***Official Android Thread Pt 3***

[NinjaNoir]

PHONES coming up

[butteredtoast]

Pre-ordered the 128gb XL2 in Black and White.
The free Home Mini is like getting $50 off because I would have bought one anyway

Edit: Pre-ordered like a minute after it went live and my delivery ETA is 11/21.... other people are reporting delivery dates later this month. DAFUQ.

Edit: Damn, 128gb B&W is already out of stock. But it sounds like if you order Black or 64GB it's shipping sooner

[bartosh]

Nest stuff is cool. Dad bought their smart thermostat and I'll probably buy him some more nest goodies that he can integrate for christmas


Thoughts on lack of headphone jack? Google spend a good amount of time at their pixel1 conference making fun of apple for removing it. Most android people make fun of apple for losing the headphone jack so it's:
1) Didn't care in the first place when apple did it
2) Made fun of apple fanboys but now it's ok
3) Never liked the change but still getting it
4) Never liked the change and not getting it for that reason

I land in choice 1. Been using jaybird x1 -> x2 -> vmoda forze metallo so it's been a nonissue for me since before apple first removed it

side note: the vmoda headphones are the fasted pairing and most consistant bluetooth headphones i've used so far out of 10 or so. The cables are pretty long but they work basically as easily as airpods do to iphones. sound quality is also fantastic.

[jason_bh]

Nest stuff is cool. Dad bought their smart thermostat and I'll probably buy him some more nest goodies that he can integrate for christmas


Thoughts on lack of headphone jack? Google spend a good amount of time at their pixel1 conference making fun of apple for removing it. Most android people make fun of apple for losing the headphone jack so it's:
1) Didn't care in the first place when apple did it
2) Made fun of apple fanboys but now it's ok
3) Never liked the change but still getting it
4) Never liked the change and not getting it for that reason

I land in choice 1. Been using jaybird x1 -> x2 -> vmoda forze metallo so it's been a nonissue for me since before apple first removed it

side note: the vmoda headphones are the fasted pairing and most consistant bluetooth headphones i've used so far out of 10 or so. The cables are pretty long but they work basically as easily as airpods do to iphones. sound quality is also fantastic.

I still think it's stupid to lose the headphone jack, regardless of phone maker. There is still very valid reasons to use a headphone jack. I understand why Apple did it. They could sell their Airpods easily. But it really makes no sense at all to me.

[butteredtoast]

I still think it's stupid to lose the headphone jack, regardless of phone maker. There is still very valid reasons to use a headphone jack. I understand why Apple did it. They could sell their Airpods easily. But it really makes no sense at all to me.

I was fairly upset about losing the headphone jack at first, but including an adapter minimizes the damage. I've been looking to get bluetooth headphones for a little while anyway

[mgftp]

Nest stuff is cool. Dad bought their smart thermostat and I'll probably buy him some more nest goodies that he can integrate for christmas


Thoughts on lack of headphone jack? Google spend a good amount of time at their pixel1 conference making fun of apple for removing it. Most android people make fun of apple for losing the headphone jack so it's:
1) Didn't care in the first place when apple did it
2) Made fun of apple fanboys but now it's ok
3) Never liked the change but still getting it
4) Never liked the change and not getting it for that reason

I land in choice 1. Been using jaybird x1 -> x2 -> vmoda forze metallo so it's been a nonissue for me since before apple first removed it

side note: the vmoda headphones are the fasted pairing and most consistant bluetooth headphones i've used so far out of 10 or so. The cables are pretty long but they work basically as easily as airpods do to iphones. sound quality is also fantastic.

Seems like some people hate it, but for me no fawks given. I couldn't tell you the last time I used a wired headset, not even sure I could locate one anymore, I think my girl has them all. Wireless Master Race

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Shipment 1October 25 – 26, 2017
Pixel 2 XL (128 GB, Just Black)
$949.00


In!

Nice they are giving away the new Home Minis with the pre-orders, something I think is neat but never felt the need to buy since my phone is typically near me, but just a neat piece of tech to have IMO. The question is will I get annoyed AF as my phone and the Home are both trying the answer me? Fawk, probably.

The PixelBuds look sweet but for $150 I'll have to pass for now, I got a $30 pair of headphones I love so hard to justify that cost.

