Google October 4th Event
- Thread starter Cosimo
- Start date
The thing is the masses don't have that much money for a device, especially when there's plenty of other products out there which offer more features for way less.
The fact that there's devices floating about that offer similar tech and much more for way less - AXON 7 comes in mind.
I'm fairly sure Apple have sold quite a lot of phones using this price point?
Most people buy Apple phones via contract or via finance.
Google don't even offer finance in the UK as opposed to the US.
Is there any news on whether google will offer 0% payments from their store on this one for us in the UK?
*edit* just saw the post above - so its confirmed its not happening over here? bit of a cockup if so - at least apple are fairly consistant throughout regions whereas google treat anywhere that isnt the US like second class citizens
*edit* just saw the post above - so its confirmed its not happening over here? bit of a cockup if so - at least apple are fairly consistant throughout regions whereas google treat anywhere that isnt the US like second class citizens
So in the US it's exactly the same. Tbh, I don't think I know anyone that bought through finance in the UK. I would guess 99% buy through contract, which they can do in the UK. (Obviously, people in this thread is probably only 25-30% contract, but we're not the norm)
"kona786
Quote:
Originally Posted by Father Ted View Post
Possibly not, but if you want Google Assistant and all the benefits it brings you'll need to buy their phone.
'No one' wants Google assistant that badly."
I mentioned earlier that I thought Pixel was aimed squarely at the iPhone and high end Samsung crowd, and while I still believe this to be true, I am increasingly thinking that there is much more to Google's move with Pixel than merely competing with the iPhone. For one, it is an acknowledgment that the way Apple works with Foxconn (ODM) is necessary to achieve their aim---thriving in a post-hardware world where the software matters much more than the hardware and where voice activation, AI and machine learning is what will be necessary to succeed. Assistant is a really clever idea and really difficult to create and implement. Not only does it require brilliant software engineers, it requires service partners buying in.
As I mentioned, I bought the new Pixel XL and will likely be a buyer of Daydream VR and Home. I already have the second gen Chromecast for my tv. I do not want to sound like an apologist for Google in my comments at all (I do not work for them nor ever have), just trying to understand what their thinking was in bringing out this line of products (and for the Pixel, at the price that many here have complained about!) and what we can expect in future. I have been generally pleased with their products as I have been a Nexus buyer for years and I am on my third Chromebook. I know that sometimes Nexus products represented a compromise where I was willing to accept something less than ideal--Nexus cameras in the past comes to mind---but the good outweighed the bad and the price often helped. So why dump Nexus and move to Pixel?
I remember reading once that Google likes to "skate where the puck will be" rather than "where it is now". Google is surely thinking not only about the Pixel/Chromecast/Home/Assistant for the here and now but what the world of smartphones, Internet of Things, Smart Home, shared mobility (self driving car) will be in the next few years. But in looking at where they are now, they have created the world's leading mobile operating system in terms of market share with Android, support it and are attempting to extend it (and possibly merge it with Chrome in future). But it has challenges: fragmentation, slow updates for many users, monopoly concerns (EU), different objectives of some Android partners (Chinese rules, Samsung disenchantment, etc). In 2012 they saw what was coming and they tried to create an end to end presence to better control and produce their own Android phone, while keeping an arms length relationship with other Android partners, by buying Motorola. But that venture failed and they sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo. Now they are trying to accomplish the same goal of keeping their partners but achieving better control of design and production through the ODM model with HTC, using a similar method to how Apple works with Foxconn. The Android team will treat the Pixel team in the same way that they treat LG, Samsung, etc.
But Google also sees that to promote its vision (eg, of AI through Assistant and Allo), it needs a device where these features are placed front and centre to a meaningful number of users. Android is being defined at the high end today mainly by Samsung. Samsung is a long time partner but increasingly is showing signs of diverging. They have developed Tizen. They have built up their software capabilities. They put their own software front and centre and often marginalise Google software. If given the chance, they could put Assistant or Allo in less desirable places on their screens or implement them in less desirable ways. As for ideas like Daydream VR, Samsung has its own alternative. Google cannot bet the future of the Company on a third party or a group of third parties being in control.
Moreover, the smartphone market in developed countries is largely a commodity business which is saturated and where differentiation is getting harder to achieve. The one bright spot is the high end market in which Apple and Samsung operate. Enter Pixel. Drive the vision and cut out the middle man.
The key question that remains: can Google make Pixel a mainstream product in a way that Nexus never was, nor strived to be? Making it high end and priced accordingly will clearly turn off some of the crowd as we have seen in this Community. I just do not seeing Google turning away from this approach any time soon as I believe they think it to be their "destiny" (sorry, Star Wars fans).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Father Ted View Post
Possibly not, but if you want Google Assistant and all the benefits it brings you'll need to buy their phone.
'No one' wants Google assistant that badly."
I mentioned earlier that I thought Pixel was aimed squarely at the iPhone and high end Samsung crowd, and while I still believe this to be true, I am increasingly thinking that there is much more to Google's move with Pixel than merely competing with the iPhone. For one, it is an acknowledgment that the way Apple works with Foxconn (ODM) is necessary to achieve their aim---thriving in a post-hardware world where the software matters much more than the hardware and where voice activation, AI and machine learning is what will be necessary to succeed. Assistant is a really clever idea and really difficult to create and implement. Not only does it require brilliant software engineers, it requires service partners buying in.
