Op Ed: Google's Looming Pixel 4 disappointment

[anon(10092459)]

Idk.. People are different. I don't understand if what Google designs and releases doesn't resonate with a user, why even acknowledge it at all? I don't discuss LG's design, or Samsung. or even Apple's design. Because what does it matter??

At the end of it all, people discuss Pixels on these blogs ad nauseam. One one hand, they claim they aren't selling well .. while at the same time discussing them every week. If they aren't selling, then what's the point of all that then?

People act like they're being forced to buy any of these devices. The whole thing is just so strange to me.

 

[Mike Dee]

Idk.. People are different. I don't understand if what Google designs and releases doesn't resonate with a user, why even acknowledge it at all? I don't discuss LG's design, or Samsung. or even Apple's design. Because what does it matter??

At the end of it all, people discuss Pixels on these blogs ad nauseam. One one hand, they claim they aren't selling well .. while at the same time discussing them every week. If they aren't selling, then what's the point of all that then?

People act like they're being forced to buy any of these devices. The whole thing is just so strange to me.

I'm with you all they way. I have little interest in bashing a device that I don't intend to buy.

Just a few reasons that people get all worked up about come to mind:

Some want the Pixel to be everything that they want it to be.

Some just like to complain.

Some just like to bash it to make themselves feel better about an alternative purchase.

Some really believe that what they are saying is really true.

 

[mustang7757]

Idk.. People are different. I don't understand if what Google designs and releases doesn't resonate with a user, why even acknowledge it at all? I don't discuss LG's design, or Samsung. or even Apple's design. Because what does it matter??

At the end of it all, people discuss Pixels on these blogs ad nauseam. One one hand, they claim they aren't selling well .. while at the same time discussing them every week. If they aren't selling, then what's the point of all that then?

People act like they're being forced to buy any of these devices. The whole thing is just so strange to me.

Just can't make everyone happy
This will go on Forever

 

[anon(10092459)]

I'm with you all they way. I have little interest in bashing a device that I don't intend to buy.

Just a few reasons that people get all worked up about come to mind:

Some want the Pixel to be everything that they want it to be.

Some just like to complain.

Some just like to bash it to make themselves feel better about an alternative purchase.

Some really believe that what they are saying is really true.

I think that's spot on, Mike and couldn't agree more. Because I swear I've come across each one of those "personalities" on assorted forums on across the net.

 

[Mike Dee]

I think that's spot on, Mike and couldn't agree more. Because I swear I've come across each one of those "personalities" on assorted forums on across the net.

There was a time that I wouldn't touch Samsung but I never bashed it. The only think I ever complained about was curved screens and touchwiz. The screens are a bit less curved and the skin has improved otherwise I would never have picked up an S10+. I use both the S10+ and the Pixel 3XL and each device has it quirks and unique good points. I don't think I'll be getting the Note 10 but almost caved in and bought a used Note 9 but I'm glad I went S10+. I will consider the 4XL but I don't see myself preordering at top price this time.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

https://www.xda-developers.com/google-android-q-gesture-mess/

Having used the beta and gestures myself, I have to agree. Android wasn't designed from the ground up with gestures in mind, so the implementation of the gestures in Q I don't think is very good. Feels like it was just duck-shoved into the OS.

Hopefully they allow reverting back to the three button setup as that was much, much faster and far superior imo.

Video from Android Central about the Q gestures as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmaAZv1J5IY

 

[anon(10092459)]

Well... getting back on topic. I think the Pixel 4 is going to crush it come October. I think yesterday's earning call points in that direction.

I think most of these tech bloggers and personalities are missing the about the 3a and it's impact on Pixel sales. Price makes up part of the story, that's true. But what's not being discussed is the expansion of carriers for distribution. That helped both the 3a and the 3.

Extending that footprint will get the Pixel 4 in more hands come the fall and crush all previous Pixels sales numbers, especially if the discount on black Friday.

Much to the disappointment of Dobie's disappointment.

 

[Mike Dee]

Well... getting back on topic. I think the Pixel 4 is going to crush it come October. I think yesterday's earning call points in that direction.

I think most of these tech bloggers and personalities are missing the about the 3a and it's impact on Pixel sales. Price makes up part of the story, that's true. But what's not being discussed is the expansion of carriers for distribution. That helped both the 3a and the 3.

Extending that footprint will get the Pixel 4 in more hands come the fall and crush all previous Pixels sales numbers, especially if the discount on black Friday.

Much to the disappointment of Dobie's disappointment.

I hope they do well but lately smart device sales numbers are not very impressive for almost any brand

 

[anon(10092459)]

I hope they do well but lately smart device sales numbers are not very impressive for almost any brand

Agreed. I should've been clearer. I was thinking more as an internal measurement for Google.

Completely agree that it's a mature market. Also, I maintain that Google isn't interested in selling Samsung/Apple level numbers. They're making so much from search and YouTube, hardware will just be a complementary/ancillary business for some time.

