The next version of Google Android (codenamed Gingerbread) is expected to focus heavily on improving the user interface. Google’s intention is to do away with custom interfaces such as HTC Sense or Motorola’s MOTOBLUR. Microsoft is also looking at exerting more control over its mobile OS with the upcoming release of Windows Phone 7.
In an interview with Forbes, Drew Bamford who leads HTC’s user experience design team, confirmed that the company has no plans to abandon HTC Sense in the near future. With respect to Android, Bamford said:
“Google may focus more on improving the user interface on the stock Android [software], but I don’t think they’ll preclude manufacturer customization.”
HTC Sense will look different on Windows Phone 7 devices than it does on current Windows Mobile 6.5 devices:
“Microsoft has taken firmer control of the core experience [in Windows Phone 7], but we can still innovate. We won’t be able to replace as much of the core Windows Phone experience, but we will augment it.”
Bamford also dropped a few hints about the next major version of HTC Sense. It will come with new features focusing on discovering and sharing media more easily (including the widget to recommend apps that is already available on the HTC Wildfire) and improved syncing with cloud services (perhaps with a partner).
If HTC is to continue to offer HTC Sense on its devices, it must find a way to bring update it faster when new OS versions come out. Remember how long HTC took to update HTC Sense for Android 2.1?