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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: 2) by darkfeline on Wednesday December 26 2018, @02:40AM (5 children)
I don't see how spam is a symptom of telecom infra problems, any more so than protesters or hustlers (effectively a physical DoS) are a symptom of public sidewalk problems.
I mean, sure, telecoms could block spam, just as we can set up blockades to deter protesters, but I would argue that's not their responsibility.
Note that spam in this case means any undesired calls, not necessarily limited to Viagra marketers and the like.
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(Score: 3, Interesting) by MostCynical on Wednesday December 26 2018, @02:53AM (4 children)
Phone number spoofing is illegal in other countries
Do no call registers exist in other countries (with penalties for abuse)
Laws that help make phones usable are part of the infrastructure.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Wednesday December 26 2018, @04:54AM (1 child)
I'd rather live in a country with inconvenient phone laws that live in one where my house could be firebombed and my family beheaded, and then it would be me to go to jail for having dared criticized it.
Oh, wait. I live in California, I'm doubly fucked.
(Score: 3, Touché) by MostCynical on Wednesday December 26 2018, @05:59AM
Australia [donotcall.gov.au]?
New Zealand [canstarblue.co.nz]?
Not alot of beheadings - or firebombings.
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
(Score: 2) by darkfeline on Wednesday December 26 2018, @08:03PM (1 child)
Caller ID spoofing is illegal in the US when done maliciously. Do not call exists in the US.
No, I don't consider laws as part of the telecom infrastructure, just like I don't consider the gas tax as part of the US interstate infrastructure.
What was your point, anyway? That laws make fraudsters disappear? I almost wish I were as naive as you, except I want to keep my wallet.
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(Score: 2) by MostCynical on Wednesday December 26 2018, @08:17PM
My point was that other countries seem to manage these issues without resorting to pre-screening or whitelisting, or giving large, privacy-hostile companies more access to information.
US laws and methods don't seem to be working (with regard to spoofing, robocalls, etc)
"I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex