Android KitKat Released

yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:23 · Score: 2, Funny

is there a dark chocolate version?

Re:yum by Joce640k · 2013-10-31 07:31 · Score: 5, Informative

In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?

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Re:yum by Desler · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 1

Not really since most US people pay subsidized rates not full retail. Many international carriers offer discounts on the full retail price as well.
Re:yum by the_B0fh · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 1

Isn't it more interesting that you can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent Galaxy S4 or HTC or Experia?
What did everyone say when Microsoft decided it was going to make the Surface tablets...? Something about OEMs bitching or other?
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:03 · Score: 1

There is for the Japanese versions, along with 30 other flavours.
Re:yum by slash.jit · 2013-10-31 08:12 · Score: 2

Yes it is.. specially since Nexus 5 is made by LG which is also cheaper than Moto X which is made by Google's own company
Re:yum by nospam007 · 2013-10-31 08:16 · Score: 2, Funny

'In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?'
It's their main weapon. That and surprise. And an almost fanatical devotion to the pope.
And slashvertisements.
Re:yum by BitZtream · 2013-10-31 08:37 · Score: 0

'In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?'
No, its not newsworthy because its not an iPhone. Sadly many here will still rant on about how awesome it is.

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Re:yum by fredprado · 2013-10-31 08:49 · Score: 3, Insightful

I don't know if US carriers subsidize only iPhones, but on other places they subsidize all phones and you end paying for the phone anyway, by being forced into a plan that is beyond your needs. So in the end you are paying for the phone either way. There is no free lunch.
Re:yum by fredprado · 2013-10-31 08:51 · Score: 2

Indeed it is not. It is better in most ways that count.
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:51 · Score: 1, Informative

You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone. Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?

Not really since most US people pay subsidized rates
That right there is what's wrong with America today. No, not the subsidised rate, the arrogance of believing that since it doesn't affect the US, it's not news.
You really should think a bit more about how you're living your life, you know that?
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:55 · Score: 0

No, its not newsworthy because its not an iPhone.
You want to hear an Apple joke?
iOS7.
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:13 · Score: 0

You just couldn't take the chance that he wasn't joking could you.
Re:yum by Joce640k · 2013-10-31 10:15 · Score: 1

Isn't it more interesting that you can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent Galaxy S4 or HTC or Experia?
Well... the S4 has a super camera, etc., but yes, it's also far cheaper than other Android phones.
If I was in the market for a new phone right now, this one would be at the top of the list.

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No sig today...
Re:yum by maccodemonkey · 2013-10-31 10:40 · Score: 1

In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?
Depends. The Nexus 5 has not been benching as well as the iPhone 5S. The Nexus 5 also is missing a few things the iPhone has. One of which is the ability to run on Verizon.
That's not to say that's not a nice price. But it's not necessarily equivalent, especially if you're on Verizon.
Re:yum by Hognoxious · 2013-10-31 10:47 · Score: 1

It's nothing to do with arrogance. It's the ignorance of who's paying the subsidy.

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Re:yum by nblender · 2013-10-31 12:23 · Score: 1

Here's what's news (to me)... I have an iphone 4... I tried to buy a Nexus 4 but by the time they were available in Canada, they were sold out (ok, I was out of town for a couple of days and missed the short period they were for sale)... This morning I tried to buy a Nexus 5 and they sold out right away but regardless of this fact, they aren't shipping to Canada anyway so I lose again. I'll keep my iphone a while longer I guess.
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 12:36 · Score: 0

I can get an Accord for half the price of a BMW too. If all I want is cheap transportation, I'll get the Kia, but there are still plenty of people who would go for the BMW.
Re: yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 12:38 · Score: 1

Does Canada = Quebec? Because I ordered one to Ontario no problem. 32gb white
Re:yum by gl4ss · 2013-10-31 15:26 · Score: 1

I think you're missing something there.. maybe it's 1/4th of a brain or something, maybe they subsidized it for you.
you pay for the "discount". you just said that price doesn't matter, because you're paying another company to pay for it.
of course the price matters, it matters inside usa and it matters outside usa. someone is paying the price to the manufacturer, if you're paying your operator to do it then you're the one paying - with extras.

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Re: yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 15:44 · Score: 0

Not a problem in Quebec neither, strange assumption...
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 15:51 · Score: 0

In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?
It depends on your view. Some consider the Apple products to be "Rolls Royce", which means that cost difference is justified.
When I got my iPhone 4 and hit antenna-gate, I was really pissed off. The fanboys told me to shove it, which made me loathe them, and even more pissed off with Apple (hint: Apple fanboys are the biggest ass-hats on the planet).
Now i'm running an iPhone 5, it really is a beautiful phone, and I'm far more pleased with Apple as a result.
Half the price is a good incentive, but not if you view the product is a "Rolls Royce". Mind you, I just got the Nexus 5 for the wife - and I do think that it's a pretty amazing phone... MUCH better than the SG4 (which has high failure rates, and does not look or feel anywhere near as sleek as the Nexus 5 does).
Re:yum by davester666 · 2013-10-31 16:11 · Score: 1

The other half of your payment is your soul to Google.

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Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 17:05 · Score: 0

Except in this case, the BMW is half the price of the Accord (actually, more like a Camry).
Re:yum by fredprado · 2013-10-31 17:22 · Score: 1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe's_law
Re:yum by hairyfeet · 2013-10-31 18:41 · Score: 2

Actually it has to do with the fact that THIS IS A USA SITE, made in the US and targeted at a USA audience.
Now I don't see why we have to deal with arrogant jerks from other countries, I mean do we go to THEIR sites and demand they put everything in USD or give us car analogies? No we don't. So by that same token if they don't like it here they can STFU, take the /. source which is freely available BTW, and go make "Slashworld, news for those that don't live in the imperialist USA" and call it a day.

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Re:yum by ozmanjusri · 2013-10-31 19:06 · Score: 1

MUCH better than the SG4 (which has high failure rates, and does not look or feel anywhere near as sleek as the Nexus 5 does).
Samsung's customers don't seem to mind...

Samsung edges Apple on Customer Satisfaction
The competition is starting to encroach on Apple's sacred ground of customer satisfaction. The iPad maker has routinely emphasized the feel-good aspect of its product lines, against a more strictly econometric view of the world. A case in point: "We are not solely focused on unit share as I've said many times, but we're focused on usage in customer's side, the loyalty and other things that are very important to us," Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the company's fourth quarter earning call Monday. So far that focus has worked out well for Apple, but the ground underneath that worldview may have just shifted, if only just a little. In a J.D. Power Tablet Satisfaction Study released Thursday, archrival Samsung achieved the highest score (835), followed closely by Apple (833).

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57609795-37/samsung-edges-apple-in-j.d-power-tablet-survey/

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Re:yum by SeaFox · 2013-10-31 19:28 · Score: 1

In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?
People think iPhone is too expensive, shout "Gimmie a break".
New Android version KitKat comes out on half-price hardware.
Makes sense to me.
Re:yum by Patch86 · 2013-10-31 19:39 · Score: 1

"Subsidy" is the wrong word, as it implies that they are paying something towards the phone for you. They do not. You pay for the phone (and then some) over time. "Loan" is the usual word for this.
The Nexus being cheaper than the iPhone is still noteworthy in a system where carriers loan you the money ("subsidise") for the phone, as the carrier will be able to offer you a lower monthly payment.
Re:yum by Patch86 · 2013-10-31 19:42 · Score: 1

Just to be clear, the Nexus is Google branded but is not made by Google. This one is made by LG, and other Nexus branded gear is made by a wide (and rotating) range of OEMs.
This differs rather from the MS Surface, which is made for MS directly by contract manufacturers (like Pegatron or Foxconn), cutting the OEMs out of the loop.
Re: yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 21:04 · Score: 0

Is that the case? OK, I guess I can't visit the site anymore then. Goodbye.
Re:yum by moronoxyd · 2013-10-31 22:18 · Score: 1

Actually it has to do with the fact that THIS IS A USA SITE, made in the US and targeted at a USA audience.
Is it? The internet is global thing. There are no signs on the entrances of websites telling everybody 'this is a US site. Don't enter if you're not a proper 'merican!'.
And US companies using generic TLDs like .com, .net or .org instead of .us (yes, that one exists) certainly suggests that they are open for everybody.
So how about you pack you xenophobia and call it a day?

Now I don't see why we have to deal with arrogant jerks from other countries, I mean do we go to THEIR sites and demand they put everything in USD or give us car analogies? No we don't.
Probably because you don't speak any foreign languages, right?
Oh, and car analogies are used basically everywhere in the world. 'cause, you know, we have and love cars too. Just different brands.
You could have figured that out all by yourself. Considering that you will find quite a few Japanese and German cars on American streets...
Re: yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 22:36 · Score: 0

Why not mention that it's cheaper than the Galaxy phones or almost every other Android phone? This isn't about the iPhone unless of course you have some sort of envy issues ; )
Re: yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 22:37 · Score: 0

It's Less Of A Loan Than A Lease To Own.
Re:yum by badzilla · 2013-10-31 23:11 · Score: 1

Well actually this is a WWW site, it's called a "World Wide" web for a reason you know.

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Re: yum by nblender · 2013-11-01 01:06 · Score: 1

Yes.
http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=4400521&cid=45294503
Re: yum by Patch86 · 2013-11-01 03:15 · Score: 1

I'm just replying to a thread- I didn't start anything re: iPhones. Nexus certainly is cheaper than the Galaxy range, and most of the other Android premium brands- it is very impressive indeed.
Re:yum by TechyImmigrant · 2013-11-01 06:00 · Score: 1

Not really, since he said "equivalent", meaning unlocked.

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Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 06:52 · Score: 0

Fsck Yeahhh!!
Re: yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 09:14 · Score: 0

hairyfeet is an example of all that is wrong with America ....... Arrogantly not even giving the time of day to anyone or anything outside the USA's boarders .....
I hope you choke on your next Kitkat .
BTW here in Aussie we will be able to get the phone for free on a two year contract with loads of really fast data.....for about $50 a month. :-b
Re:yum by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 12:04 · Score: 0

Except that this is more akin to a Mercedes being half the price of the BMW. In just about every way that a product can be better than another, a Nexus device is better than an iPhone. The only thing that it lacks is the brand name.
People do NOT spend twice the price of a Kia on BMW just because it has the badge, but because the BMW is a tangibly better product. Comparing the iPhone to top end Android phones, that is just not the case.
Re:yum by yenic · 2013-11-02 17:30 · Score: 1

In not-unrelated news: You can get a Nexus 5 for half the price of an equivalent iPhone.
Does nobody apart from me see that as newsworthy?
If it's truly equivalent in every way, then sure. There's probably a reason they aren't marketing it as an iPhone equal at half the price.

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Along the theme... by donut1005 · 2013-10-31 07:24 · Score: 5, Funny

When iOS7 caused trouble for iPhone users, I heard audible Snickers.

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Re:Along the theme... by intermodal · 2013-10-31 07:29 · Score: 1

Not everyone. Those guys who got their iPhone 4S's warranty-replaced with iPhone 5's saw it as more of a Payday.

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Re:Along the theme... by Scowler · 2013-10-31 07:34 · Score: 5, Funny

"Give me a break!" -- satisfied iPhone user with iOS7
Re:Along the theme... by CanHasDIY · 2013-10-31 07:36 · Score: 4, Funny

"Give me a break!" -- satisfied iPhone user with iOS7
I thought that was the problem; the update did break the WiFi Whatchamacallit...

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Re:Along the theme... by Megane · 2013-10-31 07:40 · Score: 1, Offtopic

Fortunately for Android users, many of them won't have upgrade problems because they won't be able to upgrade.

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Re:Along the theme... by donut1005 · 2013-10-31 07:48 · Score: 1

No candy reference? I expect more from the brainiac Nerds that visit this site!

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It's random, but my posting it here is probably considered illegal to someone.
Re:Along the theme... by Mordok-DestroyerOfWo · 2013-10-31 07:54 · Score: 1

Frickin' Nerds!

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Re: Along the theme... by johnsnails · 2013-10-31 08:02 · Score: 1

Have a break, have a kit Kat
Re:Along the theme... by Scowler · 2013-10-31 08:03 · Score: 1

Only problem encountered was the iMessage (Milk) Duds. Approximately as annoying as my wife's Nexus 4 Blow Pops which bricked the device a few times during device recharges. (in fairness, workaround exists going through boot menu for that one)
Re:Along the theme... by RavenLrD20k · 2013-10-31 08:30 · Score: 2

not everyone likes Smarties.
Re:Along the theme... by Tarlus · 2013-10-31 08:31 · Score: 1

But for Apple, cleaning this mess up will cost them 100 Grand.

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Re:Along the theme... by donut1005 · 2013-10-31 08:58 · Score: 1

YORKidding, right?

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It's random, but my posting it here is probably considered illegal to someone.
Re:Along the theme... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:36 · Score: 0

There was a candy reference... Need a break? chew it over with twix.
Re:Along the theme... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:03 · Score: 0

Wow! That's the cost of several Apple devices!
[snickers]
Re:Along the theme... by exomondo · 2013-10-31 10:14 · Score: 2

Approximately as annoying as my wife's Nexus 4 Blow Pops which bricked the device a few times during device recharges. (in fairness, workaround exists going through boot menu for that one)
It's hardly 'bricked' then is it.
Re:Along the theme... by Xyrus · 2013-10-31 13:32 · Score: 1

When iOS7 caused trouble for iPhone users, I heard audible Snickers.
Yeah, someone is definitely missing a Payday for that one.

