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Hello. I am fairly new to the Android root/ROM universe, and have a few questions.
I recently flashed the most recent version of CM7, and after spending a few hours with it, immediately reverted back to the stock UI.
I'm going to list a few reasons I disliked it, and maybe you can tell me if I'm just doing something wrong.
-- Only five screens? I have my apps stored perfectly in the seven screens given to me in stock, and hated the limitations of only five.
-- The entire look of the UI feels outdated. Comparing just the top bar with battery level and clock and such, CM7/Gingerbread's version looks like they've stepped back a few years in design.
-- I lost my Sense widgets. I know this is a matter of preference, but is there any way I can flash them with CM7?
-- Whenever I push the power button to unlock the phone, there is a delay in the screen turning on. With the stock, the screen turns on almost instantly.
-- I can't sync my contacts for some reason. Maybe I'm just an idiot though, I don't know.
While I very much dislike these things, I'm open to what you have to say. Maybe there's something about it I'm missing?
ejsholly said:
Hello. I am fairly new to the Android root/ROM universe, and have a few questions.
I recently flashed the most recent version of CM7, and after spending a few hours with it, immediately reverted back to the stock UI.
I'm going to list a few reasons I disliked it, and maybe you can tell me if I'm just doing something wrong.
-- Only five screens? I have my apps stored perfectly in the seven screens given to me in stock, and hated the limitations of only five.
-- The entire look of the UI feels outdated. Comparing just the top bar with battery level and clock and such, CM7/Gingerbread's version looks like they've stepped back a few years in design.
-- I lost my Sense widgets. I know this is a matter of preference, but is there any way I can flash them with CM7?
-- Whenever I push the power button to unlock the phone, there is a delay in the screen turning on. With the stock, the screen turns on almost instantly.
-- I can't sync my contacts for some reason. Maybe I'm just an idiot though, I don't know.
While I very much dislike these thigs, I'm open to what you have to say. Maybe there's simething about it I'm missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you should switch back to sense because the widgets you have to get replacements for in the market and the delay has to do with the kernel. syncing contacts is done with the facebook app from the market or other apps. The look, you could install launcher pro and get 7 screens. I personally like sense because it feels better.
With CM7 you can customize pretty much the ENTIRE ROM.
It's really cool if you're willing to put some time into it to get it the way you like.
With the 5 screen thing.... You can download a different launcher and change that no problem. I recommend ADW EX or Launcher Pro.
But if you want something basically already perfect with little or no work needed on it.... Try out Skyraider 4.0
A big reason a lot of people like CM7 is that it's Gingerbread aka, android 2.3.3
Any Sense ROM will be 2.2 at the latest.
The default launcher CM7 comes with is ADW. You can change it to Launcher Pro (downloadable from the market), honestly when I first flashed CM7 I reverted back to a sense ROM just because I didn't like the ADW launcher and didn't know you could change it out.
You will lose your sense widgets but if you look, there are comparable widgets you can get that are very close to the Sense widgets. Also if you buy Launcher Pro Plus, they provide a bunch of cloned Sense widgets.
The delay in the screen I can't comment for, mine seems instant. I don't have that animation though, that thing has always bugged me. You may want to try a different kernel (chad's incredikernel is excellent) to increase battery life and performance.
There are also theme's for CM7 so you can actually change the way the top bar looks, I prefer how it looks and haven't seen any older style phones with that type of look but everyone has their preference.
And another side point, gingerbread has a few security fixes that Froyo is open to. There's been a few apps exploiting this in dangerous ways, so gingerbread is a smart choice if you're worried about that.
+ ADW and Launcher pro, there are settings where you can add more or less screens.
If you like Sense then you should definitely stick with it, just don't be shy to try out new ROM's.
On your home screen hit menu then edit. You can add home screens for a total of 7.
Search the market for cm7 themes and you can change the look to something different.
You can't get the actual sense widgets but like has been said you can get close with apps in the market.
Syncmypix in the market lets you sync your contacts to facebook friend photos.
If you still don't like it I would you with skyraider 4.0
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Number of home screens is easily changed, I like to keep it simple and go with 3. Contacts should be synced with Google, all mine came back after signing in to my Google account. Sense Widgets can be emulated with launcher pro, for the stock clock/weather widget use fancy widget pro with HTC skin. Screen wake issues are kernel related, you can swap different kernels to see which works best with your phone. CM7 has the most themes out of any rom so its not hard to find something to fit your taste although I personally like the way gingerbread looks stock, to me anything below android 2.3 looks outdated.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
ejsholly said:
Hello. I am fairly new to the Android root/ROM universe, and have a few questions.
I recently flashed the most recent version of CM7, and after spending a few hours with it, immediately reverted back to the stock UI.
I'm going to list a few reasons I disliked it, and maybe you can tell me if I'm just doing something wrong.
-- Only five screens? I have my apps stored perfectly in the seven screens given to me in stock, and hated the limitations of only five.
-- The entire look of the UI feels outdated. Comparing just the top bar with battery level and clock and such, CM7/Gingerbread's version looks like they've stepped back a few years in design.
-- I lost my Sense widgets. I know this is a matter of preference, but is there any way I can flash them with CM7?
-- Whenever I push the power button to unlock the phone, there is a delay in the screen turning on. With the stock, the screen turns on almost instantly.
-- I can't sync my contacts for some reason. Maybe I'm just an idiot though, I don't know.
While I very much dislike these thigs, I'm open to what you have to say. Maybe there's simething about it I'm missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CM7 comes default with ADW... you can change it up to 7.
The reason the UI feels outdated is because your used to Sense, it's one of the selling points for HTC, and why a lot of people buy there devices. It's one of the reasons I bought the Incredible(originally..)
Your right, the sense widgets are gorgeous... but you can definitely find ways to make your homescreens on CM7 gorgeous too.
You can change your screen transition settings with the Spare Parts app... and flash a custom kernel that takes care of that.
You need to enable sync under Accounts and Sync under your settings... make sure you have contacts clicked... and make sure you have the facebook app... a lot of contacts are synced from there as well.
