Sprint HTC EVO 4G will let you disable the Sense UI

The Sense UI is a great experience on any Android device, if it comes preloaded or you install it on a rooted device. But some may want the option to change to the stock UI if they so choose. It looks like you can do just that on the upcoming Evo 4G.

With the HTC Incredible, there is currently no way to turn off the Sense UI. The option may come later in an update, but right now users are stuck with using HTC’s customized Android homescreen . Though it’s hardly something to complain about, the option to go with vanilla homescreen would be nice. This is Android we’re talking about after all, and it thrives on being extremely customizable. Although it can sometimes feel like a step backwards going from Sense to stock.

Nevertheless, as great as Sense is, stock Android is starting to become more appealing. With the new Android 2.2 OS “Froyo” update possibly only days away, the probability of the Incredible, or EVO (Supersonic), receiving Froyo anytime soon is very, very slim. Froyo will bring automatic app updates, a revamped Android Market, and the ability to share your phone’s wireless data connection with other devices over USB cable or WiFi.

Considering how long it too for the Eris to get Android 2.1, you’d be wise to consider software update roadmaps and timetables when choosing an Android-powered smartphone – basically, how long you’re willing to wait before you see an update on your device. You should know that stock Android devices such as the Nexus One, and Motorola Droid will see them much faster than any HTC Sense bearing device.

All in all, the option to turn Sense off is a good one. Whether you want just the plain Jane Android experience, or you just think the Sense UI is a little too overwhelming, you should be able to choose the way you use you phone. Once you buy it, the phone is yours to do with as you please, right? Right. Too bad not all phones can say the same.

So is it a big deal for you to have the option to use stock Android on an Sense UI device? For me, I like the ability to choose, and this only adds another reason to wait for the EVO 4G.

[Via: Phandroid]

About The Author

Blake Stimac

Blake was born in Beaumont, Texas, about 100 miles away from Houston. Even as a youngster, technology came to him very naturally, tinkering with anything he could. His passion of technology grew with mobile phones when he dreamed that the capabilities of phones would eventually make one's life much easier. Since then it's been his mission to advocate the push of mobile technology to anyone who will listen.

willpark

The option is definitely nice!
Ratnok

The option is nice, but what difference would it make in terms of updates? The carrier and the manufacturer control the release schedules, so even if Sense was turned off, users would still not be able to get the update. Even if they did, once the Sense UI is turned back on, compatibility issues would result. That's the whole reason why carriers/manufacturers are so slow in launching the updates- they want to ensure that it will work.

No Sense UI for me. Any advantage that Sense, MotoBlur, TouchWiz, etc have can be obtained piecemeal through apps in the market. My Nexus One will get the updates as soon as possible. Done and done.
willpark

Agreed. Can't wait to get Froyo on my N1. My Incredible will have to make do with 2.1 and Sense for a bit longer
McElroy

i already got pre order get on it
Dirty-Jerz

Like.
Benjamin Rubenstein

This isn’t a way to turn off Sense. It’s a way to disable it on the homescreen. You still have all the Sense style applications and everything. It’s not stock Android at all. Not by a long shot.
Daniel

I would disable it… I cannot use a bluetooth keyboard with my Incredible because HTC reverted Android 2.1's bluetooth package to an earlier version to make Sense work.
@bkbonner

So I have an EVO and I don't see this option anywhere. Where is this option? Or are you just hypothesizing?
Lupus

The option would be great. It's not worth dealing with Sprint for by any stretch of the imagination, but it would be very nice to have that option on my incredible. Hell, being able to select and choose which 'apps' it used as default easily would be nice. For example, I use handcent for SMS messaging, it would be nice to be able to turn off the default android and the HTC SMS messaging app.
tim

Not true…a big one for me is copy-paste….poorly done in stock….superbly done in Sense. This is something I use a lot.
Not available in market.
evosbetter

your incredible and N1 is trash get a evo
kevin

Ok, I turned it off and now I want sense back. How do I turn it back on?