Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone • Hacker News Board

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#161

Post by mrspeaker » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:39 PM UTC

geodel wrote: post #86

I think it is just me but I find this 'book me a concert and fancy dinner' schtick rather boring. May be well off people are so busy and book these things so often that these virtual assistant really save time if price is of no concern to them.

Does anybody actually use these virtual assistants? They seem like the bluetooth dongle of the mid-2000s - friends wouldn't let friends use them. Is it just for people who drive? Or will there be a tipping point when it won't seem so arrogant barking commands on the subway or in a quiet office?

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#162

Post by camillomiller » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:39 PM UTC

bduerst wrote: post #127

geodel wrote: post #86

I think it is just me but I find this 'book me a concert and fancy dinner' schtick rather boring. May be well off people are so busy and book these things so often that these virtual assistant really save time if price is of no concern to them.

Eh, it's boilerplate. Supposedly it's open for integration with mobile apps, so you could say 'Order ahead my usual at Philz', and it would ask you back, 'Order a large tesora for pickup at Philz Coffee in Santa Clara in 15 minutes?', to which you say 'yes'. Theoretically, anyways.

I think so too, but it's still "sloppy writing". They can at least try and be a bit creative with that. It's really not exciting at all.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#163

Post by camillomiller » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:41 PM UTC

johnward wrote: post #119

The camera doesn't stick out the back of the phone and become the main contact point for all surfaces. This is true innovation :)

I don't get these recurring jabs at Apple. Why bother? It comes out as some sort of inferiority complex.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#164

Post by chirau » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:41 PM UTC

I'd have thought that with innovation and greater availability of components, smartphones would become cheaper. Instead, I experience quite the opposite with all these new devices.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#165

Post by satysin » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:41 PM UTC

All sounds good on paper (or video) but £599 entry price?! Now that is courage.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#166

Post by tux1968 » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

josteink wrote: post #91

bluehawk wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not. My nexus 6 was fun when it was new, but I've kinda grown tired of how enormous it is. I feel like 5.5 would be perfect for me.

I have a 5.2" (Nexus 5X) and I still want something smaller.

Exact same situation here. Portability is much more important than an immersive experience for my use. Many people spend a lot more time on their phones than me though. I only use mine when on the move and would much rather be on a laptop once settled.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#167

Post by bobajeff » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:43 PM UTC

mikestew wrote: post #13

And yet not a single hard detail in the article as to why the headline might be true. For going on ten years we've seen the "iPhone killers" come and go, and this article does nothing to tell me why this time it will be different. Perhaps because it won't be. Of what very few details the article outlines, they just go on about nifty hardware. Have we not learned by now that cool hardware still sucks when hamstrung by…

Have never had an iPhone but I've exclusively used phones that have the stock Android experience (Moto G, Nexus 6). And to me nothing that Google has shown today is at a all threat to Apple (or Samsung for that matter).

The only interesting thing in the whole presentation was the talk about AI which isn't really even anything that has to do with the hardware but the servers that it connects to.

Maybe if they released a 4" phone or a standalone smartwatch they'd have something special. But two generic phones? Meh.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#168

Post by satysin » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:44 PM UTC

Camera doesn't have OIS. That is a disappointment considering the price.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#169

Post by pasbesoin » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:44 PM UTC

camillomiller wrote: post #163

johnward wrote: post #119

The camera doesn't stick out the back of the phone and become the main contact point for all surfaces. This is true innovation :)

I don't get these recurring jabs at Apple. Why bother? It comes out as some sort of inferiority complex.

My first thought was my Nexus 5X.

Fortunately, the slim case I have produces a raised lip around the camera bump, so that if I'm careful, I'm not scraping and scratching the protective glass against every surface I set the phone down on.

Re: Behind the Pixel: Google’s First Real Threat to Apple’s iPhone

#170

Post by tux1968 » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:44 PM UTC

tomtheelder wrote: post #147

jray wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The ideal size: between 4.5" - 4.7"

Depends how big your hands are. I have a 5.0" inch and can use the whole screen no problem one handed no problem. 4.5-4.7" would exclusively be a downgrade for me.

It's not just how it feels in your hand, it's how easy it is to tuck away in a pocket. Unless you carry a purse or wear some sort of belt clip, a phone can get quite annoying to tote around.