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~X~
Re:Along the theme... by jtmach · 2013-11-01 00:07 · Score: 1

That money may be hard to come by during the Crunch
Re:Along the theme... by RavenLrD20k · 2013-11-01 01:13 · Score: 1

I never kid during Crunch time.
Re:Along the theme... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 01:37 · Score: 0

The way people complain about the cost of an iPhone, you'd think that they cost a Hundred Grand!

I wonder.. by TechyImmigrant · 2013-10-31 07:26 · Score: 2, Informative

I wonder if it will continue to randomly turn off the Nexus 4, like 4.3 does.

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Re:I wonder.. by hawguy · 2013-10-31 07:41 · Score: 3, Informative

I wonder if it will continue to randomly turn off the Nexus 4, like 4.3 does.
Is that a well known problem? My N4 doesn't seem to have it.
Re:I wonder.. by Imagix · 2013-10-31 07:43 · Score: 2

Neither does mine...
Re:I wonder.. by toppavak · 2013-10-31 07:44 · Score: 2

Apples to oranges comparison here, but this happened to me when I ran the first few alpha builds of CyanogenMod that were built from 4.3, subsequent updates fixed the problem. I never ran stock 4.3 so YMMV
Re:I wonder.. by Nemyst · 2013-10-31 07:45 · Score: 1

This is the first time I've ever heard of that, and I tend to lurk in the XDA boards a bit (I have a N4 too). Would you care to substantiate this claim?
Re:I wonder.. by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 07:47 · Score: 2

I haven't seen it and I have quite a few friends with Nexus 4s. Could be a hardware problem.
Re:I wonder.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:47 · Score: 0

Probably. What I want to know is why my Verizon Samsung Galaxy S3 is still rocking 4.1.2. Yes yes, I know I can root it. But it's a company phone.
Maybe I can convince them to get me a Nexus 5. Once all the bugs get worked out.
Re:I wonder.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:25 · Score: 1

There was a known issue where this would happen if you had the Chrome Beta installed. I have the beta installed myself on an N4 and N7 and I only hit the problem once. Others have had it more often.
Re:I wonder.. by TechyImmigrant · 2013-10-31 08:43 · Score: 2

>Is that a well known problem?
https://www.google.com/search?q=nexus+4+randomly+turns+off
>My N4 doesn't seem to have it.
I wish mine didn't.

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Re:I wonder.. by TechyImmigrant · 2013-10-31 08:45 · Score: 4, Informative

https://www.google.com/search?q=nexus+4+randomly+turns+off
My fairly new N4 does it a few times a day. I see many other identical complaints online.
For everyone it occured synchronous with the 4.3 release.

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Re:I wonder.. by TechyImmigrant · 2013-10-31 08:49 · Score: 2

Here's a video showing the exact symptom on my phone that started with 4.3.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhS8gOKhi-4

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Re:I wonder.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:01 · Score: 0

I've had that running CM nightlies, too.
But it's a nightly build of a third-party ROM, so, duh.
Re:I wonder.. by TechyImmigrant · 2013-10-31 09:26 · Score: 1

A troll rating?
There must be Google employees here who haven't been paying attention to the support boards for their products.

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Re:I wonder.. by Hognoxious · 2013-10-31 10:52 · Score: 1

If you're constantly fapping over gay donkey porn the inactivity timeout is never triggered.
Umm, so I heard.

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Re:I wonder.. by dido · 2013-10-31 13:20 · Score: 1

Dunno if this is related. It seems to have happened to me on occasion since the 4.3 update, although I don't think it's completely off. About once every couple of weeks I'll be listening to music or audiobooks on my Nexus 4, and it will continue playing. The music doesn't stop, and apparently I can still control playback by means of the Bluetooth headset. However, the power button doesn't bring the screen back on, and nothing short of giving the power button a long press, the way I would when turning it on when it has been turned off, will suffice to bring it back up again.

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Re:I wonder.. by alostpacket · 2013-10-31 17:43 · Score: 1

Is that stack trace correct for you also? it looked like it was unable to connect to storage (all the file & db reads threw null pointers). Possibly something with the MBR.
Do you flash a lot of ROMs? Have you flashed any before? Do you know how to clear the dalvik cache?
Not sure what's wrong there but it looks like a hardware issue or something in the system image was corrupted. I might try a factory reset and clearing the dalvik cache before you RMA, other than that there should be some folk on XDA or AndroidForums.com who know a lot more that could help you.
Something similar used to happen to the Galaxy Nexus but a battery pull would fix it -- clearing the dalvik cache IIRC. (they fixed it in JB also)
hth

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Re:I wonder.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 00:56 · Score: 0

I don't think so.
Mine has it too, also cell reception is really bad with the N4.
The N4 is a high-specced phone that is built the cheapest way possible, which probably explains the 50% price reduction when compared to the GS4 and the iphone5
Re:I wonder.. by TechyImmigrant · 2013-11-01 05:04 · Score: 1

It's my phone. I play the techy god at work all day. I'm not going to arse around flashing a computer I didn't design myself.
The evidence point to SW, maybe interacting with HW, but if 4.2 doesn't break, a SW workaround is obviously possible. People who've downgraded made this problem go away.

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Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-10-31 07:27 · Score: 1

Looking for something to replace my not so gracefully aging N900. God what I wouldn't give for a phone with a pressure sensitive screen that can run mypaint, decent battery life, and can run linux or commonlisp.

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Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by magic+maverick+ · 2013-10-31 07:34 · Score: 4, Informative

Android is Linux. Maybe you want a GNU/Linux with X? Names matter.

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Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:44 · Score: 2, Informative

No, Android is not Linux. Neither is GNU/Linux. What he's asking is if we can install our own god damned kernel, regardless of who provides the userspace. Intent matters.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 0

Why would someone ever want to install his or her own kernel?
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Nemyst · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 2

There are dozens of kernels available for each phone out there. You can't just install any kernel, but you can most definitely make your own that'd work with your device, it's just a lot of work.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 07:48 · Score: 2

You can run a full Linux build chrooted under Android. You can also install Ubuntu Touch on the Nexus 4. Close enough?
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:05 · Score: 0

But but but ... I want a desktop andriod for my linux system.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by nadaou · 2013-10-31 08:10 · Score: 5, Insightful

As another poster pointed out, Android already is running the Linux kernel. If you want the GNU-ecosystem OS on top of the kernel all you have to do is install a chroot environment like "Lil' Debi" and you're done. (requires root)
https://f-droid.org/repository/browse/?fdid=info.guardianproject.lildebi&fdpage=13
Same goes for those very nice and very cheap long-life Chromebooks.
People give RMS lots of grief for calling "it" GNU/Linux, but he ain't no fool. Linux can be many things besides the kernel for the GNU OS, and see the Debian ports for the familiar GNU environment running on BSD, and yes, Hurd kernels instead of the Linux one.

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Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Minwee · 2013-10-31 08:14 · Score: 4, Funny

But but but ... I want a desktop andriod for my linux system.
You can get one, but it won't look anything like Darryl Hannah did in 1982.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by afidel · 2013-10-31 10:08 · Score: 1

Is there an xserver out there for ChromeOS? One of the big limitations with running GNU/Linux chroot on Android is no GUI apps because you don't have a useful X Server on the Android side.

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Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by exomondo · 2013-10-31 10:22 · Score: 1

Firstly, yes it does run Linux by default as kernel for the Android operating system is Linux.

Looking for something to replace my not so gracefully aging N900.
Depends on your requirements, if you want a hardware keyboard, stylus and resistive touch screen then this won't be for you.

God what I wouldn't give for a phone with a pressure sensitive screen that can run mypaint, decent battery life, and can run linux or commonlisp.
Not sure of any smartphones with pressure sensitive screens outside resistive touch ones (which aren't common nowadays). There is a version of mypaint for Android, battery life on recent nexus devices is about the same as the N900 and as I mentioned it already runs Linux.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-10-31 10:23 · Score: 2

Need an X server! My kingdom for a decent xserver on android then I wouldn't care. I'd just write lisp and serve it up on my wd mybooklive.

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Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-10-31 10:27 · Score: 0

Don't be a pedantic idiot by assuming i'm an idiot.

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Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:37 · Score: 0

Get a Samsung Galaxy Note. The s-pen is pressure sensitive.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Hognoxious · 2013-10-31 10:54 · Score: 0

I'd still poke her, if I could find it.
Where exactly IS a mermaid's diddly-ddodly?

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by AmiMoJo · 2013-10-31 11:00 · Score: 1

There are numerous X11 apps for Android, so you can run (remote) GNU/Linux/X11 apps, kinda.

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const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by exomondo · 2013-10-31 11:06 · Score: 1

When you ask "does it run Linux?", stating that it does is not being 'pedantic'.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by exomondo · 2013-10-31 11:20 · Score: 2

Need an X server! My kingdom for a decent xserver on android then I wouldn't care. I'd just write lisp and serve it up on my wd mybooklive.
There is an x server implementation for android here which is mostly complete.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 11:37 · Score: 0

so its idiotic to not know the answer to the question you asked and you are complaining that you think people assume you are an idiot because they answered your question.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 11:50 · Score: 1

Nowhere. They lay eggs (at least according to Futurama).

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-10-31 12:53 · Score: 1

The problem occurs with the 'mostly' which isn't actually mostly, but barely sufficient.

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Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-10-31 12:55 · Score: 1

No, it means you're being a pedantic idiot. The colloquial use of the word Linux denotes GNU/linux not Android/Linux, you very well know that and are assuming I'm an idiot who doesn't know better and/or you're just being a pedantic idiot.

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Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by exomondo · 2013-10-31 13:27 · Score: 1

No I wasn't assuming you're an idiot, I can't understand why you would jump to that conclusion and then go even further and take it so personally and get angry about it. I'm sorry I hurt your feelings, not everybody knows that Android's kernel is Linux and I don't consider those who don't know that to be idiots.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by BrokenHalo · 2013-10-31 14:10 · Score: 1

Is it really a problem? If you really need to use an X server, you would frankly be better off doing so on a desktop or laptop machine, so you don't have to punish yourself with a touchscreen keypad. If all you actually need is a TTY with access to the usual *nix command line tools, you can use busybox (root required) with any of the terminal emulators already available.

Having said that, by the time I get around to buying myself a tablet, hopefully the Android versions of LibreOffice will be mature enough to be useful...
Re: Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Nikker · 2013-10-31 17:02 · Score: 1

Debian-kit. Full GNU system no chroot.

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A loop, by its nature, continues. If that didn't make sense, start reading this sentence again.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by GNious · 2013-10-31 18:26 · Score: 1

Or, buy a Jolla?
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Patch86 · 2013-10-31 19:48 · Score: 1

Android is Linux- it is a Linux kernel with a userspace on top. What more do you want?
Nexus has an unlocked bootloader, so there are at least two other Linux variants that will run on it- Cyanogen Mod Android and Ubuntu Touch. Principally there is nothing stopping you installing any other OS you like, if you have another one that is hardware compatible. (If you do, post about it here- it would be interesting to read about it. Are there are Mer variants that work on Nexus, for example?).
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Patch86 · 2013-10-31 19:58 · Score: 1

The fact that Android is Linux should give you a clue to your answer- if it's already running Linux, then there's nothing stopping it running other Linux. The only thing that usually stands in the way of Android devices loading up other OSs is a locked bootloader- which Nexus thankfully doesn't have.
Ubuntu Touch uses the Android variant of the Linux kernel (I believe), including the Android hardware stack, which is why it runs so well on Android devices. Of course "runs well" is a misnomer here, seeing as it isn't actually finished. Cyanogen Mod (the community Android distro) is also Linux (obviously), is rather more complete than Ubuntu Touch, and has implemented a rather large portion of everything you would expect from a Linux distro- although it really does depend on what the killer feature you're after actually is.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by moronoxyd · 2013-10-31 22:41 · Score: 1

You mean something like Plasma Active (http://community.kde.org/Plasma/Active/Devices), which runs on the Nexus 7?
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 03:07 · Score: 0

Would prefer a laptop Darryl Hannah though.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Patch86 · 2013-11-01 03:18 · Score: 1

Thanks. I remember seeing a demo of Plasma Active a while back, it's pleasing to see it's so far along. Sadly, it doesn't look like they're designing for phones though- only tablets. So I'm guessing a Nexus 5 build is a little unlikely.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by syngeek · 2013-11-01 06:46 · Score: 1

Agreed!! My N900 recently semi-died (USB port unreliable) so I got an N9. I love my N9 much more than I thought I would. It has all the polish that the N900 was missing that I never realized I wanted until I had it. However I would also absolutely love having a proper Linux tablet on which I could use a pen! I have a Samsung Note tablet which I use for taking notes in meetings and classes, but Android is just so lacking after Maemo or Meego Harmattan. I got used to its limitations eventually, but the frustration curve is definitely there, even still. That said, I just love the Wacom pen that the Note comes with. It seriously owns over anything the N900 could do as far as pressure sensitivity and such. Now, if we could get something like the Samsung Note, only with a full Linux OS... I'm hoping the Ubuntu unification project will get us there, but it's hard to say. I'm afraid that a product like this may be too far outside of mainstream customer desires to be profitable for any company to seriously pursue. As someone in the same boat though, if you haven't checked it out, you might actually really like the Samsung Note tablet. The new one is out and the screen is beautiful. There's a cool app for drawing and painting that's comparable to mypaint called Sketchbook Pro too. I think it's fun with the nice pen. :)
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-11-01 11:27 · Score: 1

I have tried sketchbook (on my android tablet, no pressure) and it's pretty good to use but it seriously lacks in the brush making capabilities of mypaint. I tried a note back when there weren't any good drawing apps and wasn't impressed by the pressure sensitivity but hopefully that was more the fault of the apps. Thanks for mentionning it, I'll look into it.

