HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference and

[CarrieK]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

warpdrive: I see no value in Sense. I'm not trying to take it away from you. I'm trying to take it away from ME. We can both be happy.

Exactly! That's why I am rooted. So I can customize my phone the way I want it. Some like Sense, some don't. I do find it funny that there are people who get this phone knowing full well that it has Sense, yet won't root, don't want to try custom ROMs. Just want to come onto an online forum and complain. Lol, maybe someone needs to ask, "What Would the REAL Vick Mackey Do?"

 

[Saneless]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

Sure, you can root, and sure, you can put on a custom rom, but that isn't really the best answer. I'd like to have a tried and tested install from the manufacturer that doesn't have all that BS in there. Have you been out to XDA? Looking at ALL the roms, I've never seen a more egregious use of all caps, exclamation points, or non-characters in a forum post subject ever.

Roms mostly have these things in common:
-"Tweaked" scripts and kernals. Tweaked, to the person who sits and thinks about it, = completely random and untested values in files.
-Things you like removed (HTC Keyboard) and things you hate added in (Some CPU scaler/"tweaker")
-Themes baked in that prove developers are not always designers
-Some important system file removed
-Frequent updates that break things or infrequent updates that don't fix things

And I'm sure plenty of others have other experiences. What's worse is that on the EVO 3D there still isn't a good AOSP build yet from anyone. Maybe they're all spending too much time on the 3D part and WiMax, two things I could live without, but it's still not here, so we're stuck with some wacky experimental POS or stock. Neither is a great option.

 

[theotherlinh]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

why I use Go Launcher:
5 icon dock that gives me access to 10 apps/folders (I hate icons on screen).
customized to 1 home screen (the carousel was cool, but frustrating)

mainly, that's it. I don't like go launcher's folders, but got folder organizer to use from amazon's app of the day (used to use simi folders, but needed non-scrolling 15 visible icons).

I also use widget locker because I initially wanted a different homescreen wallpaper. But i made it so much more useful now in addition to that =)

 

[CarrieK]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

I'm not asking this to be a smarty pants. But really, if Sense is that bad, why not just sell the EVO 3D and get something that you like better? I mean, the phone came with it. If you don't want to root, and aren't a dev yourself, and aren't happy using the launchers/ROMs/hacks that are out there then maybe this just isn't the device for you. I guess I just don't think complaining is very productive. As for previous statements about promoting discussion, the only thing threads like this accomplish is arguments on what is better and nothing is decided because in reality, there is no right or wrong, only personal preference. There is a right or wrong choice for each individual and the right choice just may not be an HTC device.

 

[Wiley_11]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

I'm not asking this to be a smarty pants. But really, if Sense is that bad, why not just sell the EVO 3D and get something that you like better? I mean, the phone came with it. If you don't want to root, and aren't a dev yourself, and aren't happy using the launchers/ROMs/hacks that are out there then maybe this just isn't the device for you. I guess I just don't think complaining is very productive. As for previous statements about promoting discussion, the only thing threads like this accomplish is arguments on what is better and nothing is decided because in reality, there is no right or wrong, only personal preference. There is a right or wrong choice for each individual and the right choice just may not be an HTC device.

Complaining is *very productive* for some!! lol ltm The first week of my 30 day test drive of the E3D I made sure all of the things I use on a smartphone were acceptable to me. There are to many phone choices out there to be a serial complainer IMO. Personally I'm 100% satisfied with my E3D, if I wasn't I'd move on.

 

[Saneless]

Well that's pretty much what I've had to do: buy a new phone.

But from HTC's point of view, they'd rather have me as a customer, I'm sure. All it'd take is a stock experience, but they don't want to do that. And unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the community hasn't been able to do it either

 

[VickMackey#AC]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

I agree with saneless, custom roms are a mess and usually only good for a small portion of users. Some users don't care about Wimax and others do. Also, most of those roms have missing or non working parts such as MMS. It's not as easy as selling this phone and getting something else. Not everyone has the funds to do that and not everyone is willing to leave Sprint. As for me, yes this will be my last Sense device if this is what Sense continues to be. Some people, myself included, who were coming from a Palm Pre had to make a choice, and this was the best choice at the moment on Sprint, it doesn't mean the phone is perfect.

 

[Sean-Troy]

I agree with saneless, custom roms are a mess and usually only good for a small portion of users. Some users don't care about Wimax and others do. Also, most of those roms have missing or non working parts such as MMS. It's not as easy as selling this phone and getting something else. Not everyone has the funds to do that and not everyone is willing to leave Sprint. As for me, yes this will be my last Sense device if this is what Sense continues to be. Some people, myself included, who were coming from a Palm Pre had to make a choice, and this was the best choice at the moment on Sprint, it doesn't mean the phone is perfect.

I'm with you long time palm user to evo then 3vo hated the 3d moved to the photon the photon is nice and signal strength is great now I am one of those stupid iPhone users and other than multitasking I like this device and well I know this is important to you the camera on this thing is wow I stopped using my phones to take pics because I never had a phone that was good at it until now I had a few that I thought were ok and when I read your thread about camera quality I was like you're never going to be satisfied with a phones camera I now see your point

 

[warpdrive]

Well that's pretty much what I've had to do: buy a new phone.

