Posted on

Google Pixel shows Google’s frustration and confusion with Android.

Google is known for its trial and error approach to products. In the past decade there were more products dropped by Google than continuing to flourish.

With new Pixel launch Google has abandoned Nexus line of smartphones, pure versions of popular phones. So what’s special about Pixel? 

  •  24*7 support from Google.
  • Pure Android.
  • Google assistant.
  • Best in class camera.

While not great the pros are good for Nexus. But with the pros there are several cons worth noticing.

  • Only 2 years of Android updates.
  • Poor design with a low screen to phone ratio.
  • No waterproofing.
  • No SD card support.
  • Premium pricing.
  • Low carrier availability.
  • No distinctive hardware features.
  • Below par hardware features than other leading Android manufacturers.
  • $100 bump for next level of storage.

With a long list of cons, it doesn’t look good for Google. 

And by increasing the price for Nexus to Pixel by almost twice, Google has reduced the value proposition associated with earlier Nexus models.

With not much changing between versions of hardware and software in modern phones, it needs to be seen if Pixel and Pixel XL will make any impact.
Time will tell if I’m wrong, but I’m waiting for a fire sale of Pixel to grab a few sometome early 2017.

Posted on

With Iphone losing its Momentum, will iphone 6 be exciting ?

Based on the sales numbers from previous Quarter it appears that iPhone is losing its momentum.  Over the last few years, there hasn’t been a new innovation in terms of phones. When iPhone burst into fame, it was the multi touch UI and Appstore. But over the last few years almost every phone has all these features and competition is only on the Speed and Megapixels etc.

Android market has  also matured well and several low end Android offering does what iphone does reasonably well.  And In high end space Samsung is churning out several exciting offerings which have for past year bettered iPhone in all departments.

iPhone 6

Going by Apple’s release cycle for iPhones, we should expect an iPhone 5S shortly,  and with a 5S Apple will try to match the same form and look and feel. But considering that iphone 5 didnt evoke excitement in the Smartphone market, will 5S make any ?

If Apple wants to catch Samsung in this game, they need to think different and come up with something innovative or more exciting,  guess would be a totally refreshed iPhone 6 instead of iPhone 5S.

But if Apple still believes in maintaining a tight schedule, most likely in 2 years time, Samsung will overtake Apple even in its home turf in US.

Posted on

Google magic behind Motorola’s next gen XPhone

Motorola has been a sub par device manufacturer,  due to the poor quality and poor UI, they have always been the also runners of the several markets.

But with Google’s acquisition a lifeline has been extended to Motorola. I personally was expecting Google would start pushing out new devices,  but overwhelming media response was that Google will spin-off the Hardware group  and just use the patents.

Luckily for us consumers it appears to be not the case, Google has deputed some of its senior product managers to lead the Motorola’s product division, and has put the focus back on innovation.

Google Nexus 4

Currently Motorola’s premier team under the guidance of former Google product manager Lior Ron (architect behind Google Maps)  is working on its breakthrough phone X Phone. They want to bring the next Iphone, something totally original and totally new.

With Google behind surely there will be something new, but even if Motorola comes out with a not so new but quality build and a clean android implementation , I will still take it.