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Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-11-01 11:32 · Score: 1

Who says I need a keyboard? That's what my touch interface is designed for, a touch screen. Unfortunately, I'm one of those wierd creatures that can grok Lisp but have a hard time confining my brain to work within the limitations of other languages, and Java is a contorsionist jail cell I'd like to avoid. Writing the program in lisp and having it run on my media server and serving the interface using X's network capabilities is what I'm looking for.

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Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re: Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-11-01 11:38 · Score: 1

Thanks! Will look into it.

--
Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-03 14:36 · Score: 0

iOS is also linux... point?
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by hobarrera · 2013-11-04 10:06 · Score: 1

If you want to replace an N900, then Jolla's device is the way to go; it's a direct successor of the N9, which is a successor of the N900.
Also, Jolla's doesn't have Aegis or anything alike, unlike the N9, but much like the N900.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-11-04 10:20 · Score: 1

replace it with a device that's not current even before it ships and with no foreseeable shipping date?
no thanks.

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Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by hobarrera · 2013-11-04 23:36 · Score: 1

How is Jolla's device not current? There is a shipping date; december 2013.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by Jmc23 · 2013-11-05 07:25 · Score: 1

Have you read the specs? Twice the price for half the horsepower is never a good deal. And there's no shipping date for north america.

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Don't complain about syntax, grammar, or spelling. There is no.hell like input on android.
Re:Nexus 5: Can it run linux? by hobarrera · 2013-11-06 05:35 · Score: 1

You won't need twice the specs if the OS isn't hogging up all the resources.

Dear Mr Moore... by bob_super · 2013-10-31 07:28 · Score: 5, Insightful

The mid-range laptop on which I'm typing this comment is out-specced on all fronts by this phone (save for keyboard and day-long readability), and it's barely 6 years old.
Nice.

Re:Dear Mr Moore... by glwtta · 2013-10-31 07:39 · Score: 2

Heh, "barely 6 year old computer" is somehow both adorable, and also really sad.

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sic transit gloria mundi
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Desler · 2013-10-31 07:56 · Score: 1

The mid-range laptop on which I'm typing this comment is out-specced on all fronts by this phone (save for keyboard and day-long readability), and it's barely 6 years old.
Nice.
What 6-year old laptop has a small than 5" screen? Also unless you bought some shitty Pentium III laptop even that Snapdragon 800 is slower than even the mobile Core Duos from 2006.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 08:32 · Score: 2

What 6-year old laptop has a small than 5" screen?
You mean, what 6-year-old laptop has a less than 1920x1080 pixels screen? Lots of 'em!

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by jeffmflanagan · 2013-10-31 08:37 · Score: 2

I think laptops are going to take a hit this year. Phones and tablets have gotten very fast and capable, and unlike laptops, can now be used during takeoff and landing.

I have a decent Windows laptop and a Chromebook, but haven't touched either since I got a tablet, then later a Note 3. I still use a desktop PC all the time, but not a laptop.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by BitZtream · 2013-10-31 08:41 · Score: 1

Ah, so you care about specs rather than things that matter. 1920x1080 on 5" is silly, other than it allows direct HD playback without having to do any scaling. Its not like you're seeing the difference.

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Persistent Volume manager for Kubernetes - https://github.com/dwimsey/openshift-pvmanager
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:44 · Score: 0

Ah, so you care about specs rather than things that matter.
Ah, so that was the topic of the thread. Ah.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Cederic · 2013-10-31 10:14 · Score: 1

I thought he covered that adequately under "day long readability".
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:18 · Score: 0

Moore's "law" has nothing to do with computing power. It has to do with the number of elements on a single wafer. It's about electrical engineering, not total system power.

I suspect that the number of people who really understand Moore's law around here is much less than the number of people who invoke it (badly) at the drop of a hat.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by bob_super · 2013-10-31 10:30 · Score: 1

Or we're in the silicon industry, understand it very well, and know that in the general public it is translated to mean that computers are getting faster and/or smaller all the time.
Therefore, in the context of having people understand a comment, it's just good enough.
-- sig about annoying pedants goes here.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by WaffleMonster · 2013-10-31 10:31 · Score: 2

Moore's "law" has nothing to do with computing power. It has to do with the number of elements on a single wafer. It's about electrical engineering, not total system power.
At its core Moore's law is simply a reflection of COST per component (transistor).
The way outside of economies of scale you make transistors cost less is get them to take up less space on die which normally has the effect of lowering power requirements.

I suspect that the number of people who really understand Moore's law around here is much less than the number of people who invoke it (badly) at the drop of a hat.
Does it matter? If a transistor costs less that means a given person can afford to purchase a component with more of them. More transistors roughly translate into more "computing power".
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by sootman · 2013-10-31 10:57 · Score: 1

That's Doctor Moore to you, bub. :-)

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Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Hognoxious · 2013-10-31 10:58 · Score: 1

I think you're right, and what's more, the number of people who understand it halves every 117 weeks.

--
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 11:35 · Score: 0

The misunderstandings of the general public shouldn't sway the facts of the matter.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by fufufang · 2013-10-31 16:30 · Score: 1

It is Dr Moore, btw.
Re:Dear Mr Moore... by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 20:38 · Score: 0

What *current* laptop has a less than 1920x1080 screen? Lots of them... ...much to my surprise when looking to replace my 6-year old 1920x1200 equipped laptop.

The servers are melting by kbrannen · 2013-10-31 07:28 · Score: 1

I just ordered mine and it can't complete the transaction yet, saying the servers are very busy and it'll email me the receipt shortly. Shipping date is Nov 8. Since my current phone is barely working and is held together by force of will, I really look forward to this. :)

Re:The servers are melting by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 07:49 · Score: 1

I thought they were sold out. They all became "Add to Wishlist" only after about 25 minutes.
Re:The servers are melting by Shados · 2013-10-31 07:52 · Score: 1

Google's shopping experience is very naive considering the kind of talent they have in house. Then again, getting theoretical computer scientists to make a shopping cart is a recipe for disaster =P
Its very, very buggy and can't take load very well at all
Re:The servers are melting by nblender · 2013-10-31 07:58 · Score: 1

I would have dearly loved to order one; in fact got one in my cart and everything. Seller does not ship to Canada though... Pity.
Re:The servers are melting by kbrannen · 2013-10-31 08:19 · Score: 1

I guess I got lucky then. :) When I look in the orders for my account, along with all the android apps I've purchased over time, the Nexus 5 is listed at the top with an Nov 8 shipping date. Still no receipt yet, but I'm really hoping they don't email me back and say "sorry, but you're on a wait list".
Re:The servers are melting by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 08:25 · Score: 1

I got in before they became "add to wishlist," but almost an hour later the Play Store website is saying "Order not completed It is taking a little longer than normal to process your order. We will let you know via email when your order is complete. This can take up to 15 minutes." and Google Wallet says "Pending." I don't know if I should be worried or not...

--
"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:The servers are melting by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 08:30 · Score: 1

I've never had a problem. I bought the Nexus 4 and said afterwards that it was the fastest $400 I'd ever spent. A friend texted that they were available again. I hit the site, bought and paid for it in under ten seconds. Sometimes things shouldn't be that easy ...
Re:The servers are melting by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 08:31 · Score: 1

From Google? They did for me ...
Re:The servers are melting by Shados · 2013-10-31 08:58 · Score: 2

When the first batch of Nexus 4 came out (which is when I bought mine), it was so bad that it was all over the news.
The server would tell you they were sold out, Google would post something saying that they were NOT sold out, but the site was dying. Every time you tried to check out you'd get a different error message or randomly your card would just get cleared.
It was really, really bad. It took them a VERY long time after that to get them back in stock, and by then the hype had died down a lot.
Re:The servers are melting by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 09:08 · Score: 1

It's too bad too, it was an amazing deal for a great phone. Hope they don't repeat it, although it looks like they underestimated interest again.
Re:The servers are melting by nblender · 2013-10-31 09:13 · Score: 1

yes, from google. When I check out, it gives my home address as greyed out and a little text box that says "Seller does not ship to this address". I have an option to add a new address but the Country drop down only says "US - United States". There are no other options.
Re:The servers are melting by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 12:01 · Score: 0

and Google Wallet says "Pending." I don't know if I should be worried or not...
If it says "Pending" then they havent taken the money so no need to be worried.

In other news... by Gravis+Zero · 2013-10-31 07:29 · Score: 0

... people have been flooding into ERs after mistaking their cellphones for candy.

--
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.

WTF by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:32 · Score: 0

Why the freaking hell do they keep stuffing high-clocked high-speed multi-core CPUs in the standard-res phones, and then leave their super-high-res large-screen tablets with low-speed dual-core-at-best pieces of shit? You're doing it bass-ackwards, Google. For fuck's sake, STOP IT.

Re:WTF by hawguy · 2013-10-31 07:49 · Score: 1

Why the freaking hell do they keep stuffing high-clocked high-speed multi-core CPUs in the standard-res phones, and then leave their super-high-res large-screen tablets with low-speed dual-core-at-best pieces of shit? You're doing it bass-ackwards, Google. For fuck's sake, STOP IT.
Does 1920x1080 count as "standard-res" on a phone these days? What would be "high-res" in a phone? The N10 has a 2560 x 1600 display, "only" twice as number of pixels as the N5 -- does that make it "super-high-res"? The current N10 is has only dual-cores, but it's a year old already... the new N10 is supposed to have a quad-core snapdragon CPU and more RAM than the N5.
Does the resolution really have a strong relation to CPU power? I thought the GPU did most of the heavy lifting when it comes to the display?
Re:WTF by Hamsterdan · 2013-10-31 11:57 · Score: 1

More people have phones?

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I've got better things to do tonight than die.
Re:WTF by exomondo · 2013-10-31 12:05 · Score: 1

Does the resolution really have a strong relation to CPU power? I thought the GPU did most of the heavy lifting when it comes to the display?
If you're talking 3D graphics then yes, the GPU does most of the heavy lifting. Increasing the resolution increases the load on the GPU but doesn't really have much impact on the CPU since it really isn't doing things any differently (unless of course you are using different assets for different screen resolutions then it can start to have more of an impact).

Best feature? by bob_super · 2013-10-31 07:32 · Score: 1

Is the apps firewall working?

That's the killer feature for me.
So [bleep]ing tired of apps asking the right to send unlimited SMS or take over my contacts just to provide an egg-timer...

Re:Best feature? by nullchar · 2013-10-31 07:44 · Score: 1

Try "Android Firewall" (needs root)
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jtschohl.androidfirewall&hl=en
Re:Best feature? by bob_super · 2013-10-31 07:51 · Score: 2

Good for my tablet, thanks, but I can't root my phone as long as my boss is paying for it.
Re:Best feature? by CastrTroy · 2013-10-31 08:19 · Score: 1

Good for my tablet, thanks, but I can't root my boss' phone as long as my boss is paying for it.
FTFY. If you want control of your phone, you should buy your own phone. Personally, I don't think rooting is the right option either. The solution to "I don't want to give apps the ability to send out SMS messages" shouldn't be "I should be able to give apps unlimited super user privileges"

--

Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
Re:Best feature? by clarkn0va · 2013-10-31 08:23 · Score: 1

Unfortunately there's no leaked date on new bosses at the Play Store yet.

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I am literally 3000 tokens away from the chaotic crossbow --Stephen
Re:Best feature? by bob_super · 2013-10-31 08:32 · Score: 1

Not quite that simple, even if you would normally be correct. The hardware is mine but I can't get IT to install the secured e-mail app if it's rooted, so I'd have to carry two phones.
I fully agree that I'm eager to get to the point where I can, without rooting, tell each app exactly which resources they are denied, whether it's by paranoia (I'm the product) or because I'll never use that 15th feature which legitimately requires location/SMS/contacts.
Whether app developers will write apps which don't crash when denied is the big question.
Re:Best feature? by afidel · 2013-10-31 10:12 · Score: 2

Uh, root doesn't give all apps SU, only those that you setuid root with an app like SuperUser

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There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
Re:Best feature? by joel48 · 2013-10-31 12:38 · Score: 2

Or what I feel is the better of the two main droidwall spinoffs - AFWall+
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=dev.ukanth.ufirewall
It is definitely less Google friendly named, I just noticed they added a parenthetical (Android Firewall +)
Re:Best feature? by CastrTroy · 2013-11-01 04:30 · Score: 1

I undertand this. I don't really want to give any app root access to my phone. This is because I don't trust the apps that require root access any more than I trust the apps that don't require root access. Once they have root, there's no restrictions on what they can do. And there's a lot of things that require root that shouldn't. Such as apps that back up you applications and their settings.

