HTC’s Sense UI is a big hit.Â Pretty much everyone who has played with it will agree that what HTC has done with the stock Android experience is something special.Â Before Android came about, they were the company responsible for making Windows Mobile look nice with Touch Flo and Touch Flo 3D.Â Inevitably, the question will arise “What’s next for HTC?”Â If recent patent filings are any indication, the next look of Android could resemble a virtual book with pages that turn.

Gizmodo is not the only one to notice that this has the making of a Palm Pre-like navigation and we’re not the only one to agree.Â We’re actually fans of the card system.Â In fact, we’ve been asking for modders to come up with a desktop replacement app that mimics it for Android.

Each page of the virtual book is the UI of a service or function of the handheld electronic device. Flipping the pages of the virtual book means browsing and selecting the services and functions provided by the handheld electronic device. This book-like UI enables the user to use and manage these applications, widgets, and web pages in an easy and intuitive way like browsing a conventional printed book. The book-like UI hides the differences among applications, widgets, and web pages so that the handheld electronic device can be accessed through a uniform and convenient UI.

It sounds as if the contacts will get a Rolodex-esque flick through feel.Â The image below shows pages collapsing and scrolling which certainly seems like it would feel intuitive.Â Here’s hoping this comes to Android and not Windows Mobile.