Android Police on Pixel Anger

[Citizen Coyote]

I'm not usually one to post another website's articles or opinions, but I think this lengthy entry by David Ruddock over at Android Police is worth a read. In it, he addresses the powerful wave of negativity the Pixel has produced, and calls for us all to take a breath and step back. Yes, the Pixels are expensive, and a luxury purchase for much of the world. Yes, it's a shift in direction by Google. But Google has not abandoned current Nexus phones, and the company certainly has a right (and one could say a duty if you're a shareholder) to try new approaches to existing issues.

Expressing frustration at the current Google reality is going to be natural for fans who have come to expect Google to stay the course. I'm right up there with you if you're in that camp. But on the other hand, it's just a phone. Many options exist if you're angry with the Pixel. Want speedy updates? You can still find the Nexi for sale (just not through Google). Want to spend less for similar power? The HTC 10, Galaxy S7, and OnePlus 3 can all satisfy that need. Just want to vent? Sure, you have an excuse. Just don't get carried away, and remember that not everyone is going to share your opinion on the Pixel, good or bad.

Besides, nothing is set in stone. In three months, Google might drop the price because Pixels aren't moving after the initial pre-order rush. By January, maybe Google Assistant will be on the Play Store for anyone to download. Or maybe nothing will change. Either way, something new will always be just around the corner, and I wouldn't put it past Samsung to sneakily undercut the Pixel with the Galaxy S8 if the former does well.

My $0.02 on someone else's $0.02.

Edit: I would love for AC's editors to offer up their thoughts on the Pixel reaction. Maybe in a podcast?

 

[ljbad4life]

I'm not usually one to post another website's articles or opinions, but I think this lengthy entry by David Ruddock over at Android Police is worth a read. In it, he addresses the powerful wave of negativity the Pixel has produced, and calls for us all to take a breath and step back. Yes, the Pixels are expensive, and a luxury purchase for much of the world. Yes, it's a shift in direction by Google. But Google has not abandoned current Nexus phones, and the company certainly has a right (and one could say a duty if you're a shareholder) to try new approaches to existing issues.

Expressing frustration at the current Google reality is going to be natural for fans who have come to expect Google to stay the course. I'm right up there with you if you're in that camp. But on the other hand, it's just a phone. Many options exist if you're angry with the Pixel. Want speedy updates? You can still find the Nexi for sale (just not through Google). Want to spend less for similar power? The HTC 10, Galaxy S7, and OnePlus 3 can all satisfy that need. Just want to vent? Sure, you have an excuse. Just don't get carried away, and remember that not everyone is going to share your opinion on the Pixel, good or bad.

Besides, nothing is set in stone. In three months, Google might drop the price because Pixels aren't moving after the initial pre-order rush. By January, maybe Google Assistant will be on the Play Store for anyone to download. Or maybe nothing will change. Either way, something new will always be just around the corner, and I wouldn't put it past Samsung to sneakily undercut the Pixel with the Galaxy S8 if the former does well.

My $0.02 on someone else's $0.02.

Edit: I would love for AC's editors to offer up their thoughts on the Pixel reaction. Maybe in a podcast?

The anger is a culmination of google shifting and trying to be Apple and doing a poor job of it. The pricing I don't really see as that bad, but will google support the pixels for 4 years like Apple does at the price point (hint no). Google is getting slow and sloppy with updates. Nexus 6 JUST go OTA for Nougat. 2 months late, did the nexus 9 even get it yet? And before anyone says Pixel is a premium device so it will get supported, the Nexus 6 was $649 and this will be its last update according to google. I can understand the... furor.

I see the major sticking point is the huge price delta between The Pixel XL and the Nexus 6p. Where there isn't that much of a difference to most people. Same storage sizes (the 6p had 64gb too), metal build, Similar camera. It seems like that camp of 6p owners are kind of furious.

For me, a 5x owner the price delta is the same, but the value is there. Way better performance, Better build quality, Better camera (no EIS on the 5x)

Another point I would like to point out that nothing is keeping google assistant off of the recent nexus phones. Literally nothing. If it can be in allo on my phone, then it can replace google now. google is holding it specifically to Pixel phones to drive sales and that is a pretty crappy thing to do to a year old phone owners. Google made a huge stink about separating out things from the core android so they can be available on every device and updated quickly though google play services. Did that promise even last a year?

I want to make it clear that I am not angry at google at all, I just understand where the anger is coming from. I'm on the fence with the Pixel and I may wait until after xmas to purchase

 

[Premium1]

The anger is a culmination of google shifting and trying to be Apple and doing a poor job of it. The pricing I don't really see as that bad, but will google support the pixels for 4 years like Apple does at the price point (hint no). Google is getting slow and sloppy with updates. Nexus 6 JUST go OTA for Nougat. 2 months late, did the nexus 9 even get it yet? And before anyone says Pixel is a premium device so it will get supported, the Nexus 6 was $649 and this will be its last update according to google. I can understand the... furor.

