What In The World Is Google Doing? (Headphone Jack, Pixel 2, Again)

[Chex313]

I hate to do this right after I asked the question to answer "what", but I do have to point out the obvious fact here. Everything, and I mean, everything that Google presented today is available on Android in general as long as your device is officially Google Certified. No feature that Google puts out stays exclusive to Google Pixel devices. So I ask again, what in particular amazes anyone to justify paying the premium for Google?

No other phone reliably gets updates or a new OS as fast as a Google phone, and I participate in the beta program so I get them even faster. I don't waste money but I also don't have a budget...so the money doesn't bother me in the slightest. I have owned many iPhone's and dislike iOS so that puts me on Android. This is the first Google phone I have paid top dollar for, it just so happens my N6 needs to be replaced.

I still buy the latest apple hardware for my daughter at Christmas, so spending money on myself ...it's ok.

It comes down to elimination , there isn't any other phone I want, Samsung , LG, htc, Motorola there all off my list, again I don't buy a phone for hardware, my ecosystem is google (and Amazon)and a pixel gives me the best google experience.

 

[dsignori]

Everything, and I mean, everything that Google presented today is available on Android in general as long as your device is officially Google Certified.

I do get your overall point, but if I was picking nits I'd say the AR stickers and Music ID on the lock screen are exclusive Pixel features, in addition to lots more that are not exclusive, but that almost no other devices will get for a while ...

 

[Golfdriver97]

I suppose perhaps now USB C headphones might actually start to take off. However, I really dislike the move away from the standard headphone jack.

 

[prakash99]

I can't speak for everyone but for myself the absence of headphone ports or absence of headphones in the box does not bother me at all. Or, I should say, I don't care. If had been an iPhone user, I would not have freaked out at Apple dropping the iPhone headphone ports last year either. I have NEVER used the headphones that used to come in the box. Not that I go for Beats or Bose headphones. I have two so-called "high-end" (not really high end but high end for my budget) bluetooth headphones - an Avantek over-the-ear headphone that I bought primarily to watch TV when I don't want to bother other people in the room, and an LG Tone headset that I bought from Verizon a few years ago. Whenever I need to use a "wired" headphones, I go for the cheap $10-$15 PLUGZ headphones from Wal-Mart (which give much better sound than most other comparatively more expensive headphones).

But again, that's just me. Headphones, or lack thereof, is not significant at all for me.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

You guys are also gonna need USB-C buds which have an included DAC.

Pixel 2 has no analog pass-through.

 

[modifier]

You guys are also gonna need USB-C buds which have an included DAC.

Pixel 2 has no analog pass-through.

I discovered that the Essential is the same way. Their adapters have a chipset inside the USB end. A passive adapter from Motorola wouldn't work with my PH-1. The adapter Google is including with the 2/XL looks similar to Essential's adapter in both size and shape. Assuming both adapters are made by Foxconn, the internals might be identical.

If what you're saying about the 2/XL having no analog pass-through then my Motorola adapter won't work but my Essential adapter might work. My 2 XL should be here in a couple weeks and I can answer this hypothesis with more authority.

 

[Ry]

I've been using the Moto Z Force Droid for over a year.

I've only used the C to 3.5mm audio adapter to check that it worked.

 

[GrooveRite]

BT codecs can be found in Developer Options (in Oreo not sure about Nougat)

Nice!! Now I need Oreo on my V20

 

[Googlepixelxl2]

You can’t compare the basic face recognition implementation, Android had for years, with the advanced 3Dscanning-based FaceID. According to analysts Apple is at least 2 years ahead of the competition.

Analysts who write tech articles? They aren't scientists, just analysts. There is a huge difference between the two. What Apple managed to accomplish is nothing spectacular. You should see some of the face ID stuff we use on the battlefield! Chances are Apple is probably using that same technology that the military paid millions for and has been using in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2008. This is how everyone got GPS is due to the military.

When I saw Android using something similar I was like okay. Now here comes Apple again in last place. Never in my career would I think a tool we use on the battlefield for bad guys would be a great tool in a smartphone. It's retarded.

How is the competition behind when your competition doesn't care? Air Pods look like tampons and Face ID is for monkeys.

We have a saying, all the dumb terrorists are already dead. Unless you're fighting terrorists, you don't need Face ID. If you want a 1,000 lb bomb dropped on you, by all means, feel free to use Face ID.

 

[cbreze]

I'm in the super minority here 'cause I never use headphones. I just prefer my music out loud and at home when I llisten to it. Headphones shut out my surroundings and I do not want that.
As for the pricing, we need to adjust to it. There are lots of options. There should be some good deals coming for the holidays as there always is. Early adopters always pay full price. Verizon is already offering discounts on certain trade ins, albeit, with stipulations. I'm ok waiting, Gives me a chance to hear reviews from real users. I might even change my mind if I step back from the edge and take a deep breath. I do enjoy all the discussion tho, part of my buying or not buying process.