The PixelBook looks beast AF and I am so temped but I HATE the white color and no pre-order bonus? Fawk, gonna have to wait and think this one over.

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Edit:

Where the fawk do I get a case for this thing at this point? Fabric one from Google looks ass and I don't see anything listed from the major manufacturers like Spigen yet. Maybe I just need to be patient, but I am gonna wanna use this thing the day I get it.

[butteredtoast]

Seems like some people hate it, but for me no fawks given. I couldn't tell you the last time I used a wired headset, not even sure I could locate one anymore, I think my girl has them all. Wireless Master Race

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Shipment 1October 25 – 26, 2017
Pixel 2 XL (128 GB, Just Black)
$949.00


In!

Nice they are giving away the new Home Minis with the pre-orders, something I think is neat but never felt the need to buy since my phone is typically near me, but just a neat piece of tech to have IMO. The question is will I get annoyed AF as my phone and the Home are both trying the answer me? Fawk, probably.

The PixelBuds look sweet but for $150 I'll have to pass for now, I got a $30 pair of headphones I love so hard to justify that cost.

The PixelBook looks beast AF and I am so temped but I HATE the white color and no pre-order bonus? Fawk, gonna have to wait and think this one over.

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Edit:

Where the fawk do I get a case for this thing at this point? Fabric one from Google looks ass and I don't see anything listed from the major manufacturers like Spigen yet. Maybe I just need to be patient, but I am gonna wanna use this thing the day I get it.

I'm guessing cases will start popping up in the next few days. I'll definitely be putting a case on it from day one .

What $30 headphones do you use that you actually like?

[mgftp]

I'm guessing cases will start popping up in the next few days. I'll definitely be putting a case on it from day one .

What $30 headphones do you use that you actually like?

Yea, let me know what you find, I'll be looking to order something soon, have always liked Spigen cases.

Pretty sure they are these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B018A...yBL&ref=plSrch

So either price dropped or they are $20

[KazBrah]

Strong Google U11 plus

[jinda628]

Never had a Pixelbook or Chromebook as portables, so how does a regular window app work on this system?

Can I install an Oracle-based program on this? I like how it looks and it has USB C, one thing missing from SP5 and it has stylus as well.

[krs128]

Nice they are giving away the new Home Minis with the pre-orders, something I think is neat but never felt the need to buy since my phone is typically near me, but just a neat piece of tech to have IMO. The question is will I get annoyed AF as my phone and the Home are both trying the answer me? Fawk, probably.

The PixelBuds look sweet but for $150 I'll have to pass for now, I got a $30 pair of headphones I love so hard to justify that cost.

The PixelBook looks beast AF and I am so temped but I HATE the white color and no pre-order bonus? Fawk, gonna have to wait and think this one over.

will the Home Mini just ship with the phone? are we suppose to get a Promo cord to order one separately? how does this work? I didn't;t see anything on the Google store when I was ordering the XL.

As for the no head phone jack, yea it is disappointing, but i've wanted wireless buds for a while so now I have a reason to buy em, need to wait for reviews on the sound quality / noise canceling reviews for the google pixel buds other wise probably going to go Jay bird. As for Google bashing Apple last year, all companies do that when another company beats them to the punch and gets positive feedback from it. Remember Apples old adds about why their screens were so small vs Samsung? "because your thumb goes from here to here" then next year they increased the size drastically.

[butteredtoast]

will the Home Mini just ship with the phone? are we suppose to get a Promo cord to order one separately? how does this work? I didn't;t see anything on the Google store when I was ordering the XL.

As for the no head phone jack, yea it is disappointing, but i've wanted wireless buds for a while so now I have a reason to buy em, need to wait for reviews on the sound quality / noise canceling reviews for the google pixel buds other wise probably going to go Jay bird. As for Google bashing Apple last year, all companies do that when another company beats them to the punch and gets positive feedback from it. Remember Apples old adds about why their screens were so small vs Samsung? "because your thumb goes from here to here" then next year they increased the size drastically.

They give you a promo code for the free Home Mini within "4-6 weeks" after the phone ships. It's to make sure you don't order the phone, get the free Home Mini, then return the phone.

