UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
Well yes.
But they've found space for another hardware button, which is potentially quite useful.
Google Pixel phones - news, updates
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Well yes.
But they've found space for another hardware button, which is potentially quite useful.
editor
hiraethified
Nope, never ever said anything remotely like that. Why are you trying to pick a daft fight? I do think it is fucking annoying to have a phone without a headphone socket though, and it's a backward step in usability for most consumers who like to charge and listen to music at the same time.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Can be done without having to unlock the phone, or even look at it. Can be done by touch in your pocket if need be. It's great.
beesonthewhatnow
going deaf for a living
Anyway, these phones. Look's like they're copying Apple not just with the future of headphones but the stupid pricing too 
souljacker
innit
Can even be done when you put it in your pocket whether you want to do it or not!
Fez909
toilet expert
Nope, as the below messages point out...
Also, HTC (who made the Pixel) have their own devices which are waterproof and have headphone jacks. It's bullshit cost cutting/differential/whatever.S8 is waterproof too, with headphone jack
This is not a Nexus phone.
Funny that, because it's one of the most complained about 'features' of iOS/iPhones on the Apple forums I read.
See this recent Reddit thread:
Also, someone posted this 'relevant' XKCD but I don't get it? xkcd: Ringer Volume/Media Volume
mauvais
on reddit or something
Meh, it's the same thing, you know what I mean. Revolving-door contract manufactured phones with vanilla Android. They're rarely brilliant, and not surprisingly so.
On Android, using the hardware volume controls, you can only set the media volume (YouTube and the like) once the media content begins playing. Before that it sets the ringer volume instead.
Fez909
toilet expert
Ish. They've replaced Nexus phones, but they're very different things. I know you know all the following, but anyway..
Nexus phones were 'dev phones', which were meant to be the reference model for the next version of Android. They were never meant to be aimed at the general public, and that's why they sometimes lagged behind in grunt or camera quality. They were also cheap, which helped the devs so that Google could get more apps in the app store, when the iOS/Android wars were still being fought on things like number of apps.
Mostly, they were great all round devices, though. The Nexus One, S and 4 and 5 have been some of the best Android phones ever.
They were not meant to compete with the iPhone.
Pixels are definitely consumer facing, and they're a direct competitor iPhones. Or, that's the plan. And the price and marketing and specs reflects that.
Customer service is reportedly better now, too, whereas if you had a Nexus phone you were basically on your own. But that didn't matter much because they were so cheap, and it was mostly devs and nerds buying them anyway who generally require less support.
On Android, using the hardware volume controls, you can only set the media volume (YouTube and the like) once the media content begins playing. Before that it sets the ringer volume instead.[/QUOTE]
Gocha. It's a dig at Android rather than iOS
mauvais
on reddit or something
By the end of 'Nexus' devices, like the 5X and 6P, they were already consumer-oriented. Certainly it's been a journey towards that point, and the Pixel line represents something close to the end of it (although they are still relevant to devs in terms of accessing new software on real devices early enough). Google are still pretty rubbish at individual retail consumer relationships too.
But there is at least one reason these aren't great phones: contract manufacturing is self-limiting. HTC or whoever else isn't ever going to be in any rush to eclipse their own branded top-of-the-line products. Fine if you want a dependable midrange phone, less so if you want something exciting and competitive. Nor is there a consistent experience across iterations of hardware, unlike buying into Apple or Samsung product families, because the contract is revolving, presumably to spread the wealth amongst the Android manufacturing ecosystem.
Any differentiators are largely left to the software, but that's flawed too because availability to branded devices has much improved of late.
But there is at least one reason these aren't great phones: contract manufacturing is self-limiting. HTC or whoever else isn't ever going to be in any rush to eclipse their own branded top-of-the-line products. Fine if you want a dependable midrange phone, less so if you want something exciting and competitive. Nor is there a consistent experience across iterations of hardware, unlike buying into Apple or Samsung product families, because the contract is revolving, presumably to spread the wealth amongst the Android manufacturing ecosystem.
Any differentiators are largely left to the software, but that's flawed too because availability to branded devices has much improved of late.
souljacker
innit
PursuedByBears
Go stick your head in a pig
Not on my Nexus 6p, there's a drop down menu to choose between ringer, media and alarm volume
mauvais
on reddit or something
As on all Android phones, but that's not just using hardware controls.Not on my Nexus 6p, there's a drop down menu to choose between ringer, media and alarm volume
souljacker
innit
Not on my shitty Moto 4g (currently using it after breaking my 6P). You have to go into settings which is fucked up. That's Android doing that though.
mauvais
on reddit or something
Whaaat? Fucked up indeed - I hate Motorola software.
souljacker
innit
It's Android v5.1 that is doing it. But fuck motorola too, the phone is fucking shit.
mauvais
on reddit or something
I just tried it on an emulator and you're right. WTF were they thinking?
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
Depends what your used to. I was impressed how capable the G4 was for the price, although not enough to not to pass it on to my GF. She thinks it's great.
Fez909
toilet expert
Is that true?
When it was a Nexus, fair enough, But now it's a Pixel, which is Google designed - not just endorsed - then surely it's going to be consistent? HTC made the Pixel 1 and Pixel XL. They've also made the Pixel 2 but the Pixel 2 XL is manufactured by LG. If I didn't know that (and I didn't until just Googling now), I'd think they were made by the same people (the XLs).
cybershot
Well-Known Member
Google Pixel 2 reviewed: Sets new record for overall smartphone camera quality - DxOMark
Impressive for a single lens. New highest score, topping the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 which had scores of 94.
Seems cameras really seem to be where the competitive nature of these phones are going.
Impressive for a single lens. New highest score, topping the iPhone 8 Plus and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 which had scores of 94.
Seems cameras really seem to be where the competitive nature of these phones are going.
mauvais
on reddit or something
If we limit this to the Pixel range, there's not enough evidence yet to say either way. Don't forget the Pixel C too - not sure who actually made that.
Fez909
toilet expert
Google made it themselves, apparently. Which I find hard to believe?
Either way, we have 9 Pixel devices so far. 2 tablets, 3 Chromebooks and 4 phones. Manufacturers are Google, HTC and LG. And so far, there's no inconsistent experience between them, so I don't think you can criticise them for that...yet.
editor
hiraethified
elbows
Well-Known Member
I know what you mean, but I dont agree. Yes they were in part reference models for the upcoming version of Android, so there was an obvious appeal for devs looking to get the new OS asap without having to wait for manufacturers to maybe offer an android update, and avoiding added bloatware. But they were marketed at consumers too and they didnt always lag behind in terms of grunt & other features. I had the Galaxy Nexus and it was certainly marketed as a higher end consumer smartphone.
Googles lack of commitment to keep releasing new versions of android for nexus devices once they were a couple of years old is one of the reasons I ditched google and never looked back.
cybershot
Well-Known Member
UnderOpenSky
baseline neural therapy
Hopefully Samsung doesn't get the memo. Whilst I hardly ever use it, as have Chromecast at home and Bluetooth in car, I appreciate the ability to connect to old school stereo kit.
I dont really get the desire to remove it either. It can't cost that much and the S8 shows they can still be built in and not compromise.
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