Related
I've tried a few ROMs and I've finally settled on CM7. I like to use a DPI of 200 or lower and when I do this on a Sense ROM, Sense can't scale properly and it looks weird. I also like to have only one or two home screens with all my icons on and twitter and facebook widgets, but on Sense I can only put a few icons on and its full.
So my question to everyone is:
What do you personally find good about HTC Sense?
There are so many great things about sence. The widgets, the dialer, the easy faceboook and twitter sync with contacts. Sence is easly skinable, ooooh and the sms widget is the only dedicated sms widget ive seen for android lol
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
i like the widgets but the dialer misses something very important searching by the number ie. sense dialer search for 010445567 is found but search for 44556 isnt found in the list.
and also i dont like people application it doesnt allow me to add more details in number unless its a google contact wich i dont like bec i dont want to store my numbers online.
ie. if its a phone contanct type i cant add mobile 1 and mobile 2 labels for the same contact, but i found an app thats free and does this even for phone contact called phonebook 2.0.
I prefer more home screens, nice big and bold so that its touch friendly.
I know my phone can do a lot if pretty high computational stuff so my brain doesn't need to when navigating around it.
I had cm Rom ex launcher etc etc before on the hero and it felt like there was too many options to edit. Great if you know exactly what you like. But its such a hassle to go through all the possibilities and adjustments. Not to mention hassle of messing it up and correcting.
It's a bit like heavily modifying a car.. its fun, its about identity, its about the fastest or the prettiest or coolest, however there's a lot of time spent behind it plus it will have its practicality drawbacks.
There's nothing wrong with the bog standard look with a few minor easy tweaks, much less time consuming.
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk
I just like the functionality and the widgets from HTC Sense.
It is like last polishing for android.
Personally the only thing I like about sense is the widgets, apart from that sense is a bloatware, just the same as all the other OEM overlays ie. touchwiz, timescape etc.
I think HTC should spend more time innovating hardware rather then spending its resources on software. The main issue I see is that we have to wait so long for software updates just because HTC need to put there crap on top.
Sense has the best integration of Facebook. I can easily see my Facebook events and birthdays in my Android calendar with Sense.
With aosp you need to fart around exporting and importing calendars or using third party apps.
Not important for everyone but it is for me.
-----
Sent from my Desire HD pocket rocket.
dr.m0x said:
Sense has the best integration of Facebook. I can easily see my Facebook events and birthdays in my Android calendar with Sense.
With aosp you need to fart around exporting and importing calendars or using third party apps.
Not important for everyone but it is for me.
-----
Sent from my Desire HD pocket rocket.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that is what you immediately notice when going from Sense to AOSP.
For me it just provides everything I need, it's very smooth and it's consinstant throughout sense programs. I've tried other launchers but I found myself going very quickly back to sense.
dhiral.v said:
Personally the only thing I like about sense is the widgets, apart from that sense is a bloatware, just the same as all the other OEM overlays ie. touchwiz, timescape etc.
I think HTC should spend more time innovating hardware rather then spending its resources on software. The main issue I see is that we have to wait so long for software updates just because HTC need to put there crap on top.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTC does not manufacture the components that go into their phones, so there is no way they can put more resourses in innovating the hardware. Processors are by Qualcomm, screens are by Sharp (maybe?), cameras, etc. all made by other manufacturers. HTC assembles them and puts their software on top. So their selling point is a/ Sense, b/ Quality and c/ Support. All of them unsurpassed by any other. And before anyone has anything to say about HTC's support, let me ask you when will the SGS receive Gingerbread officialy? We are set for Q2 and it will be a fiasco for Samsung if the SGS (which is basicaly NS minus the NFC) receives the update later than the Desire series.
To answer the OP question - everything. Well everything minus the fact that you can't choose not to use Sense. In WM Sense (TouchFLO 3D) could be "turned off" but not in Android. Not that I would turn it off, but it's always nice to have that option. Anyway, I think the ring volume control is briliant (quiet ring on phone pickup and shutting the ring on phone flip), as I receive a lot of calls and this is perfect for managing your rings when in a meeting, I love the BIG phone button on the bottom (it's a phone after all, so why should it be difficult to open the dialer), I like the Facebook integration (though I might be the only person on that planet that actually hates Facebook) - I use it only for the big updated contact picture when someone calls me. And don't get me started on the widgets - have you noticed how almost all the widgets on the market try (not that successfuly) to copy HTC's? OK there is one more thing I don't like in Sense - lack of landscape. Especialy for the Car Panel and the Locations navi software. But other than that... WOW.
tkolev said:
So their selling point is a/ Sense, b/ Quality and c/ Support. All of them unsurpassed by any other. And before anyone has anything to say about HTC's support, let me ask you when will the SGS receive Gingerbread officialy? We are set for Q2 and it will be a fiasco for Samsung if the SGS (which is basicaly NS minus the NFC) receives the update later than the Desire series.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you are saying HTC are the lesser of two evils? I am not sure about hardware support but software support for all HTC phones is nothing short of pathetic. If and when the Desire series gets Gingerbread then we may be able to re-evaluate HTC, but until then they (and most other Android manufactures) are still miles behind Apple in software support.
