Addressing The One/S4 "Bias" At Android Central

[Eric Kane]

Exactly. I don't think there's anyone here who hasn't said that about the GS4. (Speaking of which, where's my update! Damn Samsung. I'm going back to the <insert phone you hate here>.)

lulz

One day removed and I'm not feeling the placebo effect. I wish they'd let us see the change log for this thing, but regardless it definitely improved the performance of the device. I saw Klug go crazy last night on Twitter trying to get that update. He's got 455 hours left.

 

[madlaw1071]

waiting for someone to complain, if they havent already that Phil put the One fourth behind all the other phones in his pic. I see bias in that pic.

 

[Phil Nickinson]

One day removed and I'm not feeling the placebo effect. I wish they'd let us see the change log for this thing, but regardless it definitely improved the performance of the device. I saw Klug go crazy last night on Twitter trying to get that update. He's got 455 hours left.

I've seen the changelog. This is verbatim:

• Better touchscreen sensitivity.
• Fixes to ISIS notifications
• Multiwindow now off by default
• S Health updated

But then again, why'd I bother checking on that if I hate the S4 so much?

 

[Eric Kane]

I've seen the changelog. This is verbatim:

• Better touchscreen sensitivity.
• Fixes to ISIS notifications
• Multiwindow now off by default
• S Health updated

But then again, why'd I bother checking on that if I hate the S4 so much?

Does better touchscreen sensitivty mean no more false taps? Uh oh, I mentioned a negative. Pitchforks are being brandished as we speak.

 

[madlaw1071]

I've seen the changelog. This is verbatim:

• Better touchscreen sensitivity.
• Fixes to ISIS notifications
• Multiwindow now off by default
• S Health updated

But then again, why'd I bother checking on that if I hate the S4 so much?

Phil, interesting but none of those would seem to account for substantially less RAM being used post-update. I think we are seeing about 300-400mb less RAM now which would make things speedier right?

 

[Phil Nickinson]

Phil, interesting but none of those would seem to account for substantially less RAM being used post-update. I think we are seeing about 300-400mb less RAM now which would make things speedier right?

Not necessarily.

RAM: What it is, how it's used, and why you shouldn't care | Android Central

 

[warpdrive]

Not really sure that that means, given that the HTC One and GS4 are, like, two months old, but OK. Or that we're "dead set" on anything because one phone came out first. And if anything, I feel like I'm the only kid in class *not* ranting about plastic or the OS.

Not sure where you're getting this from. Folks need to stop making so many assumptions about what we think.

In the past it was easy for me to just come to this site and read or watch reviews from you guys and get an honest amount of feedback and info. This year, I had to dig real deep, even goto many other review sites, and still learned little to nothing. Why? Because unlike in the past, we only had forum trolls. This year, your staff has had issues here on this forum. Mostly its been Kevin. Yesterday it was Jerry.

As for assumptions, all it takes is for you to watch the video review of the HTC One and Samsung S4 to see just what I'm talking about. That special podcast on the S4 was nothing short of a joke, and I know you can do better.

sent from my S4 using motion gestures!!!!

 

[JasW]

As a Note 2 owner, may I just say that mine is bigger than BOTH of yours?

 

[warpdrive]

Does better touchscreen sensitivty mean no more false taps? Uh oh, I mentioned a negative. Pitchforks are being brandished as we speak.

Personally I find this whole issue silly.
But go ahead and say something negative about the One in the One thread and see just how friendly they are over there. It wasn't pretty 2 or 3 months ago.

sent from my S4 using motion gestures!!!!

 

[Phil Nickinson]

That special podcast on the S4 was nothing short of a joke, and I know you can do better.

That was our first time trying something like that. It was ... interesting. Next time we'll have cheerleaders in the background or something.

 

[LegalAmerican]

So many thoughts running through my head.

A) The Galaxy S3 (the one I own) got SO much coverage last year that I think S4 fans feel like they need just as much this year. But we need to respect and appreciate the fact that the competition is stiffer this year than it was last year. (My Opinion) Because of that, you might have to stand on your own two feet and be at peace with your decision more than you have been in the past when AC or other Android sites praised your S3. If you feel like Android Central (Phil, Jerry, Alex, etc..) isn't holding your hand through your Galaxy S4 ownership, that's your problem and something only you can deal with.

