No HTC Sense UI upgrade for “with Google” branded phones

26 June 2009 by Chris Davies

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Bad news for anybody hoping to get HTC’s latest Sense UI on their existing G1 or Magic. As we suggested might be the case yesterday, HTC have confirmed that due to the licensing terms of providing “with Google” branded smartphones they’re not allowed to offer Sense UI as an upgrade.

The confirmation most directly affects those who bought their Android device through a carrier, such as the T-Mobile G1 or the Vodafone Magic. According to HTC’s representative, the company is trying to develop a way to get the new UI to those with non-Google branded handsets, such as Rogers Wireless’ HTC Magic in Canada; however nothing is guaranteed and logistical or financial limitations may end up preventing it.

It unfortunately means that buyers of the T-Mobile myTouch 3G, the US version of the HTC Magic announced earlier this month, won’t get Sense as it’s a “with Google” branded device. You can be sure that hacked ROMs of the HTC UI will be circulating very soon, though.

Join the Discussion (8 comments)

konzern

06-26-2009 02:56 AM

i hate to say "i told u so" i mean if its a "with google" phone that means its not an HTC phone and vice versa.

but if rogers and other non google phones get it then its only a matter of time that someone ports it
ryaninc

06-26-2009 05:15 AM

Yeah, as much as I'd love to get that Sense UI on my G1, I'm honestly not surprised at all. Android is open source, I I doubt Google cares very much that HTC has made their own custom version, but the With Google devices will likely always have to use Google's official version.
gpo1

06-26-2009 06:08 AM

Someone must hack this for other andriod phones like samsung i7500..will donate !!
ahugo68

06-26-2009 06:59 AM

Figured this would gappen. But it still sucks.
draxter

06-26-2009 08:22 AM

I don't really care... in a matter of time it'll be ported to "with google" phones by some of the geniusses around here .
LazyGenius

06-26-2009 08:25 AM

^^^yea im positive it will... funny thing about this community is WE will probably get a ported Rodgers ROM BEFORE the Rodgers people do!
zedex

06-26-2009 02:59 PM

Yay for me for using Rogers phone =) I really hope sense becomes available for my Magic
bugmenot1

06-28-2009 04:29 PM

its being worked on as we speak. the hardware is virtually identical. you will have to "root" your phones to do it but it will happen for the G1's, and the magic's as well.