Sense is an overlay from HTC in which consumes more resources on your phone, and contains way more bloat. CM7 is a ROM in which has the most basic of apps pre installed in it, with tweaks you can do to your UI. Pretty much what you would refer to as Vanilla android.
I think the philosophy behind CM is that it's for customizers. You have to be willing to spend hours going through option screens, and downloading mods and themes to see what you like. If that's not you, CM7 is NOT for you. I cannot stress this enough. I've talked to too many people about rooting/switching ROMs, and they don't get it.
My answers in bold
ejsholly said:
Hello. I am fairly new to the Android root/ROM universe, and have a few questions.
I recently flashed the most recent version of CM7, and after spending a few hours with it, immediately reverted back to the stock UI.
I'm going to list a few reasons I disliked it, and maybe you can tell me if I'm just doing something wrong.
-- Only five screens? I have my apps stored perfectly in the seven screens given to me in stock, and hated the limitations of only five.
Easily changed to 7, as stated above.
-- The entire look of the UI feels outdated. Comparing just the top bar with battery level and clock and such, CM7/Gingerbread's version looks like they've stepped back a few years in design.
I know a lot of great themes for CM7; a great place to start is Honeybread of DarkGinger.
-- I lost my Sense widgets. I know this is a matter of preference, but is there any way I can flash them with CM7?
You might like Regina Launcher or SPB Shell 3D. Both are in the Market, offer 7 homescreens if you want that, and have some great widgets included. Regina is free, and SPB Shell is $15. However, SPB has a lot more widgets.
-- Whenever I push the power button to unlock the phone, there is a delay in the screen turning on. With the stock, the screen turns on almost instantly.
Non-issue for me, on CM7.0.2.1 with Tiamat 3.3.8 noSBC
-- I can't sync my contacts for some reason. Maybe I'm just an idiot though, I don't know.
I use MyBackup Root in the Market to back up all my data before flashing a new ROM.
While I very much dislike these thigs, I'm open to what you have to say. Maybe there's simething about it I'm missing?
As many have already said, CM7 is all about customization. Don't like stock lockscreen style? Change it. Don't like stock theme? Install a new one. The possibilities are endless. I, too, was a Sense lover. However, I took the time to find replacements for the Sense widgets I liked, and from there I didn't look back. For the Sense Weather Clock, I recommend GO Weather. IMO, it looks just as good, lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hope I did a decent job explaining some things.
If you need help, you can always PM me and I'll usually get back to you within a couple days
That GO Weather widget is awesome, really the only thing I missed from stock sense rom
I like CM7 because it offers better performance, battery life, features, customizations, updates,.....the list could go on. I just like it. I also updated the baseband radio on my Dinc as well as updated the kernel from the CM7 kernel to the latest incredikernel. This has been an awesome combination for me so far.
I think I'm going through ROM Boredom.
Seems like I've run through just about everything, and I need something new that gets me excited again.
I had all the best Froyo ROMS, and ran Koni III for a long time as a daily.
I've run the 2.1/3.0 ROMS, but they're really all the same, more or less. Going from Synergy back to MikG, just for the 2.2 updated version isn't turning me on. Although I do prefer the 3.0 stuff over the older versions.
I have no desire to run MIUI and have to deal with all my apps on the desktops (I hate that)
I'm still a little gun shy on CM7, after the rash of White Screen issues, which looks like they've subsided, plus, CM7 just doesn't really appeal to me. I like the spit and polish of sense.
I guess I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Unroot and return to stock? Who knows, of could be the "change" your looking for?
Lol.... Oh HELL no
Swyped From The Hippest Phone Using XDA Premium
I've been a little 'bored' as well .. at first I thought I was more or less content. Been jumping around lately and been on MIUI last week or so with a sweet theme. I use ADW EX anyways, so you get the drawer and don't have a cluster f*ck of apps on the screen. I never understood the hate, and with a theme you can really jazz it up. Been on it a few times but never hung around. Might just stick here for a while. It's pretty sexy.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Does ADW EX take away form any of the other desktop customizations, etc on MIUI?
AdW on Miui is great. I really like the drop down notifications and all the setting options you can retain with the mix of the two.
If you get really bored and want to try something different not on XDA, there is that UD rom. I've never tried it but have been close a few times.
That launcher7 on the market for free could hold you over for an hour or two also
HipKat said:
Does ADW EX take away form any of the other desktop customizations, etc on MIUI?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, such as? I know it has different options for transitions and such, but as for that and maybe some widgets, I'm not too sure of the other little 'goodies.' Unless, of course, you mean themed icons and what not ... in which case, I've been using a specific set for what seems like ages. So, again, not sure. I've always just slapped another launcher on as I don't like the apps being on the desktop by default. ADW EX, obviously, has different transitions as well and the list for MIUI 'appears' to have similar ones ... so not sure how different they all are.
Haven't messed around with different lock screens as I just use Widgetlocker, so can't really comment on that either. I haven't had much time to mess around with the latest version (can't remember the last one I was even on) but I plan giving it a longer run this time around.
Might be worth checking out.
Sounds like we run similar setups with custom icons, widgetlocker, etc....
I might just have to give it a run, just for something different, and as long as the icons aren't on the desktops, then it loses the stupid iphone look.
One really good thing is going back to SBC AOSP kernels.
My battery will love me again.
Just come on over to the 3d side Hip
jayharper08 said:
Just come on over to the 3d side Hip
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol. no update til January
Hipkat,
I was using UD 3.3.1 with the tiamat kernel for a long time (for me anyway) It was a nice change and was really stable. I only went to Synergy to see what the fuss was about ( and now I'm staying there for a while) I don't know whats up with it now though, Balckdroids site is down and has been for a while.
If you want to give it a whirl, let me know and I'll give you the zip.
I'll take a look at it. Thx!
HipKat said:
lol. no update til January
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or back to the Moment?
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
OK, here they are.
Flash the UD rom first, then the GPS fix and google apps (these are newer than the ones bundled with the rom) then the tiamat kernel. You can do them all together and as always wipe cache/dalvik and data first.
