What rumors are Jerry referring to in this week's blog post?

[Clocks]

That was part of it, yes.

I'd ask what else there could be but I'd probably screw up the grammar. I'll just wait patiently like a big boy.

In the mean time I'm working on my big grey jerry beard. Also kiddo #1 needed a hug just then.

 

[craZDude]

Actually, the title is grammatically correct. "Jerry" is the subject, "referring" is the main verb, and "rumors" is the object. The non action verb should agree with the object in this case, which it does. If the sentence was written in SVO order, it would be Jerry is referring(which is where is would come in, as a helping verb) to rumors, what are they? If your suggestion was used, the SVO sentence would be Jerry is referring to rumors, what is they? That would be incorrect.

*Facepalm* the original correction was correct. "Jerry is referring to rumors" even when put into a question is still "Which rumors is Jerry referring to?" Because the "is " is describing an action done by Jerry, not the rumors.

Grammar aside, this is really interesting to think and speculate about. I'm very intrigued by what the Android Central editors know now, and what's coming down the pipeline. I can't wait until Oct 4th when we hear more!

 

[Jerry Hildenbrand]

OK, here we go.

We (not as a group but separately from separate people) have seen and heard things that make us think Google is going to change why they sell their own phones. It seems that they will take an active role advertising them, and have some new and better support-after-sale options. That doesn't mean they will stop being open reference models for developers, just that they want normal people to buy and enjoy them, too.

Here's the kicker — even today we don't know what will happen. Some of this stuff is almost certainly just an idea that will never happen. Maybe even all of it. We don't have enough faith on any one thing to report it as any type of news, so we don't.

I can say what I think, that has nothing to do with Android Central or any other person that works here. Everything under this sentence is just that — my thoughts on the whole thing.

Google knows that some of the things they are going to do will make their phones stand out from any of the others. Features and options that are available for everyone, but no other company bothers to include. They want you to know it, and they want you to buy it. They are going to focus more on just that.

Not for the sake of making money from selling phones, though. Remember, Google makes as much money when you buy an iPhone as they do when you buy Samsung or LG or Nexus. They make money from their services. Getting people aware of (and wanting) features like Daydream, instant apps, seamless updates and all the other things that can be done means other companies will include them, and Android as a whole gets better for everyone. When Android gets better, Apple has to get better and they will. As phones get better, people want them more and use them more.

Google makes money when you use your phone, not when you buy your phone.

 

[Ry]

..after listening to last week's podcast (stop interrupting Jerry!), I'll go one step further.

A US carrier will have exclusivity for the US. Hi Verizon.

(rumors)

 

[speedlever]

..after listening to last week's podcast (stop interrupting Jerry!), I'll go one step further.

A US carrier will have exclusivity for the US. Hi Verizon.

(rumors)

Should this turn out to be true, I think there's an iP7+ in my near future. Rats.

 

[Ry]

Should this turn out to be true, I think there's an iP7+ in my near future. Rats.

Or...

Verizon will sell the phone alongside Google but no other carriers will have it in their stores.

 

[speedlever]

Or...

Verizon will sell the phone alongside Google but no other carriers will have it in their stores.

Ah. That would be an interesting scenario. So if I bought from Google, would I be able to take it to VZW should I need service even though I don't have VZW service? I'm sorta doubting that support option will exist except for those who have VZW service.

 

[Ry]

Ah. That would be an interesting scenario. So if I bought from Google, would I be able to take it to VZW should I need service even though I don't have VZW service? I'm sorta doubting that support option will exist except for those who have VZW service.

(if I'm right about that rumor), it'll be like the Nexus 6 IMO.

 

[speedlever]

(if I'm right about that rumor), it'll be like the Nexus 6 IMO.

I'm not clear on what that means.

 

[Ry]

I'm not clear on what that means.

If you buy from the carrier, the carrier will support you.

If you buy from Google, Google will support you.

 

[speedlever]

If you buy from the carrier, the carrier will support you.

If you buy from Google, Google will support you.

Gotcha. And per this article, it sounds like you have it right.

Pricing for the smaller Google Pixel phone could start at $649, but financing will be available

I just hope the pricing info is way, way high.

 

[Ry]

Gotcha. And per this article, it sounds like you have it right.

Pricing for the smaller Google Pixel phone could start at $649, but financing will be available

I just hope the pricing info is way, way high.

Having Verizon or any other carrier as a partner makes sense if Google is serious about getting these Pixel phones into more hands (in the US). People still buy phones from carriers here.

