Google’s Pixel smartphone unveiled

Guessing the headphone jack is on its way out with Bluetooth, USB-C audio replacing it.

Onwards and upwards I guess.
 
I don't like the front face appearance at all with the huge lower lip with no buttons - it looks like a China phone from 2014. Otherwise, looks cool, not sure it's worth $750 but at least you're getting some genuinely good Android features that no other Android phones have and they reckon the camera is stellar. I do like the look of the Daydream VR headset with the remote, it seems much nicer than the Gear VR and thoughtfully designed. I'm just not sure it's going to sell next to the likes of iPhone7 and S7.
 
whatwhat said:
You do realize that HTC was the first one with that shape phone?
Click to expand...
Why are you being so simplistic. I mean the approach that Google is taking with the phone. I am not taking about design, necessarily. This phone is meant to be mainstream and offer that same things on an Android that makes iPhones appealing, like timely software updates, good built quality, zero bloatware, software that is optimized for specific hardware. I hear the bootloader is locked down.It it priced like an iPhone to.
 
Today at Google’s first-ever major fall event, the company unveiled a slew of new products including a new smartphone dubbed the Pixel, a new wireless router system, and a new Echo-like speaker called “Google Home.” The event didn’t come anywhere close to the polish of an Apple event. Nonetheless, it was clear that Google is finally ready to admit that Apple was right all along.

If you pay close attention to everything Google announced, you’ll realize that a huge shift has happened. The Android maker no longer believes in being open. Instead, the company is now keeping its best technology for products it builds for itself. Products sold under its new “Made by Google” slogan. Products that no longer cost $400, but instead are $650 and up. Doesn’t that sound like Apple?

Take the Pixel XL smartphone, which has a 5.5-inch display like the iPhone 7 Plus. The price? It’s $769 for 32GB and $869 for 128GB. If those prices and specs sound somewhat familiar, it’s because they’re the same price points as a 32GB and 128GB iPhone 7 Plus, respectively.

Then, of course, there’s the unmistakable design of the phone, which many are saying “looks like an iPhone.” It certainly carries a lot of the resemblance of an iPhone, although it’s not as refined. (That glass back just looks out of place.) I’ll wait until I can hold one in my hand before I give my full opinion.

Why is Google doing this? Why are they shifting the narrative from being an open company that wants all phones to have the same features to one where its phone has exclusive features? The answer is simple: Control equals money.

By keeping some of the features to themselves, it allows Google to sell a phone at nearly two times the price of other popular Android phones on the market.

Want that Pixel Launcher? Pay Google. Want the highest-rated camera in an Android smartphone? Pay Google. Want the best DayDream VR experience? Yep, pay Google.

These are all products and services meant to give Google the edge when customers decide which Android phone they want to buy. It’s hoping that when a buyer compares something like a Samsung Galaxy S7 to its new Pixel phone, they’ll choose the latter because of its hardware and software features. Doesn’t that sound familiar?

Doesn’t that sound familiar? Doesn’t that sound like, wait for it, Apple?

I don’t blame Google for going this route. I think it’s a good move. I remain skeptical, however, that it’ll work.

Sure the Pixel sort of looks like an iPhone, but it’s still running Android, an OS that literally thousands of other handsets run. It’s not nearly as exclusive as iOS is to iPhone and that makes me wonder how many people are really going to give up buying something as attractive as a curved Galaxy S7 or as cheap as a One Plus 3 for an iPhone-priced Android phone.

That being said, welcome to the new era of Google.

http://appadvice.com/post/google-wants-to-be-apple-more-than-ever/723455
 
FiestaST said:
Sure the Pixel sort of looks like an iPhone, but it’s still running Android, an OS that literally thousands of other handsets run. It’s not nearly as exclusive as iOS is to iPhone and that makes me wonder how many people are really going to give up buying something as attractive as a curved Galaxy S7 or as cheap as a One Plus 3 for an iPhone-priced Android phone.

That being said, welcome to the new era of Google.

http://appadvice.com/post/google-wants-to-be-apple-more-than-ever/723455
Click to expand...
Sentiments shared by myself and this reviewer at ZDnet:
Pixel, Galaxy, iPhone, oh my! Why pay a premium when every phone runs the same apps?
Click to expand...
http://www.zdnet.com/article/pixel-galaxy-iphone-oh-my-why-pay-a-premium-when-every-phone-runs-the-same-apps/?ftag=TRE17cfd61&bhid=22058938721837455704425988830780
 
MickZA said:
Sentiments shared by myself and this reviewer at ZDnet:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/pixel-galaxy-iphone-oh-my-why-pay-a-premium-when-every-phone-runs-the-same-apps/?ftag=TRE17cfd61&bhid=22058938721837455704425988830780
Click to expand...

But the hardware has NOT been commoditized. There is still a big difference in what you can get in a $7-800 phone and what you can get for $400. The screen technology, build quality, speed, camera, is nowhere near 'good enough' at $400, IMO. I'm not sure when it will reach that point but it's not there yet. I'm also not sure if the Pixel justifies its price though.
 
2805b392d845da28237cb6e8c0c44fef.png
 
backstreetboy said:
It is if you read the reviews of the Oneplus 3 and Xiaomi mi 5 etc. It's just the build quality that might be subpar but then you're going to stick it in a cover anyway. Hell even the low cost midrange Redmi series of Xiaomi includes the latest Mediatek processors.
Click to expand...
Redmi Mi5 & OnePlus 3 both have Snapdragon 820.
I've played with Mi5 and a friend has the OnePlus 3.
Build quality with all metal case is excellent for both - better than a lot of branded phones.
 
Was really hoping the Pixel was going to be my next phone, but now I'm not so sure. The price among other factors :(
The camera looks impressive though.

Not quite sure what to get now
 
Yesterday Google finally unveiled the Pixel and Pixel XL, its first smartphones. Throughout its event, however, the company never once mentioned whether the two have any sort of dust or water resistance rating. An IP53 certification was rumored last month for the duo, ahead of the announcement.

And now the search giant has apparently confirmed to Droid-Life that the Pixel and Pixel XL indeed do come with the IP53 rating - despite this not being mentioned in its official specs pages for the handsets.

So what does this mean, you wonder? Well, let's just say right off the top that the Pixels are quite far from their main competitors in this regard - the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Note7 are IP68 rated, while Apple's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus carry an IP67 certification.

As for the Pixels, according to the definitions of the IP code, they are "dust protected" and have liquid ingress protection that's effective against "spraying water". The former means that "ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the satisfactory operation of the equipment". And "water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield".

Translated, this means if you're caught in the rain with a Pixel or Pixel XL your phone will be fine. But don't think of submerging it into any amount of water, or showering with it around.

Both Samsung's and Apple's newest flagships are "dust tight", which is a step above what the Pixels provide. In terms of water resistance, it's no contest really, as the Pixels' main competitors can all be immerse into water without any damage, at least up to 1m for up to 30 minutes.

http://www.gsmarena.com/confirmed_g...ip53_dust_and_water_resistance-news-20903.php
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X