[mgftp]

They give you a promo code for the free Home Mini within "4-6 weeks" after the phone ships. It's to make sure you don't order the phone, get the free Home Mini, then return the phone.

Yea, if I remember right it was done pretty much like this last year when that VR headset came with the Pixel.

[buckeyenutz]

DeX Station will be here tomorrow playas

[mgftp]

Damn, finally got to get the scoop on the Pixel XL as I was tied up at work during the conference and just pre-ordered when I saw it was available, yolo.

Really excited about this phone for sure now! Hate the waiting game.

[buckeyenutz]

Damn, finally got to get the scoop on the Pixel XL as I was tied up at work during the conference and just pre-ordered when I saw it was available, yolo.

Really excited about this phone for sure now! Hate the waiting game.

I don't get the excitement for this phone tbh. Premium price tag, less RAM than the Note8, single lens camera, no expandable storage, chit-tier resolution, no headphone jack, no wireless charging, ip67 rating only, etc. Extremely disappointing IMO.

[jason_bh]

I don't get the excitement for this phone tbh. Premium price tag, less RAM than the Note8, single lens camera, no expandable storage, chit-tier resolution, no headphone jack, no wireless charging, ip67 rating only, etc. Extremely disappointing IMO.

Same.

I guess the appeal is the 'pure Android' experience (no TouchWiz).

[mgftp]

I don't get the excitement for this phone tbh. Premium price tag, less RAM than the Note8, single lens camera, no expandable storage, chit-tier resolution, no headphone jack, no wireless charging, ip67 rating only, etc. Extremely disappointing IMO.

Pure Google > everything

Honestly for me that's by far my biggest desire in a phone. Because of that it's Pixel or nothing for me until the Android One line makes it to the US, if it ever does.

But besides that. People are raving about this camera saying it's the best available and proves dual lense isn't necessary. I know myself and most consumers have no need or desire for expandable storage or a headphone jack. I'd love wireless charging but the new quick charge, 15min of charging for 7 hours of use is a trade-off I'll easily take all day if I can't have both.

Beyond that lense seems really cool, squeeze for assistant awesome, native music detection, and big upgrade in screen, speakers, IP rating, and bezels from last year's Pixel XL model.

I simply do not care about any of the "benefits" that you see in the Sammy and much prefer the ones the Pixel offers besides the greater resolution and RAM but I just don't see the need or have much desire considering the levels it already has, more of a would be nice to have thing. One cool thing about Android is there are so many models, unlike Apple. I wouldn't be nearly as happy if Samsung phones were the only option available, I loved the Note line years ago but haven't looked back since they made the first large screen Nexus.

Same.

I guess the appeal is the 'pure Android' experience (no TouchWiz).

That is by far the biggest factor for me for sure. Would buy new Pixel phone every year pretty much regardless of everything else if they continue to be the only device to offer this.

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Edit:

That Note 8 dual camera lense though.....

Pixel 2 dethrones iPhone 8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8 in camera rankings

Well, that was quick! The iPhone 8 Plus had a short reign at camera testing outfit DxOMark as “the best smartphone camera we’ve ever tested” — the Galaxy Note 8 tied it after only a few weeks. And now Google’s Pixel 2 has bested them both.

Citing excellent video performance, great color and scene reproduction, incredibly fast and accurate autofocus, and good (if not great) artificial background blur, the Pixel 2 ended up with an aggregate score of 98, beating out the other two, which had tied at 94.

Now, the folks at DxOMark are experts, and I trust their determination here. There’s no doubt the Pixel 2 has an amazing camera. But as with other aggregate scores for things like DSLRs, games, movies and so on, the big number only tells part of the story (especially when it’s so close to the other big numbers).


The Pixel 2 has a slight edge on the iPhone 8 Plus in full crops like this.

Looking through the sample photos of all these flagship phones, you may find that you prefer the look one creates more than another’s — I certainly think Apple’s portrait mode looks much better than the others, and its luminance noise in tricky situations is preferable to me. Yet I like the Pixel 2’s color reproduction (and on its OLED screen the photos should pop). Yet again the zoom performance of the Note 8 is definitely superior.

