Google Pixel (Nexus) phones unveiled on 4th October

Gigabit · 05-10-2016, 08:04

Quote:

EE say it will support VoLTE and wifi calling.

Finally, an Android phone that supports everything.

spikej · 05-10-2016, 08:05

I can't believe how expensive the Pixel is, in comparison to the cost of a Nexus 5x at launch. Doesn't seem worthy of the price increase to me...

Seems like my next phone will have to be a OnePlus, Motorola or Huaewi...

Everything Goes · 05-10-2016, 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerlad

EE say it will support VoLTE and wifi calling.

The questions to ask is it Firmware specific to EE? Will it work on Three with VoLTE? Is it locked to EE?

While the Nexus range used generic Firmware and are unlocked have Google may changed that with the Pixel?

Faust · 05-10-2016, 08:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by spikej

I can't believe how expensive the Pixel is, in comparison to the cost of a Nexus 5x at launch. Doesn't seem worthy of the price increase to me...

Seems like my next phone will have to be a OnePlus, Motorola or Huaewi...

It's a premium phone that can easily compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple. For that type of device you can expect to pay premium prices. In terms of build etc. it appears to be a huge step up from the Nexus 5x.

Not everyone wants to pay premium prices which is I guess why many people choose Android. At the end of the day you buy what you want or can afford.

Stuart_h · 05-10-2016, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust

It's a premium phone that can easily compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple. For that type of device you can expect to pay premium prices. In terms of build etc. it appears to be a huge step up from the Nexus 5x.

Not everyone wants to pay premium prices which is I guess why many people choose Android. At the end of the day you buy what you want or can afford.

It's an odd phone - whether it's premium or not we will find out when people have more hands on experience.

I am (was?) a big Nexus fan. They filled a niche. Reasonable spec for reasonable money. In my opinion a "no-brainer". With these pixel phones I suspect that people will now look at them in comparison with high end phones like the note 7, s7 edge etc. Against these how does it really stack up ?

No front stereo speakers, no SD slot (for those that like this), no S Pen, not even any waterproofing ???

I had been looking to upgrade by N6 so was waiting for the Pixel. At this price it no longer becomes a default choice. I actually now think I'll skip a year.

jonmorris · 05-10-2016, 09:48

Watch the ad, and you'll see how Google is trying to mimic Apple here.

You know the specs aren't up to scratch and there are many flaws, but you're supposed to get caught up in the hype. You're supposed to buy into the idea that Pixel is the 'best of Android' and it's not about the hardware but all the clever AI powering Google Assistant, and best-in-class VR.

Cloudane · 05-10-2016, 09:55

The thing is, it's all making me re-evaluate my stance on having (what was Nexus)-type phones in order to always have the latest and greatest OS. It was very important to me back in the 4.x days as Android was still IMO catching up with iOS and ironing out various bugs (Bluetooth problems etc) and it drove me up the wall waiting for the likes of HTC and Samsung to catch up. Hence when I switched to the iPhone 6, I swore that if I ever went back to Android, it'd be a Nexus. And so it was (5X, which was too janky, then 6P which is perfect)

My experience since then has been, yes I get Android 7 but it doesn't do much that I consider special over 6. The DPI adjustment is nice. The alt-tab-like instant app switch is nice. Neither are essential. Split screen would be nice but maybe 1 in 10 apps that I try with it even work with it (most say "app does not support split screen"). The general attitude with app developers and networks seems to be "no one has the latest Android as they all have Samsung phones, so we don't have to bother with it for a good 6-12 months" so there's actually limited benefit to having the latest after all.

Couple this with the only way of having the latest now being to pay Apple prices, and it looks like I might as well let go of that notion (Assuming this is still how things are in 1-2 years when I upgrade from the 6P). Which makes me wonder how tempted I'm going to be to just go back to iPhones again. If you're going to pay iPhone prices anyway... (but probably won't, or would possibly switch to using second hand ones)

Stuart_h · 05-10-2016, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Watch the ad, and you'll see how Google is trying to mimic Apple here.

You know the specs aren't up to scratch and there are many flaws, but you're supposed to get caught up in the hype. You're supposed to buy into the idea that Pixel is the 'best of Android' and it's not about the hardware but all the clever AI powering Google Assistant, and best-in-class VR.

It does look very much that way.