Enjoy
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19202845/Ul...imate_supersonic-ota-eng.blackdroid.3.3.1.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19202845/Ul...o fixes ud/CM7-N39-GPS-Driver_Supsersonic.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19202845/Ultimate_droid3.3.1_AOSP/evo fixes ud/gapps-evo-20110504-vm.zip
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/19202845/Ultimate_droid3.3.1_AOSP/evo fixes ud/Tiamat_Evo-v4.0.5-sbc.zip
CM7 isn't too flashy by default, but there are a ton of cool themes for it. And most of them use Theme Manager, which means you don't need to flash them -- you just install an APK and you can switch it up on the fly without even rebooting.
Have you tried using the kitchen to cook your own? I just did my own, but I can't flash it! Ha! No root!
Seen my post in General Forum?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1156664
SNS is pretty rad, 2.3, themed with Sense and NonSense, very fast and stable, no issues, crazy good battery life. And I get in the same mind games weekly it seems. I go from stock to custom 12 times over, back to stock, its an addictive habit that gets me in trouble with the fiance' most days! Just a thought, good luck!
lol, I'd probably work out more, if I wasn't sitting here playing with this phone almost every night....
I have to ask, why in the world would anyone want a Sense ROM? I miss CM so much....
It feels so empty. Yeah the Sense Weather widget is cool but about there there isnt anything really "wow".
Maybe Im missing something....Ive been 5 minutes with Sense 3.0 and Im thinking about going back already to CM.
riahc3 said:
I have to ask, why in the world would anyone want a Sense ROM? I miss CM so much....
It feels so empty. Yeah the Sense Weather widget is cool but about there there isnt anything really "wow".
Maybe Im missing something....Ive been 5 minutes with Sense 3.0 and Im thinking about going back already to CM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well everyone has diffrent opinions, but for me sense has the best user interface with amazing widgets. the quick settings from the notification drop down menu is also good. but sense is basically only for the homescreen and launcher.
Sorry but your opinion is not the opinion for everyone. Some like sense, some doesnt like sense.
I tried cm and i didnt care much for it. In fact i switched back to sense after spending a day with cm and it was a big sigh of relief for me.
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App
may i ask why you feel sense 3.0 is empty? cm is just stock android with a launcher thrown on top and a few optimizations, sense 3 has much more. okay i agree that you havnt got as many settings to fiddle about with but do you really need to
ive kinda got to the stage where i just want to use a phone as a phone, and sense is much easier to use
although im not saying i dont like cm.... however i think glite is much better with launcher pro for some nice widgets.
good luck in choosing your rom
1) Superior camera app, with better layout, aesthetics, and options. Stock AOSP camera app is pretty terrible. Never found any 3rd party apps as good as the HTC camera app, either. You will see frequent requests for porting the HTC cam app to non-Sense ROMs, and there's a reason for that (but nobody has been able to do it).
2) Smart dialer/contacts. Some people like the HTC dialer and contacts better than AOSP, some don't. But many here have stated they prefer the HTC ones over AOSP. Also, I've messed around with 3rd party dialers/contacts, but there always seems to be something not quite there, and end up going back to Sense.
3) Apps and widgets like Stocks and Weather (and others) look great, and are well integrated with the general Sense theming. You can search around for Market apps that do the same things (and maybe more), but they will all have different looks to them, and simply won't mesh as well with the general theme of your ROM.
4) Lots of general theming changes. This is merely a matter of personal taste. But I think the changes made by HTC look more refined than AOSP, and prefer them.
5) Different keyboard. Mostly just an aesthetic choice, but again, I personally think the HTC one is better than AOSP. Plus, Sense 3.0 adds the Swype-like "HTC Trace" functionality. Personally I use the Swype keyboard.
6) With HTC Locations, you can pre-download the maps for huge regions or whole countries and store them to your SD (turn-by-turn navigation requires an extra fee, but the maps themselves are free). This allows you to use the maps even when no data network is available, such as poor signal or travelling abroad. I personally prefer the Google Maps/Navigation interface, but I see the practical applications for HTC Locations.
7) Built in WiFi hotspot, better notification pulldown (with quick settings), and other small stuff.
There's probably more, but those are the main reasons I see to pick Sense. But if you've given Sense a decent chance for a few days at least, and still don't like it versus the AOSP style ROMs (or other styles), you probably aren't going to change your mind based on what people here say. Its mostly just a matter of personal preference, the look and feel of the ROM. Its like asking why people like the color blue versus red.
One word: Integration. HTC has done a splended job at bringing various little items together to create one simple UI that integrates almost everything. The dialer, facebook, widgets, settings, intuitive controls, camera, etc... The price? Memory.
I have gone from Sense to AOSP to MIUI and now back to sense because it is really hard to get that kind of integration on non-sense roms. I will gladly pay the price for Sense, though I may wander back to AOSP for speedier roms occasionally.
Sent from my Unified Vision using XDA App
It's my opinion that for most people who prefer a Sense ROM their first Android phone came with Sense and they are simply used to it. It's also my opinion that this is the primary reason the custom UI's exist. If people are used to/comfortable with a certain interface they are less likely to switch to a different brand because any other interface will feel "wrong"
Since I started out with stock Android I find any of the custom UIs to be nails on a chalkboard annoying. It even took me a while to get used to ADW when that started being included in CM.
Media player on sense roms are way way better for streaming online media. On sense I don't use rockplayer but on non-sense I have to
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
redpoint73 said:
6) With HTC Locations, you can pre-download the maps for huge regions or whole countries and store them to your SD (turn-by-turn navigation requires an extra fee, but the maps themselves are free). This allows you to use the maps even when no data network is available, such as poor signal or travelling abroad. I personally prefer the Google Maps/Navigation interface, but I see the practical applications for HTC Locations.
7) Built in WiFi hotspot, better notification pulldown (with quick settings), and other small stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think both ROMs have their place, everyone likes different things. These two points should be left out however.
#6 is no different then the map tile caching done in the new Google Maps, which is available on any ROM.