What kind of photos do you take? What are your needs as a photographer? Will a zoom be an asset, or do you need an ultra-wide angle? Do you use the flash often? Are you willing to let an HDR mode do the work for you? If your phone is going to be your primary camera, it’s worth considering the qualities and shortcomings of that camera as much as the phone’s storage, screen resolution, color, and so on.

And lastly, it’s pretty clear that cameras are just going to get better from here. If you compare their results to those of a competent mirrorless today (that even with a lens may end up costing far less than a flagship phone) you will find them quite lacking. There’s lots of room to improve, and as DxOMark points out, there’s no reason their scores can’t go above 100.

Better resolution? Ok, very slightly but Pixel 2 XL sporting higher PPI w/ a larger battery as well.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cne...-8-and-lg-v30/

The buckeye comment made me interested to do a little research and it seems the Pixel 2 XL outspecs the Note 8 in all categories except RAM actually. Even more hyped now. I get if someone prefers the Note, for instance if you are someone who sees a lot of value in the SPen or something but the Pixel 2 XL hardware is top end, and throw in all the software advantages I'd say it's the better device for the average consumer, surely meets my needs better.

[jinda628]

That Note 8 dual camera lense though.....

Well dont be sad, Pixel just dethroned Note 8 and Iphone 8 Plus on dxOMark's ranking on mobile camera getting an overall score of 98 points.
Note 8 and Iphone 8+ got 94.

Pixel scored 99 on still photos, just 1 point behind Note 8's 100 and 96 on videos.
In comparison, Note 8 and Iphone's video score is only 84 and 89 respectively.

https://www.dxomark.com/news/

[mgftp]

Well dont be sad, Pixel just dethroned Note 8 and Iphone 8 Plus on dxOMark's ranking on mobile camera getting an overall score of 98 points.
Note 8 and Iphone 8+ got 94.

Pixel scored 99 on still photos, just 1 point behind Note 8's 100 and 96 on videos.
In comparison, Note 8 and Iphone's video score is only 84 and 89 respectively.

https://www.dxomark.com/news/

Not saying it's a lot, just don't get the hype on dual lenses if the quality doesn't scale.

[jinda628]

Not saying it's a lot, just don't get the hype on dual lenses if the quality doesn't scale.

Wasn't really expecting this. Maybe software/processing too.
Without knowing the brand or make for both, Note 8's main camera lens is actually better on paper.
- Bigger sensor size of 1/2.55" vs Pixel's 1/2.6"
- Bigger aperture of f/1.7 vs f/1.8 for Pixel.

Still photos are perfect but video test is low due to:
- Not too impressive video stabilization.
- No default tracking AF although it has a dedicated tracking mode, it has to be enabled manually. So they didn't include it in the review which has kind of drag the score down and kind of not apples to apples now.

I think Note 8 could have scored higher on video if they enabled tracking AF although may not be as high as Pixel. But could have broken the tie between iphone 8+ and could have a closer score with Pixel, maybe 96.

[mgftp]

Wasn't really expecting this. Maybe software/processing too.
Without knowing the brand or make for both, Note 8's main camera lens is actually better on paper.
- Bigger sensor size of 1/2.55" vs Pixel's 1/2.6"
- Bigger aperture of f/1.7 vs f/1.8 for Pixel.

Still photos are perfect but video test is low due to:
- Not too impressive video stabilization.
- No default tracking AF although it has a dedicated tracking mode, it has to be enabled manually. So they didn't include it in the review which has kind of drag the score down and kind of not apples to apples now.

I think Note 8 could have scored higher on video if they enabled tracking AF although may not be as high as Pixel. But could have broken the tie between iphone 8+ and could have a closer score with Pixel, maybe 96.

You are speaking way over my head, my photography knowledge is minimal at best. I will just look at the score, nothing more, probably wouldn't even tell the difference in quality, LoL.

[UGK4lyfe]

Still wouldn't get the pixel over the note considering I don't use my phone for photography.

[jinda628]

You are speaking way over my head, my photography knowledge is minimal at best. I will just look at the score, nothing more, probably wouldn't even tell the difference in quality, LoL.

Lol. But yeah, not everything is on the hardware as proven by this and as proven by (i hate to say this) Apple on their iPhones prior to this gen lol.

