Related
I received the Official OTA update to from OS 2.2.2 (Froyo) to 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) today. First glance, I love the UI. Its a very great improvement from the original Motoblur that came with the Atrix out-the-box. Screen animations are really good and snappy.
Pro's: Upgrade has applied some great stock app icons to the UI. You now have the TV Tube Sleep feature like the Nexus S. Not much Bloatware as well. The phone now as the ability to set profiles like Blackberry for work and pleasure. Unknown Sources option is available now. Motorola has carried over the ability to re-size widgets on the home screen. The status bar is now a dark blue (which is real nice) and the WIFI, signal, and network status have changed to the better as well.
Con's: Lock Screen now say AT&T right above the time, as well as the Status Bar. The dock of the new UI is slightly the same as Samsung's Touchwiz. I have experienced a little bit of lag switching from screen to screen and apps but nothing thats a deal breaker. There are no special or really amazing stock widgets available.
Overall: Phone is great for everyday use especially with the new UI. And of coarse the UNKOWN SOURCES now.
I tried ICS since its initial releases for nexus s up to now, but I really don't see any huge and significant differences between gingerbread and ics.
Maybe it is not so obvious by vision or maybe it is because of one core cpu of nexus s but excepts some changes in menus, I don't see anything important.
P.S. I can make my gingerbread very smooth and low battery consumer by some tricks as all of you guys know.
Do there need to be huge differences?
Its a software update, not some ground up redesign of what a mobile phone should be. The software, once updated, should be faster, prettier, easier, or better... or some combo of those features.
Not every piece of code and apk needs an overhaul.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
It would be a bad idea to roll out a complete revamped of the OS update from prior version, it would not be easily accepted by majority of the users. Like when Microsloft rolled out the new Office 2007 with a complete redesigned UI, not a lot of people liked it -- huge learning curve... Anyway, I think there are great features/updates in ICS over GB.
* Swipe to remove notifications -- my most favorite. CM7 has it but is flaky.
* Recent app list with also swipe to remove
* Built-in quick screenshot (hold Power + Vol down)
* Redesigned Settings menu, prettier and more organized
* Stock app drawer now has a separate tab for Widgets
* Better Contacts (called People now in ICS) - UI and functionalities
* Better Browser
I would also like ICS on my Iconia Tab. Honeycomb is a failure. Can't wait for Acer to push ICS updates next month.
[email protected] said:
It would be a bad idea to roll out a complete revamped of the OS update from prior version, it would not be easily accepted by majority of the users. Like when Microsloft rolled out the new Office 2007 with a complete redesigned UI, not a lot of people liked it -- huge learning curve... Anyway, I think there are great features/updates in ICS over GB.
* Swipe to remove notifications -- my most favorite. CM7 has it but is flaky.
* Recent app list with also swipe to remove
* Built-in quick screenshot (hold Power + Vol down)
* Redesigned Settings menu, prettier and more organized
* Stock app drawer now has a separate tab for Widgets
* Better Contacts (called People now in ICS) - UI and functionalities
* Better Browser
I would also like ICS on my Iconia Tab. Honeycomb is a failure. Can't wait for Acer to push ICS updates next month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
those are all my abolute favorite things about ICS.
you forgot to put in the rapid tap of android version to get android rockets! love that easter egg
Is it clear yet that it fully supports dual core or quad core?
I agree with better internet browser but really is there any structural difference in ICS?
I really am the big fan of google and android but I see ICS as a failure
For instance I see windows 7 a big success, of course maybe it isn't a good example.
Is it possible to write a full office software for ICS with all its features? Does it supports graphical effects and hardwares?
I believe hardware is moving forward so much faster than OS
blackhemi4x4 said:
those are all my abolute favorite things about ICS.
you forgot to put in the rapid tap of android version to get android rockets! love that easter egg
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That works in Gingerbread too, but with a different picture
Also, some of the smaller changes interest me, like Face Unlock, some of the new camera features and the screenshot capability.
Speaking of camera features, does the Nexus S support tap to focus, and the zero shutter lag touted for the Galaxy Nexus? (or at least reduced lag)
TheManicGibbon said:
That works in Gingerbread too, but with a different picture
Also, some of the smaller changes interest me, like Face Unlock, some of the new camera features and the screenshot capability.