My point is that at that price range you are very much getting people to choose between the Note 7, S7, HTC10 and all the other flagships. Personally I'm not convinced that it stacks up too well against those. The Nexus phones were never expected to.

I suspect that the devs and tinkerers will all move to the Chinese manufacturers of decent midrange phones.

It's a gamble for Google. I guess we will find out in a couple of years whether it was a good one.

jonmorris · 05-10-2016, 10:00

I think the smart move (for Android users) is to look at the new generation of phones, mostly from China, that are 50% of the price but offer 90-95% of the features and performance.

Yes, you may compromise on one or two things, but given the Pixel phones lack a card slot and other things, it's not as if you can say that spending the most money gets you everything on the list.

Frankly, a Note 7 would be a better buy than the Pixel XL, even if you never used the S-Pen once.

Cloudane · 05-10-2016, 10:04

Has there been any indication whether Google Assistant (voice version, not Allo version) is coming to Nexus phones? Wondering if they're playing the Apple "you're gonna need the latest hardware for this for no reason" card.

Stuart_h · 05-10-2016, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudane

Has there been any indication whether Google Assistant (voice version, not Allo version) is coming to Nexus phones? Wondering if they're playing the Apple "you're gonna need the latest hardware for this for no reason" card.

You get Google assistant of sorts if you install Allo. As with many of these things (such as siri and cortana) it's a leap to start barking orders at your phone.

Out of all the things yesterday it's Google Home that interests me the most. Phones were overpriced. The VR seemed just like a cloth version of cardboard (but for £70). Home, if/when it ever comes to the UK, is the only thing I'm likely to buy out of the whole lot.

This year's phone upgrade money will go on a Mavic instead. Looks way more fun than having assistant on my phone

jonmorris · 05-10-2016, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudane

Has there been any indication whether Google Assistant (voice version, not Allo version) is coming to Nexus phones? Wondering if they're playing the Apple "you're gonna need the latest hardware for this for no reason" card.

Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app.

Xda-developers is saying there are unique APIs for the Pixel phones, which could make it incompatible.

In which case, yes, Google is doing this to make you buy its phone over others.

Interestingly, Android 7.1 is going out as a beta to Nexus phones soon, with a view to releasing it in 2017. So it seems that as of now, Nexus users will have to wait for updates like any other phone user.

Taking the **** much, Google?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart_h

You get Google assistant of sorts if you install Allo. As with many of these things (such as siri and cortana) it's a leap to start barking orders at your phone.

Out of all the things yesterday it's Google Home that interests me the most. Phones were overpriced. The VR seemed just like a cloth version of cardboard (but for £70). Home, if/when it ever comes to the UK, is the only thing I'm likely to buy out of the whole lot.

This year's phone upgrade money will go on a Mavic instead. Looks way more fun than having assistant on my phone

Google Home is coming to the UK next year, so that could well be nice.

Google seems to think that VR and the Assistant will have people foaming at the mouth and fighting to get their orders in. Does anyone believe that will be the case?

Stuart_h · 05-10-2016, 10:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app.

Xda-developers is saying there are unique APIs for the Pixel phones, which could make it incompatible.

In which case, yes, Google is doing this to make you buy its phone over others.

Interestingly, Android 7.1 is going out as a beta to Nexus phones soon, with a view to releasing it in 2017. So it seems that as of now, Nexus users will have to wait for updates like any other phone user.

Taking the **** much, Google?

Google Home is coming to the UK next year, so that could well be nice.

Google seems to think that VR and the Assistant will have people foaming at the mouth and fighting to get their orders in. Does anyone believe that will be the case?

To be honest VR is fun on a £15 cardboard lot. Assistant i see much more useful as Home than as something on my phone.

Cloudane · 05-10-2016, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart_h

You get Google assistant of sorts if you install Allo. As with many of these things (such as siri and cortana) it's a leap to start barking orders at your phone.

Hence I said "other than the Allo version"
It's not a leap at all, Google Now (with its boring robotic responses) lets you bark orders at it already - if they're going to start saying you need the latest hardware to manage it then congratulations to Google for managing to become as bad as Apple. (Speaking of which, what's so special about the new VR that that requires specific hardware, when Cardboard has already been working just fine on older phones)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app.

Wow. They've really gone full Apple.