 

[I Can Be Your Hero]

Having Verizon or any other carrier as a partner makes sense if Google is serious about getting these Pixel phones into more hands (in the US). People still buy phones from carriers here.

Same as in Australia. Vast majority of phones are bought on contract through a carrier.

I suspect the high retail price is to encourage people to buy from a carrier rather than from Google's Play Store. The more sales through the carrier, the better the relationship between the carrier and Google and the more likely they'll carry the next phone and maybe order more stock etc.

 

[Citizen Coyote]

Except that would mean buying through Verizon, and screw that. Most people who want Nexus/Pixel phones want to be free of carrier tethers. This sounds like the Galaxy Nexus all over again.

 

[speedlever]

Same as in Australia. Vast majority of phones are bought on contract through a carrier.

I suspect the high retail price is to encourage people to buy from a carrier rather than from Google's Play Store. The more sales through the carrier, the better the relationship between the carrier and Google and the more likely they'll carry the next phone and maybe order more stock etc.

Except that would mean buying through Verizon, and screw that. Most people who want Nexus/Pixel phones want to be free of carrier tethers. This sounds like the Galaxy Nexus all over again.

Isn't this the same as buying an iPhone from the carrier or from an Apple store? (except that an Apple store can be local vs mail order from Google).

Of course there's no additional bloatware if you buy the iPhone from a carrier. I would think the same would be true with a Nexus/Pixel bought through a carrier. True?

That being said, my understanding is that if you buy an iPhone for VZW, it will include all the radios including GSM. But if you buy an iPhone for AT&T or TMo, it will not include the CDMA radios for VZW/Sprint. I wonder if the Pixel purchased through VZW will have GSM radios or not (vs buying from Google)?

 

[Citizen Coyote]

That's the way it should be, yes. But the Galaxy Nexus did not follow this. Verizon Galaxy Nexus phones received delayed updates compared to their unlocked counterparts, despite being stock Android. I honestly do not trust Verizon to not pull the same shenanigans with the Nexus/Pixel.

Bottom line, if you want an unmolested phone in the US, buy an iPhone or buy direct from a manufacturer/unlocked. Otherwise, it's bound to have the carrier's grubby little fingerprints on it in some fashion.

 

[Ry]

Except that would mean buying through Verizon, and screw that. Most people who want Nexus/Pixel phones want to be free of carrier tethers. This sounds like the Galaxy Nexus all over again.

But Google wants to move beyond the enthusiast though.

 

[Citizen Coyote]

But Google wants to move beyond the enthusiast though.

If that's really their plan, they should make it available through all four major carriers (and maybe some of the smaller players, too) as well as selling it unlocked through major stores like Best Buy. If you want to move beyond enthusiast, you need to put it in front of Joe Q. Public as much as possible. Not lock it away behind a website and a single carrier.

 

[speedlever]

That's the way it should be, yes. But the Galaxy Nexus did not follow this. Verizon Galaxy Nexus phones received delayed updates compared to their unlocked counterparts, despite being stock Android. I honestly do not trust Verizon to not pull the same shenanigans with the Nexus/Pixel.

Bottom line, if you want an unmolested phone in the US, buy an iPhone or buy direct from a manufacturer/unlocked. Otherwise, it's bound to have the carrier's grubby little fingerprints on it in some fashion.

Well that's disturbing. And a further head scratcher: from what I've gathered, is that the unlocked Galaxy S7 and S7E bought from say, BestBuy, apparently are not getting updates as quickly as the carrier versions. Go figure. (I was sorta considering the Note7, if it became available unlocked. I could get it from BestBuy and at least dump the carrier bloatware).

I can buy any PC laptop from any manufacturer and expect Windows updates for the foreseeable future. Updates do not come from the hardware mfg. Why is this so difficult for the Android smartphone market to adopt?

I simply am not going to invest in a new laptop (smartphone) every 2 years just to stay current on OS and security updates. And the price of flagship smartphones these days is certainly equal to or more costly than decent laptops.

I am weary of carrier and OEM bloatware that cannot be uninstalled. I'm at a point of give me Pixel or give me Apple. I almost don't care which.

 

[Law2138]

Yeah the unlocked S7 and S7 edge devices are like some orphaned devices. No one wants to support them and even the warranty is through some 3rd party company. I don't get it. Wait..actually I do.

Carriers would absolutely love it if us users in the US never went "off contract" or out of agreement. No one is going to buy those unlocked devices with a dodgy warranty and delayed updates. $200 cheaper to just say "they're unlocked".