As I mentioned, I bought the new Pixel XL and will likely be a buyer of Daydream VR and Home. I already have the second gen Chromecast for my tv. I do not want to sound like an apologist for Google in my comments at all (I do not work for them nor ever have), just trying to understand what their thinking was in bringing out this line of products (and for the Pixel, at the price that many here have complained about!) and what we can expect in future. I have been generally pleased with their products as I have been a Nexus buyer for years and I am on my third Chromebook. I know that sometimes Nexus products represented a compromise where I was willing to accept something less than ideal--Nexus cameras in the past comes to mind---but the good outweighed the bad and the price often helped. So why dump Nexus and move to Pixel?
I remember reading once that Google likes to "skate where the puck will be" rather than "where it is now". Google is surely thinking not only about the Pixel/Chromecast/Home/Assistant for the here and now but what the world of smartphones, Internet of Things, Smart Home, shared mobility (self driving car) will be in the next few years. But in looking at where they are now, they have created the world's leading mobile operating system in terms of market share with Android, support it and are attempting to extend it (and possibly merge it with Chrome in future). But it has challenges: fragmentation, slow updates for many users, monopoly concerns (EU), different objectives of some Android partners (Chinese rules, Samsung disenchantment, etc). In 2012 they saw what was coming and they tried to create an end to end presence to better control and produce their own Android phone, while keeping an arms length relationship with other Android partners, by buying Motorola. But that venture failed and they sold Motorola Mobility to Lenovo. Now they are trying to accomplish the same goal of keeping their partners but achieving better control of design and production through the ODM model with HTC, using a similar method to how Apple works with Foxconn. The Android team will treat the Pixel team in the same way that they treat LG, Samsung, etc.
But Google also sees that to promote its vision (eg, of AI through Assistant and Allo), it needs a device where these features are placed front and centre to a meaningful number of users. Android is being defined at the high end today mainly by Samsung. Samsung is a long time partner but increasingly is showing signs of diverging. They have developed Tizen. They have built up their software capabilities. They put their own software front and centre and often marginalise Google software. If given the chance, they could put Assistant or Allo in less desirable places on their screens or implement them in less desirable ways. As for ideas like Daydream VR, Samsung has its own alternative. Google cannot bet the future of the Company on a third party or a group of third parties being in control.
Moreover, the smartphone market in developed countries is largely a commodity business which is saturated and where differentiation is getting harder to achieve. The one bright spot is the high end market in which Apple and Samsung operate. Enter Pixel. Drive the vision and cut out the middle man.
The key question that remains: can Google make Pixel a mainstream product in a way that Nexus never was, nor strived to be? Making it high end and priced accordingly will clearly turn off some of the crowd as we have seen in this Community. I just do not seeing Google turning away from this approach any time soon as I believe they think it to be their "destiny" (sorry, Star Wars fans).
Soldato
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* In the US (which google really is targeting) there is a large market for people that are willing to buy phones in this price range.
* Extra features don't mean a huge amount if its not marketed well. HTC was first with Zoes but no one knows what that is, but a lot of people know what live photos are. There is a huge list of features like this that don't matter if no one knows about.
* Pixel misses some features, biggest I think its IP57 rating or more now that the iPhone has it. For everything else as long as its good enough I don't think it matter. no OIS won't matter if the photos are competitive with the iPhone 7 and S7 line. Single speaker doesn't matter e.g. Samsung. I think if battery life, camera are good enough then most users would be happy.
* No one knows what AXON is. For me and you its obvious that the Pixel is lacking in features and is not great value, but too the main stream user its really just Galaxy or iPhone.
I really think if they get the marketing done well it will do fine. Its going to crush anything a Nexus has ever done. Google has a solid brand, unlike brands like One Plus that only nerds know off which I think means they can get away with a higher price tag.
Whats the betting IP57 will be a "new" feature for the Pixl 2?
Ugh its like Android phones on a whole have taken a massive step backwards in the last few weeks with Samsung trying to burn everyone and Google seemingly losing the plot in many different directions...
Ugh its like Android phones on a whole have taken a massive step backwards in the last few weeks with Samsung trying to burn everyone and Google seemingly losing the plot in many different directions...
I feel the same way. Seems like the Pixel phone has become very divisive to Android (inadvertantly) at that.
This could make or break Android...
yup indeed.. bet there are many concerned meetings going on at the different phone makers in the last week!
btw... your name is rather familier - undernet user from 15 years or so back?
And a 2.5k screen plus ois on stills, it's almost as if pixel was made with pixel 2 already in mind.
How do you mean 'if they keep new tech for themselves'?
Think the poster means software wise Google will differentiate the software and hold back on features for OEMs and use the features for Pixel devices.
Sorta like Andoid iterations released to whomsoever but a Google skin on top for the Pixel line as Sony or Samsung do, that really will be a kick in the teeth for the Nexus community but if it makes money for Google they're big and powerful enough in the market to pull it off and HTC won't be complaining.
Yep...and a big middle finger to everyone else especially those who own Nexus devices.
Think it's time for the end users to vote with their pocket and show Google what they think of the move they've pulled off.
I have been using Android devices since the T Mobile G1 and now I'm seriously considering a move to iOS.
Will wait and see what happens in 2017 before making such a drastic move though.
yes