Screw this, Google has become greedy, may well end up going back - if you're going to get screwed anyway, you might as well at least have the privacy and better network support that iOS get you (plus usually an extra year or so of updates). I don't mind giving Google my data for lower costs, that's a tradeoff I know about and have agreed to make, but if they're going to charge those sort of prices, use the same BS tactics as Apple, etc then there's just no reason to give my data away as well.

ceepan · 05-10-2016, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app.

It is going to be exclusive to he Pixel phones initially (http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10...panding-later/). I suspect that it will become available to Nexus phones at some point in the future. They need to provide some exclusive features if it is going to be a success.

The changelog (http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10...usive-changes/) for Android 7.1 shows what is Pixel exclusive and what will be available to all.

I personally think that the pricing is too high and won't be upgrading my Nexus 6P.

Cloudane · 05-10-2016, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceepan

They need to provide some exclusive features if it is going to be a success.

True. Much like a few iDevice releases in the past, they need to do that as there isn't enough incentive (innovation to cost ratio) for the device to be a success on its own merits.

Faust · 05-10-2016, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudane

True. Much like a few iDevice releases in the past, they need to do that as there isn't enough incentive (innovation to cost ratio) for the device to be a success on its own merits.

I think you are right. If you want to take on the likes of Apple and come straight into the market place with a product in the same price category, then you need to be darned sure you are not only matching the opposition on build and spec, you also have to be offering something extra.

Whilst the Google phone is interesting and no doubt well built, I suspect the pricing will put off many potential customers. I would have thought you need to tempt your initial following with a 'teaser price'. Once you are established in the market place that is when you are able to charge a premium for your product.

Everything Goes · 05-10-2016, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust

I think you are right. If you want to take on the likes of Apple and come straight into the market place with a product in the same price category, then you need to be darned sure you are not only matching the opposition on build and spec, you also have to be offering something extra.

Whilst the Google phone is interesting and no doubt well built, I suspect the pricing will put off many potential customers. I would have thought you need to tempt your initial following with a 'teaser price'. Once you are established in the market place that is when you are able to charge a premium for your product.

Well it was actually built by HTC who lets face it need the money.

Quote:

Jeff Gordon, Senior Global Online Communications Manager at HTC, confirmed to us via e-mail that "HTC is Google’s manufacturing partner for the Pixel."

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Confi...by-HTC_id86174

Jimmy_Carter · 05-10-2016, 14:47

Does the pixel phone have things you can't live without just like the iPhone 7?

jonmorris · 05-10-2016, 16:20

Is there anyone that didn't know HTC made it? HTC started out making phones for other people, so it's not a big deal. HTC gets paid, and presumably paid quite well.

Faust · 05-10-2016, 16:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Everything Goes

Well it was actually built by HTC who lets face it need the money.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Confi...by-HTC_id86174

Yes I am fully aware of the manufacturer, at least for this year. However, at this price point where does it deal a knockout blow to either the S7/S7 Edge or iPhone 7 or 7plus? Personally the fact it can interact as a VR has absolutely zero appeal, ditto the AI.

jonmorris · 05-10-2016, 16:28

There's one thing in Google's favour. Besides giving our free devices to the press, the fact it's now the 'best' of Android, means that in the blogosphere there are many people I know who have reluctantly ordered one because, ultimately, they'll need one for their blogs, videos, features and comparisons.

What might help is that if everyone in the tech world ends up with one, with the obligatory comparisons with the iPhone at any given moment, the Pixel brand will become quite well known.

At least in the communities that follow said tech press, which makes me wonder how Google will do in the 'outside world'.

aurichie · 05-10-2016, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudane

True. Much like a few iDevice releases in the past, they need to do that as there isn't enough incentive (innovation to cost ratio) for the device to be a success on its own merits.

When I think about it yesterday, the event was remarkably thin on marketing reasons why people who own old Nexus devices should upgrade.

Perhaps it's unfair to draw comparisons with Apple, but I do like the way they detail the hardware improvements and explain it in human terms. i.e. the processor is twice as fast as last years, which leads to this (presentation of an app that takes advantage of the new capabilities), it also has smart switching between high performance and battery efficiency - which gets you on average x hours more battery use. They'll tell you about the aperture and then explain in human terms why it's an update you'll appreciate with your photography. They really do a great job of selling you on the new hardware and mix in a bit about what they've done in combination with software to seal the deal.

I guess Google has less opportunity to do this kind of thing because the guts is all generic stuff other Android phones have. While in the iPhone, at least some of it is exclusive made for Apple by Apple (at least designed). Yes Google did do some of this with the photography section yesterday, but there was little all else.

