Pixel and 'pure android' experience.

[hal1]

So follow me here.

Years ago I got the 1st Nexus, but not being a huge tech guy I found it cumbersome; Hard to explain, I just had problems navigating the apps I installed - I missed having a UI. I returned it and ended up with a Droid Incredible or something like that.

Jump to last year, I got the Pixel after having the Droid Turbo and Turbo 2 (I really miss the twist camera), completely forgetting about my prior Nexus experience. However I haven't notice that 'pure android' experience that I previously didn't like.

Has something changed/evolved in the navigation software from the OG Nexus of 7 years ago? to me there still seems to be an interface of sorts.

What is this 'pure android' that I'm now experiencing?

 

[mrvco]

I also owned a Nexus One and while it was a great piece of hardware (actually I still have it), 'Eclair' was a positively awful experience. I don't remember 'Froyo' being much better. I don't believe I ever made it to 'Gingerbread' before I went back to an iPhone.

You really need to use an Android phone without the 'Pure Android" experience to understand... e.g. Samsung TouchWiz, HTC Sense, etc. Some people love the OEM skins, some (like me) don't.

 

[dsignori]

So follow me here.

I'm not sure I do. What "missing UI" are you referencing?

While Android is a lot more polished now, the basic operations are mostly the same. There are different gestures and things now. But there was always a Home button, Back button, recents button. Always an app drawer, a notification shade, widgets etc, etc.

That said, all those are better now and there is a lot more spit and polish everywhere and some new features (long press shortcuts on the apps, notification dots, etc)

Perhaps is you could describe what you mean about the UI, we could speak to it a bit better ..

 

[dsignori]

I'm not sure I do. What "missing UI" are you referencing?

While Android is a lot more polished now, the basic operations are mostly the same. There are different gestures and things now. But there was always a Home button, Back button, recents button. Always an app drawer, a notification shade, widgets etc, etc.

That said, all those are better now and there is a lot more spit and polish everywhere and some new features (long press shortcuts on the apps, notification dots, etc)

Other OEM Android phones add more features and some "bloat" at times to it, but mostly the UI is the same.

Perhaps is you could describe what you mean about the UI, we could speak to it a bit better ..

 

[Richard Servello]

Android was complete garbage until jellybean at which point it started getting useable. Love was the first great build and Oreo is the best mobile OS on the market.

 

[hal1]

I'm not sure I do. What "missing UI" are you referencing?

While Android is a lot more polished now, the basic operations are mostly the same. There are different gestures and things now. But there was always a Home button, Back button, recents button. Always an app drawer, a notification shade, widgets etc, etc.

That said, all those are better now and there is a lot more spit and polish everywhere and some new features (long press shortcuts on the apps, notification dots, etc)

Perhaps is you could describe what you mean about the UI, we could speak to it a bit better ..

As an analogy, it felt more like having to go through a computers file system to navigate to an app, as opposed to a windows system where I just click on an app. Kind of hard to explain. But then again, at the time it seemed like I was the only one who 'didn't get it'.

 

[dsignori]

As an analogy, it felt more like having to go through a computers file system to navigate to an app, as opposed to a windows system where I just click on an app. Kind of hard to explain. But then again, at the time it seemed like I was the only one who 'didn't get it'.

I see what you mean. It might just have been how unpolished it was years ago as opposed to now. I never cared for stock Android until recently. I greatly preferred Touchwiz for years. However, the recent iterations on the Pixels with the latest OS's have changed my mind.

 

[Stinger4321]

I liked my Samsung Epic 4G.. 2.1 Eclair then later Froyo 2.2 . Had touchwiz so maybe that made it better? But i always ran with custom roms. Was a samsung guy.. epic4g, s2, nexus Galaxy s for a short time, s3,Note 2, Note 3, Nexus 6, pixel xl, back to nexus 6.. now pre-ordered pixel 2 xl