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Project Fi by Google

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Re: Project Fi by Google

#131

Post by awalGarg »

pbiggar wrote: post #50
kirinan wrote: post #8

This is insane. I can't think of an industry that google is not trying to compete in. Auto industry, space industry, internet of things industry (Nest), internet/media industry, cable/internet provider industry, automobile industry, robotics industry, software industry, smartphone industry, pc industry now the telecom industry. I'm starting to expect Google to launch an airline here pretty soon. How can they possibly…

This looks to me like a pure "commoditize your complements" play. All of Google's products require great mobile internet everywhere. By getting involved in that market, they can help make it much more competitive (at the moment, cell reception is expensive and shit). It's like Google Code. Google didn't particularly want to be in that business, but Sourceforge was complete shit, and the open source ecosystem was key…

Same with the new Pixel. A device to inspire Chromebook makers to make better, more powerful Chromebooks. And they (Google) themselves said that they don't aim to sell a ton of Pixels and make a lot of money out of it. I think they do it fairly.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#132

Post by yellowapple »

wiremine wrote: post #92

For those who don't want to read the FAQ or find the video incredibly unhelpful [1]: a. It only supports the Nexus 6 out of the gate. b. It automatically switches you to the "fastest" network available. Partners out of the gate are Sprint and T-mobile. Sounds like it prefers Wifi, then 4G LTE, and then degrades down to 3G or 2G. c. Pricing is $20 for unlimited talk (domestic) and text (domestic and international) and…

The FAQ isn't particularly helpful, considering that instead of directly answering the FAQs, Google just kind of weasels its way around them.

For example: "Q: Does moving between networks affect my battery life? A: We like full batteries too. Our software is optimized to not put extra strain on your battery by only moving you between networks when absolutely necessary."

Just say "Yes", Google. Just say fucking "Yes". It's not that fucking hard to say fucking "Yes".

Another example: "Q: When will Project Fi support other smartphones? A: The Nexus 6 is the first smartphone that supports Project Fi's network of networks. During Project Fi's Early Access Program we plan to only support the Nexus 6."

That doesn't answer the question at all. The question asks "when", and Google just resorts to repeating the same exact information that prompted the question in the first place.

Google does understand the point of FAQs, right? To answer common questions about things? Or are they too busy half-assing their Fiber rollout and building self-driving cars to stop and notice how much they suck at giving straight answers to even the questions that they fucking wrote?

Re: Project Fi by Google

#133

Post by toomuchtodo »

amaks wrote: post #80
vigneshv_psg wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FWIW, T-Mobile in the US already has the exact same offering [1]. Their plan has free texts and 2g data in 120+ countries. Calls cost 20 cents per minute. [1] http://www.t-mobile.com/optional-services/roaming.html

Yes, but 2g data is barely if at all usable.

Works enough for iMessages, Google Maps, Uber, online banking apps, booking hostels, hotels, airlines, etc.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#134

Post by DINKDINK »

vinay427 wrote: post #77

Unfortunately they haven't launched family plans yet, so I would be paying more than I do with T-mobile for virtually the same plan (in addition to Sprint coverage, which isn't all that useful in my area). Hopefully it comes soon.

Agreed, These offerings are competitive if you have a Nexus 6 (or want to buy one) and don't have a family plan.

Rates on T-Mobile can get down to $25/2.5Gb of data/month

Re: Project Fi by Google

#135

Post by trequartista »

My current AT&T plan gives me unlimited calling and text along with 15GB of data per month for $90. Fi would definitely be expensive for me for the same data usage. I've signed up for an invite nonetheless (I have a Nexus 6) and interested to see how it goes.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#136

Post by akhilcacharya »

_stephan wrote: post #9

The body font ("RoboDraft", #757575) is somewhat unreadable (not enough contrast) on a Chrome/Windows 7 machine with a 1920x1200 display.

I've been having this problem for a while. Reading Google Play descriptions are nearly impossible on default scaling.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#138

Post by toomuchtodo »

eli wrote: post #117
kqr2 wrote: post #34

Republic Wireless has been doing hybrid wifi / cell calling for some time: https://republicwireless.com/ Their unlimited 3G plan is $25. Republic Wireless is owned by Bandwidth.com which also manages Google Voice numbers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandwidth.com

So has T-Mobile. Any sufficiently fast wifi network becomes a mini network tower. It's a great idea.

To offload to wifi, the wifi doesn't even need to be fast. Voice traffic uses very little bandwidth. The connection simply must have low packet loss and as little latency as possible.

When in non-T-mobile coverage areas, I use my Verizon hotspot for wifi calling with my T-Mobile iPhone, even if the hotspot can only provide 2/3G.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#139

Post by wting »

For family plans T-Mobile's Simple Choice Plan beats Google Fi in most respects:

- No contract

- Unlimited domestic talk, intl talk from US to ~100 countries

- Competitive intl talk

- Unlimited domestic + intl text

- 2.5GB 4G LTE data

- Unlimited domestic + intl 2G data (128Kbps vs Google's 3G 256Kbps)

- Use any GSM phone, not just Nexus 6

- Phones purchased from T-Mobile come with Wi-Fi calling

Most of my family members portion is $30 / mo. Some higher bandwidth users pay $40 / mo for 4.5GB LTE and data rollover. Our family travels a lot in Asia, having unlimited data / text is really useful.

However Google Fi looks like it's really appealing for low usage, single individual plans.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#140

Post by kevincrane »

chintan wrote: post #109

"Once you get an invitation, you’ll also need a Nexus 6—the first smartphone to work with our network of networks. You can buy one from Project Fi when you sign up or bring one you already use." => seriously. its a "Device lockin" instead of "network lockin"

I think that's a hardware issue, not an attempt to lock you in. (I assume) you need something special in order to seamlessly switch between networks/wifi. That or it's their own way to filter out demand while they start slow and test it out.
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