Software: Android 5.0 + Sense 7.0

Now that we're nigh five months out from the launch of Android 5.0, we're starting to see some phones launch with the operating system installed out of the box. The HTC One M9 is loaded with Android 5.0.two and Sense seven.0 from the give-and-take get, so it's not quite running the latest version of Android (Android 5.1), but at least we're getting many of the major improvements Google shipped with Lollipop.

Almost of the features that are found in Android v.0 are seen in the HTC Ane M9 with its Sense skin. The carte-based interface for notifications both in the drop-downward pane and on the lockscreen is essentially untouched, which is great to come across. The improved quick settings panel is besides found in the 1 M9's software, although it's merely a small upgrade over what HTC used in by versions of Sense.

HTC has blended parts of Cloth Blueprint into their latest Sense interface, although it's still more often than not based on the way that they established in the past two Sense iterations. While this heavy peel does modify virtually of the Android UI, the blueprint flavour HTC has adopted integrates reasonably well with Google's design. It doesn't quite deliver a perfectly seamless transition between HTC and Google apps, and the Material Pattern looks and feels more mod, simply I actually don't heed the Android 5.0 version of Sense.

Sense vii.0 too retains a number of features HTC introduced with either the original One or the One M8. BlinkFeed is still located in a panel to the left of the homescreens, delivering the latest news based on feeds that y'all select. I like having a choice of news from various sources correct on my homescreen for browsing and reading throughout the twenty-four hours, but I tin can understand why you lot wouldn't, then I'm glad HTC allows you lot to disable the panel. As far equally I can tell, BlinkFeed has remained virtually unchanged from Sense half dozen.0.

Nigh of the standard included applications will seem very familiar to those who take used the by two Ones. Many of these apps are colourful, like shooting fish in a barrel to use and functional, though I oasis't encounter any introduce new or innovative features. Nearly everything HTC has included in previous versions can notwithstanding be found in Sense 7.0, such as the automatic slideshow creator in the Gallery app, and the awesome visualizer in the Music app to go manus in mitt with BoomSound.

New to the HTC One M9 is a somewhat useful widget called Sense Home, which uses geolocation to observe when you're at habitation, work, or out and nigh. In each of these locations, Sense Home volition present a range of applications selected from what you've been using in these locations, and what HTC thinks you might need. For example, when you're out and nearly, Sense Abode will suggest Maps and Music, while at home information technology'll suggest YouTube and the Play Store.

Sense Abode is pretty effective in selecting applications for you, particularly as information technology includes apps you frequently use. However, if y'all're like me and constantly checking Twitter no matter where you are, it can stop upwardly simply suggesting Twitter in every location.

The Gallery app has as well received new functionality thank you to a service called Cloudex, which pulls your photos from cloud services and puts them in the Gallery. This isn't a new feature for smartphones in general, merely HTC's setup utility in the form of a defended app makes the whole integration process very like shooting fish in a barrel. Cloudex currently supports Google Photos, Facebook, Flickr and Dropbox, though unfortunately in that location'south no OneDrive back up.

Another aspect of Sense 7.0 worth highlighting is HTC'due south new theming characteristic, establish inside the personalization section of the settings. In what is the most consummate smartphone theming utility baked in to a telephone OS, HTC allows you to choose from a range of themes that completely change the colors used in stock applications, app icons, wallpapers and more. In that location's a few included by default, and you tin besides download more through a theme store.

Merely the best function of this theming feature is that it tin can create an unabridged theme from just a wallpaper. By analysing the image, it picks out colors to use through the residual of the OS, creating a matching and coherent feel. Information technology'southward definitely worth giving a try if you like having everything matching across your Bone.

HTC hasn't significantly changed the keyboard: information technology remains the aforementioned, large-keyed version with average usability. I'd like to see the company ameliorate the prediction engine in their stock keyboard, because sometimes it produces some real shockers, just it's otherwise alright.