Apple has slowly been stepping away from unnecessarily cutting new software features from older devices. Mainly these days the stuff you can't use is because of hardware such as 3D Touch and rise to wake both having dependencies on newer hardware components. I guess they realised it creates ill-feeling with customers to make them feel like you are purposefully screwing them over by cutting them off from features their existing phone is quite capable of executing.

All of that being said, I am happy Google is now trying to create flagship devices that deliver a pure Android experience with great hardware. Until now the choice has been pure Android with middle of the road hardware, or loads of crap layered on top of Android with much more exciting and capable hardware. There is no longer a conflict in my mind. If i decide I want to buy an Android device, I know that device will be a Pixel.

Cloudane · 05-10-2016, 18:41

Apple is good at the marketing stuff, yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurichie

Apple has slowly been stepping away from unnecessarily cutting new software features from older devices. Mainly these days the stuff you can't use is because of hardware such as 3D Touch and rise to wake both having dependencies on newer hardware components. I guess they realised it creates ill-feeling with customers to make them feel like you are purposefully screwing them over by cutting them off from features their existing phone is quite capable of executing.

They're not as bad as they were for this, and yeah maybe they've caught on that it bothers people. On the other hand I have to question what special hardware 'rise to wake' needs - it's already had an accelerometer and gyroscope for quite a while...

1manonthebog · 05-10-2016, 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Faust

It's a premium phone that can easily compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple. For that type of device you can expect to pay premium prices. In terms of build etc. it appears to be a huge step up from the Nexus 5x.

Not everyone wants to pay premium prices which is I guess why many people choose Android. At the end of the day you buy what you want or can afford.

Yep and we all know how the Lumia 950 went and the Blackberry Priv, Only Apple and more recently Samsung can get away with charging this amount.

05-10-2016, 08:04	#101
Gigabit Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 2,887	Quote: Originally Posted by bikerlad EE say it will support VoLTE and wifi calling. Finally, an Android phone that supports everything.

05-10-2016, 08:05	#102
spikej Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Stratford-upon-Avon Posts: 2,659	I can't believe how expensive the Pixel is, in comparison to the cost of a Nexus 5x at launch. Doesn't seem worthy of the price increase to me... Seems like my next phone will have to be a OnePlus, Motorola or Huaewi...

05-10-2016, 08:18	#103
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by bikerlad EE say it will support VoLTE and wifi calling. The questions to ask is it Firmware specific to EE? Will it work on Three with VoLTE? Is it locked to EE? While the Nexus range used generic Firmware and are unlocked have Google may changed that with the Pixel?

05-10-2016, 08:44	#104
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by spikej I can't believe how expensive the Pixel is, in comparison to the cost of a Nexus 5x at launch. Doesn't seem worthy of the price increase to me... Seems like my next phone will have to be a OnePlus, Motorola or Huaewi... It's a premium phone that can easily compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple. For that type of device you can expect to pay premium prices. In terms of build etc. it appears to be a huge step up from the Nexus 5x. Not everyone wants to pay premium prices which is I guess why many people choose Android. At the end of the day you buy what you want or can afford.

05-10-2016, 09:34	#105
Stuart_h Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,474	Quote: Originally Posted by Faust It's a premium phone that can easily compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple. For that type of device you can expect to pay premium prices. In terms of build etc. it appears to be a huge step up from the Nexus 5x. Not everyone wants to pay premium prices which is I guess why many people choose Android. At the end of the day you buy what you want or can afford. It's an odd phone - whether it's premium or not we will find out when people have more hands on experience. I am (was?) a big Nexus fan. They filled a niche. Reasonable spec for reasonable money. In my opinion a "no-brainer". With these pixel phones I suspect that people will now look at them in comparison with high end phones like the note 7, s7 edge etc. Against these how does it really stack up ? No front stereo speakers, no SD slot (for those that like this), no S Pen, not even any waterproofing ??? I had been looking to upgrade by N6 so was waiting for the Pixel. At this price it no longer becomes a default choice. I actually now think I'll skip a year.

05-10-2016, 09:48	#106
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Watch the ad, and you'll see how Google is trying to mimic Apple here. You know the specs aren't up to scratch and there are many flaws, but you're supposed to get caught up in the hype. You're supposed to buy into the idea that Pixel is the 'best of Android' and it's not about the hardware but all the clever AI powering Google Assistant, and best-in-class VR.