I am very pleased with sense and most important for me too is easy integration of facebook and twitter contacts. also all the other theme and skin thing i do like it although sense makes phone overloaded but why do i care my dhd is perfectly capable of handling it with huge RAM and processing horse power .
row1 said:
So you are saying HTC are the lesser of two evils? I am not sure about hardware support but software support for all HTC phones is nothing short of pathetic. If and when the Desire series gets Gingerbread then we may be able to re-evaluate HTC, but until then they (and most other Android manufactures) are still miles behind Apple in software support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you call HTC's support pathetic, then you'll be out of words to describe other manufacturers' support. When did the SGS get Foyo? What about SE's... well maybe their department is also called "support" but that word has nothing to do with reallity. Apple is a totally different ball game. They do not (yes that's right - NOT) compete directly with other manufacturers. Noone else makes iOS devices (and knowing Apple, noone will) so there is no competition for them. They can afford to put so much resourses in support because they actually make money out of it. If you had the original iPhone and have spent few hundred dollars for software over the years you'll move to another iPhone. Apple keeps the customers tied to their own AppStore (the only way you can install applications without jailbreaking) and that way you keep buying their devices. What happens if HTC puts so much resourses in support? They fall behind the other Android phone manufacturers and eventually are out of business. No company would go that way. Fierce competition unfortunatelly leads to bad support (yes HTC's support is bad, but still the best ). If they don't focus on newer hardware, you'll buy your next phone from Samsung, or LG, or whoever and still keep your applications.
There is much to be said about that subject, but this is not the place. This is the place to discuss Sense.
tkolev said:
This is the place to discuss Sense.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
..........
tkolev said:
HTC does not manufacture the components that go into their phones, so there is no way they can put more resourses in innovating the hardware. Processors are by Qualcomm, screens are by Sharp (maybe?), cameras, etc. all made by other manufacturers. HTC assembles them and puts their software on top. So their selling point is a/ Sense, b/ Quality and c/ Support. All of them unsurpassed by any other. And before anyone has anything to say about HTC's support, let me ask you when will the SGS receive Gingerbread officialy? We are set for Q2 and it will be a fiasco for Samsung if the SGS (which is basicaly NS minus the NFC) receives the update later than the Desire series.
To answer the OP question - everything. Well everything minus the fact that you can't choose not to use Sense. In WM Sense (TouchFLO 3D) could be "turned off" but not in Android. Not that I would turn it off, but it's always nice to have that option. Anyway, I think the ring volume control is briliant (quiet ring on phone pickup and shutting the ring on phone flip), as I receive a lot of calls and this is perfect for managing your rings when in a meeting, I love the BIG phone button on the bottom (it's a phone after all, so why should it be difficult to open the dialer), I like the Facebook integration (though I might be the only person on that planet that actually hates Facebook) - I use it only for the big updated contact picture when someone calls me. And don't get me started on the widgets - have you noticed how almost all the widgets on the market try (not that successfuly) to copy HTC's? OK there is one more thing I don't like in Sense - lack of landscape. Especialy for the Car Panel and the Locations navi software. But other than that... WOW.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I realise HTC doesn't manufacture all of its components, but have you seen the new MWC 11 HTC lineup? Pathetic in my opinion, no innovation at all, and that HTC flyer tablet is way behind than what the competition is offering, and not even being released with honeycomb.
Like I said the only good thing about sense are the widgets, apart from that theres nothing else that I cant do on AOSP that I can on sense.
My problem with sense is that HTC keep adding and adding stuff to it, most of it is useless anyway, ie locations is pointless when you already have google maps. There will come to a point where we'll be waiting for software updates for ages, compared to something like the nexus series. Its a good way of adding value and differentiating from the competition but is there really a need to keep on adding bloatware with every version of android that comes out?
dhiral.v said:
I realise HTC doesn't manufacture all of its components, but have you seen the new MWC 11 HTC lineup? Pathetic in my opinion, no innovation at all, and that HTC flyer tablet is way behind than what the competition is offering, and not even being released with honeycomb.
Like I said the only good thing about sense are the widgets, apart from that theres nothing else that I cant do on AOSP that I can on sense.
My problem with sense is that HTC keep adding and adding stuff to it, most of it is useless anyway, ie locations is pointless when you already have google maps. There will come to a point where we'll be waiting for software updates for ages, compared to something like the nexus series. Its a good way of adding value and differentiating from the competition but is there really a need to keep on adding bloatware with every version of android that comes out?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Locations is a great software (apart from the stupidity to make it work in portrait only). You have Google Navigation, but here in Bulgaria (and many other countries) we don't have it. Also the "offline" Google Maps were launched after the release of the DHD, so it's not really an option when traveling abroad. I actualy liked it so much I was going to buy the license for navigation, but the lack of landscape made me reconsider and went for iGo insted (I like Locations more than iGo though). The best thing in HTC is that you don't have to wait for the official updates - the community support thanks to this great forum is much, MUCH better. My Touch HD two years after I bought it, still had the latest Sense (though I had to turn some of the features off due to the weaker hardware), with the latest 6.5 WM build. My point is you don't have to wait for HTC to bring updates for the DHD (it has almost gone through the half of it's "support life" anyway) you can always have the newest software ported from the next phone. Nexus series will always get the official updates of the core functionality first, but CM7 was released before Google updated the N1, so in a way we got Gingerbread even before Google's own phone . You can always have AOSP soon enough, but they will never have Sense.
About MWC... yes HTC presented weaker phones than the competition, but until the OS and the applications are optimised for dual-cores there is no need for them. HTC is not going to be the inovative company this year, that's for sure. So what? I'm not going to buy a new phone this year anyway .
