"We asked and asked, for many years, to see Google get serious about building and designing its own smartphones. The Pixel isn’t everything we wanted, but it is definitely the device and strategy we’ve been demanding from Google for so long. And just like the enigmatic Google Assistant, this new initiative of Google acting as a hardware designer and builder is likely to only grow better with more time and experience."
Ths is a weak, navel-gazing article that feels more like marketing than analysis.
The article argues that what 'we' wanted all along is the magic of HTC combined with long-term OS updates. It listed the killer features of various manufacturers: Samsung's screen, HTC's design, blah blah, and wrote a few paragraphs that suggest the author is paid per word.
But in the end the features that are objectively useful: build, water resistance, battery life, and low price, are all not mentioned.
But the enigmatic new assistant is! Take that Siri!
Uh, no. Most of us aren't viewing the smartphone battle as a battle of AI 'assistants'. Maybe in 2030 I'll care about that. Right now my concern is battery life, longevity and RAM of my 5X (it only has 2GB), and the only reason to upgrade to this expensive device is so I get more RAM.
When he says "we asked" and "we wanted" he's really referring to the other folks writing for The Verge. The Pixel is the phone that Verge staff have asked for in past articles and podcasts. That's where I think the disconnect is. The Pixel is what happens when you take your advice from bloggers at The Verge, instead of the customers paying you money. It's an Android iPhone.
Which isn't inherently bad -- Google's not obligated to service their existing customers. But existing customers bought Nexus devices in large part because they were not iPhones in many significant areas that have largely been eliminated now.
Perhaps Google's new target market will be more profitable -- who knows. But these existing customers are understandably frustrated at being left behind now. It's certainly has nothing to do with people being impossible to please, as the article claims.
I agree with your spec needs... I find my (cracked screen) Nexus 4 hits a sweet spot.
> I hope it flops.
That, I don't get. Let it succeed. It could be the Nexus4/5X for someone else.
While I wont buy the Pixel at this price range, I actually like the idea of the Assistant. So Google Home ($129) is probably something I will look into. I see the TV as a valid visual endpoint for Google Home + Assistant actions/interactions. I would like to consume content, replay trip photos, or even plan trips using the TV as a first class endpoint.
That, I don't get. Let it succeed. It could be the Nexus4/5X for someone else.
While I wont buy the Pixel at this price range, I actually like the idea of the Assistant. So Google Home ($129) is probably something I will look into. I see the TV as a valid visual endpoint for Google Home + Assistant actions/interactions. I would like to consume content, replay trip photos, or even plan trips using the TV as a first class endpoint.
Admittedly, I was a bit harsh. Put differently: if this marketing strategy succeeds, those of us who care about functional specs like battery life and durability/water resistance, and especially price, lose out. If it flops they'll question why.
As far as the Assistant - it's a software feature primarily, right? Why wouldn't it work on previous hardware? The 5X can't handle it?
I don't use Google Now, I don't see myself using Assistant ("Google Assistant, find me a cheap flight to London!" Uh, no.)
>if this marketing strategy succeeds, those of us who care about functional specs like battery life and durability/water resistance, and especially price, lose out. If it flops they'll question why.
Exactly. Look what happened with the Galaxy S6: it basically flopped, because it eliminated 3 killer features that its predecessor the S5 had: water resistance, removable battery, and SDcard slot. The S7 added two of those back in and it's doing much better in sales.
I don't think the pixel has any longer-term OS updates than the now defunct nexus phones... 2 years. If google actually came forward and put down 3 or, better, 4 years of major OS updates, that would've been something.
Ths is a weak, navel-gazing article that feels more like marketing than analysis.
The article argues that what 'we' wanted all along is the magic of HTC combined with long-term OS updates. It listed the killer features of various manufacturers: Samsung's screen, HTC's design, blah blah, and wrote a few paragraphs that suggest the author is paid per word.
But in the end the features that are objectively useful: build, water resistance, battery life, and low price, are all not mentioned.
But the enigmatic new assistant is! Take that Siri!
Uh, no. Most of us aren't viewing the smartphone battle as a battle of AI 'assistants'. Maybe in 2030 I'll care about that. Right now my concern is battery life, longevity and RAM of my 5X (it only has 2GB), and the only reason to upgrade to this expensive device is so I get more RAM.
But I'm going to hold out. I hope it flops.