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How Google Software Won 2018 (engadget.com)
Google is relatively new to the hardware game -- at least compared to rivals Apple and Samsung. But it's not just what's outside that matters. An analysis, by Engadget : The Pixel 3 is the best example. Physically, the phone is a more premium version of the Pixel 2. But aside from that, nothing about the Pixel 3's design makes me yearn for the phone. In fact, the 3 XL even has one of the biggest screen notches in the market, which some people find hideous. And yet, the Pixel 3s were still one of our favorite phones of the year, and ended up on our best gadgets list. But if you can stomach the notch, or don't mind using the smaller phone, then boy, will you be blown away by Google's software. Let's start with my favorite -- Call Screening.
On the Pixels, you can have Assistant field calls for you without having to answer the phone or even say a single word. It's easy to dismiss this feature as simply a glorified voice messaging system, but it's so much more than that. Assistant will ask your caller what they want, transcribe what they're saying in real time and suggest actions for you. Say you realize it's your doctor calling. You could ask them more questions, dictate a real time reply, or use a preset action like hang up or promise to call back. Can your voicemail do that? I don't think so.
[...] Nowhere is the importance of software exemplified as effectively as it is in Google's imaging algorithms, which are so powerful they helped the Pixel 3 nab the smartphone camera crown in our tests. Not only can the phones capture clear, colorful pictures with just a single rear camera, but the Pixels produced the nicest Portrait mode effects using pure software alone. And with the magical Night Sight mode, Google easily kicked Apple and Samsung's butts in low light photography, turning dark, noisy pictures into shots that look like they were taken in daytime. [...] Counter-point: DxOMark's Pixel 3 camera score shows AI isn't enough.
On the Pixels, you can have Assistant field calls for you without having to answer the phone or even say a single word. It's easy to dismiss this feature as simply a glorified voice messaging system, but it's so much more than that. Assistant will ask your caller what they want, transcribe what they're saying in real time and suggest actions for you. Say you realize it's your doctor calling. You could ask them more questions, dictate a real time reply, or use a preset action like hang up or promise to call back. Can your voicemail do that? I don't think so.
[...] Nowhere is the importance of software exemplified as effectively as it is in Google's imaging algorithms, which are so powerful they helped the Pixel 3 nab the smartphone camera crown in our tests. Not only can the phones capture clear, colorful pictures with just a single rear camera, but the Pixels produced the nicest Portrait mode effects using pure software alone. And with the magical Night Sight mode, Google easily kicked Apple and Samsung's butts in low light photography, turning dark, noisy pictures into shots that look like they were taken in daytime. [...] Counter-point: DxOMark's Pixel 3 camera score shows AI isn't enough.
DxOMark is the most obvious paid reviewer website ever. I don't have proof, but man that top 10 can't fool anyone.
What is impressive of software that doesn't let you do what you want? Seriously. I can't even record my calls. Simple feature that should be easily enabled on my phone. But no. It is disabled by Google software on their hardware. Can we stop giving credit to companies who cant't get the basics right. The software prevents me from using MY phone legally. Google even went out of their way to disable the feature. How can this even be considered great.
The other day I was just talking and Google assistant jumped in telling me it can't help with my request. There was none made. I'm not impressed I'm bored. I have real tasks to handle on a regular basis where Google software gets in the way.
If my doctors calls I would much prefer to automatically record the conversation in case I misinterpret his instructions not have a stupid assistant possibly give them the wrong message.
Not to mention the hardware/software integration is over rated and flaky especially that stupid dongle. I think /. is looking for stories on a slow day.
DRM? No thanks, I'll just get it somewhere else...
Thatâ(TM)s the reason I wouldnâ(TM)t use Android or Windows.
Not all data is created equal and mine is worth paying an Apple tax to have a privacy advocate in one of the worlds largest companies.
I made a mistake last year. I bought a Pixel 2. Previously I had Google Nexus 5, which was easy to root, easy to change ROMs (no gapps), and was decent.
Pixel 2 meant a year long fight with the software. It was a pain in the rear to root originally, and it was so touchy with software removal that it took me rougly 20 reflashes before I got an idea what not to remove from the system (removal of google.app renders pixel 2 unbootable, and it took me a week to neuter the monstrosity). Currently I am running my own build of AOSP, heavilly firewalled and gapp'less, but it took a year to make it as usable as Nexus was within days.
My next purchase will be Purism Libre 5. I realize that this is exactly what I want from a phone; nothing smart, just usable.