Google Nexus 5

[eitai2001]

Oregon has zero sales tax...

Ya, but where do I get it delivered to and how do I get it ... is the shipping going to end up costing more than $30

Speaking of which, is there a delivery charge on Google Play, or is it free delivery?

Does anyone know if this is a promo price, or if it will continue into next year? Because then I can just order it when I'm there.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Ya, but where do I get it delivered to and how do I get it ... is the shipping going to end up costing more than $30

Speaking of which, is there a delivery charge on Google Play, or is it free delivery?

Does anyone know if this is a promo price, or if it will continue into next year? Because then I can just order it when I'm there.

The price of the device will remain that way indefinitely, if you look at the previous models. Might have a price drop at some point.

Google Play does charge for delivery- between $15.99 and $24.99, depending on your choice.

You can have it delivered to anywhere in the US. I merely mentioned Oregon because the mail forwarder that I am using has a depot there, and Google doesn't charge any tax to ship it there.

 

[eitai2001]

The price of the device will remain that way indefinitely, if you look at the previous models. Might have a price drop at some point.

Google Play does charge for delivery- between $15.99 and $24.99, depending on your choice.

You can have it delivered to anywhere in the US. I merely mentioned Oregon because the mail forwarder that I am using has a depot there, and Google doesn't charge any tax to ship it there.

Ah. Yeah, for mail forwarding that makes sense ... but it will end up costing me more than the sales tax I bet, or at least the difference will be minimal.

Can't I just choose an option to collect from Google, I will be in San Jose (Yes, I know I can't )

 

[Maverick Jester]

And seeing as no one posted this yet:

Fixing the Nexus 5: with a new version of Android, Google tackles the camera

Android 4.4.1 is coming to help you take better pictures

Only a few years ago, Dave Burke remembers, cellphone users were just happy to have a camera at all. But expectations have changed. "If you have a smartphone, people want it to take pictures like a DSLR. Even in one year the quality bar and expectation bar has gone up higher and higher. Internally, ours have too. I think we can do better, and we are."

As he says this, Burke, Google's Director of Engineering for Android, is walking through all the changes Google has made to the Nexus 5's camera in the five weeks since the phone hit the market. The fruits of the Android team's efforts is Android 4.4.1, the update rolling out over the next few days that is designed to fix the buggy, inconsistent camera on what is otherwise one of the best Android phones on the market.


The changes break down in five categories, Burke says, autofocus first among them. Mixing speed and image quality requires a fragile balance, particularly in low light, and Android 4.4 skewed too far toward image quality. "There’s a tendency to say, 'oh, we have this cool thing that stabilizes, so lets make the shutter time longer, reduce the gain even longer, and get better shots.'" But while the Nexus 5's optical image stabilization allowed it to get better-than-average shots in low light, in good lighting it just made for frustratingly slow shooting speeds. By speeding up the framerate and increasing how quickly the camera can read its surroundings and fire a picture, Burke and his team improved the autofocus, the exposure, and the white balance. "You fix the motion blur," he says, "and make everything faster."


Speed is a theme for the update, and the Nexus 5's camera really does feel faster across the board. The app launches a full second quicker than it did before the update, meaning you'll miss many fewer shots than before. There's also a new progress indicator in HDR+ mode, which makes the process, longer by necessity, feel a lot more straightforward. It's the first of what Burke says will be a series of interface changes, as Google tries to make Android cameras a little more controllable and obvious. Right now, nearly every setting is buried under layers of menus, and Burke says Google is working on undoing that.


But even now, after just five weeks of work, the Nexus 5's camera has been massively improved. We've only had a day with the software, but the changes are clear. Before, there were shots you simply couldn't get — I learned to not even try with fast-moving subjects, especially in low light, but now a picture of the New York City skyline out the window of a taxi is crisp and in focus, even if it's not quite as sharp as on an iPhone 5S. The Nexus 5 just inspires confidence in a way it never did before. It doesn't take six tries to get a picture in focus, because the camera doesn't re-focus again as soon as you hit the shutter. It just fires, and far more often than not gets a crisp, clear photo.


Photos are a little more contrasted, too, with slightly more vibrant colors. Burke says this was an intentional change, that "we just wanted to make photos pop a little more." The effect occasionally goes too far, with reds and oranges exploding off the screen, but for the most pictures look lively and accurate.


There's still plenty of work to be done, of course. The camera app desperately needs a one-touch way to focus and capture an image, for one thing: moving your hand from focusing to firing doesn't cause blur the way it used to, but it still means you'll miss quick-moving subjects. Photos can still come out looking over-processed, and focusing in low light still takes a while. Burke says his team is working on "tuning the edge cases," too, making sure the camera can function properly in strangely lit situations.