Speaking of camera features, does the Nexus S support tap to focus, and the zero shutter lag touted for the Galaxy Nexus? (or at least reduced lag)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think zero shutter lag is possible in the Nexus S due to its weaker/slower hardware. Zero shutter in the Galaxy Nexus is the reason why the camera is only 5M instead of 8M.
Sent from my A100 using XDA App
TheManicGibbon said:
That works in Gingerbread too, but with a different picture
Also, some of the smaller changes interest me, like Face Unlock, some of the new camera features and the screenshot capability.
Speaking of camera features, does the Nexus S support tap to focus, and the zero shutter lag touted for the Galaxy Nexus? (or at least reduced lag)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still no tap to focus, its still just in the center to.
I found the camera shutter is faster, but not by much. about 2 seconds for me.
I think its worth it once tweaked. If you don't like flashing roms every few days then stick with gb
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
First of all, this is in no way a criticism of the Rom devs who have released JB Roms so far, and its not trolling, just my observations on the JB Roms (based on what we have seen so far).
I've been running CleanNote 6 with Speedmod for a few months now (with a few mods - removed lots of bloat, added Google Now, new Gmail etc). Its very fast, smooth, and has brilliant battery life. But like most people on here, I've been trying out the JB Roms since they first appeared. Problem is, I keep coming back to CleanNote. Maybe some of these can be resolved once Samsung decides to finish JB for the Note, although some appear to be features rather than bugs.
So here's my list of moans
- Overall, its no where near as 'smooth' as CleanNote - this will hopefully improve once JB is officially out - (or maybe a new speedmod will come out for JB?)
- The Gallery - there's that 'stutter' whenever you load an album that isn't there in CleanNote (again, should be fixed in official release) Images often appear pixelated for a second before clearing up - not a problem in LRQ/CleanNote Roms.
- The new Notification drop down looks ugly for me - personal taste but not for me
- Font sizes are too big - system fonts are too large, changing to tiny or small makes third party apps look odd (hopefully fixed in official release)
- The share / open with dialogues are not as nice - the list in 4.0.4 LRQ works great - the icon / grid system in JB is awkward (eg click to open a link from twitter and it asks you which browser to use - instead of a nice neat list we have a messy grid of icons.
- Not able to access app info directly from the app drawer.
These next ones might be more controversial
- AirView - not really sure why this is useful - its novel, but can't imagine using it - maybe better on a large tablet size device but not jumping at me as something I would ever need.
- MultiView - nice idea, but even with the Note's large screen, you are left with two windows that aren't really practical to work with . I tried to look at a map and website at the same time - it worked, but it was pointless - much better to switch between than try to manage both at once. On a 10 inch tablet I can see this as useful maybe though.
- Paper Artist - not interested - its just a novelty app - pretty pointless really.
Things I do like
- The launcher bug from LRQ 4.0.4 is gone (apps on SD would vanish from homescreen on restart)
- Long app names run to two lines rather than just cutting off like they used to
On previous phones (Galaxy S, Desire, Desire HD), I've quickly ended up on CM or MIUI based roms - but with the note it seems silly to lose the unique features you only get with a TW Roms.
These are just my thoughts based on the leaks we have seen so far -
Please feel free to disagree and convince me otherwise (or ignore if you like!) -but don't accuse me of trolling or start flaming - I'm just sharing my ideas.
I agree with you on that, a lot of the jb features are gimmicks and probably won't get used that often.
But that doesn't mean no one will ever use them some people may find it really useful?
I agree that ics (expecially clean note) is a lot smoother than jb but I believe mainly this is because jb is still kind of in beta stage so it's an unfinished release.
The galaxy s2 has had jb update but it requires being updated via Kies only as the whole device needs to be repartitioned taking up to 1 hour to complete.
Maybe something similar will be required for the note? If it does require repartitioning it may solve some of the existing issues such as memory leaking and storage issues and general lagging.
Who knows? All we can do and see what happens when it's released.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
zongamin said:
First of all, this is in no way a criticism of the Rom devs who have released JB Roms so far, and its not trolling, just my observations on the JB Roms (based on what we have seen so far).
