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Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

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Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#441

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A bit sad and amusing that a physical jack is actually considered a feature now... what's next, removable battery? Expandable storage?

Notification LED.

A phone that I can drop from 5th floor and the only thing breaks is the pavement tile. :D (I am looking at you Nokia).

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#442
post #27

Has Audio Jack! (Comparison with other Pixel 4's) - https://store.google.com/magazine/compare_pixel?toggler0=Pix...

One of the biggest differences between the 4a and the older 4 and 4 XL is that the 4a has a rear fingerprint reader, whereas the 4 and 4 XL want you to use face unlock. So strange that this isn't emphasized (or even mentioned) on the comparison page. This was actually the primary thing that kept me on a Pixel 2 for so long, since it also has a similar rear fingerprint sensor design (and I just pre-ordered the Pixel 4…

I didn't know they'd removed the fingerprint sensor. I have a Pixel 2 and I'm happy with it. I don't have any compelling reason to upgrade, except that the screen has a small crack. I would have been disappointed if I'd splurged on a new one and had to use facial recognition to unlock it. I don't like having cameras on me. It's unsettling to interact with my devices that way. I also find that the ones I have used don't work as quickly or reliably as a fingerprint. The fingerprint motion is automatic as I pull it out of my pocket, and the majority of the time I'm glancing down at my hip to check for notifications; something like that wouldn't even work with facial recognition.

Now I'm definitely holding out to see what the 5 has, because if I can get 5G connectivity, I'm willing to switch, but I won't be jumping at it if there's no fingerprint sensor.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#443

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of the biggest differences between the 4a and the older 4 and 4 XL is that the 4a has a rear fingerprint reader, whereas the 4 and 4 XL want you to use face unlock. So strange that this isn't emphasized (or even mentioned) on the comparison page. This was actually the primary thing that kept me on a Pixel 2 for so long, since it also has a similar rear fingerprint sensor design (and I just pre-ordered the Pixel 4…

I didn't know they'd removed the fingerprint sensor. I have a Pixel 2 and I'm happy with it. I don't have any compelling reason to upgrade, except that the screen has a small crack. I would have been disappointed if I'd splurged on a new one and had to use facial recognition to unlock it. I don't like having cameras on me. It's unsettling to interact with my devices that way. I also find that the ones I have used don…

They'll also be producing a 4a with 5G connectivity, so there's always that option.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#444
post #429
post #395

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recently went back to an iPhone 6s while my iPhone XS was in for repairs. Boy, did I miss FaceID (though some of the pain was also due to the change in certain key combinations and gestures between home button and notch iPhones, I had to go back in time and re-learn some old habits). Why did I miss it? Because FaceID will unlock the notification area and its associated actions before I perform any action or even to…

Current Pixel 4 owner here, and former Pixel 2 owner, and I very much miss the fingerprint sensor. With a fingerprint sensor, the only time my phone would have any trouble unlocking would be if my finger was wet (trivial to fix and re-swipe). Face unlock fails all the time for all sorts of reasons, and is especially useless when I have a mask on (it's nice of Apple to detect masks and bring up the PIN pad without nee…

I have a Pixel 3 and a 2020 iPad Pro. I prefer the fingerprint by far.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#445
post #218

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a Pixel 3A a few months ago and my battery lasts 2 days without charging it. I use it for regular browsing, Instagram, twitter, and it is constantly using networks because I have Whatsapp always on on my computer.

I've been wondering for years what the hell people were doing with their phones to make them run out of battery in a day. I can't remember the last time any phone I've had got below 50% on a day with normal usage. I guess people play a lot of mobile games?

I'm playing podcasts and music using the phone's speakers at high volume and cellular data with poor reception. Drains my iPhone XS in about 8 hours. Using my AirPods instead of my phone doubles my battery life to a more reasonable 16 hours.

And yes, 8+ hours continuously streaming audio. My brain can't stand any long periods of silence.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#446
Can someone explain to me what the user benefit of 5G is? Is there anything that people typically do on their phones/with tethering right now that LTE is insufficient bandwidth for? Or is this just a plan by the carriers to encourage more really expensive usage, like convincing people to stream on their phones/tether all the time?

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#447

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I ended up making this jump. What I've found works best for me: - In the car I have a Bluetooth audio adapter for the aux in my older car. Works great. - In my backpack I have a pocket where I always leave a headphone adapter. I always put it back if I use it. - Bluetooth to Aux adapter with a small battery. Costs like $20 on Amazon and also lives in my backpack. Has saved my ass many times. Beyond that, I just own m…

I mean, I have a phone with an audio jack, and I plug my headphones into the audio jack and I am happy. How would you sell "no audio jack" to me? What's my gain here?

I'm not going to sell you on it, but I'm not the guy you responded to. Pixel 3, no head phone jack, never bothered me. I used bluetooth headphones when I still had a headphone jack.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#448
Fingerprint reader? Yes! Great. Audio Jack? Also yes!? Amazing!

Turns out faceID doesn't work great with people wearing face masks in these COVID times.

And people like me still like to use headphone jacks to connect to things like car audio systems etc.

If the 5 and 4A 5G come out with those features, I'll be first in line for one!

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#449

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I ended up making this jump. What I've found works best for me: - In the car I have a Bluetooth audio adapter for the aux in my older car. Works great. - In my backpack I have a pocket where I always leave a headphone adapter. I always put it back if I use it. - Bluetooth to Aux adapter with a small battery. Costs like $20 on Amazon and also lives in my backpack. Has saved my ass many times. Beyond that, I just own m…

it's definitely not the end of the world. spend a little money on some adapters, change some habits, and it's not really a huge inconvenience. the main issue for me is that bluetooth audio just doesn't sound very good. most of my music is in mp3, which pretty much guarantees a lossy-to-lossy transcode for bluetooth. the inline DAC adapters tend to be pretty bad as well. I don't really expect a high fidelity audio exp…

So just FYI if you do want a hi fi experience from your smartphone, I recommend this: https://www.nextdrive-spectra.io/

My phone does have a headphone jack but I still use one of these. The difference is not close to subtle.

Re: Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A

#450

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's one of those things that you don't think you'd need until you have had it, and then wonder why you've gone so far in life without it. As someone who constantly has to step away from my desk during the day, I don't have to think about charging the phone anymore. It automatically goes on the wireless stand (directly in front of me) when I'm back at my desk. I can be certain that if I choose to go out for the eveni…

Oh I see. But putting it in the charger all the time just makes the battery die more quickly, right? Though I see the value now if you don't care about that.

It might lose some life from keeping the battery at a high level, but it will gain life from using the battery less.

If you can keep it from charging too high, it's all upside.

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