I see the major sticking point is the huge price delta between The Pixel XL and the Nexus 6p. Where there isn't that much of a difference to most people. Same storage sizes (the 6p had 64gb too), metal build, Similar camera. It seems like that camp of 6p owners are kind of furious.

For me, a 5x owner the price delta is the same, but the value is there. Way better performance, Better build quality, Better camera (no EIS on the 5x)

Another point I would like to point out that nothing is keeping google assistant off of the recent nexus phones. Literally nothing. If it can be in allo on my phone, then it can replace google now. google is holding it specifically to Pixel phones to drive sales and that is a pretty crappy thing to do to a year old phone owners. Google made a huge stink about separating out things from the core android so they can be available on every device and updated quickly though google play services. Did that promise even last a year?

I want to make it clear that I am not angry at google at all, I just understand where the anger is coming from. I'm on the fence with the Pixel and I may wait until after xmas to purchase

Agree. I am fine with the price, if they offer apple like updates which is highly unlikely. That is why people upset..

 

[arthurhkt]

I'm not usually one to post another website's articles or opinions, but I think this lengthy entry by David Ruddock over at Android Police is worth a read. In it, he addresses the powerful wave of negativity the Pixel has produced, and calls for us all to take a breath and step back. Yes, the Pixels are expensive, and a luxury purchase for much of the world. Yes, it's a shift in direction by Google. But Google has not abandoned current Nexus phones, and the company certainly has a right (and one could say a duty if you're a shareholder) to try new approaches to existing issues.

Expressing frustration at the current Google reality is going to be natural for fans who have come to expect Google to stay the course. I'm right up there with you if you're in that camp. But on the other hand, it's just a phone. Many options exist if you're angry with the Pixel. Want speedy updates? You can still find the Nexi for sale (just not through Google). Want to spend less for similar power? The HTC 10, Galaxy S7, and OnePlus 3 can all satisfy that need. Just want to vent? Sure, you have an excuse. Just don't get carried away, and remember that not everyone is going to share your opinion on the Pixel, good or bad.

Besides, nothing is set in stone. In three months, Google might drop the price because Pixels aren't moving after the initial pre-order rush. By January, maybe Google Assistant will be on the Play Store for anyone to download. Or maybe nothing will change. Either way, something new will always be just around the corner, and I wouldn't put it past Samsung to sneakily undercut the Pixel with the Galaxy S8 if the former does well.

My $0.02 on someone else's $0.02.

Edit: I would love for AC's editors to offer up their thoughts on the Pixel reaction. Maybe in a podcast?

For some people, they really can't accept the price because they still kinda stuck on the pre-Nexus era, and most Nexus user feel that they abandon by Google are due to most of the functionality on Pixel series won't be available on the Nexus devices.

In my opinion, Google would be lower down the price in within this year or early next year, that would only do more damage than helping them. Still I would like to see how Android Central member would comment about the Pixel phones.

 

[Daniel0418]

I don't think the updates thing is an issue. People have been paying $600+ for flagship phones from manufacturers that don't support for even a year without issue. Two years is plenty. The vitriol seems more derived from aspiration. A lot of people want the device, but are disappointed they can't afford it. So, what do you do? Run to the forums and complain hoping to making enough noise for a price drop. But, they'll sell too many. I predict no price drop until after January 1 minimum, maybe longer.

 

[suku_patel_2201]

Well apple like updates for 4 years, when the last couple of updates start crippling the device? What's the point of such updates? Have heard multiple people hayjng their iPhone 6 after iOS 10.

N6 will be the last device because probably Qualcomm wontnbe supporting 805 for much longer.

We don't see Samsung/LG/HTC/Moto providing 4 years of updates and still charge the same money, so why this hate for a Pixel?

Its guaranteed to get the updates much before any of the other devices running that same processor do and that would be a big plus for many.

 

[dsignori]

The AP Article actually states (correctly IMO) that much of the anger is not really directed at the Pixel - other than the price. Almost all of the arguments have to do with what Google should do supporting OLDER devices. The Pixel having the Google Assistant isn't a negative against the Pixel after all, but the lack of it is a deficiency (for now) for other phones, and the owners don't like it. Same thing with other software differences now or in the future. While I can understand that anger, to a point anyway, at times the anger seems overblown and hyperbolic.

TL;DR: I can understand the anger, but people are conflating the anger over support of older phones with anger over the Pixel ..