First Screenshots of HTC Flyer running Android 3.2 Honeycomb with Sense UI

Last Friday, we started getting reports of an early beta build of Android 3.2 Honeycomb for the HTC Flyer being leaked to Paul from MoDaCo. As this leaked build made its way to XDA members, one person has managed to get the ROM to boot on their 32GB 3G Flyer (apparently the only version that will work with the leaked ROM right now). The user, globatron has graciously posted up some screenshot for us to examine. Check them out after the break.

As you can tell it's a really Sense-ified version of Honeycomb that has the iconic HTC Flip clock widget, modified Back, Home and Multitasking button, as well modified clock, notification and battery icons on the bottom right. Interestingly the Scribe Pen seems to work flawlessly. Also worth noting is that this leak is Android 3.2 (as required for Qualcomm compatibility) and HTC Sense UI 1.1 for Tablets (Interestingly the Flyer shipped with a tablet optimized version of Sense version 2.1 that looked like version 3.0 found on the Sensation and EVO 3D, a bit confusing!?)

In any case here is globatron's thoughts on the Early build;

The Good

1. It works
2. Pen interaction works everywhere for typing/buttons etc.
3. Much more compatibility in the market.
4. More widgets
5. Seems to be pretty smooth, no real lag.
6. The ROM is pre-rooted, it's a developer build.

The Bad

1. The buttons on the bezel are gone, with the exception of the pen action button.
2. The HC toolbar steals a lot more screen space than the GB notification bar.
3. Everything is landscape optimized. Some screens are clipped in portrait. Market is landscape only.
4. Phone support does not seem to work for now. Not tested much but cannot hear any incoming audio on the flyer.
5. Lots of FCs in various apps from the market (none from the ROM itself so far)

Other than that it's pretty much what you expect from HC and a Sense ROM.

Glad to see that the Flyer will eventually get Honeycomb, it should be interesting to see if the Flyer hardware can keep up with everyday use on Android 3.2 which has been only seen on Tegra 2 SoCs so far. Initial impressions are good so it seems like a high end Single core is sufficient (at least after a clean boot).

Also worth noting is that one can suppose that Honeycomb should be a close indication of what we will be needed, in terms of hardware, for Ice Cream Sandwich. This leaves a glimmer of hope for the 1GHz+ phones of 2010 to possibly be eligible for ICS.

This should be another good indication of what to expect with the HTC Jetstream the 10.1 inch dual core tablet from HTC hitting AT&T (and perhaps Rogers) in the coming weeks.

Source: XDA Developers