05-10-2016, 09:55	#107
Cloudane Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 870	The thing is, it's all making me re-evaluate my stance on having (what was Nexus)-type phones in order to always have the latest and greatest OS. It was very important to me back in the 4.x days as Android was still IMO catching up with iOS and ironing out various bugs (Bluetooth problems etc) and it drove me up the wall waiting for the likes of HTC and Samsung to catch up. Hence when I switched to the iPhone 6, I swore that if I ever went back to Android, it'd be a Nexus. And so it was (5X, which was too janky, then 6P which is perfect) My experience since then has been, yes I get Android 7 but it doesn't do much that I consider special over 6. The DPI adjustment is nice. The alt-tab-like instant app switch is nice. Neither are essential. Split screen would be nice but maybe 1 in 10 apps that I try with it even work with it (most say "app does not support split screen"). The general attitude with app developers and networks seems to be "no one has the latest Android as they all have Samsung phones, so we don't have to bother with it for a good 6-12 months" so there's actually limited benefit to having the latest after all. Couple this with the only way of having the latest now being to pay Apple prices, and it looks like I might as well let go of that notion (Assuming this is still how things are in 1-2 years when I upgrade from the 6P). Which makes me wonder how tempted I'm going to be to just go back to iPhones again. If you're going to pay iPhone prices anyway... (but probably won't, or would possibly switch to using second hand ones)

05-10-2016, 09:59	#108
Stuart_h Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,474	Quote: Originally Posted by jonmorris Watch the ad, and you'll see how Google is trying to mimic Apple here. You know the specs aren't up to scratch and there are many flaws, but you're supposed to get caught up in the hype. You're supposed to buy into the idea that Pixel is the 'best of Android' and it's not about the hardware but all the clever AI powering Google Assistant, and best-in-class VR. It does look very much that way. My point is that at that price range you are very much getting people to choose between the Note 7, S7, HTC10 and all the other flagships. Personally I'm not convinced that it stacks up too well against those. The Nexus phones were never expected to. I suspect that the devs and tinkerers will all move to the Chinese manufacturers of decent midrange phones. It's a gamble for Google. I guess we will find out in a couple of years whether it was a good one.

05-10-2016, 10:00	#109
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	I think the smart move (for Android users) is to look at the new generation of phones, mostly from China, that are 50% of the price but offer 90-95% of the features and performance. Yes, you may compromise on one or two things, but given the Pixel phones lack a card slot and other things, it's not as if you can say that spending the most money gets you everything on the list. Frankly, a Note 7 would be a better buy than the Pixel XL, even if you never used the S-Pen once.

05-10-2016, 10:04	#110
Cloudane Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 870	Has there been any indication whether Google Assistant (voice version, not Allo version) is coming to Nexus phones? Wondering if they're playing the Apple "you're gonna need the latest hardware for this for no reason" card.

05-10-2016, 10:11	#111
Stuart_h Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,474	Quote: Originally Posted by Cloudane Has there been any indication whether Google Assistant (voice version, not Allo version) is coming to Nexus phones? Wondering if they're playing the Apple "you're gonna need the latest hardware for this for no reason" card. You get Google assistant of sorts if you install Allo. As with many of these things (such as siri and cortana) it's a leap to start barking orders at your phone. Out of all the things yesterday it's Google Home that interests me the most. Phones were overpriced. The VR seemed just like a cloth version of cardboard (but for £70). Home, if/when it ever comes to the UK, is the only thing I'm likely to buy out of the whole lot. This year's phone upgrade money will go on a Mavic instead. Looks way more fun than having assistant on my phone

05-10-2016, 10:14	#112
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Quote: Originally Posted by Cloudane Has there been any indication whether Google Assistant (voice version, not Allo version) is coming to Nexus phones? Wondering if they're playing the Apple "you're gonna need the latest hardware for this for no reason" card. Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app. Xda-developers is saying there are unique APIs for the Pixel phones, which could make it incompatible. In which case, yes, Google is doing this to make you buy its phone over others. Interestingly, Android 7.1 is going out as a beta to Nexus phones soon, with a view to releasing it in 2017. So it seems that as of now, Nexus users will have to wait for updates like any other phone user. Taking the **** much, Google? Quote: Originally Posted by Stuart_h You get Google assistant of sorts if you install Allo. As with many of these things (such as siri and cortana) it's a leap to start barking orders at your phone. Out of all the things yesterday it's Google Home that interests me the most. Phones were overpriced. The VR seemed just like a cloth version of cardboard (but for £70). Home, if/when it ever comes to the UK, is the only thing I'm likely to buy out of the whole lot. This year's phone upgrade money will go on a Mavic instead. Looks way more fun than having assistant on my phone Google Home is coming to the UK next year, so that could well be nice. Google seems to think that VR and the Assistant will have people foaming at the mouth and fighting to get their orders in. Does anyone believe that will be the case?

