[Opinion] The New Google Hate Clickbait

[thunderbolt_nick]

Every time I seem to be checking the news lately, all I hear is that Google shouldn't do the Nexus program anymore. It's somehow 'pointless' or as The Verge puts it 'a huge ad' for Google. I don't get it...Wasn't it not one year ago these same journalists were spouting the only good Android phone is a Nexus? It's like saying Apple has no reason to make the iPad or Microsoft shouldn't make the Surface because that are just 'huge ads' for their respective platforms. Why is Google somehow treated differently? Isn't the whole point of being a journalist about being fair?

TNW, whom I respect, seems to have a contributor that doesn't mind having the vocabulary of a bum. In several points of the article, cursing is prevalent as well as the bias. First he refers to Google being a startup... Huh? You mean back when they started search? What? Then he goes on to say nothing has changed. Seriously? Where have you been? Then this took the icing on the cake for me: Google should make a Nexus Chromebook. Yeah...Chromebook! Well... This is why you are a journalist and don't run a company.

I'm not even going to bother going through the Verge article. They've already said enough with the headline.

Maybe I just need to accept the fact this is click bait and stop being so rant-y on a Saturday. This is just really getting more and more lame as people all of a sudden feel like defending their $1000 purchase. Sounds more like buyer's remorse if you ask me.

Google doesn't need to make Nexus phones anymore

http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/1/9422405/google-android-nexus-5x-6p-phones-ads

 

[popcenator]

I read the second article from The Verge and while I agree with some of it, I think a lot of what they said seems contradictory and a little exaggerated.

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[thunderbolt_nick]

I read the second article from The Verge and while I agree with some of it, I think a lot of what they said seems contradictory and a little exaggerated.

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That's what a lot of the commenters are saying. Of course, I don't hold anything the Verge puts out with a grain of salt. Vlad even admitted he is all in to iOS and won't even look at Android.

 

[Ollie]

I am one of the ones in the camp that believes there isn't a need for the Nexus line.

Maybe it's because I find stock Android to be too bare bones for my liking and that I also find Google to be hypocritical when they chastise OEMs for adding too much to their skins and then Google turns around and takes features that other OEMs have had for years.

The only other thing that the Nexi phones had the advantage over non-Nexi phones is also disappearing...earlier security updates. OEMs are now rolling out their equivalents.

I get that hard core enthusiasts like to jump on the Nexus train for developer tweaks, but romming is dying a slow death.

There are much better phones out there than any Nexus device which means I will never own one. This year's Nexus P is the first Nexus phone that even made me read up on it. All of the previous ones were watered down, low end phones that only had cheaper pricing going for them.

 

[thunderbolt_nick]

I am one of the ones in the camp that believes there isn't a need for the Nexus line.

Maybe it's because I find stock Android to be too bare bones for my liking and that I also find Google to be hypocritical when they chastise OEMs for adding too much to their skins and then Google turns around and takes features that other OEMs have had for years.

The only other thing that the Nexi phones had the advantage over non-Nexi phones is also disappearing...earlier security updates. OEMs are now rolling out their equivalents.

I get that hard core enthusiasts like to jump on the Nexus train for developer tweaks, but romming is dying a slow death.

There are much better phones out there than any Nexus device which means I will never own one. This year's Nexus P is the first Nexus phone that even made me read up on it. All of the previous ones were watered down, low end phones that only had cheaper pricing going for them.

A 'need'... What does that even mean? If a company wants to take the resources to build something then that is their choice. Google doesn't technically need to build anything because they have an abundance of products already.

I don't remember Google chastising OEMs. Why would they? They hire them to do the Nexus program. If they did, then you're right that is kind of hypocritical and very dumb. As for taking features, every company does that. Not to reverberate the Apple mentality, but if they make it better... But that's all opinion.

Actually, I still don't see many other devices getting Stage fright 1.0 updates and now 2.0 is on the way. Admittedly I haven't checked the numbers but Nexus devices were still the first to get the update. Of course, it is of my opinion that this vulnerability is hyped up. I never saw any actual attacks in the media just that it was vulnerable unlike that crazy iOS texting bug...

Yeah I'll agree with you on that point. ROMing doesn't have the 'pizzazz' it used to IMO. I haven't even rooted since the Tbolt.

It's funny you mention that because most of my friends who are a mix of techies and non are at least intrigued by the 6P. I'm curious to see a poll of how interested people are now than to previous Nexii. My N6 is pretty amazing and the only reason I'm not grabbing the 6P. Don't think it's watered down at all.

 

[popcenator]

And that's one of the strengths of Android, choice. You have the opportunity to not like the stock flavor of Android because there are other flavors for you. There's no NEED to have any variation in Google's image of the OS, they could be like Apple and only sell you one experience.

Do we need a Nexus line? That depends on what your criterion for need is. I feel we do because that's another option for you as an Android enthusiast, even if you'd never bother with it.

Android has been about inclusion. We can all enjoy our flavor, no matter the price or build. Because we all enjoy the ice cream shop (that was cheesy/lame I know).

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[Ollie]

A 'need'... What does that even mean? If a company wants to take the resources to build something then that is their choice. Google doesn't technically need to build anything because they have an abundance of products already.

I don't remember Google chastising OEMs. Why would they? They hire them to do the Nexus program. If they did, then you're right that is kind of hypocritical and very dumb. As for taking features, every company does that. Not to reverberate the Apple mentality, but if they make it better... But that's all opinion.