 

[Bertolus]

Analysts who write tech articles? They aren't scientists, just analysts. There is a huge difference between the two. What Apple managed to accomplish is nothing spectacular. You should see some of the face ID stuff we use on the battlefield! Chances are Apple is probably using that same technology that the military paid millions for and has been using in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2008. This is how everyone got GPS is due to the military.

When I saw Android using something similar I was like okay. Now here comes Apple again in last place. Never in my career would I think a tool we use on the battlefield for bad guys would be a great tool in a smartphone. It's retarded.

How is the competition behind when your competition doesn't care? Air Pods look like tampons and Face ID is for monkeys. Unless you're fighting terrorists, you don't need Face ID.

This is maybe the biggest nonsense, I’ve read in the forums so far. You deliver no reason why FaceID is useless in mobile phones. GPS was also military tech once and is now used in smartphones. And I’m pretty sure, every other company is going to copy FaceID. BTW the new google wireless headphones look even worse than the AirPods.

 

[Googlepixelxl2]

I'm in the super minority here 'cause I never use headphones. I just prefer my music out loud and at home when I llisten to it. Headphones shut out my surroundings and I do not want that.
As for the pricing, we need to adjust to it. There are lots of options. There should be some good deals coming for the holidays as there always is. Early adopters always pay full price. Verizon is already offering discounts on certain trade ins, albeit, with stipulations. I'm ok waiting, Gives me a chance to hear reviews from real users. I might even change my mind if I step back from the edge and take a deep breath. I do enjoy all the discussion tho, part of my buying or not buying process.

Just missed the HTC One M7 (Beats Audio) and M8 (Boom Sound) front facing speakers. My dreams have been answered. I like to watch TV and watch a YouTube video from my phone as well. Front Facing speakers work great for phone conversations or showing friends a video. Thank you Google.

 

[Raghav Jodha]

I also think the same "What on earth Google trying to do"
Google is a Search engine
now Google selling Earphone ( "Pixel Buds"), now creepy Camera that automatic capture a short ( 7 second ) Video
I am not sure what will be the next from google

 

[Googlepixelxl2]

This is maybe the biggest nonsense, I’ve read in the forums so far. You deliver no reason why FaceID is useless in mobile phones. GPS was also military tech once and is now used in smartphones. And I’m pretty sure, every other company is going to copy FaceID. BTW the new google wireless headphones look even worse than the AirPods.

I actually travel unlike you. I can actually use the Pixel Buds as a translator while visiting other countries. That stomps Apple Air Pods into the ground. Actually would serve as a great tool for the military opposed to a person on the battlefield having to translate for us. See how Google innovates?

You might think what I said previously is nonsense, but every single bit of it is true. I guess you missed the part about GPS since you basically repeated what I had said about it.

 

[Googlepixelxl2]

I also think the same "What on earth Google trying to do"
Google is a Search engine
now Google selling Earphone ( "Pixel Buds"), now creepy Camera that automatic capture a short ( 7 second ) Video
I am not sure what will be the next from google

Google is not just a search engine. They make money from ads. Searches don't generate their billions, ads do.

 

[Almeuit]

So I ask again, what in particular amazes anyone to justify paying the premium for Google?

What premium? My Pixel 2 XL costs just as much as .. a Note 8. So how am I paying more? I guess I could go pay for Samsung to get Samsung stuff but the only thing I truly use that is Samsung only is Samsung Pay. It is awesome but not worth me keeping Samsung just to have. Also with Google I get updates and bug fixes. Things that I can only dream about on my Samsung phone. Hell I just got an update on my S8+ the other night from Verizon .. it was the August security patch .. in October .. lol.

 

[Googlepixelxl2]

This is maybe the biggest nonsense, I’ve read in the forums so far. You deliver no reason why FaceID is useless in mobile phones. GPS was also military tech once and is now used in smartphones. And I’m pretty sure, every other company is going to copy FaceID. BTW the new google wireless headphones look even worse than the AirPods.

I will put this right here under Google innovation: https://youtu.be/B_BQjRs94ec Face ID isn't innovative.

 

[Bertolus]

I will put this right here under Google innovation: https://youtu.be/B_BQjRs94ec Face ID isn't innovative.

Yeah yeah I get it. Google is the only company innovating. Thank god, we have Google so every other company can learn.

 

[dsignori]

You guys are also gonna need USB-C buds which have an included DAC.

Pixel 2 has no analog pass-through.

If true, that changes things a bit for me. The cheap dongles aren't going to cut it then and I'd have to pay a bit for "good" dongles with DACs to be able to use my existing headphones.. Not thrilled at all if this is true ..

 

[Googlepixelxl2]

I will put this right here under Google innovation: https://youtu.be/B_BQjRs94ec Face ID isn't innovative.

How about animojis?... LMAO? You're selling thousand dollar phones and you think hard working adults will have time to play with animojis? What adult is buying a thousand dollar phone for their kids to use animojis?