05-10-2016, 10:20	#113
Stuart_h Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,474	Quote: Originally Posted by jonmorris Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app. Xda-developers is saying there are unique APIs for the Pixel phones, which could make it incompatible. In which case, yes, Google is doing this to make you buy its phone over others. Interestingly, Android 7.1 is going out as a beta to Nexus phones soon, with a view to releasing it in 2017. So it seems that as of now, Nexus users will have to wait for updates like any other phone user. Taking the **** much, Google? Google Home is coming to the UK next year, so that could well be nice. Google seems to think that VR and the Assistant will have people foaming at the mouth and fighting to get their orders in. Does anyone believe that will be the case? To be honest VR is fun on a £15 cardboard lot. Assistant i see much more useful as Home than as something on my phone.

05-10-2016, 10:32	#114
Cloudane Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 870	Quote: Originally Posted by Stuart_h You get Google assistant of sorts if you install Allo. As with many of these things (such as siri and cortana) it's a leap to start barking orders at your phone. Hence I said "other than the Allo version" It's not a leap at all, Google Now (with its boring robotic responses) lets you bark orders at it already - if they're going to start saying you need the latest hardware to manage it then congratulations to Google for managing to become as bad as Apple. (Speaking of which, what's so special about the new VR that that requires specific hardware, when Cardboard has already been working just fine on older phones) Quote: Originally Posted by jonmorris Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app. Wow. They've really gone full Apple. Screw this, Google has become greedy, may well end up going back - if you're going to get screwed anyway, you might as well at least have the privacy and better network support that iOS get you (plus usually an extra year or so of updates). I don't mind giving Google my data for lower costs, that's a tradeoff I know about and have agreed to make, but if they're going to charge those sort of prices, use the same BS tactics as Apple, etc then there's just no reason to give my data away as well.

05-10-2016, 11:44	#115
ceepan Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 58	Quote: Originally Posted by jonmorris Apparently not, and it may well be that you'll need to root your phone if you want to add it - because it would need to be a system app. It is going to be exclusive to he Pixel phones initially (http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10...panding-later/). I suspect that it will become available to Nexus phones at some point in the future. They need to provide some exclusive features if it is going to be a success. The changelog (http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10...usive-changes/) for Android 7.1 shows what is Pixel exclusive and what will be available to all. I personally think that the pricing is too high and won't be upgrading my Nexus 6P.

05-10-2016, 13:29	#116
Cloudane Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 870	Quote: Originally Posted by ceepan They need to provide some exclusive features if it is going to be a success. True. Much like a few iDevice releases in the past, they need to do that as there isn't enough incentive (innovation to cost ratio) for the device to be a success on its own merits.

05-10-2016, 14:25	#117
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Cloudane True. Much like a few iDevice releases in the past, they need to do that as there isn't enough incentive (innovation to cost ratio) for the device to be a success on its own merits. I think you are right. If you want to take on the likes of Apple and come straight into the market place with a product in the same price category, then you need to be darned sure you are not only matching the opposition on build and spec, you also have to be offering something extra. Whilst the Google phone is interesting and no doubt well built, I suspect the pricing will put off many potential customers. I would have thought you need to tempt your initial following with a 'teaser price'. Once you are established in the market place that is when you are able to charge a premium for your product.

05-10-2016, 14:35	#118
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Quote: Originally Posted by Faust I think you are right. If you want to take on the likes of Apple and come straight into the market place with a product in the same price category, then you need to be darned sure you are not only matching the opposition on build and spec, you also have to be offering something extra. Whilst the Google phone is interesting and no doubt well built, I suspect the pricing will put off many potential customers. I would have thought you need to tempt your initial following with a 'teaser price'. Once you are established in the market place that is when you are able to charge a premium for your product. Well it was actually built by HTC who lets face it need the money. Quote: Jeff Gordon, Senior Global Online Communications Manager at HTC, confirmed to us via e-mail that "HTC is Google’s manufacturing partner for the Pixel." http://www.phonearena.com/news/Confi...by-HTC_id86174

05-10-2016, 14:47	#119
Jimmy_Carter Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 259	Does the pixel phone have things you can't live without just like the iPhone 7?

