DeepShining Sense 2.5 ROM - DOWNLOAD
By dotcompt (Review based on Version 10/24/2010 X11.CHT)
Version 11/14/2010 has been released. This review hasn't been updated yet.
Summary: 5/5
DeepShining is a Windows Mobile 6.5.5 ROM with Sense 2.5, Cookie HomeTab, or Titanium
Setup: 4/5
Design: Unique
Features: 5/5
Stability: 3.5/5
Speed: 5/5
Installed Programs: 5/5
User Experience: 5/5
Overall Advantages
Speed - Very fast for Sense 2.5
User Experience - Everything just "works"
Features - Has the latest software from HTC
Battery Life seems to be above par
Overall Disadvantages
MMS Fix required for T-Mobile (easy fix)
Keyboard Fix required for T-Mobile/AT&T (easy fix)
Microsoft Voice Command not installed (easy fix)
Review
Setup - 4/5
Everything is basically ready to use out-of-the-flash for T-Mobile. After flashing, it will configure your internet connection for T-Mobile without any manual entries required. However, you will need to install the MMS Fix if you want to be able to send/recieve pictures without compressing them to a rediculously tiny size. The ROM also has a Quick Start Wizard that helps you configure your email accounts, Facebook/Twitter/YouTube accounts, WiFi settings, and more right after flashing. Your location will be automatically detected for configuring weather. Other than the MMS Fix, the only thing you'll need to do if you're on T-Mobile or AT&T is install the Keyboard Fix, and you'll be running perfectly.
Design - Unique
The new version of the ROM uses a more distinguished theme. Everything is pleasantly readable however and the custom theme doesn't overwhelm the user. The status icons (top of the screen) are simple and elegant. The Start Menu icons are also modified, but they work well with the theme.
Features - 5/5
This ROM is packed full of all the usual HTC features you expect and love. It has the HTC styled lock screen that automatically locks, the HTC Notification manager, a task manager (that is accessed by tapping in the upper left corner), an Action screen, a long-press End key menu, and plenty of Sense tabs to explore. It has both the HTC on-screen keyboard, and the Swype keyboard. In addition, it has Cookie HomeTab installed, which gives you full customization over the homescreen tab. However, it is lacking Microsoft Voice Command and the HTC Messaging Client, but both programs can be easily installed if you need them. To explore the features included in Sense 2.5, look through This Page.
Stability - 3.5/5
Even though the freezing issues were supposed to be fixed in the 10/24/2010 version, I still experienced a random lockup after using the ROM for less than a day. On the positive side, battery life seems to be above par.
Speed - 5/5
This is quite possibly one of the fastest Sense 2.5 ROM's out there. The weather animations are speedy and usually don't slow down the phone, the tab slider is smooth and quick (even quicker if you remove tabs you don't need), and everything overall is fast. Multitasking is quick on this ROM, especially since you can access the task manager/task switcher by tapping the upper left corner. Free RAM is about 77 MB (41% free) on startup, with Exchange and other Sense services setup.
Installed Programs - 5/5
All of the basics are included (except Microsoft Voice Command which can be installed) and there are not many extra apps that you'll find useless. The task manager (MMTaskManager), for example, is highly useful for switching programs. The only "extra" programs are Total Commander and some other small tweaking programs (like changing the number of shortcuts on the homescreen).
User Experience - 5/5
Everything just "works"! Music plays through the speakers with the screen off, the keyboard auto-corrects text as it should (if you have XT9 turned on), names auto suggest when you start typing a new text message, and adding a number to your phone book by dialing it in through the Phone and then Saving to Contacts works as it should. Everything functions!
View Specifics - View Screenshots - ROM Page/DOWNLOAD - Tweaks