I've been running CleanNote 6 with Speedmod for a few months now (with a few mods - removed lots of bloat, added Google Now, new Gmail etc). Its very fast, smooth, and has brilliant battery life. But like most people on here, I've been trying out the JB Roms since they first appeared. Problem is, I keep coming back to CleanNote. Maybe some of these can be resolved once Samsung decides to finish JB for the Note, although some appear to be features rather than bugs.
So here's my list of moans
- Overall, its no where near as 'smooth' as CleanNote - this will hopefully improve once JB is officially out - (or maybe a new speedmod will come out for JB?)
- The Gallery - there's that 'stutter' whenever you load an album that isn't there in CleanNote (again, should be fixed in official release) Images often appear pixelated for a second before clearing up - not a problem in LRQ/CleanNote Roms.
- The new Notification drop down looks ugly for me - personal taste but not for me
- Font sizes are too big - system fonts are too large, changing to tiny or small makes third party apps look odd (hopefully fixed in official release)
- The share / open with dialogues are not as nice - the list in 4.0.4 LRQ works great - the icon / grid system in JB is awkward (eg click to open a link from twitter and it asks you which browser to use - instead of a nice neat list we have a messy grid of icons.
- Not able to access app info directly from the app drawer.
These next ones might be more controversial
- AirView - not really sure why this is useful - its novel, but can't imagine using it - maybe better on a large tablet size device but not jumping at me as something I would ever need.
- MultiView - nice idea, but even with the Note's large screen, you are left with two windows that aren't really practical to work with . I tried to look at a map and website at the same time - it worked, but it was pointless - much better to switch between than try to manage both at once. On a 10 inch tablet I can see this as useful maybe though.
- Paper Artist - not interested - its just a novelty app - pretty pointless really.
Things I do like
- The launcher bug from LRQ 4.0.4 is gone (apps on SD would vanish from homescreen on restart)
- Long app names run to two lines rather than just cutting off like they used to
On previous phones (Galaxy S, Desire, Desire HD), I've quickly ended up on CM or MIUI based roms - but with the note it seems silly to lose the unique features you only get with a TW Roms.
These are just my thoughts based on the leaks we have seen so far -
Please feel free to disagree and convince me otherwise (or ignore if you like!) -but don't accuse me of trolling or start flaming - I'm just sharing my ideas.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 and addition to this when you are in settings and tap on a option like display it takes 2-3 seconds to open and show some glitch and also the boot menu i don't like it.. but i love jb so i switched to official cm 10.1 it's so smooth
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
After almost two months of trying various JB roms last week I returned back to Rocket Rom V12 and what a difference it made. So yesterday I went online to write similar thoughts to yours but got destructed by a post and spent my time reading it instead. All I can do now is to say: +1 on that
Thanks for replies
I'm pretty sure that the smoothness will come in the official release - I just tried the latest version of BURTROM and its pretty nice - Usable as a daily driver if you feel like you have to have JB already.
Final thought - I guess that the JB update will be the last major official OS update for our Notes - the S4 and Note 3 will be out this year (and who knows how many others) - our old Notes will be 2 years old and I guess many of us will be upgrading soon anyway. We will have had 2 major updates (GB>ICS>JB) which is 2 more than most Androids get anyway. This time next year it will be S3 and Note 2 owners complaining about the updates that take months and don't work as well as the old versions!
Why did you make a new thread and why didn't you use the existing ones for JB discussions?
zongamin said:
- AirView - not really sure why this is useful - its novel, but can't imagine using it - maybe better on a large tablet size device but not jumping at me as something I would ever need.
- MultiView - nice idea, but even with the Note's large screen, you are left with two windows that aren't really practical to work with . I tried to look at a map and website at the same time - it worked, but it was pointless - much better to switch between than try to manage both at once. On a 10 inch tablet I can see this as useful maybe though.
- Paper Artist - not interested - its just a novelty app - pretty pointless really.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CleanNote 6 + NoteCore 14 was the best combo for me on TW - with best batt life on my device
- (also previous user of imilkas PA 0,4)
Playing with JB leaks from the first one - and now back to ICS again. We have now leaks only, so there is no need to be dissapointed. The thing is, even with release of Note2, samsung pushed all of its features into this "old" device. Hardware is still capable, but in term of bussines is our device no more interersting for samsung - so their move to bring up those features is simply great when you compare other makers. For sure those features might be just "gimmick" - but it will definitelly aim me to buy next Samsung device....and i believe the same for SOME current S2 S3 users,
Ask your friend what new he got with JB on HTC, Sony etc...new sets of icons and weather widget???
