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Android O Beta Program

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Re: Android O Beta Program

#71

Post by plaguuuuuu »

MichaelGG wrote: post #26
schwank wrote: post #8

My Nexus 6P died last night after Given the short support curve for most Android devices from Google and especially from third parties, that device is quite likely to be an iPhone. What was unthinkable to me just a few short years ago is now reality... I type this on a MBP and I might be convert my phone platform now as well. A true testament to the constant change in the marketplace, and the need to evaluate based o…

Blu makes seemingly decent phones at the 100-250$ range, unlocked, on Amazon. Cameras don't seem amazing, but neither is the Nexus 5 camera.

It's weird but I sort of miss the Nexus 5 camera. A lot of my photos came out quite nicely despite its technical limitations. My 6P's camera is much more accurate, but also pretty bland in terms of colour and tone.

Re: Android O Beta Program

#72

Post by dotancohen »

jknightco wrote: post #9
schwank wrote: post #8

My Nexus 6P died last night after Given the short support curve for most Android devices from Google and especially from third parties, that device is quite likely to be an iPhone. What was unthinkable to me just a few short years ago is now reality... I type this on a MBP and I might be convert my phone platform now as well. A true testament to the constant change in the marketplace, and the need to evaluate based o…

Just to provide a counterpoint: I'm still rocking a 3.5 year old Nexus 5 with almost zero evidence of its age (the battery discharges a bit faster than it used to but it's not noticeable enough to even warrant a new battery).

I have the same experience with my Note 3. This three-year-old device still works better than most new phones, except for drastically shorter battery life.

Two colleagues also still use this device, and one is contemplating replacing it because the latest Facebook app won't run on his Android 4.3, and he is not receiving a carrier update. My Note 3 is updated to Android 5.0.

Re: Android O Beta Program

#73

Post by cale250 »

tbrock wrote: post #63
forkbomb_ wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The real issue for the Nexus 6 is that Qualcomm has completely abandoned their 32-bit mobile platforms. Look for "8084" here: https://wiki.codeaurora.org/xwiki/bin/QAEP/release - the Snapdragon 805 hasn't received a release since August 2016. So, Google did an in-house bringup for 7.0 - and "normal" OEMs aren't able to do that. Qualcomm usually provides a lot of pre-compiled binaries to the OEM, which either require…

Cool but Apple's 32 bit iPhones still get updates and also use Qualcomm chips... What's the difference in how they operate with suppliers?

Qualcomm CPUs. Modems are different and probably a lot less complex driver-wise, and thus easier and cheaper to support for Qualcomm.

Re: Android O Beta Program

#74

Post by microtonal »

DaveSapien wrote: post #56
jknightco wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just to provide a counterpoint: I'm still rocking a 3.5 year old Nexus 5 with almost zero evidence of its age (the battery discharges a bit faster than it used to but it's not noticeable enough to even warrant a new battery).

Echoing this with a Note4, I get updates from Samsung almost every month (bi-monthly for the most part). Runs brilliantly.

It's great that it gets security updates, but these are updates for a 2015 operating system (Marshmallow). It is extremely sad that I device from 2014 with an $800 introduction price does not get the yearly Android updates beyond 2015.

For comparison, my iPhone 5s (that I recently replaced) from 2013, received iOS 10 and was still butter-smooth [1]. It will most likely also get iOS 11 this year.

tl;dr: you should expect/demand more from a device that almost costs a grand.

[1] I replaced it because I wanted more storage and live photos.

Re: Android O Beta Program

#75

Post by microtonal »

MichaelGG wrote: post #26
schwank wrote: post #8

My Nexus 6P died last night after Given the short support curve for most Android devices from Google and especially from third parties, that device is quite likely to be an iPhone. What was unthinkable to me just a few short years ago is now reality... I type this on a MBP and I might be convert my phone platform now as well. A true testament to the constant change in the marketplace, and the need to evaluate based o…

Blu makes seemingly decent phones at the 100-250$ range, unlocked, on Amazon. Cameras don't seem amazing, but neither is the Nexus 5 camera.

You mean this Blu?:

https://arstechnica.com/security/2016/11/chinese-company-ins...

Re: Android O Beta Program

#76

Post by on_and_off »

thatcherc wrote: post #25
on_and_off wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My 6P encountered severe battery issues (apparently a common issue). Google replaced it. You might want to try to do the same.

Was that while it was still in warranty? Mine N6P started dying at ~20% about a month after my warranty expired and I'm thinking about trying to get a replacement.

It was 2 months after the end of the warranty and I often hear people getting their 6P replaced because of that. A 1-2 years phone should not be unuseable and Google acknowledged that.

Re: Android O Beta Program

#77

Post by mdekkers »

biokoda wrote: post #68
schwank wrote: post #8

My Nexus 6P died last night after Given the short support curve for most Android devices from Google and especially from third parties, that device is quite likely to be an iPhone. What was unthinkable to me just a few short years ago is now reality... I type this on a MBP and I might be convert my phone platform now as well. A true testament to the constant change in the marketplace, and the need to evaluate based o…

One plus is the best choice. Great hardware, reasonable price, up-to-date Android no horrible skins on top of stock.

I love my Oneplus 2

Re: Android O Beta Program

#78

Post by gman99 »

ClassyJacket wrote: post #57
spun wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Aren't we comparing apples and oranges here? This is the O Beta. I'm sure O will be supported on the Nexus 6 once it's officially out.

Google has flat out said they won't support any devices past 18 months. The Pixel may not even receive any updates after O.

Well, to be explicit, they set the minimum timeframe. For example, the Nexus Player is still on the latest version of Android and will/should receive 'O'

(Not letting google off the hook here. What they're doing isn't great and they should do better. Just saying your statement isn't entirely correct)

Re: Android O Beta Program

#79

Post by bergie »

losvedir wrote: post #52

I did this beta program for Android N back in the day but had to revert because, uh, Pokemon Go didn't work on it. I'm embarrassed to admit I'm still playing.... but can anyone confirm whether Pokemon Go works for them on the Android O beta?

Seems to work fine on the O beta (Nexus 6P)

Re: Android O Beta Program

#80

Post by dx034 »

forkbomb_ wrote: post #44
taeric wrote: post #6

No nexus 6 support. Sad face. The shelf life of phones is embarrassingly low. For no apparent reason.

The real issue for the Nexus 6 is that Qualcomm has completely abandoned their 32-bit mobile platforms. Look for "8084" here: https://wiki.codeaurora.org/xwiki/bin/QAEP/release - the Snapdragon 805 hasn't received a release since August 2016. So, Google did an in-house bringup for 7.0 - and "normal" OEMs aren't able to do that. Qualcomm usually provides a lot of pre-compiled binaries to the OEM, which either require…

A manufacturer should have contracts with vendors to update software for at least 3 years after production has been stopped. It will cost more (which is why most manufacturers don't do it) but would be an easy way to establish compatibility similar to Apple devices. I'm sure Apple has contracts like this in place with all manufacturers they use.
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