Google Has Already Discontinued the Pixel 4 and 4 XL (theverge.com) 24
Google has already discontinued the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, its flagship phones that were released in October of last year. Both devices are out of stock in Google's store in the US, though some variants are still available in other regions for the time being. A Google spokesperson told The Verge that the company will honor its three-year commitment on timely OS and security updates.
Looking for the next Google phone (Score:1)
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Re: Looking for the next Google phone (Score:2)
Got a Pixel 3a in November for just 300 bucks. I e of the best values ever. Good screen performance, great sound system and camera, and monthly updates up to spring of 2022. Pixel 3a also was discontinued, but 4a should be announced any day now.
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I like my 4 XL although it had a hardware problem, I'm on my third one. Find my post below. I'd still consider a newer pixel as the hardware design will be completely different most likely. Fairly bloat free, great camera, great display. No problems otherwise.
EXTREMELY ABUSIVE! (Score:3, Interesting)
"the company will honor its three-year commitment on timely OS and security updates."
Google expects buyers to throw away expensive devices after only 3 years!
Someone told me that Sundar Pichai, the Google (Alphabet) CEO, thinks only about making more money. It seems to me that, during his involvement, Alphabet has become poorly managed.
Re:EXTREMELY ABUSIVE! (Score:4, Insightful)
Unfortunately, the reason for this is that users really do throw away the devices after 3 years. The number that are upgraded or broken inside that window is ridiculously large. So continuing updates would only be for a tiny subset of (smart) users.
Re:EXTREMELY ABUSIVE! (Score:4, Interesting)
Mobile phones are sold without protection. (Score:2)
Mobile phones are sold without screen or back covers, which they must have. That's another way, that started with Apple iPhones apparently, of making more money.
When manufacturers discovered that many people will pay more than $1,000 for a mobile phone when each new model is released, the industry moved in the direction of abusiveness.
My opinions.
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Mobile phones are sold without screen or back covers, which they must have
Why must they have covers or screen protectors? That's a personal preference, not a must. I've never used either and have not had any problems. I have a box with all my old smart phones going back to early 2000's Symbian and Windows Mobile devices and they're all in great condition.
Choice of covers are a personal style choice. Including a basic one with a phone would likely just be wasteful.
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Eh, if Apple is supporting its 2016 phones with its new iOS 14 that isn't even out yet, Google could easily match their support. They just don't care or want to.
I am sure they have their reasons, but if you can't match Apple in long term support...
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And its not like we have another options. They wont make phone modular. That would prevent them from over charging for the hardware.
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Its because they have trained the users to accept it.
Well, we can't fix stupidity, but perhaps options will help.
And its not like we have another options. They wont make phone modular. That would prevent them from over charging for the hardware.
I cannot believe that no other hardware manufacturer can make a smartphone, when the competition is charging $700+ for their "options". No one else can find enough profit in that model to justify the effort, especially when you could be selling quantities in the millions?
Competition is what would drive a modular phone design and provide consumers with real options. We have none.
Re:EXTREMELY ABUSIVE! (Score:4, Interesting)
All Tech Companies have became excessively abusive.
The problem is they are trying to run as much as possible fully automated. In essence they just are are trying to make sure their margins are high.
However what we are beginning to need and what customers are wanting is some stability in their lives. They want a product they can keep for a long time, and information they can trust. Tech companies are just too focused on the a small aspect of their profits that they are placing themselves in a long term disaster. As it can take just 1 startup company with a long term business model, to make a product that that people like, to get them to switch off.
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Google has become extremely, completely unnecessarily, abusive: Google expects buyers to throw away expensive devices after only 3 years!
The Singularity is approaching!
Someone told me that Sundar Pichai, the Google (Alphabet) CEO, thinks only about making more money.
What a terrible, terrible bad CEO he must be.
Re: EXTREMELY ABUSIVE! (Score:2)
I haven't had a phone that did get a broke screen, charging port, or weak battery after about two years. Three years of updates is just right. In fact your no longer supported three year old phone is going to have more current software that most devices people use. You could keep it for for years without breaking sweat.
Um... no, they don't (Score:4, Interesting)
3 years for OS upgrades isn't all that bad. The phone isn't going to explode at the end of 3 years (insert obligatory Samsung battery joke here). It's still going to be safe to use and you'll still have all your apps. You'll just miss out on some features that only hard core phone nuts would care about, and they're gonna buy a new phone every 3 years no matter what.
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3 years for OS upgrades isn't all that bad.
It's only OK by the standards of phones which are terrible. PCs which aren't artificially locked down can get updates almost in perpetuity. I'm writing on a 10 year old thinkpad.
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Huh but meh (Score:2)
Moto x4 going strong (Score:5, Insightful)
Bought when it first came out on Google FI. Battery still lasts two days (I dribble charge it overnight using a basic .5a charger), and LineageOS provides updates. It is coming up on three years of use now, and still works like a charm. People are getting rid of phones as fast as they are because a) they don't take care to charge them properly and battery life dies, or b) they buy a phone that doesn't have more battery life than they need. This second point is important--if you drain the battery every day, it will not last nearly as long as if you only drain it say 40% each day. Buy a phone with an oversized battery life and it will last.
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Buy a phone with an oversized battery
Easier said than done. I've only seen the Chinese phones really offering that option, and they normally don't cover the bands we need here.
Pixel 4 XL (Score:2)
I have one and I love it, when it works. I wanted an android phone with a very good camera and it does not disappoint in that department.
I had a problem with the first two in that they developed a condition where if you put it in a pocket they would immediately shut off. Eventually they would not longer power up at all. I am now on my third one (replaced for free under warranty) and it seems to be fine. It seems to be related to being overly-sensitive to flexing. I'm very careful with it now.
As far as
google should open the APIs & specs (Score:2)