory to handle the few bloatware apps (I have 265MB free with almost all of my apps from my Hero installed), and it is fast enough to handle Sense with ease. No. Lag. Calm your mind, grasshopper.
Oh, and even with Sense UI, you can disable the home launcher and use launcher2 if you MUST have that vanilla home.

Thanks for the input. I take it that you've used Sense before? It's nice to have the option to turn off Sense on the home screen, but what about native applications like Gmail, SMS, and the browser? Does Sense use the "stock" versions of these apps, or are you stuck with their own versions?

nyijedi said:
Thanks for the input. I take it that you've used Sense before? It's nice to have the option to turn off Sense on the home screen, but what about native applications like Gmail, SMS, and the browser? Does Sense use the "stock" versions of these apps, or are you stuck with their own versions?
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I used Sense on the Hero, and I have the EVO now. I've only used an AOSP ROM for about 2 weeks on the Hero before 2.1 was working, so that's all the experience I've got there. I think HTC has their own messaging apps, but AFAIK, Gmail and the browser are the same (though I may be wrong, so one of you guys feel free to correct me). I also never really use the stock apps other than Gmail (I use Handcent and Dolphin Browser HD).

Stock's browser WAS different, sense added mutltitouch pinch to zoom before it was the standard. They might be the same now, they might still be different. Apps I know are different are messaging, contacts, dialer, camera, clock, calculator, gallery, and I think that's it. We'll be stuck with it until an AOSP rom comes out.

I agree, I hate sense UI and would love vanilla AOSP on the Evo. I am using the stock launcher but beyond that, all the sense apps are still there. If you simply won't be happy without the vanilla experience then I personally recommend against the Evo until we have a solid custom AOSP rom which could take a long time.
Regarding unwanted apps, I think those will be pretty easy to remove as soon as we get root access

Why do you guys get your panties in such a wad over non-AOSP apps? Your messaging app doesn't look the same as AOSP? OH NOES! Deal-breaker fo' sho'!
Is it really worth missing out on an awesmome phone because you don't like the appearance of a couple stock apps?

TheBiles said:
Why do you guys get your panties in such a wad over non-AOSP apps? Your messaging app doesn't look the same as AOSP? OH NOES! Deal-breaker fo' sho'!
Is it really worth missing out on an awesmome phone because you don't like the appearance of a couple stock apps?
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Click to collapse
Co-sign, People ask for to much and never happy.
If you hate sense that much then dont buy the evo. and wait for it to get a custom AOSP rom, or 2.2. then go find a store that has a evo(which would be hard to find since by time someone makes a rom all the stores would be sold out with no pre-order)

TheBiles said:
Why do you guys get your panties in such a wad over non-AOSP apps? Your messaging app doesn't look the same as AOSP? OH NOES! Deal-breaker fo' sho'!
Is it really worth missing out on an awesmome phone because you don't like the appearance of a couple stock apps?
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Click to collapse
YoungAceAtlanta said:
Co-sign, People ask for to much and never happy.
If you hate sense that much then dont buy the evo. and wait for it to get a custom AOSP rom, or 2.2. then go find a store that has a evo(which would be hard to find since by time someone makes a rom all the stores would be sold out with no pre-order)
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Click to collapse
Finally I've found weird people like me that will get the EVO regardless of the stock appls and all that crap. The point is that we always gonna have black and white, good and bad, pretty and ugly, that's why we have this forum, so many phone companies and so many opinions about a single subject, a word of advice, if you don't like it, then don't eat it, as simple as that.

mikevillarroel said:
Finally I've found weird people like me that will get the EVO regardless of the stock appls and all that crap. The point is that we always gonna have black and white, good and bad, pretty and ugly, that's why we have this forum, so many phone companies and so many opinions about a single subject, a word of advice, if you don't like it, then don't eat it, as simple as that.
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Click to collapse
Completely agree, me personally, i've never owned an android device, but i've used many throughout the past few years(almost all), and i really grew to love stock android myself, used to HATE sense UI and was going to ignore the **** out of this phone until a stock version came out. But, I gave it a chance, i looked in to it and tried it, and i've grown to like sense ui. Even when i didn't though, i pushed all my hate aside and saw what was an amazing device, sense ui doesn't really change a whole **** ton besides, mostly, aesthetics... There are a few functions added but honestly, it isn't like it totally changed android in to something completely different.

For me: Sense adds Facebook sync. AOSP adds nothing close to that.

