We've got some good and bad news... mostly bad, though. First, the good news: HTC is looking into finding a way to bring its new
Sense UI -- the one featured prominently in the new
Hero -- to its non-Google branded Android devices, such as Canadian carrier Roger Wireless'
Magic. Unfortunately, and this is the bad news, even that's not a sure thing, and as you can probably guess from the wording, any phone that's got the "with Google" branding, like T-Mobile USA's G1 and myTouch 3G, won't be getting a chance at all due to the same licensing terms that
prevented Microsoft Exchange clients on those same phones. Them's the breaks, folks, but we're sure some hacker with enough know-how will bypass the silly restrictions and do it anyway.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
kbnguy @ Jun 25th 2009 11:28PM
...So just 'cause the word "Google" stenciled on the phone then I won't be able to get "Sense UI" and Exchange? Hell...I can live without it. Give me all the goodies. Screw "Google" LOL
bL4Ck84 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:11AM
np xda will bring it on all android phones :P
carcomptoy @ Jun 26th 2009 3:03AM
I thought Android was supposed to be the most open of the open source platforms?
So you either have to pick between having Android Marketplace or Sense UI & Exchange support. Way to go, Google and HTC!
Aozora @ Jun 26th 2009 6:01AM
that's not right. the htc hero has it all: android marketplace+exchange+sense.
Lars @ Jun 26th 2009 10:21PM
Actually, that's exactly why exchange and flash support aren't in there. Not only would it break the whole open-source part, but someone would have to pay licensing fees... I don't see the OHA shoveling out a bunch of cash, then giving away the resulting OS.
However, that doesn't stop 3rd party apps. So I don't see it being a big deal at all. Get exchange bundled with the phone, or get exchange through the market.
tusitala @ Jun 26th 2009 6:31AM
Wait a minute, I thought the myTouch 3G was going to have exchange support -- http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/06/22/t-mobile-mytouch-3g-announced-starts-shipping-late-july/ -- but it has "with Google" screened on its backside. I can live without Sense (insert witty pun here), but I gotta have Exchange.
Jeremy @ Jun 26th 2009 4:05PM
Right? This is why I was planning to get the myTouch. With out Exchange, I'll have to get a BB 8900. Exchange is uber important.
Nathan @ Jun 26th 2009 7:26AM
Looks an awful lot like TouchFLO for Windows Mobile. So, I am going to go ahead and stay on track for purchasing the Touch Pro 2 on T-Mobile when it becomes available.
All I know is there wasnt much of a 'Google' experience on the G1 besides wirelessly syncing with your Gmail inbox and storing your contacts online.
eidolon @ Jun 26th 2009 9:17AM
Can't wait for the Hero to be out.
E @ Jun 26th 2009 9:24AM
Licensing is one thing, but this is just a bad marketing move. Google should consider making an exception here. I am by no means an Apple user but I have to admit, this is where Apple gets it's loyal followers. They allow their 3.0 software to trickle down to the older devices where as Google seems to be fighting it. This will probably put a bad taste in the mouth of current Android users...
In any event, this will most definitely be my next phone!
Brady @ Jun 26th 2009 12:51PM
can someone break down specifically what this means the hero will be missing (ie, what is the significance of "with google" vs without?). I need a new phone soon, planning on the "mytouch", but would love "sense" without having to hack/root/whatever because I don't know about that stuff.
Also, what are the odds the hero comes to Tmo?
Phill @ Jun 26th 2009 3:26PM
The Hero will be missing OTA firmware updates. Thats about it. Far down the road, there may be a chance certain google things dodn't get to your phone, but thats doubtful. This is a some strings attached google phone, so you'll still be plugged into the google goodness, just to a lesser degre and your handset maker/carrier will have some leverage with what happens to the device. Meaning you won't have the android we've all met and loved (lol). The software may or may not be different, but not because of google. Thats the ground you walk without "with google".
I'd also recommend you try the phones out before you make a decision because the Mytouch 3g, besides being a google experience, is supposed to quite snappy, while the hero's Sense UI has been noted as unpolished and a little sluggish.
The chances the Hero comes to Tmobile are pretty good, considering there's no idea who the carrier would be and Verizon seems to be looking towards Moto for their first handset while ATT hs been off the radar. I think its GSM so that rules out sprint. But who knows. Its still up in the air.
PEZOLLA @ Jun 26th 2009 12:52PM
If that is using the same basic hardware as the G1, all those widgets are going to bring performance down to a slug.
Alex @ Jun 26th 2009 12:53PM
If HTC could just put up their widgets on the Android market, that'd be nice. I just want the widgets and the keyboard. Those can be sold on the android marketplace.
celz @ Jun 26th 2009 5:54PM
it will be pretty easy to but sense on any android phone and google will allow this like ms does on wm.. i think it wont be initially offered for a few reasons maybe google doesnt want to have its name associated with potential bugs... maybe google likes the apple plan no options equals no confusion.. and lastly maybe there will be many uis to pick from soon, if google got many different people to develop uis why would they slap htc on it.. i believe one of those is the answer...
sam @ Jun 26th 2009 2:42PM
I have a g1 had it since it came out, i have had "sense" on my g1 for about a month, u can get th hero roms from xda if u have root access. if you do i suggest 2 thinks download the overclock widget otherwise the hero software can make the g1 stutter like forest gump seeing a naked girl. 2 make sure the version u choose supports app2sd (cat 4/6 sdcard at min), the hero rom is a space hog and with out the A2SD u cant do anyhing wit out endin in force close heave
Troy @ Jun 27th 2009 2:32PM
I am thinking about buying an unlocked international version of the htc magic or hero from either ebay or amazon and I am currently on the at&t US 3g iphone network. If I do get the unlocked magic or hero from amazon or ebay will I receive the android updates ota on wifi or the at&t network? This would be a deal breaker for me.
Troy @ Jun 27th 2009 2:44PM
The magics they have on ebay and maybe amazon are the vodafone branded versions of the phone.
tori @ Jul 9th 2009 6:52PM
well I've just got the HTC magic on Vodaphone i think its awesome phone and interface but if HTC doesnt officially allow me to download any sense :-P I'm going to get the hacked version and i don't really care which warranties I break