The maker of the Fancy Widget Android app, which brings a rather nice clone of the HTC Sense clock & weather icon system to unskinned Android phones, has been told to STOP DOING THAT by HTC.
Here’s how the sad passing of the pretty little widget was announced:
“With the release of this update, we are also here to share with you some bad news. Due to HTC’s complaint, the current version of Fancy Widget will soon be discontinued and removed from the market. This is the last update to the current version, and we suggest everyone upgrade to this version as soon as possible”
So get it now if you want it. On the plus side, the maker will be bringing the app back with all-new designs, so it won’t die altogether.
We understand HTC’s complaint, it is basically a copy of its work. But it’s a bit… mean-spirited, isn’t it? What harm’s it really doing? We can’t imagine anyone would NOT buy an HTC phone because there’s a free app that clones its Sense clock on the Android Market.
Big Business is weird.
Motorola’s latest flagship dual-core Android monster is a massive, original powerhouse, that’s a big improvement on previous MOTOBLUR mobiles – but still isn’t a total winner.
A slim and glamorous phone from Sony Ericsson, with the sharpest display around. It’s no powerhouse and the screen’s not the biggest out there, but we don’t mind. Because it’s cute.
LG’s first glasses-free 3D phone is a heavy, fat monster, with a clever 3D effect that works rather well. As a smartphone, though, it’s heavy and underwhelming.
A very shiny thing from Sony Ericsson, with a 3.7″ screen and Android 2.3.3 inside. But is it exciting enough to win fans in today’s spec-obsessed market? Can man live on one core alone?
INQ’s Android phone is an interesting “boutique” piece of hardware, packed with unique interface customisations that go far beyond the headline Facebook integration. We like it a lot.
MarkG
/ June 22, 2010Perhaps I should sue HTC for copying my desktop clock design…
I’m also sure my clock radio used to have a clock like this back in 1980, so I think it’s safe to claim prior art on this…
MarkG
/ June 22, 2010http://www.google.co.uk/images?um=1&hl=en&client=opera&rls=en&ndsp=20&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=3&q=retro+flip+clock&btnG=Search+images
Robo
/ June 22, 2010HTC are really starting to suck big time, I am so disappointed with them! First, they go after ROM hackers, then this. Get a life, HTC, you are not Apple. To think I used to be really enthusiastic about them…. Yuck.
Bob
/ June 22, 2010HTC is turning into a mini Apple lol
Matt S
/ June 22, 2010How can anyone defend the creators of this app? It’s not just a similar style flip clock (like this http://www.eurodroid.com/2010/01/the-apps-we-use-retro-clock-widget/ or http://www.eurodroid.com/2010/01/good-app-levelup-studios-beautiful-widgets-app-is-back-online/) it is an EXACT duplicate of the HTC one down to the colours, the font and the layout. HTC are well within their right here.
Alan
/ June 23, 2010This HTC clock takes up way too much valuable screen real-estate anyway.
I look forward to seeing generic non-branded Android on everything, cementing the android experience across manufacturers and reducing upgrade roll-out times.
Compete by having awesome hardware HTC, not gimmicky software.
(PS. I love my Nexus One, well done on that one)
Matt S
/ June 23, 2010Why is my comment waiting for moderation when other people have posted after me :(
Gary C
/ June 23, 2010Matt, the system thinks comments with a certain number of links in them might be spam, so it filters them out.
Matt S
/ June 23, 2010Even if the links are to your own blog? *rolls eyes* lol
Gary C
/ June 23, 2010It simply isn’t self-aware enough :(