JB so on my N1 far:
-smoother launcher (who cares about small lags on ICS - but i know that a lot of people just care about lag in the launcher...)
-loading apps - definitelly a bit quicker on ICS
-bat life - might be on par stock ICS/stock JB
-Gallery JB - i like it more then ICS but there are also other PlayStore alternatives
-AirView - nice feature but really never used it that much, so...
-multiview stock - also do not use as i use something else...
When you debloat JB then it is better (in that case BurtRom is nice performer, and chipwizz went even further to debloat
Samsung also lost a lot of N2 customers that wanted to switch from N1 (like myself), cause we have got the same features (but N2 is definitelly better specced device), but for me as a "non gamer" N2s quadcore has no meaning untill (probably N3).
What i would expect from N3 - is full phablet mini PC with ability to stick HDMI screen and perform standard office tasks. I can do it now, but there is problem somewhere else..so hopefully multitasking in next android will be better. Hopefully N3 will not bring just bigger screen...
All well said. I am simply sticking to leaked jb(ultimate 5.1) without going back to ics with a fond hope that official jb will be rolling out soon.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
if upgrading to official JB on Note will involve repartitioning then i hope we can still go back and forth between older ics ..leak jbs.....aosp...cm roms. hope our experts will advise us accordingly
Thread closed. Please search and use one of the other JB threads instead of opening an entirely new thread.
Hi all!
As probably many of You I love stock android for its stellar performance, smoothness and neat simple design. With that being said I still like some HTC features and stock stability. Maybe we could find a developer to make a google play edition like rom for our M9?
This is how I see it:
2.10.401.1 stock 5.1 rom base
vanilla / google like navbar
vanilla status bar / quick setting
vanilla multitasking cards ( with translucent navbar and with full size google search bar )
vanilla statusbar icons / centered clock / percentage batery indicator (like in htc sense)
extended vanilla settings app
google now launcher / nova / sense home
stock google dialer
messenger sms app
android m calculator
google keyboard app
htc camera app
htc gallery app
htc status bar
htc or google lockscreen
stock 5.1 bootanimation
debloat / performance / battery / camera improvements
I'm new to building roms/porting stuff but i think that most of the things needed already exists. Maybe we could find a developer keen on building this google play edition like rom so that we could have one
Let me know if and of You would be intrested to help me build one or if You like this idea
toster jp said:
Hi all!
As probably many of You I love stock android for its stellar performance, smoothness and neat simple design. With that being said I still like some HTC features and stock stability. Maybe we could find a developer to make a google play edition like rom for our M9?
This is how I see it:
2.10.401.1 stock 5.1 rom base
vanilla / google like navbar
vanilla status bar / quick setting
vanilla multitasking cards ( with translucent navbar and with full size google search bar )
vanilla statusbar icons / centered clock / percentage batery indicator (like in htc sense)
extended vanilla settings app
google now launcher / nova / sense home
stock google dialer
messenger sms app
android m calculator
google keyboard app
htc camera app
htc gallery app
htc status bar
htc or google lockscreen
stock 5.1 bootanimation
debloat / performance / battery / camera improvements
I'm complete noob while it comes to porting stuff / building roms but i think that most of the thing needed to build this kind of rom already exist. Maybe we could find a developer keen to build this google play edition like rom so that we could have one
Let me know if and of You would be intrested to help me build one and if You like this idea
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure viper had a desense install option and one of the SD team roms claim to be desensed as well. One of those might be worth a look.
Thats true but unfortunately it's nothing like stock experience. 'Desensed' viper is still sense based, with sense navbar, sense settings, multitasking, quick settings etc. Desense option just delete sense launcher and some bloatware.
I'll collect files needed to build my 'dream' vanilla rom and maybe one day someone will cook it with me.