I really like the alarm app which comes with HTC Sense. My girlfriend has a Galaxy S, and the alarm clock on HTC sense is way better.
- Best interface
- Animations are fantastic
- Clock , mp3 widgets , calendar , weather etc. - Best i've seen
- Fast , Clean
HTC SENSE - the best thing about android .. !
For me its is 3 things:
The recent apps in the notification menu, i use that dozens of times a day. All phones should have something similar (long press doesnt count!)
The text selection and cut + paste implementation. Its awesome.
The unobtrusive facebook contacts integration.
I dont use the sense launcher as there are too many features that it lacks. ( I use ADW EX).
But overall the sense features are useful enough that i dont want to switch to CM7.
Don't forget the awesome spinning wheels when setting an alarm our appointment. The vanilla + - buttons are boring in comparison.
Sent from my Desire HD pocket rocket.
Besides it being new what are you really gaining. Tons of apps don't work on it. Besides folders and multitasking I don't even know what I'm really gaining. And if I have to lose one feature my phone has now ill pass. Phone works too good right now and ics theme will hold me over for a long time.
I understand everybody wants what is new but think about everything your really gaining. To me its like IOS 4.3 to 5. I upgraded my Ipad 2 lost jailbreak for what I see as a minor upgrade.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
You can stay on gingerbread then, it wont bother me really
I think you need to read up on what actually ICS changes besides icons and themes....
raqball said:
I think you need to read up on what actually ICS changes besides icons and themes....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the leaks, we are not getting the new ui because of twiz
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
kingsway8605 said:
From the leaks, we are not getting the new ui because of twiz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once it starts hitting custom roms, I'm sure we will be getting all sorts of interesting things.
Fataldesain said:
Besides it being new what are you really gaining. Tons of apps don't work on it. Besides folders and multitasking I don't even know what I'm really gaining. And if I have to lose one feature my phone has now ill pass. Phone works too good right now and ics theme will hold me over for a long time.
I understand everybody wants what is new but think about everything your really gaining. To me its like IOS 4.3 to 5. I upgraded my Ipad 2 lost jailbreak for what I see as a minor upgrade.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sound like a old man in his old ways lol jk. I can't speak for everyone else but I bought my phone because it was at the time of purchase ahead of every curve (with the exception of nfc) so now that something is out that can make the phone better why the would I not want it. I'm patient in waiting but would love to have it yesterday
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
How about true dual core support? or gpu acceleration through the whole phone?
List goes on.
Gingerbread has "true dual core support"
I'm not greedy. Because it's the New thing is the best answer I got. Newer is better right? J/k
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
...bad joke.
Fataldesain said:
Besides it being new what are you really gaining. Tons of apps don't work on it. Besides folders and multitasking I don't even know what I'm really gaining. And if I have to lose one feature my phone has now ill pass. Phone works too good right now and ics theme will hold me over for a long time.
I understand everybody wants what is new but think about everything your really gaining. To me its like IOS 4.3 to 5. I upgraded my Ipad 2 lost jailbreak for what I see as a minor upgrade.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks to the informative Android blogs and tons of videos, most people know why they want ICS besides having a new look. As for your Ipad and losing jailbreak, you probably should have read in advance to see what features iOS 5 had before taking the plunge. I remember reading multiple times that people with jailbreak should hold up on iOS 5 until an untethered jailbreak is done. But hey, this is about Android
What I'm really waiting for is a nice AOSP ICS with everything working. I am less enthusiastic about TW ICS.
One of the videos showed better app controlled , limit or block apps from background data
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App
Hmm... OP you should consider the fact that ICS source was only recently released and I think the Nexus Prime launched just today. Of course not all apps are going to work you have to give app developers time to update the apps to be compatible. It's not all going to happen overnight that's why these things take time for the transition. Although I'm a little disappointed that TW covers up some features, I am looking forward to:
*Scrollable widgets
*The swipe gesture to remove notifications
*New notification bar Info slots (i.e. when you get a text you see the contact pic)
*Face Unlock (even though it can be bypassed it's cool nonetheless)
*Camera Speed
*New widget placement UI
*New Cool Blue Look
*The drag and drop feature to make folders
*How the app market stays in the app drawer on the top right
*The minimalist layout of all the Google Apps
*A few other things I'm sure everybody knows by now...
Not to say that you have poor judgment, I do advise reading up a little more on the updates before you jump in and discredit them for changing anything. I think Google is actually just trying to make Android more accessible to more than just Devs, if anything at least give them credit for that.
If you want an entire list of things that are new and how they work, read this review (Personally I think it's the best review that covers everything) it's 7 Pages!
LINK
Guys all I'm saying is it seems like alot of people want ics just because and are foaming at the mouth for it. Isn't alot of your apps not working kinda a big deal. People should just calm down enjoy gingerbread for a few more months.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Improved multitasking is enough for me....a better looking OS.....speed.....better hardware acceleration...more efficient......data monitoring.......ability to block certain apps from accessing data and last but not least.............camera app (that thing needed updating)
ICS is what Android needs to be to fully compete with IOS the only real threat(since Isheep see differently). I am not too anxious to see TW and Sense on ICS
I remember when iphone first came out my buddies back in college were saying look at what I can do.....I pulled out my cingular blue razr v3 and said check this out....made a call lol
Just gotta wait till the apps are updated thats all
I have to agree with OP,to a certain extent. A lot of the new features are incremental, and I think you can duplicate most of them with already available apps/mods. Not to say I'm not going to flash ICS as soon as a good rom comes out, but I am pretty satisfied with how my phone runs now. ICS is the first step to integrate the Android phone /tablet os, like ios ,and will be much better as it evolves.