With Android 4.4.1 on board, however, the Nexus 5's camera stops being a dealbreaker — it's not the best smartphone camera, but it's a camera you can use confidently and expectantly knowing that it will almost always deliver. It may not take the perfect shot yet, but rarely offers anything but a completely usable one. Burke says it's only going to get better, though he admits there's a lot to do. "Cameras can be pretty complicated," he says.

Link.

From the samples- the quality has indeed been improved, especially the exposure and white balance, from what I can see in the shots.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Ah. Yeah, for mail forwarding that makes sense ... but it will end up costing me more than the sales tax I bet, or at least the difference will be minimal.

Can't I just choose an option to collect from Google, I will be in San Jose (Yes, I know I can't )

Why not just pay the $30 tax? Would be a lot easier, and cheaper, than trying to dodge around it...

 

[Maverick Jester]

Oh, and the review that I have been waiting for is finally out. Give it a read.

 

[cerebus]

Oh, and the review that I have been waiting for is finally out. Give it a read.

I'm most impressed by the colour calibration. It's always been a thing that irritated the bijiminies out of me with Samsung phones. Google have been taking it quite seriously with the Nexus7 2013 and Nexus 5. This, plus the camera update, is warming me to the Nexus 5. Now to get my dad over from the US

 

[eitai2001]

Why not just pay the $30 tax? Would be a lot easier, and cheaper, than trying to dodge around it...

Ya, that's what I said in the first line line ... not worth the effort.

I'd like to avoid also paying the Google delivery fee if I could, but I'm sure that's not possible without going to a Walmart or something. I will just wait until I get there ... maybe I'll find it for the "same" price somewhere.

 

[Gamer]

Just checked ... it's 8% in San Diego (where my dad is). It's ridiculous, it's not even per state ... it's per county! What a mission to keep track of.

Correct, that's just one of many examples why it should be called the disunited states.

 

[Maverick Jester]

I'm most impressed by the colour calibration. It's always been a thing that irritated the bijiminies out of me with Samsung phones. Google have been taking it quite seriously with the Nexus7 2013 and Nexus 5. This, plus the camera update, is warming me to the Nexus 5. Now to get my dad over from the US

It helps that they have partnered with a hardware vendor that actually cares about screen quality, in LG...

I also hate the oversaturation of Samsung's screens. Very annoying to look at.

But given that the Nexus 7 2013 also had an excellent screen (it actually beat the iPad Mini Retina in the latest DisplayMate comparison), I am impressed with Google's focus on this.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Ya, that's what I said in the first line line ... not worth the effort.

I'd like to avoid also paying the Google delivery fee if I could, but I'm sure that's not possible without going to a Walmart or something. I will just wait until I get there ... maybe I'll find it for the "same" price somewhere.

Is $50 really such a deal breaker on a device that you are getting for a ridiculously discounted fee in any event?

 

[eitai2001]

Is $50 really such a deal breaker on a device that you are getting for a ridiculously discounted fee in any event?

Every cent counts. I'm buying this cause I need a new phone, not because I need the latest tech. By that token, I also don't want to buy crap. I was actually looking at simply getting a Lumia 520 for $99, but they're network locked. But when I saw these for $399, I was like 'Wow, that's cheap'. But it's slowly getting pricier. $30 Sales Tax here, $20 delivery there ... $50 makes a difference.

That said, I know it's a great price, and highly discounted ... but if I can avoid extra costs, I will.

I always look at the absolute cost of my purchases, looking at relative cost can skew ones judgement.

Same as a clearance sale, which saves you money ... except you bought something you didn't need in the first place

 

[JimboBob]

Every cent counts. I'm buying this cause I need a new phone, not because I need the latest tech. By that token, I also don't want to buy crap. I was actually looking at simply getting a Lumia 520 for $99, but they're network locked. But when I saw these for $399, I was like 'Wow, that's cheap'. But it's slowly getting pricier. $30 Sales Tax here, $20 delivery there ... $50 makes a difference.

That said, I know it's a great price, and highly discounted ... but if I can avoid extra costs, I will.

I always look at the absolute cost of my purchases, looking at relative cost can skew ones judgement.

Same as a clearance sale, which saves you money ... except you bought something you didn't need in the first place

By that token, you should get a 3310

 

[eitai2001]

By that token, you should get a 3310

I wish! They don't sell them new anymore

 

[OGroteKoning]

I wish! They don't sell them new anymore

Wish granted. I'll sell mine for R2k. It is a state of the art 3310 with the last stable firmware on it. Oh yes, it can send smses over and above the awesome call quality and 13 weeks battery life

 

[eitai2001]

Wish granted. I'll sell mine for R2k. It is a state of the art 3310 with the last stable firmware on it. Oh yes, it can send smses over and above the awesome call quality and 13 weeks battery life

When was it manufactured ... and more importantly, does the snake game still work

 

[OGroteKoning]

When was it manufactured ... and more importantly, does the snake game still work

Fscking long ago, but it was one of the last batches. Snake works like a charm

 

[Maverick Jester]

Every cent counts. I'm buying this cause I need a new phone, not because I need the latest tech. By that token, I also don't want to buy crap. I was actually looking at simply getting a Lumia 520 for $99, but they're network locked. But when I saw these for $399, I was like 'Wow, that's cheap'. But it's slowly getting pricier. $30 Sales Tax here, $20 delivery there ... $50 makes a difference.