Optimization is the thing.

Still wouldn't get the pixel over the note considering I don't use my phone for photography.

Unless there are other phones that can compete with Note's Spen features, I'll always go for the Note.

I'm still at my S8+ though. Skipped Note 7 due to explosion lol. I'll see the deals this coming holidays though and finally go back to Note.

[havoc00]

I don't get the excitement for this phone tbh. Premium price tag, less RAM than the Note8, single lens camera, no expandable storage, chit-tier resolution, no headphone jack, no wireless charging, ip67 rating only, etc. Extremely disappointing IMO.

this

[Ice Man]

Coming back to android after a few years. What apps/widgets are people using still? Is an effective blacklist for phone/texts standard? If not what app? I remember there was a texting app that allowed you to swipe left or right to scroll though conversations. Can't recall the name though. Also people still use launchers? Also looking for recommendations for an ad blocking app? Will it require root?

[jinda628]

Coming back to android after a few years. What apps/widgets are people using still? Is an effective blacklist for phone/texts standard? If not what app? I remember there was a texting app that allowed you to swipe left or right to scroll though conversations. Can't recall the name though. Also people still use launchers? Also looking for recommendations for an ad blocking app? Will it require root?

What are you getting? I still use Nova Launcher.
Apps and widgets will depend on what you use on a daily basis.
For me, I have the following aside from the stock apps:

• bank apps
• workout apps
• calorie counter
• Media (Netflix, Music players, Kodi, Pandora, etc)
• Games
• Shopping apps
• Utility/system apps

I stopped rooting after Note 4. Dont see the need to anymore.

[milgauss]

so if u want to get pixel 2XL and want it unlocked, can I put AT&T sim card in it or do I have to use project FI?

[butteredtoast]

so if u want to get pixel 2XL and want it unlocked, can I put AT&T sim card in it or do I have to use project FI?

You don't need Project Fi, that's only for the eSim. I bought it unlocked and will be putting an AT&T sim card in it.

[buckeyenutz]

Pure Google > everything

Honestly for me that's by far my biggest desire in a phone. Because of that it's Pixel or nothing for me until the Android One line makes it to the US, if it ever does.

But besides that. People are raving about this camera saying it's the best available and proves dual lense isn't necessary. I know myself and most consumers have no need or desire for expandable storage or a headphone jack. I'd love wireless charging but the new quick charge, 15min of charging for 7 hours of use is a trade-off I'll easily take all day if I can't have both.

Beyond that lense seems really cool, squeeze for assistant awesome, native music detection, and big upgrade in screen, speakers, IP rating, and bezels from last year's Pixel XL model.

I simply do not care about any of the "benefits" that you see in the Sammy and much prefer the ones the Pixel offers besides the greater resolution and RAM but I just don't see the need or have much desire considering the levels it already has, more of a would be nice to have thing. One cool thing about Android is there are so many models, unlike Apple. I wouldn't be nearly as happy if Samsung phones were the only option available, I loved the Note line years ago but haven't looked back since they made the first large screen Nexus.



That is by far the biggest factor for me for sure. Would buy new Pixel phone every year pretty much regardless of everything else if they continue to be the only device to offer this.

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Edit:

That Note 8 dual camera lense though.....



Better resolution? Ok, very slightly but Pixel 2 XL sporting higher PPI w/ a larger battery as well.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cne...-8-and-lg-v30/

The buckeye comment made me interested to do a little research and it seems the Pixel 2 XL outspecs the Note 8 in all categories except RAM actually. Even more hyped now. I get if someone prefers the Note, for instance if you are someone who sees a lot of value in the SPen or something but the Pixel 2 XL hardware is top end, and throw in all the software advantages I'd say it's the better device for the average consumer, surely meets my needs better.

Maybe I'm in too deep in some of the Reddit Android circlejerk threads, but everything you described as "what most consumers want" isn't in line with consumer research at all. In fact, Google scoffed at almost every gripe about the initial Pixel and went ahead and removed the headphone jack to piss Pixel fanboys off even more. I'm not saying it isn't an okay phone, and it may be what you are looking for in a phone; but, for a premium price, it is lacking in almost every category.

And Samsung Pay 》 *