Sent from my Samsung Epic Touch using tapatalk
Only if your hiding something?
Sure, you may be able to replicate some of those features with other apps, but thats the point... it brings these features to stock android.
newalker91 said:
*Scrollable widgets - Already offered in custom launchers
*The swipe gesture to remove notifications - Just extra glamour
*New notification bar Info slots (i.e. when you get a text you see the contact pic) - More extra glamour
*Face Unlock (even though it can be bypassed it's cool nonetheless) - There are apps that already offer this
*Camera Speed - Is a hardware feature of Galaxy Nexus, not ICS
*New widget placement UI - Very similar to TouchWiz
*New Cool Blue Look - Already have themes for this
*The drag and drop feature to make folders - Already offered in custom launchers
*How the app market stays in the app drawer on the top right - Already offered in custom launchers
*The minimalist layout of all the Google Apps - Will be available based on app, not Android version
*A few other things I'm sure everybody knows by now...
Many of the things that you've listed can already be achieved or are part of the Galaxy Nexus and not ICS. Just kind of goes to reinforce the idea that most people really don't know why they want ICS. I personally find ICS to be a bit too intrusive into my privacy, especially seeing as in the recently used app overlay it shows you the last picture you took. Definitely not appealing to people in relationships.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I do see your point, the OP asks why I want ICS. I'm entitled to my opinion right? and I noticed the majority of the things you quoted and responded to have to do with modding the system in some way. How about having it all in one package and not having to download a bunch of apps to imitate what should come stock in the OS.
And what's wrong with a little "extra glamour" ?
I just want stock Gingerbread with better battery life and no CarrierIQ. I don't know how much faster people need these little computers to be but the E4GT is fast enough.
http://chameleon.teknision.com/
Anyone hear about this app? I read on another forum it works with Nexus7 now. What are your thoughts?
It hasn't been released yet. It looks good i would def but it ones is out.
I'm thinking about preordering it. It looks too boss!
If the pre-order would give me an apk after my payment I'm in.
Preorder gives out early access to the app, which is n august. It will officially launch at play store n sept
Thanks guys...yeah looks like I'll think about it when it does come out. Got too many other things to worry about when my Nexus 7 arrives tomorrow!
I'm definitely going to be looking at this when it comes out. I'm looking to use my $25 play store money on tablet apps and might have to save some for when this gets released
Yeah same...don't see any other must have apps that can't be downloaded.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Chameleon is useless
phoneaddict13 said:
http://chameleon.teknision.com/
Anyone hear about this app? I read on another forum it works with Nexus7 now. What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you ask yes I have used it I have been trying it for two days now. Chameleon is not worth your time or money and despite the intention of the creators is NOTE deeply customizable. What it is is a series of widgets on a a couple of nice looking backgrounds. That's it in it's entirety. You have very little control over where you place the widgets (there is a strict grid pattern to use) or how much you can resize them (according to this grid pattern) and when you resize them smaller these widget they lose a lot of info (ie what they display). Only widgets desgined by Chameleon can be used and right now there are only 5 (twitter, gmail, facebook, instagram, and news...with very limited sources), so forget about using any widgets from your favorite apps unless chameleon deigns to create one in the future. These widgets also have limited functionality and you have no control over that limited functionality. Say you want to manually set your location on a weather app, or set your facebook app to update manually or perhaps every two hours instead of one. You are out of luck, it's chameleons way or the highway. Want an app (not a widget) on your desktop, well you can but only along the bottom edge of the screen and only five. Have multiple gmail accounts and would like notifications for each one better be prepared to have multiple large widgets taking up screen real estate or your out of luck. As for the supposed context wonderfeature, it's been tried before. Do you really want to have to jump through extra hoops to do something because it is a certain time of day or you are logged on to a certain network, if you like those extra steps then this is for you, if you like everything ready to go at your finger tips when and where you want it then this is best left alone. For crying out loud hitting the home button at the bottom of your screen doesn't even take you to your homescreen. This home screen replacement has limited functionality, so unless twitter, facebook, and instagram updates are your entire world (and even then there are better widgets included with other apps) this app will not be worth even 15 minutes (the refund window) of your time. If you have broader interests, and need something that you can set up exactly how you want it, to be useful for work and play AVOID THIS HOMESCREEN.