#7 come on, I know you have more experience with Android than that. Built in hotspot has been part of CM7 and every other ROM for a long time now. The pulldown is a bit different but then again, that's another user preference that can't be deemed better or worse.
KCRic said:
I think both ROMs have their place, everyone likes different things. These two points should be left out however.
#6 is no different then the map tile caching done in the new Google Maps, which is available on any ROM.
#7 come on, I know you have more experience with Android than that. Built in hotspot has been part of CM7 and every other ROM for a long time now. The pulldown is a bit different but then again, that's another user preference that can't be deemed better or worse.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
6) Is it? I haven't actually played with the feature on Google Maps at all, as I haven't found myself in the situation of using Google Maps while in areas of poor or no data connection. But my impression was that it was just a small cache feature, such as for while driving through isolated areas of bad data reception. The feature on Locations lets you download and store huge maps, such as "United States - West" permanently to the SD card, which takes up 953 MB; or all of France (833 MB). Google Maps cached doesn't do that, does it?
7) My bad, I haven't actually been on CM7 for a long time, and forgot about WiFi hotspot being cooked in. Do more stock/official versions of the AOSP ROM (like the T-Mob leak) have WiFi hotspot also? If not, it may still be a valid point of comparison for some (although I see your point, since the OP seems to be a CM7 fan).
If the phrasing "better notification pulldown" is merely changed to "different", it becomes a valid point of comparison. Completely agree that most of the difference in the features between Sense ROMs and others is a matter of personal preference/taste (as I've already pointed out in my previous post).
leehopley said:
may i ask why you feel sense 3.0 is empty? cm is just stock android with a launcher thrown on top and a few optimizations, sense 3 has much more. okay i agree that you havnt got as many settings to fiddle about with but do you really need to
ive kinda got to the stage where i just want to use a phone as a phone, and sense is much easier to use
although im not saying i dont like cm.... however i think glite is much better with launcher pro for some nice widgets.
good luck in choosing your rom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel like its empty as there isnt much to really customize about Android (you can customize Sense alot but thats it).
1) Superior camera app, with better layout, aesthetics, and options. Stock AOSP camera app is pretty terrible. Never found any 3rd party apps as good as the HTC camera app, either. You will see frequent requests for porting the HTC cam app to non-Sense ROMs, and there's a reason for that (but nobody has been able to do it).
2) Smart dialer/contacts. Some people like the HTC dialer and contacts better than AOSP, some don't. But many here have stated they prefer the HTC ones over AOSP. Also, I've messed around with 3rd party dialers/contacts, but there always seems to be something not quite there, and end up going back to Sense.
3) Apps and widgets like Stocks and Weather (and others) look great, and are well integrated with the general Sense theming. You can search around for Market apps that do the same things (and maybe more), but they will all have different looks to them, and simply won't mesh as well with the general theme of your ROM.
4) Lots of general theming changes. This is merely a matter of personal taste. But I think the changes made by HTC look more refined than AOSP, and prefer them.
5) Different keyboard. Mostly just an aesthetic choice, but again, I personally think the HTC one is better than AOSP. Plus, Sense 3.0 adds the Swype-like "HTC Trace" functionality. Personally I use the Swype keyboard.
6) With HTC Locations, you can pre-download the maps for huge regions or whole countries and store them to your SD (turn-by-turn navigation requires an extra fee, but the maps themselves are free). This allows you to use the maps even when no data network is available, such as poor signal or travelling abroad. I personally prefer the Google Maps/Navigation interface, but I see the practical applications for HTC Locations.
7) Built in WiFi hotspot, better notification pulldown (with quick settings), and other small stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1: Better in what sense? You can prefocus, flash, choose quality, ISO settings, etc. I dont see much difference. The design is less pretty but is that really important?
2: Cant comment as I always use the contact list.
3: In a general sense, I dont use widgets too much. I use LauncherPro which gives me a calender and a Facebook widget which pretty much work OK. People Stream is somewhat more feature full but feels like a cluttered mess.
4: Theming is not important as all as this is more aimed towards features. Said this, there are amazing themes out there for ASOP.
5: I use Swype. No really difference between the HTC and ASOP keyboard.
6: This is just about a week ago so you might not know In Google Maps (Lab) you can now select regions in 10 miles to download to your phone and use them with a data connection.
7: ....Android supports out of the box making itself a wifi hotspot....And the notification in Sense is one of the top 5 reasons I switched back. So bulky taking up so much space.
One word: Integration. HTC has done a splended job at bringing various little items together to create one simple UI that integrates almost everything. The dialer, facebook, widgets, settings, intuitive controls, camera, etc... The price? Memory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I find the Integration on Sense so terribly confusing and way too overpowered. On CM, it is SO simple and easy to do.
riahc3 said:
1: Better in what sense? You can prefocus, flash, choose quality, ISO settings, etc. I dont see much difference. The design is less pretty but is that really important?
2: Cant comment as I always use the contact list.
3: In a general sense, I dont use widgets too much. I use LauncherPro which gives me a calender and a Facebook widget which pretty much work OK. People Stream is somewhat more feature full but feels like a cluttered mess.
4: Theming is not important as all as this is more aimed towards features. Said this, there are amazing themes out there for ASOP.
5: I use Swype. No really difference between the HTC and ASOP keyboard.
6: This is just about a week ago so you might not know In Google Maps (Lab) you can now select regions in 10 miles to download to your phone and use them with a data connection.
7: ....Android supports out of the box making itself a wifi hotspot....And the notification in Sense is one of the top 5 reasons I switched back. So bulky taking up so much space.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For the most part, you have taken the things that I like about Sense, and are saying you don't like them. So I doubt this is going to turn into a productive discussion. Its a matter of personal preference. And it seems like you've already made up your mind.
1) HTC camera has the ability to add effects. Personally not for me, as I'd rather take a "normal" picture, and add effects later if I want. But I now some people like and use them.
By prefocus, do you mean you can touch to focus on AOSP? This feature was not included on CM7 last time I used it. But like I said, its been a long time. Overall, IMO the layout of the HTC camera is more logical and easier to use. And the AOSP is ugly as hell. Are looks important? It is to me. Not like its a deal breaker for the whole ROM. But its a factor to add to the list of differences.
