Google Finalizes Billion Dollar Deal with HTC

[dizmo]

4 minutes ago, Navbryce said:

Fair points. Google gave free Google Home Mini's to people who bought Pixel 2's within a certain amount of time, which was a pretty good incentive for me. I guess they're trying to get as many Google "ecosystem" hooks into customers as possible.

Basically. More devices = more harvestable user data.

3 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

That, and the fact that Samsung introduced a huge deal of features that made Android what it is today.

Damn it! That was my other point. I actually find stock Android lacking in many areas and greatly prefer many of the other companies takes on it. Just switch out the launcher to Nova and go.

[Drak3]

1 minute ago, dizmo said:

Damn it! That was my other point. I actually find stock Android lacking in many areas and greatly prefer many of the other companies takes on it. Just switch out the launcher to Nova and go.

Honestly, Kitkat+, Touchwiz has been the best experience I've had with Android, with Microsoft's launcher being a close second and everything else being distant thirds.

[dizmo]

5 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

Honestly, Kitkat+, Touchwiz has been the best experience I've had with Android, with Microsoft's launcher being a close second and everything else being distant thirds.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. I haven't used Microsoft's launcher, I didn't even know they had one for Android.

I'm actually pretty happy with Asus's version of Android as well. They're very active with their users when it comes to suggestions and I've had more updates for this device than even my Nexus devices got.

[Drak3]

18 minutes ago, dizmo said:

Yeah, I'd agree with that. I haven't used Microsoft's launcher, I didn't even know they had one for Android.

I'm actually pretty happy with Asus's version of Android as well. They're very active with their users when it comes to suggestions and I've had more updates for this device than even my Nexus devices got.

It used to be Next Launcher, but IMO, it's superior to Google's shit "stock experience".

[dizmo]

1 minute ago, Drak3 said:

It used to be Next Launcher, but IMO, it's superior to Google's shit "stock experience".

Hmmm. Maybe I'll try it when I get my Mi Max 3.

[GOTSpectrum]

20 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Hope Google will create mid range phones in addition to the expensive Pixels. And headphone jack please.

I think they should bring back nexus branding fly the mid range phones. 

[MegaTechPC]

I've had both an HTC Droid Incredible (my very first smart phone) and the One M8 and both phones were really great, even though I'm a Samsung fanboy these days.  Sucks we won't have any more dedicated HTC branded phones going forward, but Google's first party stuff should benefit from this acquisition.

[mr moose]

My first HTC was the desire back in 2010 - when it was a flagship.  Since then I have owned/used several desires and to be honest they aren't bad for the price.   It's a shame HTC are going the way they are because they have done lot more for the smartphone industry than people give them credit for.

[Bananasplit_00]

while im a large user of their services, i dont think i would actiually want hardware made by google. 

[DildorTheDecent]

13 hours ago, RorzNZ said:

I really liked the HTC One X

That was my first android phone. Not a bad device at all tbh.

 

Tegra 3 was hit and miss though. Great perf at the time but it ran super hot.

[Commodus]

14 hours ago, PocketNerd said:

I'm not exactly a fan of Vertical Integration... Just makes the illusion of choice that much greater.

Frankly, I think Google needs it if it's going to produce its own phones.  The whole point of the Pixel line is to represent the best of Android, and in many ways Google as a whole -- you want hardware that lives up to the promise of the software.

 

Besides, the not-so-secret truth is that the iPhone does as well as it does because of vertical integration.  Apple can develop new iOS releases knowing exactly how it'll work with new hardware; it can tie into a wider ecosystem (other iOS devices, the Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, etc.); you don't end up waiting 3 months for a software update.

[kokakolia]

9 hours ago, Ben Quigley said:

I think they should bring back nexus branding fly the mid range phones. 

Well, there's currently a solution and it's called "Android One". The Xiaomi Mi A1 has that branding. It's basically a guaranteed stock Android experience on a midrange phone. 

[GOTSpectrum]

59 minutes ago, kokakolia said:

Well, there's currently a solution and it's called "Android One". The Xiaomi Mi A1 has that branding. It's basically a guaranteed stock Android experience on a midrange phone. 

I know, I currently have a Sony phone though. But there's just something about a Sony built phone, nexus quality with similar, slightly higher pricing would make me very happy. 

 

 

EDIT, I'm referring to the Nexus 4-5 era, the golden age of nexus value in my opinion.

[kokakolia]

1 hour ago, Ben Quigley said:

I know, I currently have a Sony phone though. But there's just something about a Sony built phone, nexus quality with similar, slightly higher pricing would make me very happy. 

 

 

EDIT, I'm referring to the Nexus 4-5 era, the golden age of nexus value in my opinion.

My blood boils when you mention the Nexus 4. The updates killed it after 1~2 years. It was a fantastic device at launch though. 

[Drak3]

2 hours ago, kokakolia said:

It's basically a guaranteed stock Android experience on a midrange phone. 

So, basically garbage.

[kokakolia]

5 minutes ago, Drak3 said:

So, basically garbage.

LOL I'd be saying the same thing if I had an iPhone. But I have a Zuk....so it seems good to me! 

[GOTSpectrum]

1 hour ago, kokakolia said:

My blood boils when you mention the Nexus 4. The updates killed it after 1~2 years. It was a fantastic device at launch though. 

I only kept mine for 14-16 months then got the nexus 5, thats still a capable device today and i use it for listening to music and YouTube on the go when my tablet isn't practical. 

[Doobeedoo]

Well, so it will be interesting to see the next phone, better be polished and with no issues now.

[mr moose]

5 hours ago, Doobeedoo said:

Well, so it will be interesting to see the next phone, better be polished and with no issues now.

If HTC engineers can harvest some of their old mojo the next phone will be very polished. 

[Doobeedoo]

11 hours ago, mr moose said:

If HTC engineers can harvest some of their old mojo the next phone will be very polished. 

Yeah, would be awesome. For Google it seems they kinda rushed both Pixels with flaws and such as everyone know. But HTC really had very nice phones, so I'd be interesting in what they'll come up with. Also that stock Android as well.

[Navbryce]

8 hours ago, Doobeedoo said:

Yeah, would be awesome. For Google it seems they kinda rushed both Pixels with flaws and such as everyone know. But HTC really had very nice phones, so I'd be interesting in what they'll come up with. Also that stock Android as well.

I'm psyched for what they produce

[asus killer]

Google must really be a awful place to work (http://www.businessinsider.com/google-employees-worst-things-about-working-at-google-2016-12) for them to have to pay 1.1Billion dollars to get some employees  How does HTC phone division is worth 1Bilion dollars???? 

[Big Head Tech]

This move makes a ton of sense. It allows Google to not have to outsource manufacturing and have better QC on their products. I had a pixel 1 as did my brother, my wife had a pixel 2 xl and my sister in law has a pixel 2. All we're solid phones (wife and I use pixel 2 xl's now).

[mr moose]

9 hours ago, asus killer said:

 How does HTC phone division is worth 1Bilion dollars???? 

 

HTC fits into the "others" category for mobile market share, but those others all have multi billion dollar revenues.  So the mobile division of any of them (HTC, LG, motorola etc) should be about the same.

 

 

[michaelocarroll007]

On 1/30/2018 at 8:11 PM, Navbryce said:

Fair points. Google gave free Google Home Mini's to people who bought Pixel 2's within a certain amount of time, which was a pretty good incentive for me. I guess they're trying to get as many Google "ecosystem" hooks into customers as possible.

Eh $30 item is not a enticing on at $930 purchase $850 + Tax.  Less then 5% off.

Thats just my opinion. Though if i planed on buying one anyway its a nice addition.