Then perhaps a Moto G would be a better purchase? I don't disagree with the fact that the extra costs are a nuisance, but you would still be buying the Nexus 5 at a low cost.

That said, I know it's a great price, and highly discounted ... but if I can avoid extra costs, I will.

I always look at the absolute cost of my purchases, looking at relative cost can skew ones judgement.

Not really. In absolute terms, you are getting a top-tier smartphone for the price of a mid-range device. The cost is a bargain, both absolutely and relatively. Overtly penny-pinching on something that is already discounted, and using it as a deal breaker, is rather unfair towards the product. If your budget only allows the base cost of the device- then perhaps a cheaper option should be considered.

Same as a clearance sale, which saves you money ... except you bought something you didn't need in the first place

Except that in this instance, you would be buying something you need (which also happens to be a top of the line product), for a clearance sale price.

 

[eitai2001]

Not really. In absolute terms, you are getting a top-tier smartphone for the price of a mid-range device. The cost is a bargain, both absolutely and relatively. Overtly penny-pinching on something that is already discounted, and using it as a deal breaker, is rather unfair towards the product. If your budget only allows the base cost of the device- then perhaps a cheaper option should be considered.

Getting a top-tier smartphone for the price of a mid-range is not looking at it absolutely, but rather relatively (when looking at something relatively, you compare it against what you expect the norm to be). I definitely don't discount that it's a great price.
Looking at it relatively, you take out the actual range of the phone, you only look at the price. So if your budget is $400, then great, it's in the budget, if not ... too bad.

Keep in mind, I have NEVER paid more than R2k for a phone in my life ... I have my S3 thanks to Vodacom, and S2 was from a competition. So for me, even $399 is a big step in purchasing a phone.

I never said anything about the product itself ... I also agree it's a lot for your buck. Being strict with your pennies is not unfair to the product, well depending how you look at it. But usually, it's simply because you have a budget, and has nothing to do with the product.

Your last sentence is the one that makes most sense, regarding buying something within your budget. In fact, that is the reason we have so much debt today:
I go buy a Honda for R300k. But wait, there is a special on the BMW 320i for only R350k instead of R400k, it's only R50k more and it's a BMW 320i! Ok, I'll get that. Wait a second, I can get a Merc C200 for R380k instead of R420k, that's only R30k! Ok, I'll get that. Oh snap, there is a special today on the Merc C250CDI with AMG Styling. It's only R400k instead of R500k ... a mere R20k more than the C200 ... today only, wow, what a saving ... 20%, that's so cheap! I'm definitely taking that!
Suddenly, I've spent R100k more than my budget allowed, and I rationalized my decision based on the fact the car is selling way below what it's usually worth, and with all the bells and whistles, not to mention, I slowly jumped in price.

So I completely agree with you, if your budget only allows less, then get less. It won't kill me.

Except that in this instance, you would be buying something you need (which also happens to be a top of the line product), for a clearance sale price.

Again, define need. I need a phone with 3G and smart phone capability. Again the Lumia 520 works if there is an affordable non network locked version. Although, I can get a T-mobile version, I will be on the network with the phone long enough to get an unlock code for the purposes of leaving the US per their terms and conditions.

However, I WANT a nexus device, because of the frequent updates, etc.

But I'm on a very strict budget for the coming months as I'm saving money for a permanent move to Aus when I get back from the US (provided I don't stay in the US). Not to mention, when I'm done working at the end of April, I will be travelling the US for 2 months, and want the maximum available spending budget so I can do all the stuff I want to do

Also, it just sounds a lot better from a psychological standpoint (to myself) that I got the phone for three thousand and something Rand ... The inner Jew will feel more pleased or something

So I think I will rather then just go for the 16GB model. In any case, I don't copy music to my phone anymore, I stream everything. That way I can get it for sub $400. Though I've heard the battery in this model is smaller, if so, that may be an issue for me then.

Please also keep in mind I have a unusually strong discipline with money (Don't forget I'm also a bean counter ). I'm not stingy, I do spend ... a lot, but I stick to preplanned budgets. I still live to enjoy life though, and it's because I'm strict on budget that I can do so. To give you an idea, I've set aside a budget of R50k for spending money in the US for the 2 months of travel (keep in mind my internal flights will be ALL covered by miles, so no flight costs incurred). This phone comes out of that budget, so the more I spend, the less travel budget I have.

 

[Soprono]

All the words...anyone read it haha