Gingerbread update for HTC EVO 4G may not include new version of Sense UI
So far whenever we've talked about the official Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) update, which is expected to be delivered to the HTC EVO 4G this quarter, the newest version of HTC Sense has always been included in the conversation. A specific version number was never mentioned, but since the EVO is currently running 1.0 and newer HTC phones are preloaded with 2.0, that's the one we've been assuming would be baked into the new Gingerbread update.
HTC Sense 2.0 is actually already available for the EVO in Myn's Warm Z TwoPointTwo (my daily driver for the past month), but since not everyone is rooted or using that particular custom ROM, the official release of the revamped UI would obviously be a significant part of the update.
Based on what several G&E readers have been hearing from HTC, however, there seems to be a chance that the new Sense will not be included.
According to a company representative responding to a customer inquiry,
As far as HTC Sense, that information has not been announced as to whether or not it will be getting an update. The only feature that is different between the current versions of HTC Sense is that some of the newer phones include the ability to connect to HTCSense.com and at this time we do not expect an update to be released for this on the EVO or the other phones that will be receiving the Android 2.3 update.
The ability to connect to HTCSense.com is actually not the only difference between Sense 1.0 and 2.0; Sense 2.0 also includes HTC Hub, flip-to-silence, landscape home screen orientation, HTC skins, new widgets, and other cool features. The rep's error may make you question his/her credibility, but I've heard from some other sources who have corroborated the uncertainty of the new Sense's inclusion in the update.
Even if it's not specifically 2.0 that's being referred to, I still hope that when the Gingerbread update shows up on non-rooted stock EVOs within the coming weeks/months, a new version of Sense shows up with it.
I know that not everyone is a fan of Sense, but 2.0 is such an improvement over 1.0 that it would really be a shame for it (or some even newer version) not to officially make it to the EVO.
Only time will tell . . .
Thanks to Isaac and everyone else who sent this in!
