Android smartphones are currently the top dog and while the platform is immensely popular among the users, it poses a different
kind of problem for the phone companies. How do they differentiate their phones from the rest of the Android machines? One of the many solutions is to personalize the Android platform with a custom UI skin. Major phone companies like Samsung and Motorola have their own UI skins which they use to augment Android and to make it more suitable to their hardware. Among such skins is HTC's Sense UI, which has already made its mark and is on to its 3.0 iteration. Recombu give a great account of the HTC Sense is so take a look at it before you read the review below…
HTC Hub: One of the main characteristics of HTC Sense is its Hub. With this hub, you can access HTC-specific app market, that is, if densely populated Android App Market is not enough for you. Even if you have all the apps you may ever need, HTC Hub provides you with some more options when it comes to skins, widgets and customized sounds. The Hub is nicely integrated and is intuitive.
Lock Screen: HTC Sense 3.0 made a big difference in its Lock Screen functionality. The updated UI lets you perform much more without the need of unlocking the phone. You can live updates on your Lock Screen. You can also personalize the information you would want to be displayed on Lock Screen. Sense lets you display social network feed, weather reports and pictures on your Lock Screen. If you have some favorite apps, then you can choose up to 4 app shortcuts to be displayed on the screen and you can use them without unlocking your phone first. This feature comes handy for apps like notes and camera, when you need them in a hurry.
HTC Trace: HTC Trace is the proprietary key-board which mimes Swype, but is not quite there. This gesture based keyboard is clunky at its best and downright annoying when it refuses to obey at all. Basically, you use this keyboard with swiping motions. It does provide some nifty features such as the choice to set the thickness of swiping lines.
HTCSense.Com: Cloud Computing is the buzz word nowadays and HTC is going to be a part of it with its HTCSense.com, which lets you control your HTC phones remotely. This function is handy in many cases including the times when you have the unfortunate experience of having your phone stolen. You can lock your data remotely and can also choose to erase it completely. However, HTC needs to do some work to fine tune the feature, since its performance is quite iffy. HTCSense comes with Phone Finder feature, which lets you locate your phone but at times, it may refuse to do it at all. Though, if it does work then you can use its various functions such as "Forward Calls", "Forward Messages", "Lock Phone" and "Erase Phone".
Apps and Skins: HTC Sense 3.0 has added features to some stock apps such as Smart dialing to its phone application. This feature lets you speed up the dialing process and is thus a nice addition. HTC Sense has also added extra skin to the browser which features your windows in a tile format instead of windows, thus providing better visuals. It has also added some new "effects" to camera app, which basically will let you manipulate your pictures in a more fun way.
The 'Scene' functionality lets you freeze your homescreen, wallpaper and widget settings in a consolidated manner. You can then navigate between different scenes for accessing your desired settings. You can also personalize your notification system, colors and sounds.
Overall, HTC Sense UI brings a basket full of new and improved features in its latest avatar. There are a few kinks which need to be ironed out but overall the UI is very user friendly and attractive.