--

Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
Re:Best feature? by nullchar · 2013-11-04 04:45 · Score: 1

And there's a lot of things that require root that shouldn't. Such as apps that back up you applications and their settings.
Part of Android's security design is to isolate apps from each other by running each app as it's own user_id. Thus, if you want to back up the data from all apps, you need root (or designate some sort of super-user that belongs to all of those groups in order to read those files). Just like in other *nix, user A cannot read user B's files if the file/directory permissions are restricted.
Android Firewall (linked above) allows easy blocking of net access to each individual app because they all run as separate user_ids, so the iptables rule is trivial.
Permissions Denied is another (root-only) app that can deny certain permissions to a selected app.
Both a firewall and selective permissions should be part of the core OS so users do not have to root their phones. If only Cyanogen Mod was installed by manufacturers/carriers...
Re:Best feature? by nullchar · 2013-11-04 06:14 · Score: 1

Permissions Denied [google.com] is another (root-only) app that can deny certain permissions to a selected app.
Both a firewall and selective permissions should be part of the core OS so users do not have to root their phones. If the functionality of denying permissions was part of the OS, developers would hopefully test their software against some restrictions and fail gracefully instead of crashing. However, if some apps knew they were denied the Internet permission, they mail fail to launch at all since they could not download ads. (This may reduce ad-supported apps and games, which could be positive or negative depending on your perspective.)

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by WillAffleckUW · 2013-10-31 07:36 · Score: 5, Funny

Also, who the fuck needs 2GB of RAM on a fucking phone!? My old computer (which I was using until just a year ago) got by on 2.5 GB of RAM, and it ran just fine. I can't imagine doing many of the things that I do (and did on my old computer) on even a fancy phone. For one, the screen is too small, and there is no built in keyboard. Not to mention, I doubt my toolkit has been ported to Android.

I agree, nobody will ever need more than 640k of RAM.

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-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by glwtta · 2013-10-31 07:38 · Score: 1

Yeah, 7 and 10 are tablets - they're using the number for both size and version (for the phone at least), it's kinda weird.

Don't really know what to tell you regarding the Old Man Rant - that's the hardware that phones have nowadays, and yes, they do more than your old computer.

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sic transit gloria mundi

the name by sootman · 2013-10-31 07:39 · Score: 4, Interesting

I still think it's cheesy to use a brand-name food as the OS name, instead of a generic name.

Otherwise, looks neat. :-)

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Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.

Re:the name by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 07:42 · Score: 2

I think you mean Cheez-It-y, amirite?

--
"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:the name by cervesaebraciator · 2013-10-31 07:44 · Score: 2

Maybe Google figured out it could better monetize Android using product placement.
I look forward to Android 5.8, Eli Lily Brand Insulin Shot (TM).
Re:the name by interkin3tic · 2013-10-31 08:27 · Score: 1

Names are meant to be memorable, and version names are supposed to denote sequence. This does both and actually works better, I can't remember numbers easily. What's cheesy about it? And there is still a number. If you really hate it, you can just call it android 4.4.
Re:the name by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:30 · Score: 1

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Re:the name by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:59 · Score: 2, Insightful

Especially since the original name "Key Lime Pie" is so much more awesome than mediocre Kit Kat.
Re:the name by Tarlus · 2013-10-31 09:07 · Score: 2

Everyone's got their themed code names. OSX uses (or used) felines, Ubuntu uses alliterative and alphabetical animal appellations, Debian uses Toy Story characters, etc. I think it's fun.

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/* No Comment */
Re:the name by PiMuNu · 2013-10-31 12:03 · Score: 4, Interesting

Interestingly, the word KitKat originally derives from pies made in London. The KitKat club, deriving its name from originally meeting in a certain London pie shop, was a social centrepiece of the whig oligarchy that managed the UK government in the early part of the 18th century, and also one of the first institutions to introduce the concept of copyright, thanks to support from Tonson, a publisher and lobbyist for the publishing industry. It is not clear whether there is any relation between KitKat confectionery and KitKat pies, however.
Re:the name by Xyrus · 2013-10-31 13:34 · Score: 1

Unlike naming your OS after anthropomorphized animals?

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~X~
Re:the name by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 16:00 · Score: 0

It goes in alphabetical order, so obviously the next version will be Lipitor. 5.8 would be up to T, so I'm guessing a radical new cross promotion with Tiger Woods?
Re:the name by tepples · 2013-11-01 02:52 · Score: 1

Unless "Lime Pie" has been pushed out to the L release.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by j3thr0 · 2013-10-31 07:40 · Score: 1

How can you sound so angry about something that you obviously don't care about?

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I'm schizophrenic; no I'm not.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:40 · Score: 1

The 7 and 10 you mention are tablets, and the 7 and 10 describe their physical dimensions: 7 and 10" screens.

The 5 is a phone, and it describes the version. It is the Nexus phone version 5.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:40 · Score: 1

Google have an reverse version system for the Nexus line of phones. The first one was the Nexus 27 released eight years ago.

The stated goal is that the Nexus 0 will be the last phone.

Galaxy Nexus by willie3204 · 2013-10-31 07:42 · Score: 1

Will the original GSM Galaxy Nexus be supported still? It would be nice if Google kept their customers who invested in their products at least 2 years ago invested still as Apple does...

Pretty Please

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by metrix007 · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 1

Why wouldn't it be?
It will be supported until the hardware can't run the newer software.

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:47 · Score: 0

Queue people telling you how shitty iOS 7 is on their 3 year old iPhone 4... when (again, anecdotally) it runs completely fine for me. (Especially with reduce motion on)
Re:Galaxy Nexus by Emetophobe · 2013-10-31 07:55 · Score: 4, Informative

Galaxy Nexus isn't supported. Source.
Re:Galaxy Nexus by stewsters · 2013-10-31 07:58 · Score: 1

Give these guys a month or two. http://www.cyanogenmod.org/
Re:Galaxy Nexus by alen · 2013-10-31 08:14 · Score: 1

your phone still works, what is the problem?
Re:Galaxy Nexus by scott9693 · 2013-10-31 08:20 · Score: 2

That's disappointing. I was hoping to skip the 2 year upgrade cycle, especially for my mum who has the phone.
I bought Nexus believing it would be supported longer with quicker updates.
Why won't Google compete with Apple on longevity of phone updates? The iPhone 4 - over 3 years old runs iOS 7.
Re:Galaxy Nexus by Omestes · 2013-10-31 08:23 · Score: 3, Funny

And I can't get a Nexus 4 or 5 thanks to being stuck on Verizon... Thanks Google.
Or rather, thanks Verizon!
Or rather... man I hate the cell phone ecosystem, I don't know who to hate more.

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by EvilSS · 2013-10-31 09:03 · Score: 1

Yea, it runs fine on my iPhone 4 as well. Better than iOS 6 did actually. And better than my GNex ever ran. I was still hoping for 4.4 on the GNex (mine is direct from Google, 18 months and 8 days since they first offered it, asses).

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:12 · Score: 1

Galaxy Nexus isn't supported. Source.
I find this terribly annoying. Why isn't a two year old phone supported? This release of Android was supposed to be touted as the anti-fragmentation update.
Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:30 · Score: 0

And better than my GNex ever ran.
Is that like a Kleenex?
Re:Galaxy Nexus by EvilSS · 2013-10-31 10:19 · Score: 1

More like a poorly performing Tampon. It plugged a whole, but not very well.

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by EvilSS · 2013-10-31 10:20 · Score: 1

grr.. .hole.

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:24 · Score: 0

That's right sucker! Google is cutting support for a 2 year old device. Where's the moans I hear anytime Apple drops support for old hardware? Yeah, suck on the Android dick some more. A two year old device is being dropped like a hot potato. LOLZZZzz!
Re:Galaxy Nexus by sootman · 2013-10-31 11:04 · Score: 2

"Galaxy Nexus, which first launched two years ago, falls outside of the 18-month update window when Google and others traditionally update devices."
LOL. "... and others"? What "others"? MS has a bad record here recently (Windows Phone 7 & 7.5; too early to say how 8 will go), Apple averages about THREE years, and who else is there?
Maybe compared to the fact that most OEMs who sell Android phones give ZERO updates... I guess that's an improvement.

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Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 12:12 · Score: 0

Well, it's clearly not Google's fault. Did you follow the drama around the mobile-equipped Nexus 7? Google released a device fully equipped for Verizon's network and Verizon refused to allow them to be activated on their service. I'm sure Google would love to put the Nexus 5 on Verizon's network, but Verizon won't play ball.
Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 13:38 · Score: 0

Most OEMs give 18 months of updates ,see the htc one, htc one x, samsung galaxy s3 and samsung galaxy s4 which have all recieved consistent upgrades (although the sgs3 was delayed for 4.3 quite a bit)
Re:Galaxy Nexus by jrumney · 2013-10-31 17:46 · Score: 1

The iPhone 4 was still on the market when iOS7 was announced. The Galaxy Nexus doesn't get Android 4.4 for the same reason the original iPad didn't get iOS 6 18 months after it was released.
Re:Galaxy Nexus by Patch86 · 2013-10-31 20:05 · Score: 3, Interesting

Not that it's a substitute for proper support, but one small sop is that the Nexus phones are the easiest Android phone to re-flash yourself, and Cyanogen Mod is at it's best polished on Nexus devices. As long as it can handle it hardware-wise, there's nothing stopping you installing the KitKat-derived version of Cyanogen Mod (once it is released).
Re:Galaxy Nexus by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 23:08 · Score: 0

grr.. .hole.
I'm not familiar with that hole.
Re:Galaxy Nexus by samwichse · 2013-11-02 15:28 · Score: 1

Agreed, but I would HIGHLY recommend sticking with the stable releases. The nightlies are fun for about a week until you realize your phone isn't reliable enough to be used as a phone :).
The Cyanogen install on a Nexus device is pretty easy, and even if you're not moving up a full version, you'll get a lot of improvements scattered throughout.
Sam

Moto X by ottothecow · 2013-10-31 07:45 · Score: 0

Maybe this means we will finally get Jellybean on the Moto X (a phone made by a google owned company that was released with a non-current OS well after the new version had been released).

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Re:Moto X by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 07:53 · Score: 1

And that's the reason I'm sticking to Nexus devices from now on. I love CyanogenMod, but I want to be able to run the latest stock ROM if I want. It sucks that I need to give up expandable memory, but I guess that's the price you pay for now. I hope the Nexus 5 does USB OTG this time. At least it's nice to actually have options.
Re: Moto X by johnsnails · 2013-10-31 08:09 · Score: 1

Or the price you don't pay ;)
Re:Moto X by EvilSS · 2013-10-31 09:06 · Score: 1

Yea, that was my reasoning when I bought a Galaxy Nexus from Google 18 months ago. Ask me how that turned out....

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Re:Moto X by bill_mcgonigle · 2013-10-31 09:09 · Score: 1

I'd so much like to buy one of these, but I live in the hills where only Verizon has service. :(
I wonder if the Moto X Developer Edition will still be $700 after this release...

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Re: Moto X by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:07 · Score: 0

So do you care enough to never buy them again?
Re: Moto X by EvilSS · 2013-10-31 10:17 · Score: 1

Actually, yes. After being burned over the years on phone OS updates (BlackBerry, WinMo, Nokia N95-3) it's turned into kind of a pet peeve of mine. It's why I stuck with iOS for so long before even trying Android (after hearing nightmares from other people about not getting support from the handset makers for updates). I thought the Nexus line was the cure for that woe. Guess not.

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Re: Moto X by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:57 · Score: 0

So is it back to iOS ? Google has made the judgement that it is better to make the phone cheaper and support it for less time. How do you feel?
Re: Moto X by EvilSS · 2013-10-31 13:14 · Score: 1

I'd rather have a company stand behind the product than force me into an expensive 18 month update cycle. So yea, back to iOS and I'll keep watching the Windows Phone 8 devices and see if they get any better treatment. At this point if even Google isn't going to lead the way with Android in this regard, the hardware makers won't feel any need to change either.

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Re: Moto X by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 06:00 · Score: 0

Shows that you got the mobile through subsidy. Here is hint iPhone does not cost 0 or 99 or 199. Price of 2 nexus should match your iPhone hence its a better buy you would have a newer mobile in 18 months rather then going through the subsidies way. Do not be cheap buy at full price.
Re: Moto X by EvilSS · 2013-11-01 06:36 · Score: 1

I'm fully aware of the actual costs of the iPhone. I am also aware of a few other things:

1. My carrier (like most major carriers in the US) charges the same if I take the subsidy or not. My monthly bill doesn't go down if I'm using an subsidized phone. So not buying a subsidized phone would screw me because I end up paying for it twice.
2. Ignoring point one, two Nexus devices over 36 months would cost me more than the unsubsidized equivalent Apple, Nexus or Samsung device.
3. If I resell my device after I trade up, guess which one is going to have a higher resale value? Hint: It won't be the one that is publicly abandoned by Google.

So your advice is that I shouldn't be cheap, instead I should be stupid?

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Why get excited? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 0, Troll

Why get excited over a new version of Droid (google) that will steal all your shit just like the last version?

I bought a Firefox phone from the maker on eBay.

