HTC Android devices usually have a distinctive design style and come with the company’s own Sense skin on top of Google’s OS. It’s part of the company’s value proposition to its customers. But it looks like Sense might soon be coming to non-HTC devices as well.
As spotted by AusDroid, HTC is sending out invites as part of its preview program where it’s asking users to try out version 8 of its Sense Home app, on non-HTC devices. Sense Home offers some interesting functionality, including the ability for the phone to display certain apps based on location, change the look and feel of your device with themes, and of course, access to Blinkfeed. And all of that goodness may soon be available on all Android smartphones, going by the “GOOGLE_PLAY_SENSE_GP” project name of this preview.
While it may be a bit surprising to see HTC bring one of its iconic features to other smartphones, this move would make some sense. Sense Home comes with in-app purchases for themes, so having access to the full market of Android users might prove to be a lucrative deal.
Plus, HTC has been struggling with its smartphone sales for years now, so pushing new features and services outside of its walled ecosystem and embracing more openness seems like the way to go.
Still, at this point, it’s not clear if this is just a small experiment or if the company is actually planning on launching Sense for everyone, so until HTC gives us more info all we can do is wait.
Source: AusDroid
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