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HTC included Android KitKat 4.4.4 with the Desire 820. As usual, they have customised the OS and call their version HTC Sense. The Desire 820 comes with HTC Sense 6.
Within HTC Sense is HTC's stock launcher, named BlinkFeed. The launcher itself is fairly unappealing and does not do much more than you would expect – you can add apps and widgets to the home screen and browse your app drawer, but that's about it.
BlinkFeed, however, takes its name from a personalised news feed which is included within the launcher. Here, each individual can connect their social media accounts and set up weather and news alerts. This is a nifty feature which can collate the information most important to you, if you let it.
The settings menu is very straightforward, but again, it looks dull. This is due to the grey icons and text – it is very much in need of colour, something ASUS' ZenUI did very well.
The same can be said for the notification panel options. The settings here are fitted into large square tiles, which make everything feel very blocky and bulky. Again, colour is sorely needed. Yes, when tiles are ‘activated' – when you switch on WiFi, for instance – they turn blue, but it is a dark and dull blue.
You will be able to run all your apps and widgets using HTC Sense and BlinkFeed, but the OS is not very exciting to use. The UI lacks beauty and colour, while the launcher is fairly clunky. We would recommend experimenting with other launchers if you get the Desire 820.