Anyone need a droid?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ZTE-Open-powered-by-Firefox-OS-3G-unlocked-smartphone-orange-eBay-exclusive-/281165818989?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item4176c9ec6d

Re:Why get excited? by ChunderDownunder · 2013-10-31 10:22 · Score: 1

perhaps I shouldn't reply to anonymous trolls but anyway...
I'm intrigued by running Firefox on bare metal but the specs for that phone are so, like, 2010. yes, I know it's for the developing world and all...
I have a gingerbread era Galaxy Ace that has a similar Qualcomm SoC, so maybe it could be ported without much fuss. One day I'll check out the git repository!
Re:Why get excited? by _merlin · 2013-10-31 16:27 · Score: 1

Firefox doesn't run on the metal. It's another Linux distro with a firefox-based UI server of sorts.
Re: Why get excited? by ChunderDownunder · 2013-10-31 16:33 · Score: 1

well as I understand it, its all HTML rendered to the framebuffer using ogl es.

Phones are getting more advanced by stewsters · 2013-10-31 07:46 · Score: 2

1080p screen? I wish I could get a laptop for $500 with that.

Re:Phones are getting more advanced by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 11:01 · Score: 0

1080p screen? I wish I could get a laptop for $500 with that.
You didn't say new, so here's a refurbished one for $550.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · 2013-10-31 07:49 · Score: 1

Also, they tend not to have swap files, which makes a difference. A PC will run like dirt if it is actually swapping all the time; but if a program gets optimistic about what it will need, or is sitting idle, it's basically free to shove it onto the disk and forget about it.

Without that, it's either in memory or taken out back and shot. This has led to some improvements in applications designed to be tolerant of sudden death; but if you need to terminate a program because you can't store its state, the amount of state you can preserve for when you restart the program is obviously somewhat constrained.

Count me out this round by erroneus · 2013-10-31 07:52 · Score: 1, Interesting

I'm sorry, but if it were a newer 4" phone with outrageous features, I'd be "okay, I'll probably get one." But a phablet? I just can't get behind it. I have my Nexus 7s. I have my Nexus 4. If my Nexus 7 needs data, I can tether from my phone. (Most of the time, it's WiFi or I don't really need it.) My eyes are still pretty good. I can still count the pixels on a 22" monitor with a 1920x1080 display. But this sub-retina display? I wonder. I think we just went beyond reason. Each of those pixels is memory which is used to display them. I can think of better uses of memory... and the power to drive such displays. It's a phone right? Power and battery life are important. Also, portability is important. A 4" phone already exceeds the size of what a person should wear on his belt and certainly exceeds what goes in my pockets. But 5"? This is be balking.

I like the new Google things. But I think I'll just spend a significant amount more with Samsung on my next device. It will be paid-for, not supplemented through carrier contracts because I enjoy a lower phone bill... a significantly lower phone bill. I hope Samsung stops playing the carrier game as well and starts selling directly at prices competitive with Google gear.

Re:Count me out this round by Emetophobe · 2013-10-31 08:15 · Score: 4, Insightful

But a phablet? I just can't get behind it. I have my Nexus 7s. I have my Nexus 4
It's hardly a phablet compared to your Nexus 4, it's only 4mm longer...
Nexus 4 dimensions: 133.90 x 68.70 x 9.10 mm (with a 4.7" screen)
Nexus 5 dimensions: 137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59 mm (with a 4.9" screen)
Re:Count me out this round by interkin3tic · 2013-10-31 08:32 · Score: 4, Informative

It will be paid-for, not supplemented through carrier contracts because I enjoy a lower phone bill... a significantly lower phone bill.
So you're on t-mobile? Last time I checked, all the other phone companies charged you the same whether you got a phone through them or not. In other words, if you don't get AT&T to subsidize your phone, you're paying monthly for a phone you didn't get. You might be thinking of the recent scams AT&T and verizon both came out with where you pay more per month to upgrade faster. You're still getting ripped off though even if you're not on those plans. Again, aside from T-mo, and perhaps they've changed it recently.

It's idiotic of course, but of course it's due to the fact that there are so few choices.
Re:Count me out this round by mythosaz · 2013-10-31 09:24 · Score: 2

In our last round of phone negotiations, we took a "free" set of phones for the whole family, and they billed us $20 "extra" a month. Of course, we didn't want to pay $20 extra a month to get a bunch of "free" junk phones we didn't want -- so they agreed to drop our plan by $20/month forever as long as we did the two years of $20 paying for the phones.
Two years passed. We're now paying $20/mo less than we used to. Considering we've got four "unlimited" phones for about $160/mo, we're content. We could probably manage better, but not so much over the hassle of changing.
The salesperson has the flexibility to offer discounts to people, provided they keep making their phone sale quota.
Everyone won that day. [Where everyone is defined as "me."]
Re:Count me out this round by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:26 · Score: 0

There are no hard and fast rules on what constitutes a "phablet". But the Nexus 4 was still pretty big for a phone.
Re:Count me out this round by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:43 · Score: 0

So the Google Nexus 5 is fine, but the Dell Streak 5 was way too big?
Re:Count me out this round by erroneus · 2013-10-31 09:48 · Score: 1

There's a reason I didn't get one. It's too small for a tablet. I actually didn't know it was also a phone.
Re:Count me out this round by ottothecow · 2013-10-31 10:09 · Score: 2

Pretty much why I don't care about unlocked/off contract phones.
I don't plan to change from AT&T anytime soon....the providers are all equally shitty and have comparable pricing. If I don't use the subsidy, I am still paying for it. My grandparents have phones on the same plan, and because it has taken them this long to figure out their current basic flip phones, it's not like we want to get them new devices.
The best move is probably to use their upgrades on the free iphone and sell them NIB on ebay. That probably nets out above saving the upgrades just in case a smartphone user on the plan breaks or loses their phone (since the odds of that happening are low and the profit from the two iphones probably exceeds the expected value of replacing a broken phone).

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Re:Count me out this round by sootman · 2013-10-31 11:14 · Score: 1

I (I'm not the parent) just switched to T-Mo this month from AT&T. Yes, my bill will go down when I'm done paying for my phone. I'm getting 2.5 GB of 4G data WITH tethering, NO overage fees (instead, I get dropped to 2G speeds if I go over), and unlimited text & voice. Even with the phone payments I'm paying about $20 less than I was for 3 lines, and when they're paid off, I'll be paying a solid third less than I was, saving $50/mo. And I had just about the smallest plan possible on AT&T: 550 shared minutes, unlimited texting, 200 MB data per month for $15, and $15 for each data overage. Tethering, if I wanted it, would have REQUIRED a better plan AND a $20/mo tethering fee. SUCK IT, AT&T! Oh, and all that without a 2-year contract. And they won't charge each time I want to change phones, versus AT&T's $36 fee for that privilege.
Not an employee or shill, just a happy customer.
One minor quibble: when I signed up (I tested with an old phone first to make sure there was good signal at my house, work, etc.) it was $50/mo for the first phone, $30 for the next, and $10 for each additional. Upon buying my new phones, I was told I was required to get a 4G plan on any phone that supports it at $60 / $40 / $20, which I do not see in print ANYWHERE so I might argue that at some point. Oh, and the girl signed me up for "jump" (at $10 per phone per month) but they took that off when I pointed it out next time I was in the store.
See? Even with all that, STILL better than AT&T. :-)

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Re:Count me out this round by jtownatpunk.net · 2013-10-31 11:49 · Score: 1

So don't buy it. Sheesh. I don't see why luxury SUVs need to exist but I'm not offended by them. My solution is to not buy them.
Re:Count me out this round by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 12:21 · Score: 2

all the other phone companies charged you the same whether you got a phone through them or not
That's true, if you're so much of a chump that you think "all" includes only AT&T, Verizon and Sprint. There are also hundreds of MVNOs that almost always require you to buy the device, but provide service a Hell of a lot cheaper than the "Big 3"

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Re:Count me out this round by Anonymous Coward · 2013-11-01 00:29 · Score: 0

You can also get alternate providers that resell service for ATT, Sprint, Verizon or Tmo.
For instance H2O wireless resells ATT network access without contract.
My H2O contract is cheaper than what I could get on T-Mobile as T-Mobile has discontinued the 30dollar plan with unlimited web but almost no talk right before I could get it...
H2O provides some freebies that may interest you (or not): 20$ of free phone calls to foreigh countries, unlimited texting to foreign countries etc.
My experience was almost seamless (go to Best Buy, get SIM, go on-line activate, no data, start chat with support, set att.mvno manually, all good).
Overall, I would recommend trying the alternate providers, especially if you want to get your phone yourself. Note that each alternate provider tries to address different demographics, so it may be worth shopping for the best match for your needs.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by hawguy · 2013-10-31 07:52 · Score: 4, Informative

So, according to the summary, Google just released Nexus 5. And Android 4.4 will be rolled out to all Nexus 4s, Nexus 7s and Nexus 10s. What? So does that mean that the Nexus 7s and Nexus 10s have already been released? What a fucked up counting system.

Also, who the fuck needs 2GB of RAM on a fucking phone!? My old computer (which I was using until just a year ago) got by on 2.5 GB of RAM, and it ran just fine. I can't imagine doing many of the things that I do (and did on my old computer) on even a fancy phone. For one, the screen is too small, and there is no built in keyboard. Not to mention, I doubt my toolkit has been ported to Android.

If you were running Java apps exclusively on your old 2.5GB computer, you would have been far less happy with that much RAM. I run a Java based IDE on my desktop maxed out with 8GB RAM and still find myself wanting more RAM at times when I'm debugging a large java application - the app itself uses over 2GB of ram after it caches all of its data.

Battery life? by Entropius · 2013-10-31 07:52 · Score: 1

I have a Galaxy Nexus at the moment which is having problems, and will need to replace it soon. My only real complaint about it (other than the crappy service from Sprint in my area) is the battery life. This thing seems to have the same size battery, but I understand that some phones will have "extended battery" cases available (where you buy a bigger battery and a new backplate that fits it). Will there be a thing like this for the Nexus 5?

Re:Battery life? by khellendros1984 · 2013-10-31 09:27 · Score: 1

The Galaxy Nexus has an extended battery pack available. I think it's about 20% higher capacity. It's a rare occurrence that mine doesn't make it through the day, so I never bothered with the larger battery.

Sprint sucks ass here too, though. I'm looking forward to dumping them when my contract comes up.

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Re:Battery life? by Entropius · 2013-10-31 12:32 · Score: 2

My battery life sucks because I'm in Washington, which could be generously described as RF hell. My phone has to dump more power than normal into the transmitter to keep contact with the towers.
Re:Battery life? by bemymonkey · 2013-11-01 00:35 · Score: 2

Then your battery life won't be any better with a newer phone either... and the cases with integrated batteries have laughably low battery capacities.
What you really need is a USB power bank... yes, it's annoying to carry around and charging with it requires a wired connection between the battery pack and the phone, but you'll have juice. Depending on the size of the battery pack you choose, you'll be able to fully recharge a Galaxy Nexus between 1 and 5+ times...
Are you having any other problems with your Galaxy Nexus? Other than Chrome being a memory hog and the fact that I won't be getting 4.4 on it, I'm having no issues whatsoever...
Re:Battery life? by Entropius · 2013-11-01 02:28 · Score: 1

Yes -- the volume control doesn't work and the screen is cracked.
I've thought about getting one of those USB power banks, actually. Probably will go ahead and do it soon.

No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-10-31 07:55 · Score: 3, Insightful

Why is it that so few smartphones have replaceable batteries nowadays, it is such an environmentally irresponsible thing to do. Kudos to Samsung for still having them in the galaxy series, but seriously, every phone (and laptop) should have it. Wish Apple hadn't started this trend (for a company that supposedly prides itself as being environmental too...)

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Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-10-31 08:05 · Score: 2

it kinda defeats the purpose to have a phone where you have to recharge it 2-3 times a day (which you will likely have to do some years down the road). I know, I know, "why should you keep using a phone that's more than 2 years old", see the comment above about environmental responsibility

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by alen · 2013-10-31 08:11 · Score: 1

when i'm in the office i just plug my iphone and galaxy s3 in and keep them plugged in all day
if my battery is less than 50% on my iphone at bed time i'll charge it
i have a USB port in my car that also charges my iphone
the power is there, might as well charge it
i see no point in buying extra batteries unless i was working in a job that kept me away from a power source all day
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Minwee · 2013-10-31 08:20 · Score: 5, Insightful

most office buildings have these things called electricity outlets and you can always charge via your laptop's USB port
And most batteries have things called a "capacity" which degrades over time. Depending on a variety of factors this may be as low as a few hundred charge/discharge cycles. Being able to replace the battery means that you will still be able to use it two years later, and not need to constantly plug it into one of those electricity outlet things.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:27 · Score: 0

I'm all for environmental responsibility... that's why I don't have kids. The environmental problem is not because of a few electronic gadgets, it's because there are far too many humans on this little planet.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:42 · Score: 0

Not to be an apologist, but I don't think Apple necessarily started it. It was a trend on it's way regardless. As far as the few phones that still have removable batterties, I fear will see an end to that as well in the next few years. The issue should be approached by asking what the logic from smartphones manufacturers is behind this move. Perhaps they don't want to get sued when you're third party battery explodes. More than likely it has to do with their bottom line and squeezing more $$ out of customers for out of warranty repairs. The most unfortunate victim is the manufacturer sanctioned high capacity battery option. In the future, an at purchase upgrade option for a particular model may include battery capacity, which they can overcharge for. Or having to bring your phone into a service center and pay to have a battery upgrade. Any which way, it all likely comes down to pinching pennies and sqeezing blood from a stone.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:45 · Score: 0

Why is it that so few smartphones have replaceable batteries nowadays, it is such an environmentally irresponsible thing to do. Kudos to Samsung for still having them in the galaxy series, but seriously, every phone (and laptop) should have it. Wish Apple hadn't started this trend (for a company that supposedly prides itself as being environmental too...)
Because few people carry multiple batteries, and if you go for non-replaceable batteries you can get higher battery capacity: More flexibility in shape and form of the battery, and no need for extra electronics and detachable lid for the battery. Both of these take space that could be used for more battery otherwise.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by alen · 2013-10-31 08:51 · Score: 2, Insightful

i'll have a third kid then just for you
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by alen · 2013-10-31 08:53 · Score: 1

out of the ten iphones and ipads i've had over the years i have never had a problem of the battery degrading to the point of it being unusable after two years
but then again being in the US and the two year contract thing here i just buy a new phone every two years and pass my problems on to someone else
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-10-31 09:04 · Score: 2

I don't care about carrying multiple batteries, I care being able to have a phone that lasts as long as when it was new 5 years down the road, or even 10 years down the road, or that if I buy used I don't have to worry about how many charge cycles the previous user has gone through.
Phones nowadays are powerful enough that for normal (non-gaming) usage I don't see the need to upgrade them unless they die, and if you take care of your phone that's not going to happen for a long time, unless of course there is a forced failure due to the non-user-replaceable battery: same thing for laptops.
What is wrong with having a screwed in backplate and screwed in battery? why does it have to be glue-glue-glue-glue? there is no reason whatsoever, save maybe making the phone 0.01" thicker and 1 gram heavier which is not something worth sacrificing the environment for.

