this post was submitted on 04 Oct 2023
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Android

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Thanks for this, Welp! Pinning for the day :)

[–] [email protected] 71 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Jeez. Just replace the keynote with a web page that lists specs, features, etc so I can decide whether I want to buy your product or not.

[–] [email protected] 31 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So much corporate vomit. Jeez.

[–] [email protected] 29 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Agreed. Also, mentioning AI every 3 sentences like every other tech company recently.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

Good thing they immediately launched the product pages with comparisons and don't force you to watch the keynote!

[–] [email protected] 51 points 1 year ago (3 children)

7 years of OS support! That's the kind of stuff I like to hear.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Now I would really like for Google to retroactively upgrade the Pixel 6 and 7 update support to match the Pixel 8.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago

Yeah, they're not gonna do that. The GrapheneOS team thinks Google will give the 6 and 7 series 5 full years of OS upgrades instead of 3 OS + 2 security tho so fingers crossed.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'd love it too with my 7a, but there's no way Google does something nice just 'cause. They've already sold the phones with a shorter support window and they gain nothing by releasing more updates for those devices.

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Until Google decides to change its mind πŸ™ƒ

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Definitely great to hear. It's too bad they're not bringing new pixel software features to older devices though. It'd be a great way to differentiate their lineup from the iPhone.

[–] [email protected] 32 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

Very happy to see their partnership with iFixit, and to see repairability actually be taken seriously.

[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago

Well, they did not partner with iFixit out of good faith: France's repairability score (which might serve as a template for a EU-wide version) incentivize OEMs to provide repair instructions and parts as it gets them a better score.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

I have had to take my pixel 6 pro to the Ifixit like 6 times two times were my fault (broken screen) others were the phone just actually dying for no reason.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

That's one of the things I'm most excited about, too

[–] [email protected] 22 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Does the pixel now allow wired external displays? Alt-dp Mode? Any news of a desktop mode similar to dex?

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

I will buy a flagship when I can run grapheneOS and use desktop mode, preferably having a sd card with that set up.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago

I haven't heard anything on that. It's really such an odd omission to not support USB-C Alt mode. It renders the Pixel devices incompatible with AR glasses.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Mishaal said no it seems like they didn't implement it this year AGAIN.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The whole Fitbit subscription required for all the detailed health features is keeping me from seriously considering a Pixel Watch 2. I get health/fitness metrics with my Galaxy Watch without needing to subscribe to anything - same with Garmins and other watches.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

Ditto. I'd rather pay once for the functionality when buying the device. I wouldn't even mind another one-time payment to unlock new functionality later - but a subscription? No thanks.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I see that Google is following the trend of limiting certain software features to the Pro model: Pro controls, Video Boost, Night Sight Video and multi-shot RAW. I hope Pro controls will eventually come to older models, either officially or with a modded APK.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Well, it seems like I'll let my $200 Google credit expire because the pricing of the new Watch is ridiculous and unjustifiable for me to purchase it.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Grab the pixel buds pro? Those are 200.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

Then buy the pro, sell the phone and keep the watch

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's included with the 8 Pro.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

True, but I got 7 Pro last year and I'm happy with it therefore don't want to upgrade my perfectly fine phone especially considering its low trade-in value if I decide to trade it for an upgrade and receive the Watch2 as a free (!!) bonus. However, for someone actively looking to upgrade their phone, I think the bundle deal is absolutely great for them.

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 1 year ago (15 children)

The same optical fingerprint reader it seems? That's literally the only improvement I wanted, so if it has an optical fingerprint reader that's a dealbreaker for me.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)

7 here, and yeah it sucks, even when using special fingerprint-ready screen protectors.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, I forgot to mention I have the 7 and the fingerprint reader is the only part of this phone that I genuinely hate.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (3 children)

Worse than the suboptimal battery life?

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (3 children)

7 full years of OS updates sounds pretty promising. Swap out the battery a few years in and this phone could last a while yet. Pretty impressive.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Anyone know what time Android 14 rolls out?

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago
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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Just pre-ordered the 258GB Pixel 8 in rosΓ©

Currently own a 4a and love it except for the battery life and the sometimes bad performance

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Time to wait for the 8A hehe

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (6 children)

Good to see minor battery life improvements to the Pixel Watch 2. Hopefully that upgraded heart rate sensor is actually accurate.

https://youtu.be/TVGk48jcdtg

Pixel Watch was embarrassingly bad in health tracking compared to the Apple Watch SE. It's cheaper to get an Apple Watch SE + (discounted) iPhone than just a Pixel Watch.

And please get rid of the Fitbit subscription, Google.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Yup, I considered the pixel watch for my android phone but Garmin has an advantage over it in every category while having no subscription. I would have considered an apple watch if it were compatible with android.

I think the pixel watch is doomed to fail unless they can separate from the Fitbit model and continue to improve the hardware and software.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I still wouldn't consider an apple watch over a Garmin. Apple/Google/Samsung need to get their battery life on par with Garmin.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Well the 8 looks like a terrible value. Minimal upgrades over the 7, no software benefits like pro controls, $100 price increase.

Just wait for the 7 to go on sale and get that instead.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

128gb at $1000 is a joke. I'm more or less done with high end phones. I won't use most of the high end features anyway. Bought a mid range Samsung last year with a micro SD card slot. Stuck a 512gb card in it. I am happy.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Any news on older Pixel devices having a price reduction? Has that been the case in the past maybe? I haven't ever payed close attention near a new device launch.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

They usually get discontinued. But the 6a did get a reduction in price tho. So maybe the 7 pro would get a reduction?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (5 children)

There is some more Tensor G3 info here: https://blog.google/products/pixel/google-tensor-g3-pixel-8/

Biggest takeaway from that is that the Pixel 8/8 Pro will once again have secure Face Unlock that's been missing since the 4/4XL.

I ordered an 8 Pro to upgrade from my 4XL, along with some Pixel Buds Pro. I already had a Pixel Watch last year and it still works great, so now I can pass that old one on to someone else.

I can see someone being undewhelmed if they already had a 6 or 7, but for those of us coming from farther back it's still quite an upgrade, and unlike other OEMs, it's still the whole Pixel software experience.

With 7 full years of OS updates, too, maybe I can keep this one going even longer. My 4XL is still decent, the battery is starting to show its age but otherwise it runs well, just no more updates.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I grabbed a Pro for myself, a worthy upgrade from the 5, and getting a free Watch 2 with it is great. I love my OG pixel watch so that with better battery life is all I ask for.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (6 children)

It's not free, you are paying for it in the phone price. Phone prices are super inflated rn. People keep buying these $1k phones, so prices are slowly going up to see what they can get away with.

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