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

#201

Post by jusben1369 » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:56 PM UTC

benologist wrote: post #121

jusben1369 wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given that we all know headlines are made for clicking, I think it's pretty clear why this time is very different vs the previous 10 years: "He notes that the company is now managing inventory, building relationships with carriers, sourcing components, making supply chain deals and managing distribution. Google is even making accessories, including cases and cables." This article isn't about the technical approach, i…

Isn't that what literally every android manufacturer has been doing since day 1? Google doing it "too" doesn't sound like a game changer.

Well every other manufacturer has looked to Google (largely) for the sw and built the hw. It's this bundling together of the two that's being presented as unique and is different to every other Android manufacturer.

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

#202

Post by hocuspocus » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:56 PM UTC

The pricing has been copied 1:1 from that of the iPhone 7. Whether in USD, CAD, GBP or EUR: exact same figures.

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

#203

Post by tdkl » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:57 PM UTC

chirau wrote: post #164

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.

They do, made by Chinese (Xiaomi for example). They don't boast with 12k screens, 32mpix cameras, but are rather simple and perform fine for daily apps, while costing from 120-250€ and sporting expandable storage/2nd SIM and huge battery (3500-4000mAh). They don't perhaps bump the Android version, but basically all phones released in last 2 years will get MIUI 8, with Android monthly security fixes.

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

#204

Post by Morgawr » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:57 PM UTC

mrspeaker wrote: post #161

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?

The usual sporadic usage of Google now with voice controls, for me, comes from playing music and setting up alarms/reminders. I like waking up in the morning and going "Ok Google, play some music". If I had a more integrated system (right now I just have a Pixel C tablet that I use to listen to music, not the best) with Google Home and the appropriate stuff then I would probably use it more. I also get especially frustrated when I have to repeat my "Ok Google" trigger like 5-6 times before it catches on but I think that might be due to the poor reception + distance of my tablet which is a bit sloppy.

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

#205

Post by jusben1369 » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

MBCook wrote: post #150

jusben1369 wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Given that we all know headlines are made for clicking, I think it's pretty clear why this time is very different vs the previous 10 years: "He notes that the company is now managing inventory, building relationships with carriers, sourcing components, making supply chain deals and managing distribution. Google is even making accessories, including cases and cables." This article isn't about the technical approach, i…

It's different, but it doesn't mean it's an iPhone killer. MS started making their own hardware and it certainly helped push the market but the Sufarce never turned into the 'iPad killer' that tons of sites decided to declare it. It's a new Android phone, Google was heavily involved (more than the Nexus line). That's it. That's not bad , but it doesn't automatically make something an X killer .

Wasn't saying it was an iPhone killer. Actually specifically said I have no idea. More addressing OP's questioning that there was anything of real import in the article.

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

#206

Post by ing33k » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

bobajeff wrote: post #137

davidw wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My Nexus 4 from several years back keeps getting timely updates. And still works pretty well.

My Nexus 6 from only a couple of years back however doesn't have Nougat and doesn't look like it's going to. It still work great though.

I had opted for android beta and got Nougat update just few hrs ago.

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

#207

Post by blktiger » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

MBCook wrote: post #144

rayiner wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Recently, Apple has been about a year ahead. Compare the A9 (which shipped in the 6s in fall 2015) with the Snapdragon 810 (which shipped in the Nexus 6p at the same time). http://www.anandtech.com/show/9837/snapdragon-820-preview/2 http://www.anandtech.com/show/9686/the-apple-iphone-6s-and-i... . Heck, in many cases the A9 leaves the Snapdragon 820 behind, and that hasn't even shipped in a Nexus phone yet (the Pixel…

The A10 smokes it even worse. The best Android phones are competitive in multi-core performance only because they have 2x many cores as Apple.

Even then, you're going to be paying in battery performance.

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

#208

Post by neals » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:58 PM UTC

I don't like Google because they're gonna use my data against me.

I don't like Apple because it's a walled garden and millions other reasons.

I don't like Samsung because they bloat Android.

I don't like Huawei because I don't trust the Chinese government to not do stuff to it.

I don't like LG and HTC because the smartphone market is slipping away from them.

Am I just getting old?

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

#209

Post by guelo » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:59 PM UTC

MBCook wrote: post #158

guelo wrote: post #89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not true for this phone.

Do you have a source for that? It doesn't have a track record (for obvious reasons). Has Google promised the carriers don't get to interfere this time?

"Pixel ships with the newest Android operating system, Android 7.1 Nougat. Phones will get software and security updates as soon as they’re available, directly from Google. " https://blog.google/products/pixel/introducing-pixel-our-new...

It's the same as Nexus phones, carriers did not interfere with them.

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

#210

Post by djhworld » Tue, Oct 04, 2016, 5:59 PM UTC

The price makes me a bit sad tbh

One of the best things about the Nexus range was they offered the Google vision of android at a reasonable price. The Nexus 4, 5 and 6 were affordable.

I purchased my Nexus 5 for a shade below £300 when it came out, which I thought was excellent value for money in comparison to how much I had paid for a Samsung previously.

This Pixel line seems to have abandoned that ideal to compete directly with the iPhone.

Personally I'd feel very uncomfortable walking around with a £600+ phone.