So, the HTC One is now official, meaning that the Taiwanese company has a new flagship Android smartphone to make us go "wow" with. What makes it so cool, you ask? Well, there's plenty to love about the device, ranging from its outstanding build quality to the powerful hardware tucked under its hood.
But software is also an essential part of a smartphone's user experience, and HTC is well aware of that. That's why the One's makers decided to overhaul the Sense user interface and change it in accordance to what smartphone owners use their devices the most.
The result is a new Sense UI – simpler, built from the ground up around the idea that people want quick access to information that interests them the most. HTC BlinkFeed is its highlight feature, accessible the very instant you unlock the device's screen. HTC Zoe is also in tow, allowing users to bring their image gallery to life with great photos and videos. But what do these features do exactly? Read along to find out!
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The new HTC Sense
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HTC describes BlinkFeed as a personal live stream available right at your fingertips. Think of it as an aggregated feed of news and updates displayed on the smartphone's home screen for quick and easy access. It puts under one roof the content from social networks the user is signed in - Facebook, Twitter and the likes, together with news and articles from over 1,400 media sources. The feed updates every couple of hours if the device's data connection is active, and more frequently if Wi-Fi access is enabled.
HTC BlinkFeed
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HTC wants you to take something more than photos and videos. With Zoe - a new feature found on the new Sense version, users are given the power to capture moments. And it all happens seamlessly: 20 photos and a 3-second video are recorded as soon as the user presses the shutter. Then Zoe creates short highlight videos by blending together all that content with professional transitions and effects.
HTC Zoe
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There are various effects baked into the camera interface. The user will also be able to take 360-degree panoramic shots, as well as to edit objects within the frame. No more blinks and photobombs!
Camera features
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Need to switch to the front-facing camera for an impromptu self-portrait? Just swipe on the screen and you're done! And speaking of cameras, the frontal snapper on the HTC One has a wide-angle lens, allowing others to fit comfortably in the frame.
Camera features
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Like it or not, the weather and clock widget featured in the new version of Sense looks nothing like the one used in the UI's previous iterations. The new one is simpler, cleaner, designed with a minimalist approach.
Weather and clock widget
The new HTC Sense interface
The fifth iteration of Sense UI by HTC has been thoroughly overhauled. Tailored with simplicity in mind, it comes with redesigned graphics and icons, which together create its new modern look. It is layered on top of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, with an update to Android 4.2 coming in the near future.
The new HTC Sense interface
1. The new HTC Sense
The fifth iteration of Sense UI by HTC has been thoroughly overhauled. Tailored with simplicity in mind, it comes with redesigned graphics and icons, which together create its new modern look. It is layered on top of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, with an update to Android 4.2 coming in the near future.
2. HTC BlinkFeed
HTC describes BlinkFeed as a personal live stream available right at your fingertips. Think of it as an aggregated feed of news and updates displayed on the smartphone's home screen for quick and easy access. It puts under one roof the content from social networks the user is signed in - Facebook, Twitter and the likes, together with news and articles from over 1,400 media sources. The feed updates every couple of hours if the device's data connection is active, and more frequently if Wi-Fi access is enabled.
3. HTC Zoe
HTC wants you to take something more than photos and videos. With Zoe - a new feature found on the new Sense version, users are given the power to capture moments. And it all happens seamlessly: 20 photos and a 3-second video are recorded as soon as the user presses the shutter. Then Zoe creates short highlight videos by blending together all that content with professional transitions and effects.
4. Camera features
There are various effects baked into the camera interface. The user will also be able to take 360-degree panoramic shots, as well as to edit objects within the frame. No more blinks and photobombs!
5. Camera features
Need to switch to the front-facing camera for an impromptu self-portrait? Just swipe on the screen and you're done! And speaking of cameras, the frontal snapper on the HTC One has a wide-angle lens, allowing others to fit comfortably in the frame.
6. Weather and clock widget
Like it or not, the weather and clock widget featured in the new version of Sense looks nothing like the one used in the UI's previous iterations. The new one is simpler, cleaner, designed with a minimalist approach.
The fifth iteration of Sense UI by HTC has been thoroughly overhauled. Tailored with simplicity in mind, it comes with redesigned graphics and icons, which together create its new modern look. It is layered on top of Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, with an update to Android 4.2 coming in the near future.