6) So those features are nothing the same then. 10 miles is about enough to get your local area, but that's about it. Locations lets you download a whole country (or in the case of a large, developed country like the US a huge region), so you basically never have to worry about downloading again.
why would anyone want a sense rom???
because they like sense???
mputtr said:
Sorry but your opinion is not the opinion for everyone. Some like sense, some doesnt like sense.
I tried cm and i didnt care much for it. In fact i switched back to sense after spending a day with cm and it was a big sigh of relief for me.
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent From My T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
mputtr said:
Sorry but your opinion is not the opinion for everyone. Some like sense, some doesnt like sense.
I tried cm and i didnt care much for it. In fact i switched back to sense after spending a day with cm and it was a big sigh of relief for me.
Sent from my Desire Z via XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your opinion is not the opinion for everyone?
That makes no sense. An opinion is a statement about how one person feels about something, not something that is assigned to someone. Everyone has their own opinion bro
Sent From My T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
For me, no launcher runs sense-smooth
I tried CM7 once, disappointed by what-launcher's-name-is: choppy, laggy, unprofessional etc..
Also, I'm not gonna talk about Android's stock launcher
rickyiswhite said:
Your opinion is not the opinion for everyone?
That makes no sense. An opinion is a statement about how one person feels about something, not something that is assigned to someone. Everyone has their own opinion bro
Sent From My T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What that means is that her opinion does not account the general concensus.
You just said the same exact thing I said. She was saying why would anyone want a sense rom because it is empty. then in one of her next replies, she says the integration is overpowered. It sounds ridiculous when you're saying that integration in an operating system can be overpowered.
so now i'm reading, sense is empty and sense is overpowered. I'm pretty sure this isn't world of warcraft so it simply seems odd to me to hear someone saying that a tight integration in the OS is a bad thing.
rickyiswhite said:
Your opinion is not the opinion for everyone?
That makes no sense.
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mputtr's statement made perfect sense to me. The OP is asking why anyone would like Sense, just because he doesn't like it. It almost seems the OP assumes that everyone has the same personal tastes as him. I've tried to summarize pretty objectively what some of the differences are, and the OP just shot them all down basically saying he didn't like this or that, which is not really the point.
The easy answer to the question of why would anyone would like a Sense ROM, is that every ROM has different features, look and feel. Whether that makes it "better" or not is merely a matter of personal taste. Everyone has different tastes. Its as simple as that.
I do really like sense and especially its integration with the sense website but I think I may have just outgrown it. Theme wise miui can't be beat and the only thing I really miss about sense now is the contacts app and the facebook integration. However, I just find it to be a little too sluggish for me now after spending so much time with the alternatives. Oh and I also love the text select function in sense that zooms on letters iphone style to allow for more precise editing
I do think sense has a place but I feel that HTC has gone too far down the eye candy road rather than focus n new functionality that despite the new coat of paint 3.0 brings it just feels outdated
barclays said:
For me, no launcher runs sense-smooth
I tried CM7 once, disappointed by what-launcher's-name-is: choppy, laggy, unprofessional etc..
Also, I'm not gonna talk about Android's stock launcher
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I can agree with you about adw. It is a pretty bad launcher to showcase with cm7. The reason I hear that they insist on using it is that its open source. I would think that their are other/better OS launchers but maybe not! Stock android launcher rocks in terms of speed not sure where your complaint is there. First thing I do is install stock 2.3 launcher on cm and all is well.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA Premium App
There are some things I can't get my head around.
From the screenshots of all the cool user ROMs and themes available it's clear they've been designed by clever people who use their phones a lot. So why does it appear from these shots they use the Sense launcher, and their default home screen has a big Sense clock and hardly any apps?
Presumably, like me, these people are pulling their phones out their pocket and putting them back there many times a day. Presumably also, like me, these people use a number of apps and widgets in a day that hits two figures. With this in mind, I want to be able to get to those apps and widgets easily and quickly. I.e., with as few swipes/clicks/screen presses as possible. I'm sure these people do too, right?
So that rules out the Sense launcher doesn't it, with its 4x4 grid limitation and non-resizeable widgets. Not to mention its time-consuming spin-in carousel effect every time the phone's security screen is unlocked. I haven't found anything useful the Sense launcher does that another launcher can't, at least after downloading other apps.
Furthermore, who really keeps that big clock on their home screen, when 1. you probably wear a watch; and 2. you can see the time on the top right. It seems like a silly amount of screen 'estate' to use.
Or is it that these people in fact have a more practical default home screen and it's just tradition to post the screenshots they show?
Finally, why do so many of these otherwise brilliant ROMs not mod the battery icon to show how much battery is remaining, percentage-wise? Appreciate this can be modded using the kitchen website. But surely everyone wants this info from the off, so is it not included?
Well, I'd never call myself a hardcore user - although I believe that term should be defined too, because I'm not sure it's interpreted the same way by everyone. That aside though, here's what I think on tinkering with the launchers. You buy an Android phone - be it of any manufacturer. In general, and especially considering the top level models, it can be said that there isn't much diversity hardware-wise. What does make a difference is the UI, the services integrated and how the phone handles them. (And let's exclude synthetic benchmarks for now, I don't believe they represent real-life scenarios.) So, someone knowledgeable going for an HTC device (meaning it's not chosen because of price or because of how "pretty" it is), imo, means they're attracted to Sense: those little nuances that do make the difference. Ditch the launcher and you've pretty much ditched at least about half of what Sense - of what HTC is about. But then, why did you go for HTC in the first place? And the same can be said with Samsung and SE as well, those who quite heavily modify the Android UI. Sure, you can do it, you can dump the whole customized everything...but can doesn't mean that you should: if you're a "hardcore user", however we define the rest of it, you know you'll have an easier life with a phone that runs stock Android, there's no point in choosing something customized (read: more complicated), with risk of locked bootloaders and whatnots.