Druter said:
Before you ask yes I have used it I have been trying it for two days now. Chameleon is not worth your time or money and despite the intention of the creators is NOTE deeply customizable. What it is is a series of widgets on a a couple of nice looking backgrounds. That's it in it's entirety. You have very little control over where you place the widgets (there is a strict grid pattern to use) or how much you can resize them (according to this grid pattern) and when you resize them smaller these widget they lose a lot of info (ie what they display). Only widgets desgined by Chameleon can be used and right now there are only 5 (twitter, gmail, facebook, instagram, and news...with very limited sources), so forget about using any widgets from your favorite apps unless chameleon deigns to create one in the future. These widgets also have limited functionality and you have no control over that limited functionality. Say you want to manually set your location on a weather app, or set your facebook app to update manually or perhaps every two hours instead of one. You are out of luck, it's chameleons way or the highway. Want an app (not a widget) on your desktop, well you can but only along the bottom edge of the screen and only five. Have multiple gmail accounts and would like notifications for each one better be prepared to have multiple large widgets taking up screen real estate or your out of luck. As for the supposed context wonderfeature, it's been tried before. Do you really want to have to jump through extra hoops to do something because it is a certain time of day or you are logged on to a certain network, if you like those extra steps then this is for you, if you like everything ready to go at your finger tips when and where you want it then this is best left alone. For crying out loud hitting the home button at the bottom of your screen doesn't even take you to your homescreen. This home screen replacement has limited functionality, so unless twitter, facebook, and instagram updates are your entire world (and even then there are better widgets included with other apps) this app will not be worth even 15 minutes (the refund window) of your time. If you have broader interests, and need something that you can set up exactly how you want it, to be useful for work and play AVOID THIS HOMESCREEN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are however going to (have already?) release an SDK that allows developers to develop their own widgets so hopefully you won't be stuck with just the ones they provide. Whether this actually takes off is another matter. I might well buy it myself to try it out but at $10, and, currently, a limited widget selection, can't see it really flying off the shelves myself.
Yeah. I can't believe anyone funded this. What a joke.
Easily done with minimal effort on existing, free software.
I searched for a Chameleon thread in all the Nexus 7 forums and didn't see one, or I wouldn't have created a new thread. However I made a video for anyone interested to see it working.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUI2oPNqBW4&hd=1
But as everyone else is saying, its very limited, and after using it for over a day I am getting bugs and the out of the 5 widgets I have 3 broke and I had to recreate it to make it work again.
They had a concept video that looked very promising and one of the reasons why I wanted to support. Wireless Media streaming while still being able to use your tablet for other things, separate user profiles, and a stylish looking UI that can evolve to what you need. You can see that here: http://youtu.be/eWZ7guxro2g
So many flaws with your statements I have quoted.
Druter said:
You have very little control over where you place the widgets (there is a strict grid pattern to use) or how much you can resize them (according to this grid pattern)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Apex, Nova, GoLauncher, LauncherPro, etc. all force you to use a "grid" for your widgets. This isn't a flaw with Chameleon, it's called Android. YOu can have a widget take up th whole screen or just one single square. f course, most the widgets will be useless taking up just one square, but that's the case for most widgets unless the app maker made a 1x1 specific idget. Great thing with Chameleon though is that the widgets adapt to what size you make them. THe overwhelming majority of widgets you use on Apex or any other launcher don't unless the appmaker designed multiple size widgets.
Only widgets desgined by Chameleon can be used and right now there are only 5 (twitter, gmail, facebook, instagram, and news...with very limited sources), so forget about using any widgets from your favorite apps unless chameleon deigns to create one in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2) Right NOW the only widgets that are available are from Chameleon. It's a BETA. It's goin to ave limited functionality. They haven't released the API yet. Once they do that, which they will, anyone that can code HTML5 can create a widget for Chameleon. One will not have to know how to code for Android. Saying that the only widgets you'll ever get are from Chameleon is a 100% lie unless not another single sole on the face of the earth decides to make a widget.
These widgets also have limited functionality and you have no control over that limited functionality. Say you want to manually set your location on a weather app, or set your facebook app to update manually or perhaps every two hours instead of one. You are out of luck, it's chameleons way or the highway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3) It's a beta. The app and the widgets are not finalized. Just because you can't edit it now doesn't mean you will never be able to. They have a very long list of things they still want to do with it. That's why it's called BETA.
Want an app (not a widget) on your desktop, well you can but only along the bottom edge of the screen and only five.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Partially false. You can have a lot more than five. THe bottom dock scrolls, you can put as many apps as you want in the dock.
Seriously, if you are going to come on here and criticize an app, at least learn a thing or two about it instead of spouting out a bunch of false and/or misleading statements.
scottharris4 said:
So many flaws with your statements I have quoted.
1) Apex, Nova, GoLauncher, LauncherPro, etc. all force you to use a "grid" for your widgets. This isn't a flaw with Chameleon, it's called Android. YOu can have a widget take up th whole screen or just one single square. f course, most the widgets will be useless taking up just one square, but that's the case for most widgets unless the app maker made a 1x1 specific idget. Great thing with Chameleon though is that the widgets adapt to what size you make them. THe overwhelming majority of widgets you use on Apex or any other launcher don't unless the appmaker designed multiple size widgets.
2) Right NOW the only widgets that are available are from Chameleon. It's a BETA. It's goin to ave limited functionality. They haven't released the API yet. Once they do that, which they will, anyone that can code HTML5 can create a widget for Chameleon. One will not have to know how to code for Android. Saying that the only widgets you'll ever get are from Chameleon is a 100% lie unless not another single sole on the face of the earth decides to make a widget.
3) It's a beta. The app and the widgets are not finalized. Just because you can't edit it now doesn't mean you will never be able to. They have a very long list of things they still want to do with it. That's why it's called BETA.
Partially false. You can have a lot more than five. THe bottom dock scrolls, you can put as many apps as you want in the dock.
