- last edited on by
Tom
HTCSense.com is HTC's serivces portal. Services available include Device Location, Forward Calls, Forward Messages, Ring, Lock Device, and Erase Device.
Registration
This could not be simpler. Navigate to http://htcsense.com in your PC's web browser. Select your country from the list provided. If your country isn't listed then the services are not available to you.
You will then be presented with a sign in screen.
Below the sign in box is a link to 'Join Now'.
Clicking the link will take you to the 'Join HTC Sense' page where you can create your account.
Fill in the details you want to use for your account. (note: all the fields are required)
When you have completed your details and accepted the terms and conditions click 'Create Account'
You must then verify your email address before you can continue. To do this simply click the link in the email you recieve.
Linking Your Handset
Next step in the setup process is to sign into sense from your device. This is done by adding a new account to the phone.
From the Home screen, press 'menu' --> 'Settings' --> 'Accounts & sync'Select 'Add account'.
From the list of accounts select 'HTC Sense' then 'Next' followed by 'Sign in'. Enter your account details as prompted.
After you have successfully added the account you are best taking a break as the phone will need to carry out an initial sync with the HTC servers. This may take some time depending on your internet connection. Whilst this is is happening you will see a 'refresh style' icon in your notification area. Also you may be notified of updates during this process.
At this point you are best taking a break as the phone will need to carry out an initial sync with the HTC servers. This may take some time depending on your internet connection. Whilst this is is happening you will see a 'refresh style' icon in your notification area.
Also you may be notified of updates during this process.
Services
Now that your account is setup and your handset synced to your account you can start to use some of the features of HTC Sense.
Device Location
This shows you using Google maps the location of your handset. 
The location of your handset will periodically update itself or you can manually refresh using the 'Refresh location' link above the map.
Since this feature uses the phone GPS reciever to locate the handset it's accuracy will depend on where the phone is. If the phone outdoors then the map is accurate to a couple of feet however if the phone is indoors then it is much less accurate.
Forward Calls
This will set the phone to forward any phone calls to a number of your choice. Important to remember that you will be charged call forwarding rates on all calls forwarded.
To set this up slick on the 'Settings' button, check the 'enable call forwarding' box and enter the number you want to forward all your calls to.
Click the 'Save' button and call forwarding will be setup on your device.
A notification will appear on the device to let you know that call forwarding has been successfully set up.
You can clear this message using the 'Dismiss' button.
Forward Messages
This is very similar to call forwarding in that it allows you to forward your messages to another number, however there is another usefull feature, you can have your message forwarded to an email address.
Setting this up is the same process as call forwarding. Click the 'Settings' button and enter the phone number or email address you want to forward your messages to.
A notification will appear on the device to let you know that message forwarding has been successfully set up.
A message forwarded to an Email will appear in your email inbox with the message content under the 'Text Message' section of the email. 
You have the oppotunity to reply to the message by clicking on a link. This message is recieved by the phone as an MMS (the phone will need to be capable of receiving MMS message).
Ring
Clicking the 'Ring' button will instantly ring your handset at the highest volume. The ringing can be stopped by unlocking the screen.
If the screen is already unlocked a message will pop up on the screen with a 'Dismiss' button that can be used to stop the ringing.
Lock Device
This is designed for the unfortunate moment your phone is lost or stolen. This feature will lock your phone using a 4-digit PIN so nobody else can use it untill it has been unlocked, it will also place a message of your choice on the screen and provides a call button for the finder or your phone to call you and let you know where it is.
To lock you phone click the 'Lock Device' button. You will then be asked to enter a PIN that you can use to unlock the phone when it's back in your hands, a contact number to allow the finder of your phone to contact you to return your device and an option to write a custom messgae to be displayed to the finder.
When the phone is found the screen will look like this.
Tap the 'Unlock' button and you will be prompted to enter your PIN and unlock the phone. 
Erase Device
Erase device will remotly wipe all your personal data from the phone.
To erase your phone click the 'Erase Device' button. You will be prompted to enter your password to confirm you want to continue.
The phone will then shutdown and go through a process of restoring itseld back to factory settings, deleting all your personal data.
EDIT: sorry about the formatting, it doesn't seem to want to let me change font/size
electronicpunk wrote:I have yet to see the locate my phone feature actually pull up a map.
Do you have 'phone finder' enabled on your phone? If not then your location will not be shared with HTC Sense and the mapping function will not work.
To enable 'phone finder' on your phone, press menu-->then tap Settings.Tap Location.Select the Phone finder check box.
The service is still in it's infancy and there have been a few teething problems. I'm sure HTC will get it soted in the long term.
Not much use for you if you want to use it now however. It might be worth deleting the account on your phone and signing in again, it may be an issue occurred during the initial sync that hasn't resolved itself.
JMSmith wrote:I think this is now officially ridiculous. My phone (under Accounts & Sync) is showing HTCSense as having completed its Sync, while my browser is still telling me that my device is syncronizing. What is wrong? It surely cannot be broken?
Jonathan
I had this issue when i was making the guide, I found the solution was to sign out and sign back in. If this doesn't work try closing the browser.
I'm getting chance with a sensation at the end of the week so if your still having an issue let us know and i can give it a go then.
Also in reply to your previous post, HTCSense.com keeps a backup of your contacts so you can retrieve them should your phone be lost or stolen.