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:10 · Score: 0

Pretty much every single Samsung phone and tablet has a replaceable battery - and better yet, it's easy to find 3rd party replacements, along with a nice Youtube video on how to replace it.
In addition to Samsung, there is a huge list of cheap Chinese Android phones (which otherwise have excellent specs) - I have one of those phones, bought online from one of the Chinese webshops. The only well-known brand name these webshops carry is Lenovo, all the rest are, as far as us westerners, total anonymouses. But still, both me and a colleague who bought several such phones, are extremely satisfied.
Nokia used to have replaceable batteries before Elop, but I don't know what the situation is now. But alas, I don't think a nerd would want to use a Windows Phone phone: walled garden and extremely small selection of apps.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by alen · 2013-10-31 09:21 · Score: 1

i know worldwide you have to pay full price, but here in the USA its all around the 2 year contract. even then at $349 most people won't keep it longer than 3 years
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by WaffleMonster · 2013-10-31 09:52 · Score: 1

Not to be an apologist, but I don't think Apple necessarily started it.
Who was selling cellphones without user replaceable batteries before Apple?

As far as the few phones that still have removable batterties, I fear will see an end to that as well in the next few years.
Or maybe Samsung is more than happy to continue to accept additional business coming their way from people smart enough not to settle for Nokia/HTC/Apple planned obsolescence bullshit. They certainly have lost me as a customer.
Have noted it is always high end phones that first get hit with non-replaceable batteries. Not everyone can afford a new phone every x years. Still a huge market of people having better things to spend their limited money on.

Or having to bring your phone into a service center and pay to have a battery upgrade. Any which way, it all likely comes down to pinching pennies and sqeezing blood from a stone.
As long as there is meaningful competition there shall always be market pressures in the other direction.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by WaffleMonster · 2013-10-31 10:18 · Score: 1

Because few people carry multiple batteries,
The core problem is not multiple batteries it is ability to replace it when yours starts to suck.

and if you go for non-replaceable batteries you can get higher battery capacity
The iphone has what a
More flexibility in shape and form of the battery
They are ALL rectangles embedded within the phone. Every last one of them. Nobody is currently producing phones where the battery is contorted to fill every last ounce of internal space.

and no need for extra electronics and detachable lid for the battery
LOL extra electronics for a passive connector? Why are detachable lids bad? They tend to serve other useful purposes such as holding SIMs and SD cards.

Both of these take space that could be used for more battery otherwise.
You seem to be clinging to abstract notions of what is "possible" vs. what is "real". Only what is real actually matters.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Cederic · 2013-10-31 10:20 · Score: 0

It's socially irresponsible cunts like you that are causing all the problems here.
Just do the world a favour and castrate yourself. I'm not into child abuse so don't mutilate your children too, but do consider getting them sterilised.
I'm fucked off with being told to save the fucking planet and the environment and with getting charged stupid fucking green taxes, when I'm doing the responsible thing and avoiding overpopulating the planet and consuming far more resources than those needed to support my own pitiful lifespan.
It's not as though all these twats trying to save the planet are really thinking about it anyway. The sun's going to explode and take the planet with it. If you're serious about saving it then start investing in some form of planetary shield and/or a star system scale propulsion drive. Until then, fuck you and your selfish fucking family.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-10-31 10:56 · Score: 1

They are only non-user replaceable, as in no quick swap. But for batteries that are no longer working, or are running low on capacity, battery replacement is possible. They are replaceable at various specialist mobile shops, or available as a kit to do your own replacement at home.
At least that's true for iPhones. Other phones may be less likely to have the batteries available when the time comes.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-10-31 11:00 · Score: 1

Replacement battery services are available for iPhone. Probably for other phones too... so long as they have a big enough market to make it worthwhile for the batteries to be stocked.
No (easy) user replacement doesn't mean no replacement.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-10-31 11:06 · Score: 2

The thickness difference is greater than you imagine. In a sealed device, the battery can have a very thin wrapper to just electrically insulate it from the other components. For a replacement battery the battery needs a solid case to protect it when it's being subjected to random abuse outside the phone.
In addition there is the rigidity factor. Screws create stress points. Glueing spreads stress out over the entire contact area.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-10-31 11:11 · Score: 1

Have noted it is always high end phones that first get hit with non-replaceable batteries.
Because they are the ones which have the greatest pressure on the battery capacity/size factor. The reason phones increasingly have non user replaceable batteries is because it makes a more competitive phone. It's not to annoy you.
Note there is no obsolescence factor in these batteries having a limited life. Non-user replaceable does not mean non-replacable. Just make sure you have bought a brand for which there are likely to still be replacement batteries available in years to come. Or buy a replacement kit now in anticipation.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by thegarbz · 2013-10-31 11:14 · Score: 1

Out of the one phone I've had over the years I've replaced the battery 10 times. But I don't expect you to know about limited battery life or care about a non-disposable battery when you treat your entire (and likely still perfectly working) phone as disposable.
Just because something is replaced doesn't mean it's not useful.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-10-31 11:17 · Score: 1

The core problem is not multiple batteries it is ability to replace it when yours starts to suck.
iPhone batteries are replaceable. They are just not (easily) user replaceable. So if you don't care about multiple batteries, and only end of battery life swap, it's not a big issue.

Why are detachable lids bad?
It's more than just a lid. If the battery is user removable, the entire battery needs to be encased in a hard case. Otherwise, it merely needs to be wrapped in a thin insulating wrap. This makes a difference to the size of the battery or size of the phone.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-10-31 11:54 · Score: 1

I don't think the samsung galaxy phones are *that* much thicker than other phones, or are they in your opinion?

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by mcgrew · 2013-10-31 12:28 · Score: 1

Saw your comment metamoderating (left it at 3, not changing it) but I wasn't aware that other companies except Apple were pulling that crap.
Is it because I don't buy expensive phones? My Kyocera edge was about a hundred bucks (no contract). If I bought a phone that I couldn't change the battery I'd send it back. Fuck that! WTF??
BlingPhones: more money, less value I guess.

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Free Martian Whores!
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 12:41 · Score: 2

In addition to Samsung, there is a huge list of cheap Chinese Android phones (which otherwise have excellent specs) - I have one of those phones, bought online from one of the Chinese webshops. The only well-known brand name these webshops carry is Lenovo, all the rest are, as far as us westerners, total anonymouses
So given the huge variety and lack of branding, how do you tell the good ones apart from the sucky ones?

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"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 13:43 · Score: 1

In addition to Samsung, there is a huge list of cheap Chinese Android phones (which otherwise have excellent specs) - I have one of those phones, bought online from one of the Chinese webshops. The only well-known brand name these webshops carry is Lenovo, all the rest are, as far as us westerners, total anonymouses
So given the huge variety and lack of branding, how do you tell the good ones apart from the sucky ones?
From what we could tell, these anonymuses have about the same build quality - which is actually adequate.
BTW, I've noticed that a model these Chinese companies like to copy (the looks, not the guts) is the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Indeed, the one I bought is an almost exact replica of the Note II, apart from the lack of the Samsung logo, and worse (but not much worse) specs. Quad core, rather long battery life, 5.3" screen etc. You get two batteries - one in the phone and a replacement battery, which is a nice touch, IMHO. I've been shopping for various gadgets at this webshop - two dozen LED lamps, tablet for my mom, lenses/loupes, add-on keyboard for my Nexus 7, etc. etc.
Shockingly, not a single item was defective or even aesthetically affected.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by digitalchinky · 2013-10-31 20:07 · Score: 1

and consuming far more resources than those needed to support my own pitiful lifespan.
That part of your sentence didn't parse very well. : )
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Cederic · 2013-10-31 20:49 · Score: 1

Yeah, spotted that at the time. Wasn't sober enough to care :)
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by metrix007 · 2013-11-01 01:43 · Score: 1

Ignorant moron.
Overpopulation is not at all the problem.
Do some reading before you start spouting nonsense.

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If you ignore ACs because they are anonymous - you're an idiot.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by Cederic · 2013-11-01 01:55 · Score: 1

Overpopulation IS a problem.
People going 'save the planet' then having children - that are going to continue the cycle of using its resources - are THE problem.
If you want to save the planet, then work to save the planet. If you want your children to have easy access to energy, a comfortable life and children of their own then just admit you're a selfish cunt and stop expecting the rest of us to compromise our lives just to meet your own aims.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-11-01 02:20 · Score: 1

when due to gobs of glue pulling your battery has a very solid chance of breaking your device entirely (which by that point will be discontinued likely) that doesn't mean it's something that you would want to risk...

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by CopaceticOpus · 2013-11-01 07:16 · Score: 1

I hate this trend too. I have a Nexus tablet, and I accept its limitations because there isn't much competition for Android tablets. This is an opportunity for some company to come along and grab a piece of the market.
Imagine a tablet with a back cover which can detach. This cover houses the battery, and it's available in 2 or 3 different thicknesses. The thinnest size is for those who value sleekness and having a device .01" thinner than the competition. The slightly thicker sizes are for those who are more concerned with lasting battery power.
This concept could extend to other options as well. There could be a back cover which adds an HDMI port and a full-sized USB 3 port. There might even be a cover which turns the device into a mini-computer, with a fold-out keyboard, external connectors, and an SSD drive.
Some users would choose a cover at purchase time, and never need to detach it. Power users would probably have 2-3 covers and swap them as needed. The body of the device would include the screen, motherboard, 8GB of flash memory for applications, and an SD card slot for general storage. It would also have a tiny battery to allow the user to swap out covers without shutting down.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-11-01 11:15 · Score: 1

Have you got a citation for a significant number of phones breaking during battery replacement? Or is it just imagination on your part?
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-11-01 12:31 · Score: 1

Compared to the iPhone, not much. But of course battery size depends on volume, and the other two dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy are significantly bigger.
For a given width and height and battery capacity though, a phone with a removable battery will have to be thicker than one without.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-11-02 13:44 · Score: 1

have you looked at the iFixit teardowns at all? those people are pros at it, and they struggle a lot to disassemble the devices, and if they say "very risky" what chance does a "normal user" have of doing it successfully?

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-11-02 13:47 · Score: 1

do you think 0.01" is a worthy tradeoff for the environmental impact of having non-user-serviceable batteries? I also don't see replaceable batteries in ipads (which are plenty big) or in powerbooks (which are even bigger). It seems purely a commercial decision, and one that should not be rewarded by the market given its significant environmental impact.

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-11-02 23:18 · Score: 1

A removable battery adds more than one-hundredth of an inch to the thickness. As I said in the post you are replying to, Samsung's battery is sitting in a phone that is larger in all directions. Not much in thickness, but significantly bigger in the other two dimensions.
Volume matters, not just thickness. And a hard case for the battery adds in all 3 dimensions.
And as I mentioned elsewhere a sealed battery makes for a design with more rigidity.
The same goes for iPads and MacBooks. Just at a larger scale.
And I don't accept that there's much environmental impact. People tend to move on to a new model before the battery reaches it's end of life anyway. And for those that don't, battery replacements are available.
Apple's products are designed to be the best designed they can be, not to be prematurely obsolescent. If you don't realise that, you don't understand Apple's business model.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-11-02 23:26 · Score: 1

Sure I've seen the iFixit teardowns. They are what people normally follow if they choose to open a mobile device at home.
You'll have to link me to the particular mention of "very risky" before I can comment on it.
What I can say generally is that iFixit are doing the hard part. Dismantling without instructions. Those that follow benefit from iFixit's pathfinding.
And of course, the "normal user" that doesn't want to do it themselves can go to the many companies that will do it for them. Which also means that any risk is carried by them. They break it - they have to replace it.
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by MarcoAtWork · 2013-11-03 07:43 · Score: 1

Apple could design products "the best they can be" within the constraints of having a user-replaceable battery, the old macbook pros where "the best they could be" and yet the battery was very easily replaceable, the RAM was easily upgradable, as well as the hard drive.
The fact that people have been trained to toss a perfectly working cellphone (built at great environmental expense, look up coltan and where tin comes from) is an unfortunate side effect of today's consumer culture, but it does not mean that a company should make it next to impossible to behave responsibly by making their products unserviceable and not upgradable (there is no reason to have soldered ram in a laptop, for example, but that's what you get nowadays).
Maybe next time you buy a car "designed to be the best it can be" it will come with integrated wheels and tires (which will perform a little bit better than user-replaceable tires) and will have to be tossed after 3-4 years once the tires wear out. Or once we all move to electric cars they will come with non-replaceable batteries as well, so you can just toss everything after a few years where the car doesn't last long enough to get to work.