And you're right: you can get the puzzle pieces from the Market (or elsewhere) to create a Sense-like experience. That's because Sense offers so many good things in one package that ppl are aiming at re-creating it, but ask this: if you want to re-create it, why not spare yourself the hassle and use the real thing right out of the box?
As for the clock: I haven't even owned, much less worn a watch for at least about ten years, nor do I feel the need. Actually they seem pretty redundant now that mobiles have become as complex as they are and being carried everywhere. But as for the battery percentage - I couldn't agree more, I wish I knew why HTC itself doesn't make it available at least as an option.
In addition to the great points made by breathlesstao, I'll add the following:
Many devs concentrate on performance, stability and removing bloat when developing their ROMs, so if you want UI mods like battery percentage etc then the option is there for you to do it yourself. It would be nice if HTC could add percentage but they do have a battery widget that shows it.
As for on screen icons, I suppose many people like a sleek looking interace with not a lot of clutter. Plus, the more you have on the homescreens the more likely you are to experience lag when scrolling between the screens. Personally I have every app I use often on one of the 7 screens and if I need anything else it's only a few presses away in the all apps menu. I like it to be set up with each page having similar types of app, so on one I have music / media related stuff, another tools / settings type stuff... etc. See my helicopter view screenshot below for an example. My screen aren't crammed, but then they're not too sparse either.
I actually like the flipclock as it integrates local weather and just generally looks cool... I also haven't had a watch since the 1990s.
Choice and the ability to customise things are part of the many joys of Android, you set it up your way and use it your way.
The replies are right in. As for the launcher I have people coming to me all the time cause their phone is slow and lagging and whenbi unlock screen they have dozens of shortcuts all over the screen. Of course its gonna be slow when it need to reload a the launcher and all those Widgets. I swear some look so much like an icrap with all the shorcuts when I see it I have to double check. Lmao
As for the battery icon, you have to edit the coding for the file to add the extra 150 images that make up the % battery and charging icons and the bigger the file......
Now the clock well to be honest I remove the clock from the top bar any chance I get as I see it as pointless. We have Widgets for that.
As for sense it has its pluses like everything is prebuilt in. Social networking (not sure as I don't use FB at all) built into contacts and all the other handy apps that it comes with. I mostly run a senseless Tom my self but that is only due to it be long a resource hog. But the contacts and dialer work so well together that I have not found a better dialer/contact combo. The sense 3 lockscreen is just too good. I have widget locker but prefer the sense lock screen
Some very good replies, and here is my take, i've been modding my phone(s) now for a few years now (Since the Windows Mobile 5 Genre) and I would say function is not the only thing i look for. I want "coolness", "graphics"... I love the way the flip happens when you unlock a Sense ROM ..I strive to make it smoother !
Having said that I do resort to simplicity at times however, and you can too. have a look at Cyanogenmod and get Launcher Pro.. Ain't nothing simpler than that with the most "Function".
The ROM above will satisfy anyone who loves Function over Heavyness and also it has the option of showing percentage battery amongst plethora of other customizations neatly laid out in the settings menu.
But sometimes that just isn't enough for me..I want a ROM with More......Sense framework is probably the best Integration of everything I've ever seen. Yes its huge ! But then...this phone ain't that weak either...It is a beast
That is why you have an "option" my friend...an option to choose non-sense ROM or a Sense ROM. You could go for a Sense ROM (if you like all the integration of sense) and get yourself a different launcher from the market if you choose..customize it with the battery percentage mod.... yourself... The Dev's like to leave the option customize some aspects of their ROM's to the users... mostly because its personal preference.
The Sense Rom cooks, mostly, give u the most basic thing... A highly optimized ROM with a stock-like UI. You can choose to customize it the way you like ! After all thats what XDA is all about ..do it youself modding..
Hi all,
Your responses are appreciated and it's nice to have a polite conversation about this!
You're right breathlesstao, what the hell's a hardcore user. I just meant anyone who'd flash a ROM, root their phone, perhaps mod some element themself.
So I guess many of you - suprisingly for me - are happy to swipe between screens to get to their apps or widgets. You like what less clutter for doing this. Can see your point of view! I don't experience any lag though, zelendel, for packing my homescreens.
I suppose it was assumed that if you're more knowledgeable you'd be aware of apps and widgets with more options and functionality than the Sense launcher and its own widgets, and choose to use the former instead.
To be clear, I do like using other HTC features such as their contacts and dialler. It's just the homescreen layout I'm ranting about.
In particular for me, a good GUI, as well as looking pleasant, is as simple and quick to to use as possible. So when, for example, I'm going for a lunchbreak at work it's satisfying to be able to put my music or podcast-player on in a second without having to hunt it down.
i keep meaning to try a non sense rom but i like virtuous unity 2.39 sense 3.0 rom so much i´m loathe to part with it.
i know it only takes twenty minutes to go back to it but i just find it does everything in such a pleasant manner.. its smooth fast responsive and most of all it looks the buisness. plus as others have said you dont have to use all that sense stuff if you dont want to.
for music i do tend to use the stock player but i have been playing with other ones of late same with video but things like the clock and weather widgets for me are much more polished on the sense versions than anything comparible available from the market. plus i´ve not had any problem running low on ram or anything, the dhd is more than capable of handling sense 3.0 and whatever else one cares to throw at it without any hiccups
Circle launcher 1x1 widgets are the best
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
killersloth, thanks for the heads up - it looks very useful.
ponk2k, you know I also use VU (2.39) but with Launcher Pro - have uninstalled the Sense widgets that aren't connected to anything else. You probably think what's the point! To answer my own question, I wanted a custom ROM for things like battery life optimisation, and the VU team's branding has seemed more user-friendly to me than the non-Sense ROMs. Though maybe I'll try one soon. While I've got you though, can I ask if you have a problem with the brightness dimmng slowly on command in most scenarios with that ROM version? More info in my question here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1292894
Capys runny 1.5 is perfection
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
killersloth said:
Capys runny 1.5 is perfection
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
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Click to collapse
100% bug free? I was thinking of trying it.
CitizenLee said:
100% bug free? I was thinking of trying it.
