Android phones, apps and tablets

I spoke to a colleague who was at the Pixel launch just now. He reckons the hardware is great but unremarkable but the AI is much superior to siri or old Google now. He thinks it's an important step forward in terms of software but ultimately pretty useless to the average user. Maybe it's a little too far ahead of the times. I don't think many people want to have a conversation with their phone. Then again, he only got to play with one for 20 mins.

I think the conversation with the phone may not be the most important bit, it's getting it into the home.

I'll feel less of a bell-end sitting at home asking google to turn my lights and heating on than I will walking down the street asking google to play some music and direct me to the pub (although this does seem to work fine).

Yeah, they made a big point about the AI improvements with regards to accuracy. I'm just not convinced about the talking part, with the phone... Sure, it's useful at home etc for ordering Ubers and booking stuff and whatnot but the Home speaker is probably a better vehicle for it as it's the only way of interacting with it.

Most people seem to just use voice interaction for setting timers for pasta.

I use voice loads, via my android wear watch. It's ace. Particularly when pushing a buggy. one handed texting etc.
Also cool when cycling.

You're a weirdo though.

Sometimes if I'm listening to tunes and carrying shopping, I'll try to use it to make a call. It usually goes something like this:

"Hey Siri"

Beebeep

"Call Derpina"

"Ok, shall I call Derpina mobile or work?"

"Mobile"

....Silence....

"Sorry, I didn't get that"

"Hey Siri, call Derpina mobile"

"Sorry, I couldn't find a contact called Derpina mobile"

Puts shopping bags down and does it the old fashioned way

Yeah but you know: siri />>>>>>>

Confirmed. Siri is utter bollocks.

Google pixel - £600. No thanks.

Did you miss the last page, hun?

It happens to be 600USD also.

the pixel launch was mostly about software rather than hardware, we will all get it soon on our £100 devices.

I somehow doubt that Google will undermine their latest product like that.

I reckon the next updates for the latest Nexus products will have limitations

It happens to be 600USD also.

Which is £600 given the GBP to USD exchange rate and the fact that US prices never include sales tax. So once you've converted the money and paid the tax... same price. Oh, but now you have no EU warranty and consumer rights.

It's just an expensive phone. Not worth it.

The old Nexus phones (6p and 5x) are superb, and still very much worth it.

If it's like the pixel laptops then it's probably mainly planned as a showcase device rather than something to generate sales.

Google's main plan is getting everyone using their services, they won't mind cannibalising the tiny sales from their phone to achieve that.

Yeah, not sure what the premium price point does for them but I guess there are plenty of cheap android handsets on the market.

Just a bit of a shame because I'm a big fan of the Nexus phones and their affordability.

Yes. I did. I only come here to moan or ask stupid questions when my phone breaks.

I was prompted to download Android 7.0 on to my 5x this morning, I can't spot any differences!

Edit: Split screen app view and quick switch is quite cool.

Stuck between the pixel XL or the note 7 as i love a phablet. Anyone have a note 7 and can explain their experience with it? I'm coming from the note 4. Have heard problems about overheating etc.

Cheers.

On the budget end, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 is getting good reviews. Although it is a bit more work in terms of having to install Google Apps and the like.

Suspect that's the way I'll be looking when I next upgrade, the expensive phones don't offer enough over the cheap ones nowadays.

I use the magnetic charge "port" so you don't need to open the flaps. Also, it proved to be more waterproof than my Garmin Edge 1000.

Old post, but it was the page the forum opened on...

Are you still using the Z3 compact and magnetic charger? Does it work ok? I've tried using a magnetic doc on mine and it worked fine for the first few months, but now it charges normally up to about 80% before it gets stuck and begins flashing back and forth between charging and not charging. It's annoying and means I have to use the little door which is now beginning to fail.

A quick google seems to suggest it's a known hardware problem in the phone and since it's long out of warranty there isn't much I can do about it. Unless someone knows of a fix?

anyone ordered the Pixel? I'm wondering if it'll sell that well.

Yep. In fact I have it in my bag today because I'm heading to a beer festival in deepest darkest Essex.

Mine isn't a Sony one it's a Magnetec or something similar and it sticks to the magnet port quite solidly and charging hasn't ever been an issue.

anyone ordered the Pixel? I'm wondering if it'll sell that well

Seems a bit too pricey.

I can kinda live with £300 per year for a modern device, but not £600-700 per year.

And you know, next year... they'll just bring out something better.