TheBiles said:
Is it really worth missing out on an awesmome phone because you don't like the appearance of a couple stock apps?
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Click to collapse
That's the question I'm asking myself. I don't know if it's worth it. I'm leaning towards getting the phone despite Sense....
mikevillarroel said:
The point is that we always gonna have black and white, good and bad, pretty and ugly, that's why we have this forum, so many phone companies and so many opinions about a single subject, a word of advice, if you don't like it, then don't eat it, as simple as that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except it's not as simple as that when you're like me and you absolutely LOVE the hardware of the EVO, but are less than enthused about Sense. In no way am I bashing the phone or people who like Sense. I'm just not sure whether I'll be happy with the tradeoff.
TheBiles said:
For me: Sense adds Facebook sync. AOSP adds nothing close to that.
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Click to collapse
What kind of facebook sync does Sense add that isn't in the AOSP? The AOSP has synced facebook friends with their profiles on your phone since Android 2.0.1 on the Droid, unless Sense does something extra that I'm not aware of.

nyijedi said:
What kind of facebook sync does Sense add that isn't in the AOSP? The AOSP has synced facebook friends with their profiles on your phone since Android 2.0.1 on the Droid, unless Sense does something extra that I'm not aware of.
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I wasn't aware that Android 2.0+ synced contacts. Like I said, I had only used AOSP 1.6, and my biggest complaint was lack of Facebook sync.

I love my Evo, don't get me wrong, but the OP specifically asked about AOSP on this device. Having used HTC Sense on Android a bunch, then AOSP on Android, I personally greatly prefer the latter. Also the AOSP apps are hands down faster than the Sense apps. However Sense apps on the Evo are way faster than AOSP apps on the Hero, so it's still a winner for me. Now, AOSP apps on the Evo would be ridiculously fast! Here's hoping

TheBiles said:
I wasn't aware that Android 2.0+ synced contacts. Like I said, I had only used AOSP 1.6, and my biggest complaint was lack of Facebook sync.
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if your on 2.0+ AOSP, facebook syncs via the facebook app that you download via market. (correct me if im wrong people)
on 2.0+ with sense you get HTC own facebook sync. which i think is better then the AOSP one.

Ok. Here's my 2 cents. I have been with Android from the beginning. Actually I started on the Dream with Android 1.1 but still. I remember the first Sapphire build to the first Sense build ever flashed on our devices from haykuro. I have seen it all. In my personal opinion Sense is unnecessarily taking too much memory. I just come from the Cyanogen camp where speed is everything. That said, Sense runs great on the Evo. It's bearable, unlike with the Hero. That said I will still take AOSP over Sense any day.

Poll: CM6 or future 2.2 sense

Like many other peoples i started with stock(duh) moved to liberated and then to CM6. But today i did some researching and the new sense is pretty cool, hopefully will be added to liberated 2.2. My question is, will you guys be moving back to sense 2.2(hopefully with new sense) or staying with CM6?

I'll probably try Froyo Sense when it gets put in Liberated, but I'll probably stick with CM6 unless I'm completely blown away. I do miss parts of Sense though.

Yes. I know that people are quick to dismiss Sense but I like it a lot, especially after using Motorola phones, that are garbage.
I have used every ROM available for this phone and Froyo with HTC Sense would be perfect for me.
I keep going back and forth between CM6 and a ROM that I tinkered with that is like a hybrid. I really hope they have an official update soon or a ROM that combines everything.
Is that asking for too much?

maevro said:
Yes. I know that people are quick to dismiss Sense but I like it a lot, especially after using Motorola phones, that are garbage.
I have used every ROM available for this phone and Froyo with HTC Sense would be perfect for me.
I keep going back and forth between CM6 and a ROM that I tinkered with that is like a hybrid. I really hope they have an official update soon or a ROM that combines everything.
Is that asking for too much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto.
Now to wait and see.
Sent from my Liberty using XDA App

I want froyo sense mmmmmm.

As long as CM upgrades to using the new kernel thats supposed to be released with Froyo I'll stay loyal to CM.

I'd rather have sense -

For me it will depend on if they add in extra features into the Sense that aren't likely to be added into CM.

CM has been a blessing for this little Aria phone, but I do miss Sense UI.

Does this mean htc's 2.2 for aria is around the corner?:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/HTC-Bee-En-Route-to-Verizon-Leaked-ROM-Emerges-160263.shtml

If given a choice, I'd definitely prefer 2.2 Sense!

