HTC Sense Upgrade Unlikely For Existing Android Phones

by Chris Moor
tagged HTC Sense

Last week we reported on the rumor that HTC’s Sense interface could soon be making its way to existing Android phones, but sadly due to licensing terms this now seems extremely unlikely.

htc sense interface

That’s right, even though my G1 and the MyTouch/Magic are made and developed by HTC, you’ll find it also says Google on the back. Being a Google-branded product apparently precludes the Magic and G1 from using the Sense UI featured on the HTC Hero.

Licensing restrictions “with Google” branded handsets sold by T-Mobile and Vodafone (G1, Magic, myTouch 3G), prevent HTC from offering the new Sense user interface as an upgrade.

[via mobilecrunch.com]

» See more articles by Chris Moor

Categorized as Android Phones

Comments

Maarek

True, but that won’t stop programmers from putting the Sense UI on the phone themselves. The HTC Lancaster might be the first Android phone in the US to utilize the Sense UI.
Lukasz

And what about all those HTC Magics sold in Polish Orange without Google brand?
http://home.coming.dk Sune Kloppenborg Jeppesen

3.dk also sells HTC Magic phones that are only labelled htc on the back…
gorkon

Mark my words: A hacker will figure it out.

That’s what I don’t get about HTC. They KNOW that hackers can do it but they say we’re not going to do it.

On the other side of that, isn’t this alot like what Norton and others used to do with Windows back in the 3.1 days?? You learn to use HTC’s sense instead of LEARNING to use Android. I mean yeah HTC sense LOOKS slick and cool, but is it BETTER than the Android interface?
Marius

As Sune says, the HTC Magics sold in Denmark are completely unbranded, with no sign of any company besides HTC.
http://lukenukum.com Luke

actually, i may be wrong – that’s an HTC unbranded model (but still probably possible eventually on ur google phone!)
Dag Notland

most HTC Magics sold in norway are HTC branded with Exchange support, so no restrictions here, will continue to keep my fingers crossed
http://hoodiaa.xanga.com hoodia

Nice but i think something is missing.