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Click to collapse
Just a fair warning man. No rom will be 100% bug free. That is what the stock roms are for. The roms here are for learning and trying new things. So there will always be bugs that need to be fixed. Plus some things that one person may see something a a bug while another sees it as a feature.
zelendel said:
Just a fair warning man. No rom will be 100% bug free. That is what the stock roms are for. The roms here are for learning and trying new things. So there will always be bugs that need to be fixed. Plus some things that one person may see something a a bug while another sees it as a feature.
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Click to collapse
Thanks lol.
&by 'perfection' I definitely don't mean bugfree but it is everything I expect in a good rom. From the improvements to audio, the good battery life, and now decent skins too...
If it was bugfree what would be the fun in developing with it ?
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
zelendel said:
Just a fair warning man. No rom will be 100% bug free. That is what the stock roms are for. The roms here are for learning and trying new things. So there will always be bugs that need to be fixed. Plus some things that one person may see something a a bug while another sees it as a feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I meant with the basic day to day phone functions and stuff like WiFi, video playback etc. To me that's an expected level of functionality for any non beta ROM. I've flashed and tested many over the last 2.5 years of owning Android handsets so my standards are quite high
CitizenLee said:
I meant with the basic day to day phone functions and stuff like WiFi, video playback etc. To me that's an expected level of functionality for any non beta ROM. I've flashed and tested many over the last 2.5 years of owning Android handsets so my standards are quite high
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Click to collapse
It is fully functional. I believe there is the bug in camcorder still where you have to watch play.the video in the same orientation you recorded it.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using xda premium
I haven't had any problems with vu dimming slowly no. I do find that the dimming settings on the ROM are a bit brighter than on the stock ROM though but with no noticeable battery drain incurred.
Thanks will have to investigate further.
zelendel said:
Just a fair warning man. No rom will be 100% bug free. That is what the stock roms are for.
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...aaaand potentially not even those. I mean, they're made by humans as well, and humans are bound to make mistakes, aye? It happens.
The most productive thread i ever encountered !!! Thanks to OP
I just went from BAMF to Paranoid Android 4.2 and for the life of me I can't figure out why so many people are talking up this ROM, could someone please explain it to me because I need to be missing something.
The only thing that looked interesting was the UI features which do not work correctly. The Opaque Statusbar and Taskbar do not work. Randomly they will go back to solid black then never goes back to Opaque. The Tablet UI seems awesome but the Taskbar buttons are way to small. So I figured I would change the DPI but it makes the Statusbar clock huge and the notifications area pop-up moves half-way off the screen rendering it unusable.
So after those features are taking away there really is no custom / developer settings on the ROM so it's pretty much pointless.
A lot of people like a tablet UI but don't like the smaller DPI or visa/versa et cetera.
Jubakuba said:
A lot of people like a tablet UI but don't like the smaller DPI or visa/versa et cetera.
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The Tablet UI is awesome but very poorly implemented it seems.
Shuino said:
So after those features are taking away there really is no custom / developer settings on the ROM so it's pretty much pointless.
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I came from AOKP milestone 1 to PA 2.99.5 and while I like the 4.2 I'm thinking it might be time to go back to AOKP. I thought the Phablet UI was interesting but when I tried it... it didn't work correctly. I do like the per-app customization but I'd rather customize other areas of the phone with my time. Add I miss my integrated weather on the lockscreen.
illegalsmile said:
I came from AOKP milestone 1 to PA 2.99.5 and while I like the 4.2 I'm thinking it might be time to go back to AOKP. I thought the Phablet UI was interesting but when I tried it... it didn't work correctly. I do like the per-app customization but I'd rather customize other areas of the phone with my time. Add I miss my integrated weather on the lockscreen.
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Click to collapse
You are pretty much in the same boat am I. I was just hoping something happened during my install of Paranoid and that's why it wasn't working or features were missing or something. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this ROM is defiantly lacking.
I am staying hopeful though. Once they get this ROM out of beta maybe Tablet UI will be working, and they will include some basic customization.
I do not see any problems with PA 2.99.5 whatsoever.. It works perfectly fine..smooth, good battery life, no lags, everything works as it should.. Once again, it is a matter of preference.. You putting up this thread was a matter of preference.. But once again, it is advisable that you do not complain by making a new thread.. Just post in the PA thread.. Molesarecoming is always open to constructive criticism..Once again, the word is "constructive criticism" the diversity of ROMs in the Galaxy Nexus community is what makes many stick with the nexus. so before bashing other ROMs, please just remember you not liking it, doesnt mean it's the same for others. If you hate it so much twitter it or fb it or something. >.<
Leemur89 said:
I do not see any problems with PA 2.99.5 whatsoever.. It works perfectly fine..smooth, good battery life, no lags, everything works as it should.. Once again, it is a matter of preference.. You putting up this thread was a matter of preference.. But once again, it is advisable that you do not complain by making a new thread.. Just post in the PA thread.. Molesarecoming is always open to constructive criticism..Once again, the word is "constructive criticism" the diversity of ROMs in the Galaxy Nexus community is what makes many stick with the nexus. so before bashing other ROMs, please just remember you not liking it, doesnt mean it's the same for others. If you hate it so much twitter it or fb it or something. >.<
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I'm not bashing anyone work at all, honestly I just wanted to know if I was missing something from the ROM since so many seem to use it. I have used it for 2 days now and none of the UI tweaks are functional, or do not work properly or are just way to small with no functional way to increase size. But the ROM is smooth and quick with insane boot speed.