I'd go with Sense as I like the UI and many of its widgets.

I enjoy some elements of Sense, as they're very carefully designed and work effectively. Conversely, I will only install a ROM if it's as open and customizable as CM6. Android is supposed to be about a more open system and I don't understand why these companies can't understand the needs of power users.

Sense 2.2
I hate to admit it but I miss the pretty. I also carry the iEvil and it's tough to pull out CM6 and not winch a little. For all the UI haters, there is a good reason big companies spend tons of money on the user experience. Functionality can be enhanced with a great UI.

BelacNongaw said:
Does this mean htc's 2.2 for aria is around the corner?:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/HTC-Bee-En-Route-to-Verizon-Leaked-ROM-Emerges-160263.shtml
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Click to collapse
*crosses fingers*

According to the specs I saw the HTC Bee has a different (inferior) CPU.

There should be enough guts in that ROM to strip out the hardware specific bits and put in Aria ones.
Attn1 -- looked at that yet? Prognosis?

How come non android native (IE:Hd2 ect ) can get froyo sense and we can't ? Not *****in because I can't make it , but someone can . Maybe a good write up on how to build a rom is in order .

I tried and liked the CM6 mod and everything that went with it, but as I dont have an iPod or anything, not having the radio to listen to is a dealbreaker for me.

Sengfeng said:
There should be enough guts in that ROM to strip out the hardware specific bits and put in Aria ones.
Attn1 -- looked at that yet? Prognosis?
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I was posting that as a possible indication ours is soon to follow. That rom is for a CDMA phone...which means we can probably forget about porting that to the aria.

new rom

Are we going to see any new roms for the aria or no...
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App

what do you mean by new roms?

We have 4 well made roms already, stock 2.1, liberated 2.1, liberated 2.2, and cm6. If you want to re-roll the stock rom 100 different ways that are all nearly exactly the same like some other phones, go right ahead.

I look forward to the new rom you are going to develop and can't wait to try it out!
g4ess said:
Are we going to see any new roms for the aria or no...
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
Click to expand...
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Language edit

It really doesnt get any better than what we already have available! In this case quality is far superior to quantity. And less confusion this way as well having less of the same thing being re-made.

thanks to all the people that made since i appricate it.. to the other fools that just wanted to come here just to type cause u are bored kick rock u lames.. i asked the question 1 maybe i am not a phone geek like u and 2 i am trying to learn.. i wasnt being smart...

It's a legit question.
People coming from other phones (WM especially) might expect 2 dozen different ROMs. The fact is, we have 4 great base ROMs, and Android's ability to customize them however you want, without needing a ton of expertise. We don't have to wait around for a select few people to cook up new updates for us.
Although, I really wouldn't be opposed to some people creating some dedicated theme ROMs.

Moved to general as this is not development.

Thats what i meant a fully theme rom.. i had a mytouch n windows mobile in the pass n i no people made more themed n customizable roms.. thank u guys..
posted via htc aria xda app..

As far as roms go - i dont think we need any more base roms - but maybe some decent themes for the Aria.

I like how polished (but few) options we have for aria. If you've ever wandered over to Nexus One development forum you will see rom overload. How would I even know where to start? With the aria it's simple, yet we have very polished options. Got to give props to attn1.

Best Sense Rom?

I really like CM7, but I would like a good Rom that has SenseUI. anyone know of one? i'd like it to be stable and most stuff working.

Orange Sense. HTC Sense, very fast and stable. Available in the development forum.

I have a question...pardon my ignorance on the matter...
What exactly are "earmarks" of a senseUI? I used my stock glacier rom until only last week, and now am using CM7/RC4, and I fail to see the UI differences. This surprised me because I see people have some pretty strong feelings for or against senseUI compared to Android stock UI.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

they are two different rom types, the sense framework takes up more space, but it is really fancy with the clock that's the only reason i want it.

You want the old fashioned 1980s flip clock that you see in most of the Mytouch 4G print ads? I didn't even realize that was now not an option...
I cannot imagine you can't use it though. Just review all the different home launchers... There had got to be one that will let you use this clock.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

syntropic said:
I have a question...pardon my ignorance on the matter...
What exactly are "earmarks" of a senseUI? I used my stock glacier rom until only last week, and now am using CM7/RC4, and I fail to see the UI differences. This surprised me because I see people have some pretty strong feelings for or against senseUI compared to Android stock UI.
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Click to collapse
You don't see the difference between Sense and the standard Android UI?
Also, the stock MT4G ROM is not real Sense. It's a T-Mobile customized version that isn't near as attractive. "Real" Sense is much more attractive.