Actually, I still don't see many other devices getting Stage fright 1.0 updates and now 2.0 is on the way. Admittedly I haven't checked the numbers but Nexus devices were still the first to get the update. Of course, it is of my opinion that this vulnerability is hyped up. I never saw any actual attacks in the media just that it was vulnerable unlike that crazy iOS texting bug...

Yeah I'll agree with you on that point. ROMing doesn't have the 'pizzazz' it used to IMO. I haven't even rooted since the Tbolt.

It's funny you mention that because most of my friends who are a mix of techies and non are at least intrigued by the 6P. I'm curious to see a poll of how interested people are now than to previous Nexii. My N6 is pretty amazing and the only reason I'm not grabbing the 6P. Don't think it's watered down at all.

I am interested in the Nexus P. It's the first time I have seen a Nexus that stacks up to flagships. So you can count me in on the poll lol.

Very, very few people buy the Nexii. Even fewer the GDE phones. Why is that? Do you mark it up to almost zero marketing? If the Nexus line were truly meant to be better than any other Android fork why don't they sell? In the mean time every other fork of Android is outselling them. That is what I mean by "need". If the Nexii were an earth moving force in the Android ecosystem then I would agree that they should continue.

I would prefer there to be one version of Android. Unfortunately that will never happen. That is why iOS has such a solid ecosystem. There isn't the distraction of a gazillion builds to worry about which keeps it streamlined.

In my perfect world, because I do still prefer the multitude of Android options, you would not be able to launch a device that is skinned. It would have to be an optional download after first boot. That would instantly kill fragmentation and still give people such as myself the option to run another skin.

 

[Ollie]

And regarding Google vs OEMs, Pichai was pissed off at Samsung during last year's CES show and told Samsung he would walk away from them.

 

[thunderbolt_nick]

I am interested in the Nexus P. It's the first time I have seen a Nexus that stacks up to flagships. So you can count me in on the poll lol.

Very, very few people buy the Nexii. Even fewer the GDE phones. Why is that? Do you mark it up to almost zero marketing? If the Nexus line were truly meant to be better than any other Android fork why don't they sell? In the mean time every other fork of Android is outselling them. That is what I mean by "need". If the Nexii were an earth moving force in the Android ecosystem then I would agree that they should continue.

I would prefer there to be one version of Android. Unfortunately that will never happen. That is why iOS has such a solid ecosystem. There isn't the distraction of a gazillion builds to worry about which keeps it streamlined.

In my perfect world, because I do still prefer the multitude of Android options, you would not be able to launch a device that is skinned. It would have to be an optional download after first boot. That would instantly kill fragmentation and still give people such as myself the option to run another skin.

Even if they are being outsold, that doesn't mean they need to stop making them. If the bar is to be 'Earth shattering' with every device then no manufacturer would make phones after even their first commercial failure. Like you said, its all marketing which is not Google's strong point in my opinion.

Nothing will kill fragmentation. That is a side effect of any open platform. Expecting it to be eradicated by any means is naive in my opinion. Just look at how many Linux versions and builds there are. MS also has the same problem with Windows. Google is at least trying with Play Services, but your idea is actually pretty interesting. If implemented right it would help. Like you said though... Perfect world.

IOS is by no means as solid as many are lead to believe. It is just using a different philosophy to sell its devices plus Apple does not have to worry about being in so many different industries like Google does. The side effect to that is that Apple will slowly move into other realms but bring everyone with them with little effort. However the transition is not as stable. Apple just has really good PR. Of course, this is coming from a guy who had to fix it all.

 

[thunderbolt_nick]

And regarding Google vs OEMs, Pichai was pissed off at Samsung during last year's CES show and told Samsung he would walk away from them.

Wow. I'll look it up later but that is low. Point of Android is anyone had access. Heck even Apple has an app in Google Play. Why avoid a partner like that?

 

[Jeffrey]

Interesting read guys.. I thought the Nexus line was to be a quality device at a reasonable price. That does not seem to be the case..

I will say, that I am more comfortable buying direct from Google than any carrier or big box store. They seem to be more customer oriented.

 

[thunderbolt_nick]

Interesting read guys.. I thought the Nexus line was to be a quality device at a reasonable price. That does not seem to be the case..

I will say, that I am more comfortable buying direct from Google than any carrier or big box store. They seem to be more customer oriented.

What's interesting is that the only reason I looked at the Nexus program is because I liked my Moto phones a lot, which is what got me the Nexus 6. Admittedly, I miss some of the extra features that the Moto X came with like Moto Assist, but the N6 is still perfect for my needs in every way and I learned some other ways to get the features I was missing that I found were even better.

 

[popcenator]

I like what other manufacturers do, but I want those incorporated into stock Android. Sense was the only manufacturer skin I actually liked, but HTC clearly isn't digging themselves out of the hole. I admit TW has much improved and isn't all that bad anymore.

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[bkdodger]

I might be minority but I can do without the extras put in non Nexus phones.. I like Sammy for multi window.. And one handed mode options... All other stuff I don't use... I do like the camera options on Samsung & LG...

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[PereDroid]

Very, very few people buy the Nexii. Even fewer the GDE phones. Why is that? Do you mark it up to almost zero marketing?

I do. If you polled every person in my life, friends, family, co-workers... I'd bet one person out of maybe 150 have even heard of this device.