Here is info on PA 2.99+ in a nutshell. First and foremost, you all downtalking tabletui need to realize that it does not actually exist in android 4.2, the paranoidandroid team found it deactivated by google in the code for 4.2 and they spent their time making it available again, it is in no way a finished product, if you want to see it work good then download a version of PA with an android 4.1x base ( i.e. PA 2.54 or before). Now onto people that cannot see the big deal, well anyone that tried the pre 4.2 PA knows that there is more customization available in PA than any other rom put together. Now PA 2.99+ are all AOSP based instead of CM based so they basically are building this rom from scratch to improve speed, performance and battery life for everyone, this means that a lot is not even integrated back into the rom yet. Simply trying out the newest PA will not give you a feel for why it is hands down the best rom out there. As for transparency, that only works on the homescreen and in order to properly utilize it you must A. be using a compatible launcher which has the homescreen backgrounds drawn correctly ( i.e. Apex, Stock or Holo etc, NOVA does not work) B. Choose a correct transparent hexcode or slide the transparency bar to where you would like it for that said Launcher in the "apps" section of paranoid preferences. I am on 2.99 Beta 5 and have full transparency with no issues that you speak of (Photo included as proof), in fact, Beta 5 has added almost everything I want back into the rom and fully functional, I can hardly wait for v3.0, seriously, I cannot see ever using another rom after using paranoidandroid, it just has the edge on everything else out there. AOKP and CM have nothing on it especially when it's at 100% again, which will be in the next couple weeks at the rate it's awesome devs work at!
tabUI is not existant in 4.2, what you see right now is raw honeycomb. if you want to see how good it was install 2.54, thats still based on 4.1. but right now i got to make my hands dirty with this. i know that on xda most people do not understand the difference between developing and kanging, and they wonder "why's this rom slower than others" but someones gotta do the dirty work and im okay if crackflashers avoid ours. they avoid cm for the same reason.
as for hybrid engine, i dont think you have understood it yet. it works flawless and it gives you more customization than all roms on xda combined, IF you can handle it. yes, you are able to make a button pink in this and that rom, but hybrid can transform thousands of apps and components to the better, with practical implications that are unheard of. the apps that are running on your huge 720p screen were not optimized for it, they're in the same layout that applies to pocketwatches or stone age miniature phones like the htc wildfire.
as for opacity, no app, obviously, draws underneath the bars - why would it. the launcher can do it, but again - not all do. nova has even a bug that offsets the wallpapers which leaves a black gap. our launcher works, apex works, holo works and perhaps a bunch of others. no rom does it differently, simply because its impossible.
the real difference is that we are producing features that push androids boundaries, we are sick of a homogen rom culture that hasnt really moved one inch for a couple of years now. all these roms are the same, do you realize that? kanging has produced one grey mass and nothing stands out. when we are done with our beta we will of course bring in all the essential features aswell, but new features have greater priority. and these blow everthing related to it clean out of the water.
compare build.prop hacks with hybrid engine, its like night and day. this is quite possibly the biggest rom scene improvement android has ever had.
compare rom scene color tweaks with per-app-color, its like night and day. normal roms are static, they give you one color and thats that. our colors shift from app to app.
compare extended desktop (which also came from us) with per-app-fullscreen
compare our recents with clearall implementations,
we had the most versatile toggles on android in 4.1 (right now we're implementing a new panel which will come in beta6)
etc.
but you got to understand that this stuff takes alot of time. i know i could just rename an open source rom, call myself "founder," post in 30 device forums and make craploads of money here on xda, but i chose not to and im happy i found a few guys that think in the same way. im content with the few people that use PA and the support i get from those, i dont see myself competing with any other rom for that matter. i dont feel like i have to stop all my work now just because this and that rom has a minor option that we dont have at the moment.
molesarecoming said:
tabUI is not existant in 4.2, what you see right now is raw honeycomb. if you want to see how good it was install 2.54, thats still based on 4.1. but right now i got to make my hands dirty with this. i know that on xda most people do not understand the difference between developing and kanging, and they wonder "why's this rom slower than others" but someones gotta do the dirty work and im okay if crackflashers avoid ours. they avoid cm for the same reason.
as for hybrid engine, i dont think you have understood it yet. it works flawless and it gives you more customization than all roms on xda combined, IF you can handle it. yes, you are able to make a button pink in this and that rom, but hybrid can transform thousands of apps and components to the better, with practical implications that are unheard of. the apps that are running on your huge 720p screen were not optimized for it, they're in the same layout that applies to pocketwatches or stone age miniature phones like the htc wildfire.
as for opacity, no app, obviously, draws underneath the bars - why would it. the launcher can do it, but again - not all do. nova has even a bug that offsets the wallpapers which leaves a black gap. our launcher works, apex works, holo works and perhaps a bunch of others. no rom does it differently, simply because its impossible.
the real difference is that we are producing features that push androids boundaries, we are sick of a homogen rom culture that hasnt really moved one inch for a couple of years now. all these roms are the same, do you realize that? kanging has produced one grey mass and nothing stands out. when we are done with our beta we will of course bring in all the essential features aswell, but new features have greater priority. and these blow everthing related to it clean out of the water.
compare build.prop hacks with hybrid engine, its like night and day. this is quite possibly the biggest rom scene improvement android has ever had.
compare rom scene color tweaks with per-app-color, its like night and day. normal roms are static, they give you one color and thats that. our colors shift from app to app.
compare extended desktop (which also came from us) with per-app-fullscreen
compare our recents with clearall implementations,
we had the most versatile toggles on android in 4.1 (right now we're implementing a new panel which will come in beta6)
etc.
but you got to understand that this stuff takes alot of time. i know i could just rename an open source rom, call myself "founder," post in 30 device forums and make craploads of money here on xda, but i chose not to and im happy i found a few guys that think in the same way. im content with the few people that use PA and the support i get from those, i dont see myself competing with any other rom for that matter. i dont feel like i have to stop all my work now just because this and that rom has a minor option that we dont have at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wonderfully said.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
PA 2.54 on epic 4g touch
I just flashed to this rom yesterday and really like it so far. I am interested in flashing to the newest 2.99 version. Where I can get the correct download for my phone, and do I need to update my recovery and if so, where do I get the link for that?
Thanks
btvolta said:
I just flashed to this rom yesterday and really like it so far. I am interested in flashing to the newest 2.99 version. Where I can get the correct download for my phone, and do I need to update my recovery and if so, where do I get the link for that?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the new 4.2 based PA roms might only be available for the Nexus series phones and tablets currently since the developers have started over building it from the ground up using AOSP source instead of CyanogenMod. I am not certain if the code is out there for other devs to build on their particular devices yet though.