TeeJay3800 said:
You don't see the difference between Sense and the standard Android UI?
Also, the stock MT4G ROM is not real Sense. It's a T-Mobile customized version that isn't near as attractive. "Real" Sense is much more attractive.
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Click to collapse
Not really, and I am usually big on bells and whistles too. I think I may go back to sense (a modded 2.3 rom). Are there any you (or anyone with an opinion) suggest I try out first?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

the modded 2.3 ones aren't stable i don't think, that's why im asking is there one lol. most have issues running somethings like bluetooth or camera.

Evil's 4G-HD Desire HD rom. Pair it with the latest Faux Sense kernel and it will fly! Everything works!

syntropic said:
Not really, and I am usually big on bells and whistles too. I think I may go back to sense (a modded 2.3 rom). Are there any you (or anyone with an opinion) suggest I try out first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The two posts above this one pretty much sums it up.
Gingerbread/Sense 2.1 ROMs aren't fully functional or stable yet.
If you want Sense, try eViL's Desire HD port. Link is in my sig.

TeeJay3800 said:
The two posts above this one pretty much sums it up.
Gingerbread/Sense 2.1 ROMs aren't fully functional or stable yet.
If you want Sense, try eViL's Desire HD port. Link is in my sig.
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Click to collapse
Great.. will try it out. The only things I have noticed that are different are small niceties, which may have nothing to do with sense and cm7. For example, in the glacier's stock rom, I loved that you could be on the phone and simply set it on a table rear side up, and haptics would turn on the speakerphone. It doesn't sound like much but small things like this add up and overall gave me a better experience.
Can I ask why faux and others at cyanogen are able to create 4 release candidates for their 2.3 rom, yet a stable 2.3 sense rom is still weeks away? Is this because of the morons over at HTC, who don't understand what open source means and won't release their code?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

syntropic said:
Can I ask why faux and others at cyanogen are able to create 4 release candidates for their 2.3 rom, yet a stable 2.3 sense rom is still weeks away? Is this because of the morons over at HTC, who don't understand what open source means and won't release their code?
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Click to collapse
Pretty much. We'll of course never have the source code to Sense, but a good dump from a similar phone can be ported. The problem is, the only Gingerbread/Sense 2.1 dump we have is from the Incredible S, and despite the similarities in hardware, the kernel isn't directly compatible. It sounds like until we get a better starting point, those ROMs will be buggy and missing features.

TeeJay3800 said:
Pretty much. We'll of course never have the source code to Sense, but a good dump from a similar phone can be ported. The problem is, the only Gingerbread/Sense 2.1 dump we have is from the Incredible S, and despite the similarities in hardware, the kernel isn't directly compatible. It sounds like until we get a better starting point, those ROMs will be buggy and missing features.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By dump do you mean the actual code? And so is motorola (or whoever is behind the incredible...cannot recall at the moment) releasing their code? Because if you are just doing a memory dump and doing some RE to get the actual code, I would ask why that can't be done with the glacier.
And as long you have something a little better than binary, I would think you could get some reasonable starting point from the glacier stock. I am not really skilled in the art as of yet so consider me mostly speaking out of my ass. But I am quite interested. Maybe I will try to get the sense code for you . I mean there has to be a few draft versions in some server not locked up tight.
Oh..and lastly, so evil's rom is a quasi 2.3 (not in substance) with the kernel being 2.2 just tricked out?
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

At this point, I don't think I know much more about this than you. I know a dump is much like the ROMs that we flash to our phones...it's the phones entire OS and software package which can then be ported to other phones (assume their of the same manufacturer and are somewhat similar). As you know, the Desire HD is nearly identical to the Glacier (minus the screen) so a dump from it can be easily ported to our phones, and after some "devving", will run perfectly on the MT4G. As far as binaries and code, that's all way beyond me. An actual dev could give you a lot more detailed info.

