Project Fi by Google • Hacker News Board

Re: Project Fi by Google

#361

Post by Vraxx » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:37 PM UTC

pyrocat wrote: post #349

warfangle wrote: post #289

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not only that, but because it switches to the faster provider, and assuming that Project Fi pays out to providers based on percentage of service used, it's much more in Tmo/Sprint's best interests to upgrade their service - considering the switch to their competitor is automatic and based on quality.

That's a pretty big assumption.

Seems like a reasonable assumption to me. I doubt they pay a flat rate to all providers they borrow from with Google charging by the 100 MB.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#362

Post by jcdoll » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:39 PM UTC

yunong wrote: post #206

This is great. I was hoping the data charges would be cheaper. The T-mobile $30 prepaid plan gives you unlimited data with the first 5 gigs at LTE speeds. You also get 100 minutes. This works incredibly well for me as I mostly use my phone for data. If I need to make a call, I'll use google hangouts over LTE.

Ditto, it is a great but not very well known option.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#363

Post by rlu » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:40 PM UTC

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…

Ahhh soooo annoying that it requires a Nexus 6. This sounds so awesome but I do not want a 6" phone. I'm hoping the next Nexus phone will have a smaller variant (and it will undoubtedly support Project Fi)

Re: Project Fi by Google

#364

Post by foobarqux » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:41 PM UTC

pbhjpbhj wrote: post #300

foobarqux wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They invest the float. edit: Removed reference to cash conversion cycle because it doesn't really have anything to do with that.

I find this sort of thing really quite clever - I wonder how much of a factor it is in the decision process, do they tailor it in specifically or is it just a nice extra; what sort of money are we talking? My best guess with 2mins of [re]search: Let's suppose they hold on average $10 per month per customer that's unused, Nexus 5 sold between 3-5 million units, apparently. So for Nexus 6's on their Fi plan they're lik…

Yeah, although they probably invest the float, the main reasoning for the decision is likely consumer psychology as described by richardoughtery

Re: Project Fi by Google

#365

Post by akgerber » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:42 PM UTC

dntrkv wrote: post #81

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…

They are not really competing in all of those industries, they might have a crazy project they are attempting, but they aren't really competition. Auto industry? I'm assuming you mean self driving cars, which, at this point, are still in the concept phase. Space industry? Did I miss something, is Google launching rockets? There are many other companies that are way more diversified than Google. http://en.wikipedia.or…

Chaebol are a whole 'nother level of diversified. Samsung sells smartphones and theme parks and ships and insurance and ...

Re: Project Fi by Google

#366

Post by hayksaakian » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:43 PM UTC

This (metered data) seems anti-thetical to google

Google wants you to use the internet as much as possible.

They want you to use google search, watch youtube videos, check gmail, write google documents.

Now you're discouraged from doing all those things due to metered data.

The Business Model of Google Fi seems extremely short sighted,

-----

For context: I'm using metroPCS with a nexus 5. I get Unlimited 4G on T-Mobile's network for $60/month.

They Offer lower amounts of data (ex: 5 GB) for $50 per month but after 5 GB you just get 3G data.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#367

Post by dubcanada » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:45 PM UTC

Their roaming cost for data, is actually less then I would pay for data with a Canadian company. If it wasn't for the voice (and only 3g), I would totally sign up.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#368

Post by Havoc » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:45 PM UTC

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…

>or find the video incredibly unhelpful

Watched the video via reddit...NICE smooth style...still not idea wtf they're on about though. Oh well...hn comments will know. Sure enough...top comment is a comment expecting people to arrive here confused. So much for clear google marketing.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#369

Post by raisedbyninjas » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:48 PM UTC

wlesieutre wrote: post #193

ikeboy wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://www.straighttalk.com/wps/portal/home/shop/serviceplan... has a 3GB plan for a year at $41.25 per month. Google's pricing for the same amount is $50 per month. So the question is whether all the new features (wifi calling, international roaming, pay-for-usage) justify the extra $9, plus the cost of a new phone for those without a Nexus 6. (Wifi calling should probably be left out of that list, since it's most l…

T-Mobile has a 5GB (LTE) + unlimited (slowed after 5GB) plan for $30/month. It only has 100 minutes, but you can use Google Voice or similar over data. And who talks on the phone anymore anyway?

I have this plan because I don't use a lot of voice service. I try to use Google Voice through Hangouts to avoid going over the limit anyway. IME call quality is garbage on both a good wifi or good a LTE signal.

Re: Project Fi by Google

#370

Post by raisedbyninjas » Wed, Apr 22, 2015, 8:51 PM UTC

ikeboy wrote: post #210

wlesieutre wrote: post #193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

T-Mobile has a 5GB (LTE) + unlimited (slowed after 5GB) plan for $30/month. It only has 100 minutes, but you can use Google Voice or similar over data. And who talks on the phone anymore anyway?

The reason I mentioned Straight Talk was that it works with all 4 main US carriers. T-Mobile doesn't have service everywhere. >And who talks on the phone anymore anyway? I know a number of people who wouldn't buy a plan unless it had unlimited minutes. Some people use their phones for talking heavily.

Straight Talk is compatible with multiple carriers but still makes you select a single carrier though right? Google Fi will jump between carriers dynamically. Tmobile coverage is spotty around here but I've had good luck with Sprint in the past, so I'm optimistic.