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-- the cake is a lie
Re:No replaceable battery as far as I can see by BasilBrush · 2013-11-04 09:14 · Score: 1

I agree with you that the cross financing with a network contract means phones generally are replaced far before they should be. But there's nothing Apple specific about that.
You know, Apple users get a reputation for buying every new device that comes out with. Especially here. But that's because because there's a lot of Apple hatred here. In truth, last time I saw an article on this question, Apple users got more years out of their computers than PC users. AND their resale value is much higher, illustrating a greater demand from people to use them second hand.
And the Macbook Pros haven't changed as far as memory is concerned. Mine is a 2012 model. (My previous a 2007 model. Used until I destroyed it with an upturned soda.) Memory is accessible simply by removing 10 small phillips screws. Memory is in standard DIMM slots. Apple has no philosophical or business argument against upgrading them.
Macbook Airs, iPads and iPhones aren't memory upgradable, But that's because they are designed to be as thin and light as possible. That's the reason the memory is soldered to the main board. The same reason the battery is non-user-replacable.
You use a car analogy, but you know that cars show the same trend. It used to be you opened the hood, and there were all the parts easily accessible, and the smaller ones user replaceable. You could easily do your own servicing at home. Nowadays, you open the hood, and you are faced with some anonymous block, with nothing much recognisable even visible. To service the thing, you need a computer connected to the engine management system and a gas-analysis probe in the exhaust. Few people can do their own servicing any more.
But the advantage is that the new cars have far more performance and reliability than the old user serviceable ones.
And as far as I know electric cars don't have user serviceable batteries. They are typically (always?) designed for a garage to do the battery replacement.
No doubt, if you are determined to do electric car battery replacement at home you COULD. Just as you COULD get suitably equipped to service a modern ICE car at home. But compared with either, replacing a battery on a phone with a non-user-sericable battery is easy!

Only 32GB, no storage expansion by lma · 2013-10-31 07:56 · Score: 5, Insightful

I love the Google phones with one exception: lack of storage. Google devices don't have microSD expansion slots, and the maximum storage sizes are small. If you're going to have small built-in flash sizes at least have an expansion slot. Or if you don't have an expansion slot, at least have versions with large storage options. HTC has a 64GB version of the One, for example. Apple has iPhone models with 64GB.

Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by hojo · 2013-10-31 08:19 · Score: 5, Insightful

Agreed.
I am using a Galaxy S3, 16 GB built-in, and then I added a 64 GB SD card to it. I refuse to downgrade my storage capacity on a new phone. The amazing capacity of this thing is simply a killer feature.
I'm running Cyanogenmod on this thing and it flies, is stable, and has no shitware installed.
These two things have become my new standard for what I want:
1) Is it open enough to get a fully functioning Cyanogenmod update?
2) Does it have SD expansion?
That's it. All the hyper-resolution stuff is meaningless for a four or five inch display. Just give me that badass storage capacity and an uncluttered OS!
Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by swb · 2013-10-31 08:23 · Score: 1, Troll

Isn't that "the Google way" though? You're supposed to store all your shit in the cloud so they can index it, sell you stuff and share it with the NSA.
Of course, I'm using an iPhone 5S, so I don't have any expansion at all, but at least I have a 64GB model so it hurts a little less.
Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by Paradise+Pete · 2013-10-31 09:48 · Score: 1, Insightful

Just give me that badass storage capacity and an uncluttered OS!
What are you storing on your phone that you need such boundless capacity? Do you carry around an SD Caddy like people used to do with floppies?
Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by AmiMoJo · 2013-10-31 11:29 · Score: 1

Just out of interest what do you store on your phone that needs more than 32GB?

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SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 13:49 · Score: 0

Music. I pay 10$ per gigabyte, so cloud storage is not an option. Most mp3 I buy are encoded at 320 kbit/s (and I don't want to waste time re-encoding), so an average song is about 10 megs. I don't want to pay 10 cents for each song I listen.
Also I sometimes use my phone as a dashcam.
Right now I have 32 gigs and I have to swap mp3s from time to time, which is really annoying. I need at least 64 gigs.
Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 15:24 · Score: 0

I have an S3 and felt much the same way about the SD slot, but found I couldn't even fill the 16GB it came with, much less the extra 32GB available from the SD slot. So I've opted for a Nexus 5 32GB. Any pics or video I take get offloaded to my server shortly after taking anyway, I don't store music on my phone, and I use my Nexus 7 for all my Android gaming. I had a Nexus S before I got the S3, and I actually regretted getting the S3 after I saw what bloated crapware Samsung included on it. I too use CM10, but historically the Nexus series has ALWAYS been strongly supported by the mod community.
Re:Only 32GB, no storage expansion by Admiral_Grinder · 2013-11-01 01:47 · Score: 1

It isn't hard to use 32GB between photos, home movies, and the handbrake rips of the kids favorite movies. My 32GB phone only has 15GB free (1300 photos and home videos with 1 kid movie, I don't have time I need to move the media to my fileserver). However, my 40GB mp3 player is half full with 128 bit songs and I'm in the process of flac'ing my collection. It will probably be converted to 256 bit when it is stored on my phone.

Google wallet by interkin3tic · 2013-10-31 07:59 · Score: 3, Interesting

I'm surprised there's still nothing about google wallet. I heard some speculation that with kitkat, they were going to announce a way to use it on any phone with NFC (without the secure element the carriers refuse to allow).

Re:Google wallet by radicalpi · 2013-10-31 08:20 · Score: 4, Informative

They have more specific details about Kit-Kat on the Developer site. https://developer.android.com/about/versions/kitkat.html#44-hce
Re:Google wallet by mythosaz · 2013-10-31 08:41 · Score: 2

I too am concerned here.
My one regret about buying the HTC One Google Play edition was the lack of Google Wallet support - which I didn't realize until it was too late.

Android 4.4 devices that support NFC will include Tap & Pay for easy payments using HCE.
It'd be nice if that quote were inclusive of the HTC One; and it might be...

With HCE, any app on an Android device can emulate an NFC smart card, letting users tap to initiate transactions with an app of their choice — no provisioned secure element (SE) in the device is needed
Here's hoping!
Re:Google wallet by ronmon · 2013-10-31 10:12 · Score: 1

http://www.google.com/wallet/faq.html?utm_source=google-wallet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=instantbuy_101713&utm_term=oct172013
Latest version of Google Wallet, which runs on Android 2.3 or newer.
Under: Where can I use Google Wallet in-store?
"You can tap to pay using the Google Wallet app on select NFC-enabled Android device anywhere contactless payments are accepted, which includes hundreds of thousands of merchant locations in the United States."
Re:Google wallet by markzip · 2013-10-31 11:19 · Score: 1

Hmm, My Samsung GS IV Google Edition did not have any trouble with Google Wallet. I used it unlocked on T-Mo in the US.
Could it be that the metal back on the HTC One interfered with the NFC? That would be strange, given that the spec sheet over at gdgt.com says that it does do NFC payments.
Re:Google wallet by swillden · 2013-10-31 12:16 · Score: 3, Informative

I'm surprised there's still nothing about google wallet. I heard some speculation that with kitkat, they were going to announce a way to use it on any phone with NFC (without the secure element the carriers refuse to allow).
Nexus 5's support Google Wallet tap & pay, even though the device doesn't have a secure element. Since the carriers were arguing that giving Google exclusive control over the secure element was "the problem", it would seem they no longer have a basis for refusing to allow tap & pay. So, it should be the case that any Android 4.4 device with NFC hardware (which is most of them) should be able to do tap & pay.
It's worth pointing out that the Google Wallet app has other features besides NFC payment that work on all phones, including iOS. You can use it to see your transactions (e.g. online stuff) and to send money to people via e-mail, and it also is where you see and redeem Google Offers.

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Re:Google wallet by mythosaz · 2013-11-01 07:55 · Score: 1

The devices have different secure element trust chips, something this new update should resolve with HCE.

just get a nexus 4 by SuperBanana · 2013-10-31 08:04 · Score: 1

I have a 4, and it's pretty solid. Suggestion: buy the 16GB in a month or so after the 5 has been out. Lots of people will probably upgrade.

Just note that the 4 was sold in a couple of different flavors (AT&T, Tmobile, and Google store.) I'm pretty sure the straight Google one is the preferred/most capable, but double check?

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Please help metamoderate.

Re:just get a nexus 4 by mrchaotica · 2013-10-31 08:17 · Score: 1

I don't know about "most capable," but the Nexus 4 was a Hell of a lot cheaper straight from Google!
(Right now, T-mobile's web site wants $427 for a Nexus 4 16GB -- although in fairness, they're offering a "free wireless charger ($60 value!)," so there's that...)

--
"[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
Re:just get a nexus 4 by Nerdfest · 2013-10-31 08:28 · Score: 1

Crap-weasels. Several suppliers here in Canada are doing the same. I asked one of them why and they responded "because we actually have stock". Supply and demand I guess.

does it work on telstras 4g network? by johnsnails · 2013-10-31 08:05 · Score: 1

Apparently not : http://www.mobicity.com.au/lg-nexus-5.html

Re:does it work on telstras 4g network? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:47 · Score: 0

We're going Internode prepaid. Check it out.

KitKat? by Azure+Flash · 2013-10-31 08:05 · Score: 1

Should we expect a lawsuit or do they have a licensing agreement with Nestlé? (It's very indicative of the time we live in that this is the first thought that came to my mind...)

Re:KitKat? by Anonymous+Psychopath · 2013-10-31 08:09 · Score: 4, Informative

Should we expect a lawsuit or do they have a licensing agreement with Nestlé? (It's very indicative of the time we live in that this is the first thought that came to my mind...)
The latter. http://techcrunch.com/2013/09/03/google-strikes-bizarre-licensing-deal-with-nestle-to-name-next-android-kit-kat/

--
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
Re:KitKat? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:13 · Score: 0

C'mon,
Give me a break.
Re:KitKat? by TheSpoom · 2013-10-31 08:24 · Score: 5, Informative

What do you think?

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It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
- E. Debs
Re:KitKat? by An+Ominous+Coward · 2013-10-31 09:05 · Score: 1

An agreement with both Hershey, for the US, and Nestle, for everywhere else.
Re:KitKat? by Azure+Flash · 2013-11-01 01:49 · Score: 1

Well, shit, now I can feel inadequate for not owning a smartphone AND be hungry for chocolate all at once. Thanks a lot, consumerist marketing.

Re: Not even as good as the iPhone 4, let alone 5 by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:11 · Score: 0

That's funny, because all the people I know who used to work at an apple reseller now use android, and at least 2 others I know want to give android a serious chance for their next phone. I also used to work for an apple reseller and switched too

Re: Not even as good as the iPhone 4, let alone 5 by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:17 · Score: 0

Yeah except that my anecdote is true.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:25 · Score: 0

Nexus 4: 4.7 inch display
Nexus 5: 5 inch display
Nexus 7: 7 Inch display
Nexus 10: 10 inch display
Not everything is about incremental version numbers.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Nethead · 2013-10-31 08:25 · Score: 1

"...the app itself uses over 2GB of ram after it caches all of its data."

And this is why we can't have nice things.

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-- I have a private email server in my basement.

Blogspot :( by mythosaz · 2013-10-31 08:34 · Score: 1

I'm probably a borderline Google apologist, but FFS, Google, stop posting "real" information on Blogspot - where dozes of workplace content filtering software block access to out of the box.

Someone have a mirror that isn't on a site filled with emo blogs and porn sites?

Re:Blogspot :( by tlhIngan · 2013-10-31 09:48 · Score: 1

I'm probably a borderline Google apologist, but FFS, Google, stop posting "real" information on Blogspot - where dozes of workplace content filtering software block access to out of the box.
Why? They own it, it's their official blog platform, after all.
Just because it's mostly misused by a bunch of emo teens wanking off doesn't make it any less legit of a site. Especially one that Google owns directly.
You might as well complain as to why Google is still serving pop ups, pop unders and all that other nasty stuff ads.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by hawguy · 2013-10-31 08:36 · Score: 1

"...the app itself uses over 2GB of ram after it caches all of its data."

And this is why we can't have nice things.

I'm pretty sure it's why we *can* have nice things - it's not a mobile app, it's a server side app, and by keeping its most needed data in cache (and denormalized for speed), it runs much faster than if it had to retrieve it from the database each time a user makes a request. Adding more RAM is a lot cheaper than adding read-replica database servers.

Or someplace by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · 2013-10-31 08:42 · Score: 1

Nerd 1: Android 4.2 blahbiddy blah...

Nerd 2: Blah blah update old blah...