I asked this earlier and I think it just got lost... but in regard to a sense rom, is evil's rom like a "quasi" 2.3 (has the look but not the substance of gingerbread) with a 2.2.1 kernel that's just tricked out, updated, etc.?
I am not familiar with kernels being separate from the rom. Why is this done? I am sure the install is not too difficult (considering what I have been through with CM7), but is there a guide here,our should I just comb the threads for an installation overview for the sense roms/kernels?
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Edit: I started reading the thread for evil's rom.. and for now, I think I might go back to stock, and upgrade the kernel. (unless there are really no problems worth the Z port, like ffc or wifi issues). So with that said, which kernel is best for the HD sense stock rom (or which stock rom out there has been enhanced the best with everything still functional)? I know there aren't that many different upgraded stock roms/kernels, but of the ones I found, they seem the same.
Sorry to makes this long but I ask this because I see people with just the stock plus an upgraded kernel, but then also, there is the Orange Glacier which is an enhanced stock rom.... Wouldn't those two packages be virtually identical?
Or am I just letting this kernel factor confuse me?
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Forget it.... I just spent 3 hours in the dev threads.... The nomenclature mess was making my eyes bleed... Orange Glacier, Iced Glacier, Royal Ginger, Royal Mint, Royal Jelly, KY Jelly... %^$#^
So... I retract my earlier decision and I am going to stay on the bleeding edge with CM7... F*ck it if I can't do progressive scan video or get reply notifications to MMS messages sent to CDMA networks!!*
*I just made those two things up... It means to say that the bugs that do exist in CM7 are very arcane and minor... But I am an easy sell so tomorrow I will probably want to go back to sense.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using XDA App

Give us cm7 with sense campaign!!!

To the Vision ROMS Mods,
would you kindly make us a CM7 Sense ROM? A CM7 ROM with or able to take HTC Sense Widgtes?
It is hard, yes, and our mods are hardworking. It is impossible, no, there is no such a thing as impossible when it comes to technology on XDA-Developers.
Hoping and waiting and believing!

This ... would be epic.

It's not impossible, but it's not worth the effort. The Sense widgets require the Sense framework which is closed source. In order to merge the two, you would need to reverse-engineer the Sense framework which is near impossible. So, no, it's not gonna happen.

This has been talked about countless times for years.. if it was possible it would of been achieved by now..
just saying..
on that note, I'd be impressed if I were to log into XDA one and see it a hybred Cm7/Sense ROM

This would be like the yankees and red sox merging to form one entity.

i think every one would love that, it would be great but who knows maybe soon they will, i mean they have sense-ish with vanilla so maybe

If only such a thing was possible... a Sense/CM7 hybrid would be the best ROM ever, hands down
Shame it isn't though, as someone already mentioned, it would involve reverse-engineering Sense since it's closed source, and CM is strictly AOSP

its a extremely difficult task that may not even have a nice reward at the end. Look at how pissed HTC got with the Beautiful widgets looking too much like theirs. My guess is that if a dev did in fact pull this off, it'd be shutdown before most of us could enjoy it...

I actually prefer having to choose between one and the other, since they are so distinct in style. I think some of the "conveniences" of Sense could easily be easily be written into AOSP roms, but in terms of aesthetics and style - I like them being separate.
If a "blend" is what you want, then you should probably give UD a spin, but I'm pretty sure that will fall short of what you seek.

This belongs in the general section. Android has been out since 2008, you don't think someone has already thought about wanting this? And 3 years later it hasn't been accomplished yet? It should already be obvious its not done yet because it's damn near impossible. But hey its not bad to ask for something. Only thing i think would ever be close to this is someone making a stock launcher with beautiful widgets incorperated into it or something hellishly close to
Sense widgets. But besides that, please don't ever, EVER, count on it.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App

do it with Sense 3.0 and ill donate a ton, and run around my neighborhood naked! lol

Makes me wonder, what ever happened to sillian?

I've never been a fan of sense, CM is great how it is.

dilfatx said:
I'd be impressed if I were to log into XDA one and see it a hybred Cm7/Sense ROM
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Click to collapse
actually the senseginger 3.0 rom is almost that, you can disable htc lockscreen in lieu of vanilla lockscreen, it has the nice gingerbread on/off screen animations, I use launcher pro plus with it and everything seems pretty damn snappy... the launcher pro plus widgets are practically direct copies of the htc widgets, and I get to have a 5x5 homescreen... I'm sure once the source drops for the htc gingerbread vision kernel I'll get stellar quadrant scores as I do on virtuous 1.0.2 (2500+ @ 1402Mhz)

no way...if you want sense, use a sense rom.

Sense is teh suck