sense 5.5

Via its official Twitter account, HTC USA has just announced that the unlocked and developer editions of its HTC One are now receiving the Android 4.4 KitKat update with Sense 5.5 on top (via Android Central). HTC says the rollout starts today, so it may take a few days for it to hit your respective phone, so be sure to remain patient.

HTC One Unlocked and Developer Edition owners – your Kit Kat roll out starts today! Let us know your favorite new additions. #KitKat #HTCOne

— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) November 29, 2013

As far as what’s new in Sense 5.5, we saw some new features in the update when screenshots leaked last month. Changes included some new camera modes, as well as the ability to easily turn off BlinkFeed.

It’s a good sign to see these two models getting updated relatively quickly, as it means that the US carrier variants shouldn’t be too far behind. 
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One of the biggest changes HTC introduced with its Sense 5.0 software was BlinkFeed, which the company touted as a “personal live stream right on the home screen.” The feature was either loved or hated by many customers and reviewers, and it looks like HTC will be accommodating those who hate it with the upcoming Sense 5.5 update. Android Revolution HD has gotten ahold of several supposed screenshots of HTC’s Sense 5.5 update and if they are to be believed, there will now be a toggle on the homescreen to turn BlinkFeed on or off.

Also believed to be coming in Sense 5.5 are some new camera features. The leaked screenshots show two new shooting modes: Panorama+ and Dual Capture. It’s not entirely clear what these two modes will offer, but I imagine that Dual Capture will allow you to take pictures with the front and rear facing shooters at the same time, similar to what Samsung already offers.

Aside from those changes, Sense 5.5 doesn’t appear to be all that different from 5.0, with the task switcher showing bigger preview windows and some new emojis being available.

HTC is expected to release the HTC One Max next week, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sense 5.5 come along with it. 
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