Is it possible to strip HTC Sense UI from the HTC Desire?

[tcv]

I was wondering if you are able to strip the sense ui to give you basically a stock version of android 2.1

 

[ephumuris]

No. It's possible to install the Launcher2.apk or use Helix Launcher 2 from market to achieve the effect of it but sense will always be running in the background!

So you will still have black notifications bar.

 

[tbl]

To me Sense makes Android complete. Phones without it are worse for it (imho)

 

[ephumuris]

You obviously never used Helix Launcher 2 and some of the great apps available on marketplace.

 

[grainysand]

You obviously never used Helix Launcher 2 and some of the great apps available on marketplace.

This. HelixLauncher 2 finally weaned me away from the Desire ROM. I miss some of the features of Sense and the improved universal search, but on the whole there are things that always bothered me about Sense, like the giant, useless phone tab at the bottom (launcher + four shortcuts are way, way superior) and the looks of some of the widgets (Pure Calendar with a transparent skin looks a lot nicer than the Sense calendar, plus has more widget sizes).

 

[Cleargrey]

You can't remove Sense per se. But you can turn it off to get a stock vanilla UI.

Have you seen this? Warning - the audio is loud!

 

[Markiz]

Wasn't there a video on yt where a guy went into settings and killed sense service and that way got to the vanilla android?

Oh, there it is above..

 

[sudored]

You can't remove Sense per se. But you can turn it off to get a stock vanilla UI.

Have you seen this? Warning - the audio is loud!

Not working on mine it just reboots back to HTC sense.

 

[lekky]

That doesn't work, HTC removed this from the final build.

See here for instructions how to get this functionality: Add Nexus One Launcher To HTC Android Phones Nimbu

 

[HIM]

All the reviews say Sense UI is not only great, but completes the phone and makes it an iPhone beater. Why would you want to remove it? Does anyone have a video showing this Helix Launcher 2 thingy?

 

[Quboid]

If I had a Nexus One, I'd be asking how to add Sense to it (I know, a custom ROM)

Each to their own. My only complaints with Sense are the buttons at the bottom - instead of Apps - Phone - Add Widget, I'd like Quick Launch - Apps - Phone, where quick launch brings up a list like the Apps button, but only shows the last, say, 16 apps you used, like an extended long-press-home-button list. Why do we need an Add Widget button? There's already long-press on the screen and the menu button. Design By Marketing methinks, showing off their widgets was deemed more important than functionality.

Also, looking at the video, the way the apps fly in is pretty, I'd like that!

 

[ephumuris]

All the reviews say Sense UI is not only great, but completes the phone and makes it an iPhone beater. Why would you want to remove it? Does anyone have a video showing this Helix Launcher 2 thingy?

Helix isn't anything special it's just simple which is sometimes better. It also has 4 icons that you can custom at the bottom that carry over to every homescreen. I use it for SMS etc most used stuff.

If I had a Nexus One, I'd be asking how to add Sense to it (I know, a custom ROM)

Each to their own. My only complaints with Sense are the buttons at the bottom - instead of Apps - Phone - Add Widget, I'd like Quick Launch - Apps - Phone, where quick launch brings up a list like the Apps button, but only shows the last, say, 16 apps you used, like an extended long-press-home-button list. Why do we need an Add Widget button? There's already long-press on the screen and the menu button. Design By Marketing methinks, showing off their widgets was deemed more important than functionality.

Also, looking at the video, the way the apps fly in is pretty, I'd like that!

The exact reason i have stopped using Sense. The ONLY thing i don't really like is the big bottom bar with the useless buttons.

Helix with the app menu and then 4 most used icons is just fantastic.

 

[grainysand]

Helix isn't anything special it's just simple which is sometimes better. It also has 4 icons that you can custom at the bottom that carry over to every homescreen. I use it for SMS etc most used stuff.

Not only that: it gives you the option to strip text labels from your shortcuts and the latest build comes with a nifty glass dock for the launcher, giving it a polish. And you can also have fullscreen homescreens--no notifications bar and all, which gives you a lovely, clean look.

 

[Quboid]

Aren't there buttons for changing panel? Or just swipe/trackball?

I like the notification bar, can you have it and if so, is it Sense black or default white on a Desire?

What about other aspects, e.g. HTC widgets, the Sense keyboard - are they still available?

 

[Quboid]

(Oops, double post)

 

[grainysand]

Aren't there buttons for changing panel? Or just swipe/trackball?

I like the notification bar, can you have it and if so, is it Sense black or default white on a Desire?

What about other aspects, e.g. HTC widgets, the Sense keyboard - are they still available?

No buttons, but why do you need those anyway? You can long press the app drawer byron to preview all home screens. Yes, you can still use the HTC keyboard, but but the widgets.

The notification bar, if you choose to have it on, is the same as whatever your bat normally looks like.

 

[pagdodd]

Not only that: it gives you the option to strip text labels from your shortcuts and the latest build comes with a nifty glass dock for the launcher, giving it a polish. And you can also have fullscreen homescreens--no notifications bar and all, which gives you a lovely, clean look.

Can you please advise how you achieved this look?

What widgets, apps you have installed. i.e. the clock and wifi on/off etc.

 

[grainysand]

The launcher is HelixLauncher2 with fullscreen enabled (hides notification bar). The clock is Beautiful Widgets with the "Home Plus" skin.

The power control widget was pulled from the Dark Gold theme for the Nexus One. You need Metamorph and root access. This is what it looks like when "lit up":

 

[ali87]

Do you guys think the phone will perform faster without the sense ui enabled?

 

[grainysand]

Yes. Sense takes up a good bit of memory and resources.

 

[pagdodd]

The launcher is HelixLauncher2 with fullscreen enabled (hides notification bar). The clock is Beautiful Widgets with the "Home Plus" skin.

The power control widget was pulled from the Dark Gold theme for the Nexus One. You need Metamorph and root access. This is what it looks like when "lit up":

excellent, thank you.

Time to play

 

[Cleargrey]

Yes. Sense takes up a good bit of memory and resources.

I don't think this is actually true. I think what was found is that unless you actually remove all of Sense completely (i.e. root your phone) rather than hide it, it won't make it any faster because Sense is still present.

Plus, what you have to remember is that the Stock Android is no faster than Sense. In fact, on some metrics, the Desire completes tasks quicker than the Nexus One. (If I find the website I'll post it.)

The point being that making something faster on Android is all about software tweaking and configuring, rather than simply removing something. To be honest, I would have thought that removing Sense would make things quicker too. But it's not the case.

Unless of course, you are a ROM Chef, and you remove it, AND tweak it. Then you will no doubt have a super speedy device eventually!