Google To Take 'Apple-Like' Control Over Nexus Phones (droid-life.com)

Soulskill writes: According to a (paywalled) report in The Information, Google CEO Sundar Pichai wants the company to take greater control over development of their Nexus smartphones. When producing Nexus phones, Google has always partnered with manufacturers, like Samsung, LG, and HTC, who actually built the devices. Rather than creating a true revenue stream, Google's main goal has been to provide a reference for what Android can be like without interference from carriers and manufacturers. (For example, many users are frustrated by Samsung's TouchWiz skin, as well as the bloatware resulting from deals with carriers.

But now, Google appears to want more control. The report indicates Google wants to do a better job of competing throughout the market. They want to compete with Apple on the high end, but also seem concerned that manufacturers haven't put enough effort into quality budget phones. The article at Droid-Life argues, "We all know that Nexus phones will never be household items until Google puts some marketing dollars behind them. Will a top-to-bottom approach finally push them to do that?"

Comments

Nexus aren't satisfactory

[Stormwatch]

I would not buy a phone without a microSD slot, and the Nexus line fails by not including such an essential feature.

But, more important than that: Google definitely should put more pressure on manufacturers and carriers to keep the phones' OS updated for longer.

Re:Nexus aren't satisfactory

[Microlith]

I disagree. Nexus devices are satisfactory but not exceptional. They lack essential features like SD Card slots and don't really feature any nifty "bits" to mess with, but are the only devices guaranteed over the long term to receive regular updates, and that alone makes them better. Everything else is, by far, less than satisfactory due to the emphasis of gimmicks or poorly implemented features while often neglecting or actively harming security.

Re:Nexus aren't satisfactory

[youngone]

I disagree with both Microlith and Stormwatch.

Any phone without a micro SD card slot and a removable battery is of no use to me at all, and I will not buy.

The really fortunate thing with the whole Android range is that Microlith, Stormwatch and I can each buy the phone we want, with the features we need, usually at the price we wish to pay as wel..

There are other types of smartphone too, they don't have the same range of different models, but some people seem to like them.

As far as security goes, the manufacturers are hopeless at providing updates, but for the tech-savvy consumer, updates can be installed, with a small amount of messing around and a custom ROM. I know that's not ideal, and to vast majority of people won't be able to do it, but it is an option.

Re:Nexus aren't satisfactory

[Dorianny]

I would not buy a phone without a microSD slot, and the Nexus line fails by not including such an essential feature.

But, more important than that: Google definitely should put more pressure on manufacturers and carriers to keep the phones' OS updated for longer.

One persons essential features are another's rarely used amenities. Features such as microSD slots or removable batteries take space and as such they come with the trade-offs of added bulk or smaller battery. Fortunately unlike apple's iPhone family the android ecosystem is open and there are a plethora of devices out there to satisfy most peoples needs and budgets

Re:Nexus aren't satisfactory

[fustakrakich]

A removable battery is a necessary safety feature, and the only way to ensure the phone is powered off.

Re:Nexus aren't satisfactory

[spire3661]

When we talk about removable in this context it usually means it can be done without tools by the end user in the field. You are talking about whether its REPLACEABLE, which is a different argument. Most phone's batteries are replaceable by a person familiar with electronics. My Moto G battery isnt removable in this context, but i could easily replace it with a new battery for about $6.

Nexus 9 had finish issues

[Harlequin80]

I own a Nexus 9 and I think it is a good solid tablet. But mine looks raggedy as hell because the matt finish on the back is only a thin film overlay that has worn off all over the place and in others is lifting like old dead skin. So face up it looks good, face down it looks like a 20 year old tablet that has had a hard life.

The other comment someone else made is around the microSD slot. Particularly for a tablet, which is a pure media consumption device, it should have an SD slot.

Re:I can think of one way to make them better.

[sexconker]

As much as I hate it, that ship has sailed.
Touch screens suuuuuuuuuuuuuuck for input.

Re:timothy timothy, who the fuck is timothy?

[Chris Mattern]

Why is "timothy" the author of ALL articles on the front page right now?

Bit late to the party, aren't you? Timothy has been the author of every front page article since last Friday.

Didn't google do this already?

[Cute Fuzzy Bunny]

Didn't they own Motorola and have complete control? Then got rid of that because it made all of the other phone makers feel bad?

What makes a Nexus phone different from an iphone? Neither has an SD card or replaceable battery, yet the Nexus always seems to be about half the price.

I've never had to replace a battery in a phone before it was old and slow and not what I wanted anymore.

I'm rarely out of wifi range AND need direct and immediate access to tons of data, nor have I ever filled up a 32GB phone with what I want to take with me.