05-10-2016, 16:20	#120
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Is there anyone that didn't know HTC made it? HTC started out making phones for other people, so it's not a big deal. HTC gets paid, and presumably paid quite well.

05-10-2016, 16:25	#121
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by Everything Goes Well it was actually built by HTC who lets face it need the money. http://www.phonearena.com/news/Confi...by-HTC_id86174 Yes I am fully aware of the manufacturer, at least for this year. However, at this price point where does it deal a knockout blow to either the S7/S7 Edge or iPhone 7 or 7plus? Personally the fact it can interact as a VR has absolutely zero appeal, ditto the AI.

DS Forums

Google Pixel (Nexus) phones unveiled on 4th October

05-10-2016, 16:28	#122
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	There's one thing in Google's favour. Besides giving our free devices to the press, the fact it's now the 'best' of Android, means that in the blogosphere there are many people I know who have reluctantly ordered one because, ultimately, they'll need one for their blogs, videos, features and comparisons. What might help is that if everyone in the tech world ends up with one, with the obligatory comparisons with the iPhone at any given moment, the Pixel brand will become quite well known. At least in the communities that follow said tech press, which makes me wonder how Google will do in the 'outside world'.

05-10-2016, 17:44	#123
aurichie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5,100	Quote: Originally Posted by Cloudane True. Much like a few iDevice releases in the past, they need to do that as there isn't enough incentive (innovation to cost ratio) for the device to be a success on its own merits. When I think about it yesterday, the event was remarkably thin on marketing reasons why people who own old Nexus devices should upgrade. Perhaps it's unfair to draw comparisons with Apple, but I do like the way they detail the hardware improvements and explain it in human terms. i.e. the processor is twice as fast as last years, which leads to this (presentation of an app that takes advantage of the new capabilities), it also has smart switching between high performance and battery efficiency - which gets you on average x hours more battery use. They'll tell you about the aperture and then explain in human terms why it's an update you'll appreciate with your photography. They really do a great job of selling you on the new hardware and mix in a bit about what they've done in combination with software to seal the deal. I guess Google has less opportunity to do this kind of thing because the guts is all generic stuff other Android phones have. While in the iPhone, at least some of it is exclusive made for Apple by Apple (at least designed). Yes Google did do some of this with the photography section yesterday, but there was little all else. Apple has slowly been stepping away from unnecessarily cutting new software features from older devices. Mainly these days the stuff you can't use is because of hardware such as 3D Touch and rise to wake both having dependencies on newer hardware components. I guess they realised it creates ill-feeling with customers to make them feel like you are purposefully screwing them over by cutting them off from features their existing phone is quite capable of executing. All of that being said, I am happy Google is now trying to create flagship devices that deliver a pure Android experience with great hardware. Until now the choice has been pure Android with middle of the road hardware, or loads of crap layered on top of Android with much more exciting and capable hardware. There is no longer a conflict in my mind. If i decide I want to buy an Android device, I know that device will be a Pixel.

05-10-2016, 18:41	#124
Cloudane Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 870	Apple is good at the marketing stuff, yes. Quote: Originally Posted by aurichie Apple has slowly been stepping away from unnecessarily cutting new software features from older devices. Mainly these days the stuff you can't use is because of hardware such as 3D Touch and rise to wake both having dependencies on newer hardware components. I guess they realised it creates ill-feeling with customers to make them feel like you are purposefully screwing them over by cutting them off from features their existing phone is quite capable of executing. They're not as bad as they were for this, and yeah maybe they've caught on that it bothers people. On the other hand I have to question what special hardware 'rise to wake' needs - it's already had an accelerometer and gyroscope for quite a while...

05-10-2016, 19:21	#125
1manonthebog Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,332	Quote: Originally Posted by Faust It's a premium phone that can easily compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple. For that type of device you can expect to pay premium prices. In terms of build etc. it appears to be a huge step up from the Nexus 5x. Not everyone wants to pay premium prices which is I guess why many people choose Android. At the end of the day you buy what you want or can afford. Yep and we all know how the Lumia 950 went and the Blackberry Priv, Only Apple and more recently Samsung can get away with charging this amount.