Google Pixel/Pixel XL Review Discussions

[Cant Miss]

Does anyone know if Apple designed their own chip in the beginning.

Initially, Apple had Sammy design and build chips based on a specification. It took Apple years to acquire/amass the technology to actually design, from the ground up, the A series processors now used in iPhones and iPads. The first A series debuted in the original iPad and iPhone 4. If you want the complete history check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_mobile_application_processors#A_series

 

[VitaminA]

I agree with your trend observation, but there are many here, me included, that started luke warm on this phone and have grown more excited by the day and as the reviews roll out. The more I see here on the camera action, the more optimistic I am that I am getting at least as good as other leaders. I can't wait to get it in my hands tomorrow so I can see for myself. I have definitely changed though.

I'm glad to hear from someone who didn't let their initial thoughts determine their analysis of the actual phone/reviews. Wish more people were willing to change on stuff like this. Hope it works out for you! I still can't bring myself to pay for it, although I'm in dire need of a new phone. Sadly, I feel I'll be a little disappointed if/when I get a different phone.

 

[sting7k]

Apple's model is decidedly different. They actually design the silicon. Even if Google made every decision about what went into the Pixel (and based on Osterloh's comments - they didn't), they still only chose existing, off the shelf parts, and depend on the vendors of those parts for driver support going forward.

Big difference.

Everyone seems to be completely overlooking this major difference. Sure Google designed the phone. But an off the shelf Snapdragon CPU will never achieve type of synergy Apple gets with their A chips and iOS. It has taken Apple many years to get their A series chips to where they are now. Google would still be years behind if they start designing their own SoC. Google remains at the mercy of Qualcomm for now.

 

[Cant Miss]

Google remains at the mercy of Qualcomm for now.

And Java.

 

[Adranalyne]

You know what still boggles my mind about Google? They still cannot get their messaging situation under control. If I want to use Allo, I can use Allo only with other Allo users. Hangouts is being relegated to enterprise use and isn't even present on the Pixel until you enable it. Messaging is used for text messaging, but misses all the features of Allo. So even between Pixel devices, there's no clear way to communicate unless you like to use the Messaging app and that's it. How hard would it have been to simply brand Allo as "Google Messenger", incorporate SMS into it, and make it available as a pre-installed default messaging app on Android devices as a whole?

 

[Aquila]

How hard would it have been to simply brand Allo as "Google Messenger", incorporate SMS into it, and make it available as a pre-installed default messaging app on Android devices as a whole?

Getting almost all Allo features to work over SMS is impossible. Adding SMS to Allo is merely difficult.

 

[Cant Miss]

Google? They still cannot get their messaging situation under control

Allo and Duo are an Apple thing; They're trying to bridge the gap between FaceTime and iMessage. But good luck getting your iPhone toting buddies to install it. What we need a standardized data platform to replace SMS but it's never gonna happen.

Still will use Hangouts, which I loved with Google Voice; and now Project Fi. Never understood all the innuendo from Android podcasters that it is somehow a mess. It was unfortunate to see it backtrack from the integrated message threads.

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

Allo and Duo are an Apple thing; They're trying to bridge the gap between FaceTime and iMessage. But good luck getting your iPhone toting buddies to install it. What we need a standardized data platform to replace SMS but it's never gonna happen.

Still will use Hangouts, which I loved with Google Voice; and now Project Fi. Never understood all the innuendo from Android podcasters that it is somehow a mess. It was unfortunate to see it backtrack from the integrated message threads.

I don't have a single friend that will use Allo, Duo, or Hangouts. Google needs to understand that whatever messaging service they create will have to play nice with SMS.

 

[Aquila]

I don't have a single friend that will use Allo, Duo, or Hangouts. Google needs to understand that whatever messaging service they create will have to play nice with SMS.

They only need to understand that if their priority is to take over messaging in the US. The vast majority of the world doesn't use SMS.

 

[mrsafety7]

Thanks for the post! Keeps us from having to check everywhere! AWESOME!
Thanks again

 

[EnemiesInTheEnd]

They only need to understand that if their priority is to take over messaging in the US. The vast majority of the world doesn't use SMS.

The rest of the world is hooked on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk so those people aren't going to switch. iMessage works fine with SMS - so should whatever messaging service Google wants to use.

 

[klau25]

https://9to5google.com/2016/10/20/o...its-the-least-frustrating-android-phone-ever/

Great opinion piece from 9 to 5 Google. This is exactly what set the pixel apart from the other Android phones including the Nexus. I do hope that the Pixel will continue to perform like it does now over a long period of time.

 

[JDGAFFLIN]

I went to check it out at my local (Warren, MI) Verizon store after work.

All I can say is, Impressive. It was blazingly fast. The fluidness & speed was amazing. And design looks a helluva lot better in person. It’s light, but feels good in the hand.

I wasn’t expecting to come away as impressed as I was. The branch I was at actually had a 128GB black version in Stock. It was hard not to walk out with it.

 

[qnet]

You all have made some good points about the Google/Apple comparison with regards to the phones. Having had the phone for almost a day now, I will say whatever they've done, it's been done very well, no matter how deep they were involved with the design process.