SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
from the for-sufficiently-small-values-of-won dept.
Submitted via IRC for takyon
But it's not just what's outside that matters. When it comes to Google's products, software can not only make up for lackluster hardware, but even give the company's devices an edge over competing gadgets. This year, Google delivered thoughtful software and truly helpful AI that made some of its otherwise mediocre devices surprisingly compelling.
The Pixel 3 is the best example. Physically, the phone is a more premium version of the Pixel 2. It also comes in a really nice "Not Pink" color. But aside from that, nothing about the Pixel 3's design makes me yearn for the phone. In fact, the 3 XL even has one of the biggest screen notches in the market, which some people find hideous. And yet, the Pixel 3s were still one of our favorite phones of the year, and ended up on our best gadgets list.
But if you can stomach the notch, or don't mind using the smaller phone, then boy, will you be blown away by Google's software. Let's start with my favorite -- Call Screening.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday December 25 2018, @09:09PM (4 children)
I'm getting rid of my smart phone this holiday season. I won't have it by the time we go back to work in January. I have used iOS and Android devices since 2012 and this entire generation of phones has been a huge disappointment. For all of the lacking security, privacy and battery life, all I've gained is mobile browsing without opening a laptop. The next phone is as close to a feature phone as I could get (it's waiting for me to set up once we're back from our trip), and it will carry me over till I can get a 3G or 4G board running on the dumbest microcontroller that will drive it for voice and sms. To be honest, I'd guess I'm about 18 months away from going full Stallman and banning mobile devices from my property altogether - sped up after having to forceably remove daughter-1 from her grandmother's google voice appliance (at least my mum now understands what authentication and authorisation means - some people have to trip and fall before they learn to look ahead).
o I don't need google involved to help me make a phone call.
o My phone doesn't need to tell me my altitude, bearing or heading.
o A web browser is the only app I need, when I choose to access the Internet.
o I don't expect to have to draw curtains and then disable the listening devices to have privacy on private property.
o My data is my own.
If they're heading further down the existing path then they're doing it without my family.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 26 2018, @02:55AM (3 children)
Welcome to a very exclusive club!
When cell phones first became "affordable" I bought one before taking a long trip. Luckily for me, it didn't work very well, had trouble roaming and also accessing the internal phone book. So when I got home I took it back, got full credit for the phone, just paid for the calls I'd made. Haven't owned a mobile phone since then.
I borrow a basic flip phone from my sister on rare occasions when being in contact makes sense (for example, looking after aging parents). For a year or so I used one of the USB-dongle cell modems so I could use a laptop on the road. I'd probably do something similar again if taking a long road trip -- mobile email and web browser would be enough to keep my consulting business alive.
Occasionally, something comes up where having a mobile phone would be helpful, but, if I made it this far (past age 60) without one, I'm probably ok without.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday December 26 2018, @04:42AM (2 children)
Well I guess since we're all bitching and moaning, does anybody want an easy mod point suggesting a recent (<= 2 yr old) smartphone model that is small and yet powerful? I'm talking 5 inches (12.7 cm) length with a little over 2.5 inches (a little over 6.35 cm) in width that doesn't look fucking gay or is grossly underpowered, and with a removable battery?
Heh, trying to Google for that information lead me to a smartphone marketed for seniors and called the "Jitterbug," a double-entendre so condescending it could have only been named by ****. Jewgle already knows I am a racist and have sent that information to Mossad, whose stateside operatives are aware, so I don't care about security. Just a phone I can hold comfortably in one hand and that doesn't look like a big heavy-ass tablet. Any suggestions?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 26 2018, @06:40AM (1 child)
I did my best to find a phone that was no more than 5'1'' and released in last 2 years and nothing turned up. I was fortunate enough that my Mi 5 was still functioning and I am using it with all the care I can, until the day it breaks and then I will get fucking angry.
You are being choosy in a famine.
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday December 26 2018, @07:09AM
A famine that features an abundance of devices. Just ones that are good enough, and not the better ones I'm asking for.