B) I prefer the HTC One as well, although I would shed tears of joy if I was able to own either device. So those of you who have been blessed with the S4 or the One, I wish you'd enjoy it instead of going ape shiz on fellow Android fans.

C) Even though I prefer the HTC One, I always thought fans of that device were the worst of all with flaming. Until yesterday and today reading these threads. I will say this though, I made a comment in a One forum and was irritated by a specific forum member and got one HE** of an infraction. I mean it was a doozy. Wont expire until early 2014 worth 35 points. And I know i'm biased, but it was nowhere near the level of other personal attacks i've seen in other threads here. However, I will accept my stripes and cower in the corner until 2014. I learned to not speak against the One or fans of the One.

D) I REALLY want the HTC One.

E) I REALLY want the S4.

Thanks for everything you guys do, AC. I appreciate the work you put into the site.

 

[jusmebabe]

Lol I hear ya. I just get a kick out of people acting like these companies care. Those executives have lunch and vacation together while some will fight tothe death about which one is better.
Back ti watching ESPN on my Vizio, it's way better than any brand out there

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

 

[GrooveRite]

Lol I hear ya. I just get a kick out of people acting like these companies care. Those executives have lunch and vacation together while some will fight tothe death about which one is better.
Back ti watching ESPN on my Vizio, it's way better than any brand out there

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Android Central Forums

If you think Vizio is the best brand out there....I have a bridge over here in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you!!

 

[marky_yo]

Both phones are EXCELLENT! Its just what the person wants or needs.....its funny how we do this with phones, but if you buy a new car, everyone is like "awesome, congrats!" but they may not like the car, either way as long as your happy! Plus it keeps apple on its feet!!

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

There's just as much trolling in the One forums and the same kind of flame wars over there but the mods are not even handed. The mods don't weigh in on the many obvious flaws with the One but choose instead to incite in the s4 forums and then throw their hands up in shock and horror that some people take exception to their tactics. Jerry knew EXACTLY what he was doing when he created his post. He knew that by expressing his preference for the One in an S4 forum there would be reaction.

This isn't about his or Kevin's right to an opinion in the slightest. I respect and appreciate their opinions but wish they were more even handed in criticism of phones and users.

Nah, I just read through the first page of each section (the One, and the S4), without trying to do any type of clean-up, just to get a feel for them (again). Definitely more bickering, arguing, and trolling in the S4 section. I'm not going to speculate why.

Jerry was expressing his opinion after spending a TON of time with the S4. He gave his exact thoughts and ideas as to why people were seeing some of the issues they were seeing. Why did he get attacked for saying he preferred one phone over the other? Was that fair? Is it fair when regular members get attacked or flamed for expressing their preference for one device over the other?

To prove my point, how many posts have you seen start out with "I know I might get some backlash" or "don't flame me" or something along those lines when the member KNOWS they are saying something people might not like. What does that say about us as a community that people are starting off posts like that? Not as individuals, but as a community. AC is known for being friendly and inviting for n00bs and pros alike, but lately what we've (the Mod team) been noticing is that this isn't the case. People in general have been far more confrontational, defensive, unhelpful, and just generally not very "nice".

Unfotunately, so do many of the One users. Are you an equal opportunity flamer?

Yes. Your perception is not reality.

In the past it was easy for me to just come to this site and read or watch reviews from you guys and get an honest amount of feedback and info. This year, I had to dig real deep, even goto many other review sites, and still learned little to nothing. Why? Because unlike in the past, we only had forum trolls. This year, your staff has had issues here on this forum. Mostly its been Kevin. Yesterday it was Jerry.

As for assumptions, all it takes is for you to watch the video review of the HTC One and Samsung S4 to see just what I'm talking about. That special podcast on the S4 was nothing short of a joke, and I know you can do better.

sent from my S4 using motion gestures!!!!

Listen to the podcasts, read the written reviews. Watch the "How-to....." that have been done for the S4. Plenty of information out there. I'm sorry that you don't like Phil's explanation that he gave above. Some people DO understand what he said, and I thank those people.



