Community Discussion: DL's "Why the BB Priv Matters"

[pc747]

Was reading an article on DL about the BB Priv and reading Ron's post reminded me of a discussion @cereal killer brought up before about android. For fans of Android since the Droid, or further back with the G1, we are at a point hardware wise where we are seeing some spec beasts. Even low cost budget phones are putting up some decent specs. But one area that we can argue that android have fallen off is on innovation.

As far as software we are continuing to see some awesome things on a smart phone. If anyone would have told me when I owned my droid that I would be able to check out of a line with my phone as a credit card I would have laughed. But our phones now are loaded with so many features (pay, fitness, maps, etc) that it is becoming too much at times. It was not 10 hours ago when I was complaining about the bloatware. Though some of our members are huge fans of the bloatware @PereDroid (saying this in a joking way) we all have to agree that outside of the games, that many of these apps and features we are seeing, especially on Samsung phones, are a step forward from the phones of yesteryear.

Where we lack innovation is with phone hardware. I think it is safe to say that this year we have had more phones released that you could argue was more on the phablet department. The Samsung Note (the phone that started the term phablet) was released with a 5.3 inch screen. The phones released this year ranged between 5.1-5.7 inches touch screen display. It would be nice to see more manufacturers take more of a gamble to offer something different.

Say what we will about Samsung whether it be us complaining about their bloat or copying Apple at times, they are one of the few manufacturers that were willing to take a swing. They swung for the fences with the Note and now it seems like every manufacturer is making a phone around that size. They took a shot at the curved display, and though it has areas that can be improved I applaud it for being different.

I would like to see more manufacturers go beyond the standard cookie cutter 5.1 inch touch screen phone. Yes 5.1 is a nice size screen but man it would be nice to see more variety in the high end department, whether it be 4.5 inch screens, phones with physical keyboards, etc. I would like to see choices other than big screen phone or really big screen phone (phablet). I do not think we have reached the end of our rope with innovation and hope we can see more phones that make me go "ahhhh".

What are your thoughts about the current landscape of android hardware?

 

[pc747]

I need to point out Lg moving the buttons to the rear and the new V10 as a different take.

 

[cr6]

The thing with "hardware innovation" is, you can only do so much with a candybar style device. I mean look at Samsung, with previous Galaxy S models they included a heart rate monitor and IR blaster and people mocked them. Then they came out with curved edges and again, most people weren't all that impressed. As you mentioned LG, with their buttons on the back and laser auto focus cameras. The point is, people complain about the lack of innovation, yet most people really don't want drastic change, at least hardware wise. What they want is a solid device that works well with a battery that lasts them all day with heavy usage. They don't want gimmicks and they don't want different. They want solid. This is why Apple continues to be a major player. They haven't produced anything innovative in years, yet people continue to buy iPhones because they "just work". We don't need foldable displays with 8k resolution or leather & chrome devices, we need solid hardware with bug free software updates on a device that isn't going to die by 2pm in the afternoon. Solve that problem and you'll have a best seller every time. Guaranteed.

S5 tap'n

 

[Jeffrey]

, we need solid hardware with bug free software updates on a device that isn't going to die by 2pm in the afternoon. Solve that problem and you'll have a best seller every time. Guaranteed.

S5 tap'n

That would be the perfect scenario. I wonder, once we have the perfect hardware and software what will the manufactures sell us next year and the year after. Would we need to buy a new phone ever again? Would we need a hard working dedicated staff here at Droidforums.net answering questions 24/7?
Manufacturers will never deliver the perfect device. It won't keep them in business as it''s just not a continual money maker. Infact, hardware and software are evolving commodities. They can get them close, but never perfect.
Now, let's get to Apple for a moment. I'm an Apple fan. I have Apple Macbooks, Routers, Desktop and an Apple TV. No phones.. BUT my wife has been using iPhones for years and yes as @cr6 said, Apple products just work.
Android and Apple devices are resold by just about every mobile provider around the world. The difference is Apple controls what is installed on the iPhone. Android phones have every providers bloat and OS changes. So how can you get a device that just works? If you want a device that just works, get an iPhone. If you want a challange stick with Android. They will always have something new to mess with...

 

[mountainbikermark]

The Priv matters because it's another choice. Though we scoffed at the Fire phone, it was another choice. That mattered to me. Take away choice, you end up with Microsoft and Comcast.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Great points made all around. I agree with the cr and Jeffrey. I said that in another thread. There's only so much innovation you can do with a rectangle. Sure, that's just talking aesthetics, but it's true. As for other touches, like putting buttons in different places, adding heart rate sensors and IR blasters, they're fun and they work, but in the end, I'm not sure they're not gimmicks. I use the HRM on my Urbane from time to time for fun and because I have a history of Tachycardia, but I'm not so sure that other people find it as handy to have/use. The IR blaster, I've used it on my Note 4 a few times and even on my S4, but most of that was just to show people what I could do. I couldn't stand to have to use my phone for a remote all the time. A big thing I like about my remote from my cable provider is that I can feel for the buttons without having to look at it. Not to mention, I'm not going to leave my screen on while watching TV just to make my remote app more accessible, so there's that added lag time for turning it on, unlocking it, launching the app again if I've closed it to do something else.

I also agree with Jeffrey that we'll never see the PERFECT phone. Even if we get to a point where these phones do most of what we want, there will always be something more that a new phone can offer. It may be gimmicky, but I don't think we'll run out of crazy ideas for functionality any time soon.

As much as I'm ready to get my 6P and move away from Samsung devices, I have to agree with PC as well. They have innovated and taken chances on hardware. As for his take on screen size, my wife would love a smaller device with specs that match my larger ones, but no one seems to make them. You always have a compromise to make there at this point in the game. Also, these bigger phones are selling well. It's why apple made the 6+. They saw the trend. That sucks for those who'd like a device down around 5 inches, but it's the truth.

The Priv matters because it's another choice. Though we scoffed at the Fire phone, it was another choice. That mattered to me. Take away choice, you end up with Microsoft and Comcast.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

While I get your point and can applaud Amazon for trying, I'm not sure this comparison works for me, since the Priv appears to run an "enhanced" version of android, rather than the bastardized version that Amazon put on the fire phone, not allowing you to use the Google Play Store.

I think the Priv ticks a box for some people. Personally, I don't care for the physical keyboard, but I'm still convinced there's a market for one with the average consumer. I think this is a better idea than Samsung's recent keyboard case for their newest phones, as it's just already there. Add in BB's security/enterprise mindset, and I think they could be on to something. Do I think they'll sell a TON of devices? Not really, but I think they'll see a positive response and I hope they sell enough to keep them going on this track.