You can pretty much do all that you want to do with Viper, you can change the navbar to whatever you want with themes, the multitasking is selectable with sense, you can theme the status bar like stock, the quick settings and settings are pretty much stock like already. Once you install Now launcher and the Google apps, you would have a pretty much Nexus looking device with a few extras. Many have done this already. It's not worth trying to get someone to build another ROM while what you want already exists.
lilhaiti said:
You can pretty much do all that you want to do with Viper, you can change the navbar to whatever you want with themes, the multitasking is selectable with sense, you can theme the status bar like stock, the quick settings and settings are pretty much stock like already. Once you install Now launcher and the Google apps, you would have a pretty much Nexus looking device with a few extras. Many have done this already. It's not worth trying to get someone to build another ROM while what you want already exists.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well.. I couldn't find even one theme that changes statusbar icons/navbar to stock android.. also there is no theme that could change feel of the quick settings, pure one works quite different. I've also found themes to slow down the phone and it stutters there and there even without them.. Multitasking cards that htc offers are also a bit different than pure google ones - navbar is not completely translucent, cards often dont show app content.. also those horrible settings dots placed next to the google search bar.
I generally believe that there is space for one more rom, especially that there is no oven one google play edition like rom right now.
I've attatched a few screenshots, the difference is.. critical IMO
toster jp said:
well.. I couldn't find even one theme that changes statusbar icons/navbar to stock android.. also there is no theme that could change feel of the quick settings, pure one works quite different. I've also found themes to slow down the phone and it stutters there and there even without them.. Multitasking cards that htc offers are also a bit different than pure google ones - navbar is not completely translucent, cards often dont show app content.. also those horrible settings dots placed next to the google search bar.
I generally believe that there is space for one more rom, especially that there is no oven one google play edition like rom right now.
I've attatched a few screenshots, the difference is.. critical IMO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it seems like cm is close and the only major bug left is that the camera doesn't work, so if you can live without that, you should try it out.
toster jp said:
well.. I couldn't find even one theme that changes statusbar icons/navbar to stock android.. also there is no theme that could change feel of the quick settings, pure one works quite different. I've also found themes to slow down the phone and it stutters there and there even without them.. Multitasking cards that htc offers are also a bit different than pure google ones - navbar is not completely translucent, cards often dont show app content.. also those horrible settings dots placed next to the google search bar.
I generally believe that there is space for one more rom, especially that there is no oven one google play edition like rom right now.
I've attatched a few screenshots, the difference is.. critical IMO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you ever try the viper rom? Doesn't sound like you did. Statusbar icons and stock android navbar can be found on the venom hub. The quick settings can be adjusted to your likes via venom tweaks. Never noticed any stutters on viper and card view always showed app content, too.
Edit: Or you combine CM with this xposed module. But as jollywhitefoot already said the camera doesn't work at the moment.
@jollywhitefoot - yes I'm basicly looking for a CM with a working camera, or to be exact for AOSP like rom.
@Flippy498 - I did.. viper was the first rom i flashed on my M9 , but i quickly switched to maximus because I ws looking for sth performing better. *note* I'm performance freak, I'm very picky, You might don't care about few droped frames - I do, and I see droped frames while opening multitasking on both viper and maximus ( only on card view ) It would this rom could have performance of the s6.
Anyway I'll give Viper a second chance and try Your tips, thanks
toster jp said:
@jollywhitefoot - yes I'm basicly looking for a CM with a working camera, or to be exact for AOSP like rom.
@Flippy498 - I did.. viper was the first rom i flashed on my M9 , but i quickly switched to maximus because I ws looking for sth performing better. *note* I'm performance freak, I'm very picky, You might don't care about few droped frames - I do, and I see droped frames while opening multitasking on both viper and maximus ( only on card view ) It would this rom could have performance of the s6.
Anyway I'll give Viper a second chance and try Your tips, thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Man, for a "noob" you sure are specific! Haha.
What do you mean by dropped frames in recents? I'm on ice and it's full sense, but I don't notice anything laggy or stuttery in recents there is a slight delay when opening recents (fractions of a second while the cards populate). I'm also getting over 60k antutu out of the box at room temp.
@jollywhitefoot
I'm talking about that slight delay when opening multitasking window. Also I'm noob while it comes to building roms, I'm not new to android/xda/flashing roms.