Seriously, if you are going to come on here and criticize an app, at least learn a thing or two about it instead of spouting out a bunch of false and/or misleading statements.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why is though that if I run Apex, Nova...etc. the majority of widgets in the play store work with these but wont with Chameleon? ..because they are written for Android and not html5? Now forgive as I dont know much about how it all works but are you saying that from now on anyone making an app and a widget for that app must build their widget to work with all standard launchers and then re-build it again to work with Chameleon seperately? How many app Devs are actually going to go through this much trouble? I'm starting to feel like I have been suckered out of 10 bucks for an app I will most likely never use now. I should have read the fine print because all I saw was a really cool looking launcher that I assumed ran all the current widgets like any other launcher.
look very nice
its not worth it tried it out myself big dissapointment. grab a couple nifty backgrounds and use the widgets out in andriod market and you can basically have same thing. what a joke this was.
emmabellachristian said:
its not worth it tried it out myself big dissapointment. grab a couple nifty backgrounds and use the widgets out in andriod market and you can basically have same thing. what a joke this was.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? Do you know of an app that changes the theme/home screen your Nexus 7 based on the time of the day, or based on your location, etc.?
Update.
I received my registration and was able to install and test the Chameleon beta launcher. I have tested plenty of beta and even alpha ROMs and apps over the last few years and this is a first. Most betas of anything I have ever tested were buggy at times but you still got the feel and general idea for what the ROM or app was about. In fact a beta of anything generally has the look and functionality of the finished product with maybe still needing some bug fixes and tweaks here and there.
So how is this a first? Its the first time I have seen any Android developer take an idea and spend an hour to code into something that will at least boot or load and call it a beta. The crap I just tested isn't even an alpha!!! Honestly I don't even know what it was??? The only thing I can compare it to would be to take your home computer, uninstall windows 7 and then install one of the earliest version of windows from like 1992. Sadly I'm not even exaggerating a little bit. I'm confused!! This has to be some kind of joke or at least a scam. I still can't wrap my mind around what I saw other then I added 3 of the 5 or so silly widgets to the 3 ridiculous screens and didn't get much farther then that before the app crashed. The wallpaper has the resolution of a flip phone and was apparently made in windows paint using the paint brush tool. You do however have the option of changing the wallpaper to something exactly like it in a different color.
This has to be a scam. I'm worried because they make you authenticate using your Google credentials, password and all through their app. If you haven't spent the 5 or 10 on this yet then nows your chance to run from this as fast as you can. I'm not so worried about the 10 bucks I lost as much as I'm about what it was I really installed, what was running in the background that I don't know about and is my identity at risk. Yes folks it was that atrocious.
Pretty much you guys have posted my disappointments with the launcher. I am going to uninstall and keep up to date as to how it improves over time. I had been stock jb and was satisfied but will give nova or apex a try now.
So far, like many others, I am unimpressed with the launcher and sort of expected a bit more from it even if it is only in BETA but I don't mind. I am interested to see in what comes of it... so far, stock Android launcher suits me just fine and has done so since flashing Oxygen ROM for my HTC Desire way back when.
Why doesn't Google just add the best features of all these ROMs into native Android?
It's so stupid that people have to root their phones in order to get these features. I understand that maybe Google doesn't want Android to seem overly complex, but have a Customization area all in a submenu that you can unlock buy sliding Customizations to ON.
Things like this (in order of necessary > bloat):
Global volume rocker as cursor movement keys (hope this baby is patented so Apple doesn't steal it!)
% battery icon
Brightness slider toggle + AOKP toggles!!!!
Screenshot on Power Menu
Volume panel
Custom targets on lockscreen ring
Custom notification LED colors >> this would really make the hardware unique from Apple and it's really handy, esp when you're in meetings / theaters / church / or any quiet time; the different color assignments are really useful! Even vibrate is now disruptive in meetings.
Weather on lockscreen
Show notification count
Custom colors for Nav Bar
I don't think that's so much that it would overwhelm the average user. Whenever a family member or friend sees our phones, they want me to root theirs and make it the same.
Maybe someone at Google can get this message and we can see this in 4.2? They could release it as a "Android Power Toys" add-on type marketing the way Microsoft did with Windows?
I'm sure there are a number of reasons. First many of these things can be done with third party apps. Google mainly keeps to things that have to be built into the os, or related to Google services.
They have incorporated some features like additional lock screen targets, some toggles on tablets, resizable widgets, ect. It sounds like themes may be coming in 4.2 too.
Another thing I've noticed is while these features are great, they do slow things down a bit, so they may not be beneficial to everyone.
I'm fine with getting these features from other sources of they can put out things like project butter and Google now.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
A lot of what you listed up there I would term bloat, lots of unnecessary options for features I don't want.
Toggles are the exception, I'd love to see a really nice AOSP toggle implementation. I think most normal users would like that too.
Copywrite violations.
I think an easy explanation may be, because the Nexus line is currently only two devices (including the N7). Nexus owners comprise a very small segment of the Android population, and Google develops the device with root users, ROM devs, and themers in mind...meaning, they know we're going to change our devices ourselves (which is part of the fun), so they may not find all of those changes necessary for the Nexus line.
As it pertains to Android in general, I think manufacturer skins (Touchwiz, Sense, Blur) would be the primary deterrent. Google would spend all that time, developing features, that manufacturers would either alter or delete entirely, meaning Google had wasted time and man-hours on developing those additions.