Nerd 3: Blah blah technical spec blah...

Chris Griffin: Kit Kat candy is very big in Japan of Korea or someplace and they have many flavors.

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Can you hear me now...? by LordMael · 2013-10-31 08:50 · Score: 1

And yet, still no Verizon wireless support. Supported Carriers: T-Mobile and Sprint. One day google... one day...

Still no native Opus codec support? by Dr.Dubious+DDQ · 2013-10-31 08:54 · Score: 3, Interesting

I figured Google was "all-in" on WebRTC and vp9/opus, but a year later it looks like they still haven't added support for it to Android.

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Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 08:56 · Score: 1

I did find it interesting the phone has similar RAM and CPU specs to my work laptop. It seems like over-kill for a phone. That being said, more RAM allows for more cached data/applications which should make the phone more responsive when switching between programs.

Wrong specs by Daetrin · 2013-10-31 08:59 · Score: 1, Informative

After all those weeks of rumors, how did they manage to still get the wrong specs _after_ the device was announced? According to the order page the CPU is 2.3 GHz, not 2.2.

It looks like a really nice phone, i just wish it wasn't so large. I know it's only "slightly" larger than the Nexus 4 due to the reduced bevel, but the Nexus 4 was already too large. I really want a nice phone with a 4.0" or 4.3" screen. (And no, the "Mini" versions of the HTC One, Galaxy S4 and Droid don't count. They reduced the CPU and/or RAM and/or Storage for all of those when they made them "Mini".)

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Re:Wrong specs by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:59 · Score: 0

I really want a nice phone with a 4.0" or 4.3" screen. (And no, the "Mini" versions of the HTC One, Galaxy S4 and Droid don't count. They reduced the CPU and/or RAM and/or Storage for all of those when they made them "Mini".)
I'm afraid that might be the problem, exactly - you can't fit the same specs with a decent battery life in a smaller package easily.
Or you might, but at a premium, and the larger devices are already pushing the maximum the market will bear (there are not enough people willing to buy a smartphone at higher prices to justify large-scale production).
Unfortunately, this means that you and me, who prefer smaller phones, will have to settle for last year's technology.
Unfortunately it also means that you'll never get a flagship device (like the nexus line) in a smaller form factor, since it would have to mean worse specs or untenable prices.
I've already learnt my lesson about buying anything else than a nexus device, so I'm stuck with whatever form factor Google decides to put out when it's time to upgrade.
Re:Wrong specs by Daetrin · 2013-10-31 11:07 · Score: 1

I'm afraid that might be the problem, exactly - you can't fit the same specs with a decent battery life in a smaller package easily.
Or you might, but at a premium, and the larger devices are already pushing the maximum the market will bear (there are not enough people willing to buy a smartphone at higher prices to justify large-scale production).
I'm pretty sure the first half of that isn't true, though you may be right on the second half. The lion's share of space taken up internally is by the battery. However the thing that uses the most power is generally the screen, so if you reduce the screen size you don't need as much battery.

The Droid Mini came very close to matching its larger cousin's specs. The only shortcoming, and it's a pretty large one, is that it only has 16 GB of storage. I don't know what the form factor is for internal flash memory but i doubt there's a significant difference in size between 16 GB and 32 GB, or even 64 GB. If they'd just included a decent amount of storage, and it wasn't exclusive to Verizon, i would have bought one instantly. But going by what seems to be the standard cell phone pricing scheme, the extra 16 GB of storage would have cost $50 more, and i guess they didn't think enough people would have been willing to pay that to make it worthwhile.

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Re:Wrong specs by ejasons · 2013-11-01 09:36 · Score: 1

It looks like a really nice phone, i just wish it wasn't so large.

Exactly... Everyone keeps touting the "diversity" of Android phones. However, nearly every non-budget phone pretty much looks the same. I'd really like to buy an Android phone with the size, fit, and polish of an iPhone 5, but such a thing doesn't exist...

Re:Not even as good as the iPhone 4, let alone 5 by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:05 · Score: 0

Hey, I remember you from that GCC article. "Hardcore developer buddies", right.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:06 · Score: 0

Your computer has plenty of swap space. Your mobile doesn't.

Get Back To Work by ZombieBraintrust · 2013-10-31 09:07 · Score: 1

Get Back To Work

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:08 · Score: 0

Too much Android fragmentation means time for a reboot. Let the android platform die, and lets release something new.

We will call it: Jackknife.

Jk 1.0 - New release ...Runs on Iphone, Android and WindowsPhone devices made in last 3 years

Jk 1.5 - Introduces retinal scan unlocking (screw that thumbprint nonsense.. you aint giving me no blister)...

Jk 1.5.3 - Bugfix for the retinal scan/red eye hack..

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by WillAffleckUW · 2013-10-31 09:14 · Score: 1

Jk 1.5.3 - Bugfix for the retinal scan/red eye hack..

Where we're going we don't need Eyes!

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Awesome, just wondering when.. by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 09:23 · Score: 0

When will this be available for my 1.5 year old LG Thrill 4G? I'll wait for a personal email response...

Oh Goody by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:00 · Score: 0

Does this mean that the stupid onscreen menu buttons are gone?

Hello? Google! Are you listening?
Windows has its window controls at the top for a very good reason.
Android placing the back and home buttons on screen and not removable is bad enough ... but right next to where app controls are?
I have lost count of how many times I have accidently hit the back or menu button.Irritating enough to start looking at alternatives.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by peon_a-z,A-Z,0-9$_+! · 2013-10-31 10:13 · Score: 1

Which happens to have an approximately 5" screen size!

no microsd slot by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 10:32 · Score: 0

again... this one thing has made all of these google nexus products entirely purchasable for me. Now no removable battery too?! Both my previous smartphones G1 and MyTouch4G slide needed battery replacements.. I can't in good conscience buy a product I can't replace the battery of.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by mirix · 2013-10-31 10:44 · Score: 1

They'll just do like wire gauge after that. Nexus 0000 aka Nexus 4/0, etc.

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Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 11:02 · Score: 0

c.b.f. signing in...

Yeah, 7 and 10 are tablets - they're using the number for both size and version (for the phone at least), it's kinda weird.

No the version is given as a year number. eg The nexus 7 v1 is called nexus7. The nexus 7 v2 is called Nexus7(2013).

If the number is different this is to indicate that it is a completely different product. So this is Google's way of saying the Nexus5 bears no resemblance to the Nexus4.

64 bit? by BasilBrush · 2013-10-31 11:21 · Score: 1

Is it 64 bit yet? When iOS7 came out, various people here were saying it would only be a few days work to make Android 64 bit.

So is it?

Re:64 bit? by niftydude · 2013-10-31 13:57 · Score: 1

What's the point of 64 bit on a device that has less than 4 GB Ram?

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Re:64 bit? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 17:34 · Score: 0

It's not. Unlike the iCult, people who use Android actually understand why certain things do or don't make sense, as opposed to blindly salivating over the recent buzzword that Apple throws at them.
Re:64 bit? by BasilBrush · 2013-11-01 11:29 · Score: 1

Because, contrary to popular belief, code written to the ARM64 (ARMv8) architecture is significantly faster than code written for Armv7 and earlier. That's the big benefit right now.
Plus it means the changes in the OS and Apps have time to mature before processes with >4GB requirements are needed.

So how do we use this? by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 11:43 · Score: 0

Any iPhone from the 4 onwards can run iOS 7, but this supposedly "open" Android ecosystem seems to have no real update mechanism for most phones. Most phones already sold and even many phones being sold RIGHT NOW can't and most likely won't ever run 4.4.

How is it that anyone sees this as anything OTHER than a way to force people to buy new phones?

Re:So how do we use this? by gl4ss · 2013-10-31 17:40 · Score: 1

..one of the major points of 4.4 is to address this issue, so (bigger, as some are already)parts of the os can be updated by google in piecemeal fashion.
thus kitkat, that you can snap to parts...
and funny that you bring up iphones since with them the trend is that you have to have the latest os to run the latest apps(on android in practice you can run pretty much anything on the market on 2.3) and if you do that then your iphone4 is going to run like dogshit, forcing you to buy a new phone.

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Re:So how do we use this? by ProfessionalCookie · 2013-10-31 19:20 · Score: 1

Piecemeal software updates, sounds like that will work well.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Anonymous Coward · 2013-10-31 16:03 · Score: 0

That's cute. I have 256 TB of RAM and I still can't play minesweeper at the same time as running my app.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by danbob999 · 2013-10-31 16:22 · Score: 1

Also, who the fuck needs 2GB of RAM on a fucking phone!?

Perhaps you only need a mid-range smartphone. That's fine. Except that it will end up being more expensive than the Nexus 5.
I wouldn't say 2GB RAM is overkill when you see the CPU and GPU they include in such device. I would even say they should put 4GB RAM and half the CPU and GPU instead.

Hall Effect Sensor? by tanveer1979 · 2013-10-31 18:09 · Score: 1

I was looking at the tech specs. Sensors are very important to me(eg Pressure, magnetic etc.,)
So I went through the list on the tech specs page, and apart from the regular proximity and stuff, there is a Hall Effect sensor too. Haven't seen it in the high end Note 2 also, or maybe Samsung calls it by a different name.
I know what is a Hall effect sensor, however, I am wondering what will it be used for here? Will it be used for whether a flip cover is open or not? For that I think you can use the light sensor too.
Answers please?

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Re:Hall Effect Sensor? by samwichse · 2013-11-02 15:46 · Score: 1

My Nexus S also has one... basically, you get this functionality free with a solid state compass, which most phones have to help improve GPS accuracy and accelerometer data. Solid state compasses are basically just an arrangement of a couple hall-effect sensors that are acted on by earth's magnetic field.
Sam

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by Patch86 · 2013-10-31 20:01 · Score: 1

The Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 also refer to their physical dimensions- (roughly) 4" and 5" screens respectively. The rumour mill has it that a "Nexus 4 v2" may be released some time next year- i.e., a new phone with a 4" screen.

Nexus 5 supports Sprint tri-band by Solandri · 2013-10-31 20:17 · Score: 1

For those of you on Sprint, this will be their first LTE tri-band phone. The other carriers have one or two LTE frequency bands. Sprint, by virtue of buying Clearwire and shutting down Nextel, now has three LTE bands. So this phone on Sprint could potentially have the fastest LTE speeds in the country.

Desktop when docked by tepples · 2013-10-31 23:52 · Score: 1

So long as there's an X server app that works with HDMI out and a Bluetooth keyboard to turn the touch screen into a trackpad and run desktop apps when plugged into TV out, that should be close enough.

Typing by tepples · 2013-11-01 02:28 · Score: 1

One advantage of a laptop is that it's a lot easier to type on a physical keyboard than on the touch screen of a tablet. Android 4.3 "Jelly Bean 3" broke a lot of external Bluetooth keyboards, including the ZAGGkeys Flex that I own. I haven't had a chance to download 4.4 "KitKat" to my Nexus 7 yet (OS update check said "up to date" two and a half hours ago) to see if it's been fixed.

And have to squint by tepples · 2013-11-01 02:33 · Score: 1

Say you have a laptop with a 9 to 10" screen, 1024x600 pixels in size. These "netbooks" were popular before the third-generation iPad came out, and I'm typing on one now. You could double the linear pixel density on the same size screen, increasing pixel count to 1920x1080. That'd make text clearer, but that wouldn't buy you any more room for text or graphics because the eye has trouble reading text that's too small. If you increase the specs (specifications), you need to increase the specs (reading glasses) in parallel.

Provided you drive by tepples · 2013-11-01 02:54 · Score: 1

i have a USB port in my car that also charges my iphone

That's fine for people who drive, but I can't think of anyone who's willing to switch from public transit to a car just to charge a phone.

Reencode by tepples · 2013-11-01 02:56 · Score: 1

I don't want to waste time re-encoding

There's your problem. If you listen in a noisy environment, reencode your collection to 96-128 kbps Vorbis overnight.

Re:Reencode by Trogre · 2013-11-03 11:46 · Score: 1

Sigh,
This is one of those situations that vorbis bitrate peeling was supposed to address. Sadly, it never got off the ground.

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Request a whitelist entry by tepples · 2013-11-01 03:10 · Score: 1

If your job depends on you seeing changes to Google services, then get IT to whitelist Google's official blogs and no other Blogspot-hosted blogs.

Why stuck on VZW? by tepples · 2013-11-01 03:12 · Score: 1

stuck on Verizon

Could you explain why this continues to be the case? It looks like a good place to start attacking your problem.

Yes, any iPhone from 4 onward by PortHaven · 2013-11-01 05:49 · Score: 1

Can run iOS7, but lose many many features. Like Siri, maps navigation, etc.

Re:What? Nexus 5 released, Nexus 10 already releas by alexandru_preoteasa · 2013-11-01 06:08 · Score: 1

Event Horizon reference?

Analog-like noise by tepples · 2013-11-03 12:33 · Score: 1

As I understand it, that's because bitrate peeling drastically reduced the "analog-like noise" advantage of vector quantization over the more warbly scalar quantization used in MP3. But with several Moore's law doublings of transistor count since the release of Vorbis, reencoding shouldn't be quite as painful anymore.

Link by nullchar · 2013-11-04 06:18 · Score: 1

Link to the Permissions Denied app: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.stericson.permissions.donate&hl=en

It appears Cyanogen Mod used to have this feature.

358 comments