But from HTC's point of view, they'd rather have me as a customer, I'm sure. All it'd take is a stock experience, but they don't want to do that. And unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the community hasn't been able to do it either

The community can't help you because the people who want fully stock Android is too small to worrie about. Just look at the sales figures for the nexus s 4g. Now look at the figures for the other top of the line phones.

swiped to you in 3D

 

[mrmoe110]

The community can't help you because the people who want fully stock Android is too small to worrie about. Just look at the sales figures for the nexus s 4g. Now look at the figures for the other top of the line phones.

swiped to you in 3D

I don't think that's completely accurate. If every carrier had stock android phones with specs as high as the skinned models I think you would see a lot more people getting stock android. Also, many first time android buyers don't really know the difference. Once they learn how the android ecosystem works many people choose stock android for their second phone purchase or upgrade. The problem is that there aren't that many stock android phones out there.

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

 

[Sean-Troy]

I don't think that's completely accurate. If every carrier had stock android phones with specs as high as the skinned models I think you would see a lot more people getting stock android. Also, many first time android buyers don't really know the difference. Once they learn how the android ecosystem works many people choose stock android for their second phone purchase or upgrade. The problem is that there aren't that many stock android phones out there.

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

I agree totally and that's why when people ask do I like android better than iOS I say I like what htc and Motorola did
With it because I never owned a nexus so I don't really know stock android or how it works

 

[VDub2174]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

I've used Launcher Pro, ADW, Regina Launcher, and SPB Shell in the past. Currently, I use GO Launcher EX with an ICS theme and love it!!

 

[warpdrive]

I don't think that's completely accurate. If every carrier had stock android phones with specs as high as the skinned models I think you would see a lot more people getting stock android. Also, many first time android buyers don't really know the difference. Once they learn how the android ecosystem works many people choose stock android for their second phone purchase or upgrade. The problem is that there aren't that many stock android phones out there.

Sent from my HTC ThunderBolt using Tapatalk

Sadly, you are thinking too much like a phone geek and not like a typical consumer. Not even half the forum members have a nexus. People don't want them. They take to much time to set up, and they are never polished as much as a phone with a OEM UI on it.
They are not made with the consumer in mind.

As for Sprint and nexus, the 4G is selling so poorly that you can get it for under a bill with a 2 year contact...that's just a few months after It's realise. By the time the new galaxy nexus comes out on Sprint you might be able to get it for free.
The next question you should ask is why are there only one pure android phone per year? Could it be because there is no reason to even try to realise more?

swiped to you in 3D

 

[CarrieK]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

I have both the EVO 3D and NS4G and like them both. I considered making the NS4G my main line but for everyday use I prefer the UI on the EVO 3D. I do enjoy modding both phones though

 

[mtmjr90]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

In my torturous wait for the Galaxy Nexus, I have resorted to trying to trick myself into believing I'm actually using ICS on my 3vo. If anyone's interested:

ICS+ Launcher OR ADWLauncher EX + Ice Cream Sandwich (theme)
Ice Cream Sandwich Clock
Ice Cream Sandwich Live Wallpaper
WidgetLocker Lockscreen (with ICS lockscreen set up)
...I also installed an ICS Smart Keyboard skin...but I can't find it in the market anymore

 

[Saneless]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

As for Sprint and nexus, the 4G is selling so poorly that you can get it for under a bill with a 2 year contact...that's just a few months after It's realise. By the time the new galaxy nexus comes out on Sprint you might be able to get it for free.

The Nexus S doesn't sell too well because it has NO MARKETING behind it. You've seen commercials, magazine ads, website takeovers, and big press events right? Oh wait, you haven't, because Google doesn't really do that (they did for the Galaxy Nexus to coincide with ICS 4).

People like a stock experience, or is Cyanogenmod and team lying about hundreds of thousands of installs? It's not 0, as you're making it out to be. Plus, people don't know what they're missing.

I know what I'm missing, and and I'm not sure why you're so caught up in defending sense. I don't like it and I don't care that you do. It doesn't bother me that you like it, but you can't seem to tolerate the fact that my needs are different.

 

[warpdrive]

The lack of sales for all the nexus s phones had nothing to do with marketing. It had just as much exposure as the 3D, the photon, the GS2. Heck, my nephew just got the GS2 instead of the galaxy nexus.

Oh, and yeah, the amount of people who are rooted is a tiny fraction of the users of smart phones.

BTW, who ever said I'm defending Sence?


swiped to you in 3D

 

[NewYorkChic]

Re: HTC Sense? Or Third party Launcher? What's your preference

I use the ADW launcher. It is pretty good, I haven't used anything else yet

 

[jbsyst]

I have a love/like relationship with Sense. I prefer ADW and launcher pro since they both allow for better use of the screen space and resizable widgets and a variety of rosie but I prefer the Sense widgets beyond what launcher pro provides. There are good alternatives out there, just have to search for them.

I like trying different launchers and I have seen some creative one in the market. I just recently installed and tried over a dozen different launchers but always revert back to my main ones: ADW, launcher pro. I like GO launcher mainly for the awesome app drawer animations.

Since I like to tinker with my phone constantly, Sense is not adequate. But, I definitely prefer it over touchwiz and blur...

 

[ip_freely]

Go launcher to me feels very cheap and very buggy. Theme support is horrible and I hallways hear about privacy concerns with all GO products.

Sense all the way.