+ I don't care abous benchmarks, but I'm freak while it comes to fluidity and real world performance. I also pay attention to little things like animations and those little things.
toster jp said:
@jollywhitefoot
I'm talking about that slight delay when opening multitasking window. Also I'm noob while it comes to building roms, I'm not new to android/xda/flashing roms.
+ I don't care abous benchmarks, but I'm freak while it comes to fluidity and real world performance. I also pay attention to little things like animations and those little things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I find ice very smooth. Apparently you have an aosp device...there is no delay when opening recents on it??
---------- Post added at 02:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:37 PM ----------
toster jp said:
@jollywhitefoot
I'm talking about that slight delay when opening multitasking window. Also I'm noob while it comes to building roms, I'm not new to android/xda/flashing roms.
+ I don't care abous benchmarks, but I'm freak while it comes to fluidity and real world performance. I also pay attention to little things like animations and those little things.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Edit, actually I only get that slight delay when I'm on the home screen. If I press recent from inside any app, it's smooth as silk.
I had nexus 5 and on 5.0 (and under) there is delay but on 5.1 its like butter, also quick settings works differently ( than sense settings) they are nicely animated and so on..
toster jp said:
I had nexus 5 and on 5.0 (and under) there is delay but on 5.1 its like butter, also quick settings works differently ( than sense settings) they are nicely animated and so on..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol. Quite an arsenal. Where's your G4 and S6???
@jollywhitefoot
I hate design of G4 outside and inside, not a big fan of samsung as well. would rather have z3+ ( z3+ over m9 any day, but the price gap between them in poland is well, huge. 475USD for m9 and 795 for z3+ )
Going back to the main subject I'll talk with some guys and maybe will build with them the rom I'm waiting for. ( It will be like elix-r / elixium for nexus5 / m8 )
To be honest, if you want this best experience with vanilla android, it is best to get a device with it preinstalled and then even if you want to run custom roms, there are no issues. Personally, I was looking to get the Nexus 6, but didn't like the overly large screen. Now, I'm waiting to see what the Moto X 2015 brings to the table. Although, after having my M9 for a while now, I'm not sure I would switch. I'm loving being back on Sense. I also love the build quality of this device, but there is nothing special about the hardware. The one thing that is the best about this device is what you are wanting to remove, HTC Sense 7.
@ fernandezhjr
Thats quite obvious that its best to buy device with vanilla android preinstaled. I just don't like nexus 6 ( size, and looks) and I needed a phone so i bought one m9 for many reasons. I like its build quality, speakers and metal unibody and after updates the camera is not that bad ( although slow motion and video in general sucks )
With the right software I could be very satisfied , now I'm looking for that software. I like some elements of sense ( like its camera ui) or its lockscreen clock. But there are things like its quick settings that are just plain fugly ( to me of course)
I find the quick settings panel to be somewhat similar to the one I had on my Nexus 4. You can download the Google camera from the playstore. Try some different lauchers to find something you may like. The clock is just a widget. There are plenty of clocks available in the Playstore.
fernandezhjr said:
I find the quick settings panel to be somewhat similar to the one I had on my Nexus 4. You can download the Google camera from the playstore. Try some different lauchers to find something you may like. The clock is just a widget. There are plenty of clocks available in the Playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Already posted screenshots showing the difference, it may be simmilar but its far from being the same. As mentioned before I'm running nova launcher and i like htc stock camera interface. + I know it just a clock and there are thousands of clocks on the playstore and around the internet I was just saying that I like some parts of htc sense.
I've been using the nexus since it has came out, Since my nexus 5 is slowing dying with the mic/speaker and display port always unplugging it self(common problem over time). I've decided to get a note 4 off my friend, the main problem I have with it is all the bloat ware and the notification tab being so weird compared to the stock android experience I had with the Nexus. What have you guys done to get used to the phone being new to it, Is there stuff I can to do to it to make more Androidie I guess?
So many answers to your questions.
You could flash CM and basically make it a nexus.
Or
You could flash any of the multitude of TW based ROMs that have different themes /features, many of which customize the notification and quick toggle area.
Or
You can run a debloater script and just uninstall all the crap you don't use or need.