Love it or hate it, HTC is fully behind their Android skin, Sense. With each upgrade it is promised to be slimmer and easier to use, but still people complain about it getting in the way of their phone. Sense 5 debuted with their newest flagship the HTC One this year, but according to an HTC ROM developer, Sense 5 is upcoming for last year’s device, the One X. 

If this is true, HTC also plans to bring two of the highest profile features from this year’s device back to the One X as well. The curated social news-stream BlinkFeed and the awesome camera feature Zoes are planned to be included in this update as well. With an update of this size however, it could be a while before we see it on the international version of the One X and even longer before any US versions of the device see it. If we hear anything, we will be sure to keep you posted.

Via: Phone Arena

HTC One X to Receive BlinkFeed and Zoes in Upcoming Sense 5.0 Update is a post from: Droid Life

A developer on XDA has been hard at work, porting HTC’s newest Sense 5 software to the DROID DNA. Currently, it has some bugs that need working out, but nothing that makes it unusable. For instance, if you had big hopes for HTC Zoe on your DROID, that is currently unavailable. But no worries, the developer is plugging away on fixes. 

Beyond bugs, you will have access to that brand new BlinkFeed that HTC introduced, Android 4.1.2, and a Beastmode kernel. Before anyone asks, yes you must be rooted and running a custom recovery in order to flash this zip file.

You can see a preview of this ROM below, although I will have to warn you that the camera work is awful.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Via: XDA

Cheers Tim!

Developer Ports Sense 5 ROM to DROID DNA, BlinkFeed in All of Its Glory is a post from: Droid Life

With HTC’s new Sense 5, they introduced a ton of new wallpapers and someone finally ripped them from the device. With a few classy black and whites, some colorful tones, and even some Jelly Bean-looking patterns, these are our favorite Sense papers we have seen in a while. 

Have at ‘em and feel free to go pimp your phone with them.

Via: Android Spin

Download: HTC’s Sense 5 Wallpapers is a post from: Droid Life

A curious user over on HTC’s Facebook decided to ask when his One X would receive an update to Sense 5, with HTC throwing down a good answer. According to whoever runs their FB page, the global variants of the One X, One X+, One S, and HTC Butterfly will all receive an update to Sense 5 within the “next few months.” 

Of course, you have to be somewhat hesitant when they give a broad time frame such as that. Plus, they mentioned “global.” That could mean Europeans could see it well ahead of the US, or vice versa. And let’s not forget our Ones have carriers slowing down this process as well. And if you didn’t notice already, there was no mention of Verizon’s DROID DNA.

Either way, if 2013 could be the year of update info transparency on the part of OEM’s and carriers, I think we would all be happy.

Via: HTC Facebook

HTC Confirms Sense 5 Update for Global One X, One X+, One S, and Butterfly is a post from: Droid Life

After seeing the picture of Sense 5.0 up and running on a DROID DNA, XDA member mdeejay brought up the fact that the phone is actually running a ported build from a Sprint M7 which has the new Sense on it. He claims to have it working nicely, but can’t release it at this time. Thankfully, he was able to at least share some screenshots from it, so that we can see some of the changes in store in this latest version of HTC’s Sense. 

First, you can see the new lock screen which appears to have finally ditched that obnoxious ring-unlock mechanism. We’re also getting a much less cluttered and minimal clock and icon set, but we have seen those before. On one of his home screens, he has a number of apps laid out, along with the arrangement for folder icons. We are definitely seeing new icons across the board for mail, calendar, people, gallery, etc. There is a view of the in-call menu, which also appears to be simplified.

Down below, you have a somewhat back-end look for settings. It looks re-themed, but that’s about all there is to say.

If you want to keep up with a potential ROM release of this new Sense from mdeejay, I suggest you stay close to the XDA thread below.

Via:  XDA

New Set of HTC Sense 5 Screenshots Emerge is a post from: Droid Life

Over the weekend, we caught our first glimpse of HTC’s new custom skin for Android, Sense 5.0. The two appearances lead us to believe that HTC is going with a more minimal approach to Sense, but also one with an interesting take on home screen sections that look similar to what Microsoft has done with Windows Phone. It has pretty moments, like with the icons, but the rest seems like a step in the wrong direction – but that’s coming from a minimalist like myself. 

That’s not what we’re here to talk about, though. The above image is, since it shows a Verizon-branded DROID DNA running this latest version of Sense. Not that we ever thought for a second that HTC’s current flagship device wouldn’t see an update to a new version of Sense or anything, but this seems to have come earlier than expected.

We have no idea when the DNA could see an update to Sense 5.0 (assuming that’s what it’s called), because we first need HTC to announce it (and they have yet to do that). Don’t forget that they’ll likely launch a phone along with the new version of Sense – the HTC M7.

The image above was posted at a leaked ROMs site, so keep an eye on your favorite forum over the next few days. You might find yourself a gift.

Via:  HTCSource

HTC Sense 5.0 Pops Up on the DROID DNA is a post from: Droid Life

Since CES was a complete bust in terms of seeing HTC’s next superphone, the M7, it feels natural that we would see some leaked goodies shortly after. Although, I have to admit, this is some of the worst leaked shots I’ve ever seen, of anything. So, let us take a second and go over what we have.

Thanks to Pocket Now and HTC Source, we have our first glimpse of the actual device, albeit really doesn’t give us much of anything beside the fact it will have a front facing camera, and a few shots of Sense 5. Pictured above is the first leaked shot of the device, with everything blurred out except the camera and HTC logo. Seems legit, yeah?

Below is where it actually gets a bit exciting. There a few shots that are being labeled as Sense 5, which was said to be a huge improvement in terms of looks and feel over previous versions. From what we do see, it certainly gives off a little more of a minimalist look, with clean textures and less of a glossy feel.

So, I have one initial problem with this picture. HTC still can’t seem to move away from the legacy menu, which is a real eye sore, given we are waiting for them to ditch hardware buttons, and for developers to start getting rid of it as well. Either way, I’ll be happy when those days are behind us and there is a fluid UI experience between my multiple Android devices.

In terms of looks, the new Sense is looking pretty hot. I enjoy the matte feel, so I’m easily more excited today than I was yesterday for the M7 and Sense 5.

Your thoughts?

Via: PocketNow | HTCSource

First Shots of HTC M7 Emerge, Plus Our First Look at ‘Sense 5′ is a post from: Droid Life