It must be admitted that Zoe Share has a
much better feature than what we thought at first, but there is another smart
way to share these five-second clips: the One can get your Zoe collection and stills
from that day and create a highlight reel that comes with images, clips,
special effects and music. There are not many song options available, and you
are unable to use your own music, but at least the songs that are available
provide diversity as well. Each individual song comes with its own theme and
the images are almost perfectly synchronized with music. The 30-second movies
may be uploaded to Zoe Share on a unique URL within 30 days, or it can be
uploaded to other services like YouTube. We found it hard to believe that those
movies were not made by a human, but this is just a creative way to make use of
the Snapdragon 600 chipset.
The
main home screens on Sense 5 really are not different from what we have seen in
the previous versions.
The main home screens on Sense 5 really are
not different from what we have seen in the previous versions. The iconic Sense
clock and weather utilities are not present by default, but do not worry - it
is still provided as a widget, so long-press the home screen and you will have
the standard setup for Sense that allows you to select the widgets, shortcuts
and applications you desire. You might also take notice that the font differs
from the previous Senses, but it is really Roboto, the font is available on
Android 4.0 + (although Sense uses another version). The notification bar still
employs the same setup as before, but it also makes use of the new font and a
bit more modern style.
In addition to BlinkFeed and the gallery,
the other area that got a major overhaul is the application menu. The grids,
which provide a more Holo-style appearance than what are on Sense 4, are
arranged vertically instead of horizontally, and there are two different sizes:
3x4 and 4x5. By default, the grid displays as a form of 3x4, and as we saw on
BlinkFeed, Holo-style clock and weather utilities occupy the top row of icons
on the first screen (for any size). Application position here is different from
the available app tray: you customize your docking tray from here rather than
from the main screen, you are able to create or manipulate folders and the
other pull-down bar with the tabs and settings that are located between the
application icons and clock. This tab lets you change the grid organization to
display the alphabetical order or recent apps (the folders do not exist in
these modes).
The One takes advantage of IR blaster
coming with Sense TV; a feature that is powered by Peel help to blend a program
guide and universal remote into one application. In the U.S., Hulu Plus is
integrated and all major cable TV services are supported; in the UK, Virgin
Media, Sky, Freesat and Freeview will be included in the products. We also want
to see Netflix support, but HTC has not announced any plans in this regard, so
we will have to practice our patience.
The
One takes advantage of IR blaster coming with Sense TV; a feature that is
powered by Peel help to blend a program guide and universal remote into one
application.
As for the remote, it still works pretty
well but not as perfect as the Optimus G Pro’s version. It comes with a library
of IR codes to support almost any TV brand, cable TV service or home theater
setup you might think of. The software instructs you step by step when you try
to set up your phone so that it is suitable for all of your equipment, even let
you know how to arrange the One with your universal remote if it fails to
program everything correctly. Once you are ready to use the remote, your
benefits may be different depending on TV brand and cable providers. We were
unable to turn off the Dish DVR regardless of being able to easily control the
menu, and a Hitachi TV has realized the input menu button on the remote but
refused to allow us to select any of the options in the menu. Apart from this
little hiccup, everything worked well as advertised. As another good point, you
are able to access basic controls and recent channel in the notification tray,
use the remote on the lock screen, and even make the application remind you of
upcoming television programs in BlinkFeed.
Sense 5 also brings up the upgrades of HTC
Sync Manager. This feature is mainly aimed at new users who are hoping to move
their information from the iPhones or other Android devices. If you are
switching from the Apple, you can use s Sync Manager to enter iTunes and
retrieve your contacts, working appointments, photos, videos and music
(DRM-free). If you are coming from an older Sense device (3.6 or higher), you
will be able to convey everything mentioned above as well as text, bookmarks
and favorite settings. You are able to obtain the same results on other Android
phones (2.3 or higher) by installing an HTC application from the Play Store,
while any other devices can still transmit contacts the old fashioned way - via
Bluetooth. Sense 5 can also help you save the encrypted backups on Dropbox
account (or Sina, if you are in China), which is then linked to your Facebook
account. Using this method, you are able to back up all of your settings,
applications, utilities, BlinkFeed, TV, home screen layout and account information.
You
are able to obtain the same results on other Android phones (2.3 or higher) by
installing an HTC application from the Play Store, while any other devices can
still transmit contacts the old fashioned way - via Bluetooth.
Finally, HTC has co-operated with Zoodles
to add Kid Mode. The application serves as a launcher that is protected by a
password or gesture that your child will not be able to escape. Once activated,
you have the ability to restrict which applications your children use, while
providing a place for drawing and reading comic books. Speaking of storybooks,
the service allows you to record stories through the front-facing camera, so
your children can watch you reading The Three Little Pigs to them, even
though you are away. There's also a video mail feature that allows you and your
child to exchange messages to each other.
Because your children might be all kinds of
ages, every child can have their own mode in which their favorite applications
and preferences (along with your own parental customizations) appear. As a
parent, I realized that the service is extremely convenient - there's no secret
that kids also love electronic gadgets as well as we do, so it is significant
to keep them (not to mention our personal data) safe when they play with the
phones.
