Google To Let 'Superfans' Test In-Development Pixel Phones (msn.com) 10
Google plans to let Pixel smartphone enthusiasts test out the company's next handset ahead of its public introduction. From a report: Google has invited members of its "Superfans" group to apply to test future Pixel hardware, asking entrants to profess their knowledge and passion for the brand in hopes of being able to beta test forthcoming products.
Consumer tech companies often let small groups of customers try out unreleased products under strict secrecy to gather feedback during development. But it's incredibly rare for a company of Google's size to do it with something as high-profile as the Pixel lineup.
The search giant will select 15 people from the pool of entrants, and winners must all sign a non-disclosure agreement to receive devices, according to official rules for the contest reviewed by Bloomberg News. "The Trusted Tester program is an opportunity to provide feedback and help shape a Pixel phone currently in development," the document reads.
Consumer tech companies often let small groups of customers try out unreleased products under strict secrecy to gather feedback during development. But it's incredibly rare for a company of Google's size to do it with something as high-profile as the Pixel lineup.
The search giant will select 15 people from the pool of entrants, and winners must all sign a non-disclosure agreement to receive devices, according to official rules for the contest reviewed by Bloomberg News. "The Trusted Tester program is an opportunity to provide feedback and help shape a Pixel phone currently in development," the document reads.
Only 15? (Score:2)
100 seems a better number for a test like this.
More AI Slop (Score:1)
Nobody wants this shit.
Superfans? (Score:2)
Superfans tend to be the most vocal about any issues. Are they SURE they want to let superfans be a part of testing? Because that could be a good way for beta bugs to become big public relations issues.
Re: (Score:2)
Like back in the day I was hyper excited about the Sega Genesis and turbo graphics 16. I was way too broke a kid to get them at luanch and pick them up years later.
If I'd had one as a kid I think that would have blown my mind. Certainly playing altered beast on a kiosk did back in '89.
But it wasn't really until I had my own job that I could afford to buy my o
Re: Superfans? (Score:2)
Honest answers from fans? (Score:3)
Superfan nerds already think the phone is great which is why they are superfans. Superfan nerds know how to customize the phone to their specific need. They won't have the same brain as the general public.
Google needs to find out why people didn't buy the phone. They need to find people who bought the phone, used it for a few days/weeks and then ditched it. They might not like their answers. It might be an education gap, maybe they need to teach people a new way of doing things.
Re: (Score:1)
I've been an android user since the Galaxy S3 days, and I've been a pixel user for the past 6 years. Two things that are about to make me give up on android: shitty bluetooth compatibility (I've never been in a car that didn't have issues connecting to android phones - factory and aftermarket car stereos included) and messages. I don't think there's any hope that android will ever have messaging that is good enough to share media with my iphone-using friends (and probably 95% of my friends use iphones).
Why did I bother? (Score:2)
15 people? Why did I even fill out the request.
Just call them influencers. (Score:2)