As for getting a review "in a vacuum" why? Do you purchase phones in a vacuum? Are you not going to compare devices in the store before you buy them? Alex's review for the S4 had different sections for different parts of the phone, and was very well done in my opinion. I read both reviews, and came away well informed about each device. I think it's unrealistic to think that a reviewer's opinion isn't going to show through at all in a review.

Now, my real question is, because I said some things people might not like in this post, am I going to get flamed and labeled again? We'll see.

 

[Ricky Babalu]

Man, I have never seen this much hostility between Android users.
_

 

[warpdrive]

That was our first time trying something like that. It was ... interesting. Next time we'll have cheerleaders in the background or something.

And as far as I'm concerned a great idea. Even your funny faces are much appreciated by me. But for what seemed like half the review it was all about what was not liked about the phone, instead of showing us what other web sites didn't show us.

In other words, regardless that Samsung added a ton of features, you barely showed us anything...never mind something that others haven't. I walked away knowing less about the S4 then before. No cheerleaders nessasery, just give me the facts bro.

I still love you phil. I also think that the HTC One is an awesome phone. If I honestly thought that I could live with the button layout and the "feel in my hand" for 2 years, then I would have gotten the One. It just wasn't for me.

sent from my S4 using motion gestures!!!!

 

[Phil Nickinson]

Man, I have never seen this much hostility between Android users.

I actually kinda like these discussions. They keep us honest, and make us think about our coverage. Not that we don't do that anyway, but still.

I'd also invite anyone to come work with us for a week and see how easy it is(n't).

 

[meyerweb#CB]

Yes. Your perception is not reality.

Not sure what perception you're referring to. I didn't state a "perception" or an opinion, I simply asked a question. I gave up on having any reasonable conversations in the One forums, since any attempt to ask a question which might be interpreted as questioning that phone's "perfection" just resulted in a flame fest. Far worse than I've seen in the S4 forum, in fact. So I don't know whether Jerry's even handed in his personal attacks or not. I do think, however, that if any of us more "regular" members posted comments like those made by some of the A|C staff, those posts would be deleted and the user banned in an instant. Disagreeing with someone's opinions is one thing. Insulting and name-calling shouldn't be permitted by anyone, no matter what their role at A|C.

 

[madlaw1071]

Nah, I just read through the first page of each section (the One, and the S4), without trying to do any type of clean-up, just to get a feel for them (again). Definitely more bickering, arguing, and trolling in the S4 section. I'm not going to speculate why.

Jerry was expressing his opinion after spending a TON of time with the S4. He gave his exact thoughts and ideas as to why people were seeing some of the issues they were seeing. Why did he get attacked for saying he preferred one phone over the other? Was that fair? Is it fair when regular members get attacked or flamed for expressing their preference for one device over the other?

To prove my point, how many posts have you seen start out with "I know I might get some backlash" or "don't flame me" or something along those lines when the member KNOWS they are saying something people might not like. What does that say about us as a community that people are starting off posts like that? Not as individuals, but as a community. AC is known for being friendly and inviting for n00bs and pros alike, but lately what we've (the Mod team) been noticing is that this isn't the case. People in general have been far more confrontational, defensive, unhelpful, and just generally not very "nice".



Yes. Your perception is not reality.



Listen to the podcasts, read the written reviews. Watch the "How-to....." that have been done for the S4. Plenty of information out there. I'm sorry that you don't like Phil's explanation that he gave above. Some people DO understand what he said, and I thank those people.



As for getting a review "in a vacuum" why? Do you purchase phones in a vacuum? Are you not going to compare devices in the store before you buy them? Alex's review for the S4 had different sections for different parts of the phone, and was very well done in my opinion. I read both reviews, and came away well informed about each device. I think it's unrealistic to think that a reviewer's opinion isn't going to show through at all in a review.

Now, my real question is, because I said some things people might not like in this post, am I going to get flamed and labeled again? We'll see.

OMG, dude seriously, if you think there is more trolling etc on the S4 forums it's because we have you and Jerry actively lobbying for the One and other HTC fans starting flaming wars. Take away your "shady" thread and your deep abiding concern posts about S4 lag(which was corrected within 2 weeks of launch) and Jerry's post yesterday and it's really not bad around here.

Most peeps have stayed away from the One forums because the fan boys/girls over there get their panties in a twist at the slightest criticism of the One, even from owners like me AND because the mods over there are not even handed.

Reality check por favor.