However, word on the street is that LG is getting the Nexus next, but that all manufacturers will also have the ability to make a Nexus device, provided they follow Google's guidelines. This means Nexus devices in the hands of more end users, and possibly, an increased impetus for Google to incorporate some of the features you mentioned. I think we'll see 4.2 and 5.0 implementing some massive changes to the system, in regards to customization and personalization.
Personally, I would like to see the launcher improved. There's no reason why Google couldn't spend a little more time, and create a customizable launcher, like Nova or Apex. That would be a massive improvement IMHO, and one that every user could benefit from. The current launcher is nice, but I know very few rooted users who actually prefer Launcher2 to either of the aforementioned launchers.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2
I wonder if they are not included for the sake of simplifying the OS for the average user. It's a lot easier to get someone to just add a widget to add functionality than to explain to them how to enable weather on the lock screen or how to pick which pull-down toggles they want. A lot of those options are redundant because you can access them with widgets on the launcher.
redwingfaninnc said:
I wonder if they are not included for the sake of simplifying the OS for the average user. It's a lot easier to get someone to just add a widget to add functionality than to explain to them how to enable weather on the lock screen or how to pick which pull-down toggles they want. A lot of those options are redundant because you can access them with widgets on the launcher.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense, but honestly, how many Nexus owners do you know that fit into the "average user" category? I know 35 people who own a Nexus device, and only 3 of them aren't rooted. In general Android terms, you're probably 100% correct though...most "average users" would not know what to do with some of those changes, and many would consider them bloat. Geez, Google's even removed Maps from Gapps, because people thought it was bloatware, so they are sensitive to that issue.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2
Remoteconcern said:
A lot of what you listed up there I would term bloat, lots of unnecessary options for features I don't want.
Toggles are the exception, I'd love to see a really nice AOSP toggle implementation. I think most normal users would like that too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, what prompted this post was the AOKP toggles, that's what people like the most when they see mine and my gf's phones.
Also, I agree that it's bloat. But, that's why they can release it in the Play Store as a "Power Toys for Android" add-on. It makes it easy for average users to get access to these features and they don't have to root and they don't have to play the milestone game waiting for a stable daily driver.
jjhiza said:
I think an easy explanation may be, because the Nexus line is currently only two devices (including the N7). Nexus owners comprise a very small segment of the Android population, and Google develops the device with root users, ROM devs, and Turner's in mind...meaning, they know we're going to change our devices ourselves (which is part of the fun), so they may not find all of those changes necessary for the Nexus line.
As it pertains to Android in general, I think manufacturer skins (Touchwiz, Sense, Blur) would be the primary deterrent. Google would spend all that time, developing features, that manufacturers would either alter or delete entirely, meaning Google had wasted time and man-hours on developing those additions.
However, word on the street is that LG is getting the Nexus next, but that all manufacturers will also have the ability to make a Nexus device, provided they follow Google's guidelines. This means Nexus devices in the hands of more end users, and possibly, an increased impetus for Google to incorporate some of the features you mentioned. I think we'll see 4.2 and 5.0 implementing some massive changes to the system, in regards to customization and personalization.
Personally, I would like to see the launcher improved. There's no reason why Google couldn't spend a little more time, and create a customizable launcher, like Nova or Apex. That would be a massive improvement IMHO, and one that every user could benefit from. The current launcher is nice, but I know very few rooted users who actually prefer Launcher2 to either of the aforementioned launchers.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The launcher is a great idea too. I forgot to mention that. However, Nova launcher is easy for the average user to install. You don't even need to be rooted.
Neo3D said:
The launcher is a great idea too. I forgot to mention that. However, Nova launcher is easy for the average user to install. You don't even need to be rooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very true, but most normal Android users simply run the out-of-the-box setup from day one, until the day they upgrade. If Google took the time to build a slightly better launcher, those of us who want extra customization (grid size, icon editing, etc) can have it, while those who run stock from day one, won't even notice the changes, because they'll never use them.
Looks like Google might be one step ahead of us.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2012/1...oject-roadrunner-updated-google-play-and-now/
"Customization Center"?
That would be sweet if it were true and included some of these awesome ideas that custom ROM devs have come up with.
That's generally how it works, Google borrows from developers and OEMs' UIs.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
jordanishere said:
Copywrite violations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What copyright? If i remembered correctly all custom ROMs are open sourced, which means copyright doesn't apply.
Do correct me if i'm wrong.
jimmyco2008 said:
That's generally how it works, Google borrows from developers and OEMs' UIs.
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is it right here. Let the devs do the muscle and brain work and Google cherry picks what they think should be the next evolution of android.
The great thing about open source is that sharing is what it is all about. If you don't like sharing, then there are two other clubs to join. Both of which could be more awesome if they didn't take the mine all mine approach.
...
@rbiter said:
This is it right here. Let the devs do the muscle and brain work and Google cherry picks what they think should be the next evolution of android.
The great thing about open source is that sharing is what it is all about. If you don't like sharing, then there are two other clubs to join. Both of which could be more awesome if they didn't take the mine all mine approach.
...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, all about the cherry picks.
Perfect example is SMS quick reply, I'd say that's a dead cert as the immediate reaction to JB notifications was fantastic but let me do even mooaaar!!!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
They can't just slap every option in the world in. You'd have a bloated mess. (That's part of why skins are so bad... feature overload).
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Most of those things can be do e from an app, maybe Google let's the door open to the free market and get devs to earn money making these addons.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Besides, if Google took all the best features from our ROMs, nothing would hardly ever need updating in future versions.