 

[Golurk]

Turns out Google’s Android Q gestures are as bad as everyone makes it to be...

Personally, I prefer 3 button navigation, but when other brands like Samsung already have (better) gestures, it seems like Google is trying to avoid fragmentation

 

[anon(10092459)]

Back to topic ...

I hope that Google isn't straying too far away from keeping things simple with the Pixel 4. To me the Pixel/Google Experience is about clean UI and a functional, curated feature set. I see this camera set up on the back of the 4 and my concerns are heightened that Google is losing discipline with their Pixels.

I don't want them going down a path of adding to the feature set too much. That ledger is already starting to get a lil long in the tooth. Look at the camera app for example, getting a bit bloated and needs to be edited. But with additional camera and functions being added, the feature set will grow and that requires resources.

If anything, Google needs to edit the upcoming Pixel 4 and show some restraint. Fewer, but refined, feature set would be more enticing to me than just adding line items. Put most of the weight on GA and develop from that foundation.

 

[Nauga]

If anything, Google needs to edit the upcoming Pixel 4 and show some restraint. Fewer, but refined, feature set would be more enticing to me than just adding line items. Put most of the weight on GA and develop from that foundation.

I take your point, but I doubt that "restraint" is going to net Google many converts, especially not from the big bells and whistles brands like Samsung and Apple. And let's face it, there's no way Google was not going to move up to multiple cameras once they were happy with the state of their processing chops, so I'm sure that camera app was earmarked for bloat some time ago.

Restraint and refinement sounds good to me, too, since I rarely use either the camera or the assistant, but smartphone development is still all about trying to out-Samsung Samsung.

 

[Mike Dee]

I take your point, but I doubt that "restraint" is going to net Google many converts, especially not from the big bells and whistles brands like Samsung and Apple. And let's face it, there's no way Google was not going to move up to multiple cameras once they were happy with the state of their processing chops, so I'm sure that camera app was earmarked for bloat some time ago.

Restraint and refinement sounds good to me, too, since I rarely use either the camera or the assistant, but smartphone development is still all about trying to out-Samsung Samsung.

What camera bloat are you referring too?

 

[Nauga]

What camera bloat are you referring too?

You'll have to ask DMP89145; I was just using his language. I assumed he was talking about a move to multiple sensors (telephoto, wide-angle, B&W, whatever) on the back of the P4s.

 

[Mike Dee]

You'll have to ask DMP89145; I was just using his language. I assumed he was talking about a move to multiple sensors (telephoto, wide-angle, B&W, whatever) on the back of the P4s.

I went back and re-read his post. He was referring to software and not hardware.

 

[anon(10092459)]

Yeah, let me make sure I'm clear. You're both right about what I'm referring to. @Nauga I am considering the additional hardware, which in turn suggests additions to the software feature set that I feel is already bloated.
@Mike Dee knows me enough, to know my true concern is on the software side. Like the confirmation yesterday regarding Soli... It's great to see advancements with technology, but it does cause me pause on the software side and the feature set and resource allocation.

Pixels seem to be, IMO, moving away from that edited, focused feature set. At least that's MY early impression. Generation by generation seems to be feature additions without ruthless editing.

 

[Mike Dee]

Yeah, let me make sure I'm clear. You're both right about what I'm referring to. @Nauga I am considering the additional hardware, which in turn suggests additions to the software feature set that I feel is already bloated.
@Mike Dee knows me enough, to know my true concern is on the software side. Like the confirmation yesterday regarding Soli... It's great to see advancements with technology, but it does cause me pause on the software side and the feature set and resource allocation.

Pixels seem to be, IMO, moving away from that edited, focused feature set. At least that's MY early impression. Generation by generation seems to be feature additions without ruthless editing.

I'm of the mindset that Google had to do something new with the way their phones unlock. It was a given once we saw the forehead showing up in leaks. Touchless gestures has my curiosity stirring and I wasn't expecting that. I hope they get it right. I don't believe their software will be bloated....they can't afford that.

 

[anon(10092459)]

I'm of the mindset that Google had to do something new with the way their phones unlock. It was a given once we saw the forehead showing up in leaks. Touchless gestures has my curiosity stirring and I wasn't expecting that. I hope they get it right. I don't believe their software will be bloated....they can't afford that.

..and I'll agree with that thought. 4th generation, time for an update.

I'm just hoping they aren't being influenced by industry forces too much. Don't start "pushing it" on the gimmicky features. Clean UI and function works, and I'm hoping they keep things refined and focused.

 

[Mike Dee]

..and I'll agree with that thought. 4th generation, time for an update.

I'm just hoping they aren't being influenced by industry forces too much. Don't start "pushing it" on the gimmicky features. Clean UI and function works, and I'm hoping they keep things refined and focused.

 

[anon(10092459)]

Lol! Mad Magazine ..!?!? Okay, then.