HTC Lancaster might be the first US Android phone to sport the new Sense UI

[Maarek Stele]

We've all seen, or have just seen the new HTC Hero to be released in Europe sporting the new Sense UI. Now, if the new HTC Lancaster for AT&T isn't labeled as a GOOGLE Phone, than it'll run the new Sense UI like the Hero does.

Put it this way. All new HTC phones run TouchFlo for Windows Mobile, which is similar to the Sense UI. For now, we don't see the HTC Lancaster as a Google phone. But here's somethig else, Phonearena did mention this;

HTC Lancaster is the first Android-based phone for AT&T. It sports a unique HTC social messaging user interface, full QWERTY keyboard, 2.8" touchscreen, A-GPS and a 3-megapixel camera.

Frankly we haven't seen anything other than the AT&T Spec sheet and a possible August 3rd release date.

What are your thoughts?

[WoodyR]

I've thought this same thing... and I think it would be awesome if it had the Sense UI. However, when I read that spec sheet again I see two conflicting statements...

One part says: "Initial lab entry dates based on Google Mobile Services (GMS) UI. AT&T standard UI has been requested, which puts schedule in question."

Another part says: "Unique HTC Social Messaging User Interface" (and this is listed under the Key Features section)

So, how would AT&T have both its standard UI and HTC's social messaging UI? The latter sounds a lot like Sense UI to me, but wouldn't this mean AT&T is referring to it as their standard UI, or could that be something else altogether? I'm probably reading into it too much at this point. Hopefully it will all make Sense later. ithankyou.

[Maarek Stele]

Originally Posted by WoodyR

I've thought this same thing... and I think it would be awesome if it had the Sense UI. However, when I read that spec sheet again I see two conflicting statements...

One part says: "Initial lab entry dates based on Google Mobile Services (GMS) UI. AT&T standard UI has been requested, which puts schedule in question."

Another part says: "Unique HTC Social Messaging User Interface" (and this is listed under the Key Features section)

So, how would AT&T have both its standard UI and HTC's social messaging UI? The latter sounds a lot like Sense UI to me, but wouldn't this mean AT&T is referring to it as their standard UI, or could that be something else altogether? I'm probably reading into it too much at this point. Hopefully it will all make Sense later. ithankyou.

I have the HTC FUZE for AT&T. It uses TouchFlo, the prequel of the Sense UI. What AT&T did was to add a page for their programs to TouchFlo and that's it. So, for the Sense UI, there will be one page that you cannot customize which will contain the AT&T software and features.

[WoodyR]

Cool, thanks for that info! Were there any other AT&T custom changes that took away from the TouchFlo functionality? Is that AT&T page they added always obnoxiously the first page to display or anything?

I can't help but be a bit pessimistic with AT&T after seeing how they lock out features of some phones, such as my SE W810i's ability to use my owned mp3s as ringtones (something the standard unlocked W810i can easily do)

[Maarek Stele]

the rest of the pages are what HTC put into the phone. weather page, music page, settings page, home page, contacts, etc. the aT&T page looks like all regular phones have when listing AT&T pages. All WM phones can play mp3s and wma files as well as mp4 files.