Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A • Hacker News Board

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

#451

Post by ShamelessC » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:14 AM UTC

paulie_a wrote: post #438

ShamelessC wrote: post #366

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Security updates are nice but they all stop receiving new versions of Android way too soon. There's really no reason for this mostly. I mean some of the features in new versions of Android might require certain hardware like an onboard TPU, for instance, but mostly those versions of Android would work just fine on older phones.

Compared to what? Any other brand I never expect an upgrade. Even when they promise one. What it ships with is what it has forever.

iPhones

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

#452

Post by PascLeRasc » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:18 AM UTC

pixelmonkey wrote: post #374

malkia wrote: 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…

Same with the new iPhone SE. It's a front fingerprint reader, but it still felt like a big usability upgrade from the XS I had before. It's so easy to take your phone out and already have it unlocked, or even activate Apple Pay without looking. I'm sure the Pixel's fingerprint reader is the same story. Face ID was incredibly inconvenient when I was driving with someone else and they wanted to change the music playing on my phone, but with a fingerprint reader I don't have to take my eyes off the road.

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

#453

Post by fakename » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:19 AM UTC

aagha wrote: post #423

Interestingly, the 3a is selling for $399, $50 more than the 4a. [0] Also, the 4a doesn't have Fast Charging like the 3a. 0 - https://store.google.com/magazine/compare_pixel?toggler0=Pix...

The 3a is discontinued. Also, the 4a lists fast-charging on the product page: https://store.google.com/product/pixel_4a

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

#454

Post by PascLeRasc » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:21 AM UTC

FeepingCreature wrote: post #373

freeqaz wrote: post #363

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 don't think there is one. I noticed recently that after losing the headphone jack my behavior changed and I almost never listen to music through headphones on my phone anymore. I'm not sure if that's a positive change.

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

#455

Post by patmorgan23 » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:22 AM UTC

dungdang wrote: post #328

userbinator wrote: post #252

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?

no one claimed it was a feature. it has a jack, some phones don't, so they state it does. this does not mean 'feature.' it's a part of the spec, so they list it. it's not sad or bad or good -it just is. for me, i want just usb-c, and no headphone port is a plus. same for sd card, same for removable battery. i thought all of those were important to me, until i realized i haven't actually used any of this in 10 years.…

You should google the definition of feature

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

#456

Post by PascLeRasc » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:24 AM UTC

wutbrodo wrote: post #334

mschuetz wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was briefly considering buying an iphone for the first time ever, since I wanted a good camera phone. Scratched that idea when I learned that it didn't have an audio jack.

The Pixel cameras are supposedly incredible. My understanding is that there are usually one or two Android phones per-generation that are considered either slightly better or slightly worse than the iPhone's camera.

I thought the Pixel 1's camera was incredible. I still have the photos saved from using it for a few weeks and I don't think any iPhone I've had since has been as good.

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

#457

Post by thomspoon » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:24 AM UTC

paultopia wrote: post #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?

Lower latency, easier to place cells in public places due to a broader range of frequencies, better bandwidth. The lower latency part is what’s going to enable edge computing for AR/VR, autonomous driving (separate via V2V but related), and other functions that need low latency. Cell phones are just a bonus.

Also, a lot of telecoms are kind of ignoring 4g/lte deadspots in favor of just putting new NSA 5G cells it seems. I’m excited, but I’m also biased because I work in the industry.

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

#458

Post by PhantomGremlin » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:26 AM UTC

paultopia wrote: post #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?

I think it's just marketing bullshit.

More "G's" have to be better. so 5 "G's" are clearly better than 4. It's kinda like that great scene in the movie This is Spinal Tap. The amp "numbers all go to eleven". When pressed, the obvious advantage is "These go to eleven".

The average person couldn't explain what either LTE or 5G are.

I just ran a Speedtest on my phone and with a relatively weak signal I'm getting 10 Mbps download via LTE. Isn't that good enough for the latest cat GIF?

I think the industry wants 5G to deal with improved cell service in densely occupied places such as football stadiums. Well, that obviously won't be a priority for the next few years!

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

#459

Post by ksec » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:28 AM UTC

hocuspocus wrote: post #282

murermader wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even in countries were Pixel phones are distributed, they are "hard" to get. Google is doing something wrong. I don't know anybody who owns a Pixel phone, despite Android market share being something like 70% here in Germany. It's all Samsung, OnePlus, Huawei, Oppo

I think there are several reasons: - The pricing for their flagship models made absolutely no sense given the specs, poor battery life and questionable QA. - Samsung and the big Chinese manufacturers advertise everywhere, you can get their phones at the shop around the corner. At least now in Germany you can find the Pixels at Saturn and Mediamarkt (and often at a discount). - Most people don't care about software up…

But none of this has anything to do with poor distribution.

They could have partnered with logistics and sold it themselves via Online. But even that is not done. They didn't bother partnering with Telecoms or Retail.

Basically, judging purely from current evidence and outside perspective, Google is a company that

1. Doesn't know how to make partnership

2. Doesn't know anything other than selling ads.

3. Doesn't know how to do support.

The whole company is not structure for this. And very likely their Phone department is so small within the giant Google circle there are absolutely zero synergy within it.

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

#460

Post by PhantomGremlin » Tue, Aug 04, 2020, 2:29 AM UTC

thomspoon wrote: post #457

paultopia wrote: post #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?

Lower latency, easier to place cells in public places due to a broader range of frequencies, better bandwidth. The lower latency part is what’s going to enable edge computing for AR/VR, autonomous driving (separate via V2V but related), and other functions that need low latency. Cell phones are just a bonus. Also, a lot of telecoms are kind of ignoring 4g/lte deadspots in favor of just putting new NSA 5G cells it see…

a lot of telecoms are kind of ignoring 4g/lte deadspots in favor of just putting new NSA 5G cells

That just emphasizes what marketing bullshit 5G is. Telecoms won't properly build out infrastructure to avoid LTE deadspots, and yet are pushing 5G. But ... people say that proper 5G needs many many more cells than LTE!