Apps like Gmail should be run the way Google intended it to. HTC is better off devoting their resources to making some killer apps and monetizing on those efforts rather than making bunch of f* "glossy widgets".
Best, no-nonsense guide on how to effectively put Jelly Bean 4.2 (ok, OpenSensation is at 4.1.2, still far better than HTC stock image) on your phone:
Basic run down of steps:
- Pay attention in guides to your phone's firmware version. The guide and links below mostly mention on how to do this without replacing the existing firmware.
- Backup your phone. The adb command offers backup options as cli argument.
- Unlock your HTC Bootloader from HTC Dev
- Install 4EXT Recovery Image (see the 1st link, its basically a "high level, boot loader/rescue CD" for your desktop computer)
- Download the custom image you want (link 1 from supporting links) and place it as zip on your sdcard.
- Reboot into recovery (see guide 1st link) and navigate within the 4EXT to install from zip. (Make sure here you wipe any "cached" settings and format the system partitions. Getting this right means the difference between a stable phone and bunch of random resets and lockups.
- Get the gapps (3rd supporting link) for your image/version.
Optional next steps:
Fed up with T-Mobile horrible service (your service is probably OK if you live in a dense, urban area)? Changing providers?
- Get your phone IMEI # (behind battery)
- Call them up while you have service, request your phone be unlocked. Classic excuse would be "traveling internationally".
- Cancel service when you are ready. Verify that new sim works with your existing phone.
Update: Feb 27 2013
Jumping off carriers did not work for me as planned. The TMobile and HTC partnership goes through great lengths to lock you down to a network. Firmware on the phone is designed with that partnership in mind. It does some work to ensure that business is as usual. Best choices, I think, at this point are to get the $30 - unlimited data/text, 100 mins from TMobile. Its "month-to-month" still far better than my current bill of $130. Other "virtual operators" leasing TMobile service are probably good choices too.
Update: March 27 2013
Only issues so far is location. There were instances where enabling location without a phone reboot "dead locked" to the phone. Instant hangups and long pauses. The only "workaround" for this was to enable location and reboot the phone right away. Otherwise, there have been occasional lock ups but nothing major. Phone has been operating well for weeks.
Update: Jul 15 2013
Cancelled T-Mobile - after prepaid having essentially no "internet" data available this plan was ridiculous - for a smartphone. But TMobile knows this very well, that's why these plans are designed this way.
What am I using now? (with a new affordable phone from Ting.com)
Ting.com. ~$25/month - pay for what you use at very reasonable rates. 12 * $25 = $300 < 12 * $120 = $1440.
Update: Nov 6 2013
Looks like LycaMobile might get your GSM phone down to $16-20 monthly cost range. $8 for the sim/shipping. Know only 1 person that uses this, not sure what the service quality is.
Read carefully:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1631861
Supporting links:
http://tips4droid.com/top-5-custom-rom-for-t-mobile-htc-sensation-4g/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494373
http://goo.im/gapps
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1494373
http://files.tamcore.eu/android/?dir=pyramid
Good luck,
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