I Am Marino said:
Besides, if Google took all the best features from our ROMs, nothing would hardly ever need updating in future versions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think its important to note that even if Google wanted to implement some of these features commonly found on custom ROMs that it'd take more than just one version of Android to bring them in.
jjhiza said:
I think an easy explanation may be, because the Nexus line is currently only two devices (including the N7). Nexus owners comprise a very small segment of the Android population, and Google develops the device with root users, ROM devs, and Turner's in mind...meaning, they know we're going to change our devices ourselves (which is part of the fun), so they may not find all of those changes necessary for the Nexus line.
As it pertains to Android in general, I think manufacturer skins (Touchwiz, Sense, Blur) would be the primary deterrent. Google would spend all that time, developing features, that manufacturers would either alter or delete entirely, meaning Google had wasted time and man-hours on developing those additions.
However, word on the street is that LG is getting the Nexus next, but that all manufacturers will also have the ability to make a Nexus device, provided they follow Google's guidelines. This means Nexus devices in the hands of more end users, and possibly, an increased impetus for Google to incorporate some of the features you mentioned. I think we'll see 4.2 and 5.0 implementing some massive changes to the system, in regards to customization and personalization.
Personally, I would like to see the launcher improved. There's no reason why Google couldn't spend a little more time, and create a customizable launcher, like Nova or Apex. That would be a massive improvement IMHO, and one that every user could benefit from. The current launcher is nice, but I know very few rooted users who actually prefer Launcher2 to either of the aforementioned launchers.
Sent from my SCH-I800 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahhh jjhiza. Havent seen one of your essays since the droid3 days aha
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
First Android device, coming from Apple. What do I need to do/know?
That you've made the right decision.
No really, what exactly do you want to know? You got a highly customizable device now
i Am new to all this tech, not sure what I can/want to do. I have seen a lot of talk about root and bootloader. Not sure if I will ever use root, should I still unlock bootloader? If I unlock bootloader what does it effect? Does it disable any functions that of the device? Looking for any advice or help.
E_TV said:
i Am new to all this tech, not sure what I can/want to do. I have seen a lot of talk about root and bootloader. Not sure if I will ever use root, should I still unlock bootloader? If I unlock bootloader what does it effect? Does it disable any functions that of the device? Looking for any advice or help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't unlock bootloader unless you root. You do miss out on some apps with unlocked bootloader as that causes SafetyNet to fail which some apps require passing. That'd be some banking apps, Android Pay, Netflix (last I heard), Pokemon Go, and others.
I would say at least have the option checked in Developer option.
You don't have to unlock it but it is always good practice to have it checked.
And what exactly do you want to do with your phone? like customization is pretty nice without root currently.
You will need to ask what you want to try to do since there is soo much you can really do on android.
My wife is an iPhone devotee and so I'm her default IT support person and as a result I'm very familiar with iOS and it's severely limited abilities.
The single biggest, and best, difference you'll discover is the ability to fully customize almost anything on the phone. Notifications indicators are alway visible at the top of the screen. You can place an app icon anywhere on the screen you want vs. iOS's infuriating mandatory top-left to bottom-right arrangement (ever have an adorable picture of your kid that you can see cause you can't move icons around?). Real widgets that range from daily schedule to weather to, well, just about anything and they can be placed anywhere on the screen and sized as needed (what iOS calls widgets are a joke). App settings are accessible from within every app so you don't have to, say, exit your calendar, go to settings, find the app settings item, make your change, and then go back to your calendar. Android let's you track battery usage in detail, either within Settings or via 3rd party apps (GSam is great for this). I mean it goes on and on and on with the central theme being: Android invests the user with much more control and personalization and Apple clamps the OS down to the point where 1) they all look the same (boring), and 2) they make it impossible for people to take a peek under the hood (every try to figure out why your battery drain is suddenly worse?).
By buying the Pixel, as opposed to any of the other Android brands, you are buying a device that is unencumbered by endless, basically useless, marketing-driven, whizz-bang features like Samsung's old "gestures" or poorly implemented iris or face-scanning that can fooled with a photo, etc..
Pixel's follow the Apple model (one of the few really good things about iOS) of owning both the hardware design AND the OS so you get regular updates directly from Google. On other devices, there are layers of software riding between you and the OS (so-called "Skins" and other hardware-related drivers) and they (Samsung/LG/HTC/etc.) have to devote resources ($$$) to modify these layers which adds, literally months, to the update cycle.
For example, the Samsung S8 was released in April of the this year (or thereabouts) running Android 7 Nougat, Android 8 was release this August and the S8 may not see that until early NEXT year, if ever. The LG V30 just released this month and is also running Nougat and they have an even worse record of timely updates.
I had a few months of pain when I jumped over about 5 years ago and back then Android wasn't anywhere near as capable as it is now. Android and iOS are converging and I prefer Android's philosophy of openness and customization to Apple's every phone is the same model.
Until you get accustomed to the OS don't spend any time thinking about rooting (in the Apple world it's called "Jailbreaking") or unlocking the bootloader to facilitate accessing under-the-hood aspects of the OS that, as a new Android guy who is not a 'techie', you really don't need to utilize it's full potential. Forget about that for now and have fun learning the new OS.
I think one thing you may wish to do is disable imessage, as if still enabled can cause loss or delay of sms messages, other than that, go ahead and enjoy the customisation of Android :good: