Pixel 2 Stuff

[sze5003]

Phone looks pretty meh aesthetically. Aside from the novelty that is the front speakers, I can't see anyone paying +$950 for this phone rather than the s8 (inafterstocklauncherdebate).

True that's how I feel..I know it's worth it performance and Android experience wise but aesthetically it just looks like a taller 6p with bezels that are just slightly smaller.

The xl I think kind of looks like a phone within a phone due to the rounded edges and bezels on the display. Why did they go with that if they are going to add bezels on the side too?

Oh I guess because bezels may be needed for the squeeze actions on the side of the phone like the HTC u11...something I'll probably never use.

 

[core2slow]

True that's how I feel..I know it's worth it performance and Android experience wise but aesthetically it just looks like a taller 6p with bezels that are just slightly smaller.

The xl I think kind of looks like a phone within a phone due to the rounded edges and bezels on the display. Why did they go with that if they are going to add bezels on the side too?

Oh I guess because bezels may be needed for the squeeze actions on the side of the phone like the HTC u11...something I'll probably never use.

I think the whole stock experience is hyperbolically overblown IMO. This isn't your early Nexus series where there's a noticeable difference between skinned and non-skinned UI. Hell, I've been using Huawei's EMUI for the past 3 years and putting my phone through the ringer every single day and it's smooth as butter. OEM UI aside, even the 3rd party launchers are knocking at the doorstep when it comes to that smooth Android experience... So the whole differentiating factor of a having a Nexus/pixel phone is a wash to me (note: I haven't used a pixel phone but I do daily a pixel C tablet running stock 8.0 so I have a pretty good base for comparison). People can continue drinking the koolaid to validate their purchase, but I think it's a moot point right now.

Aside from that, the other thing I don't like is widening the side bezels. Like, WHY?? Could be the gimmicky squeeze action like you said.

 

[sze5003]

I think the whole stock experience is hyperbolically overblown IMO. This isn't your early Nexus series where there's a noticeable difference between skinned and non-skinned UI. Hell, I've been using Huawei's EMUI for the past 3 years and putting my phone through the ringer every single day and it's smooth as butter. OEM UI aside, even the 3rd party launchers are knocking at the doorstep when it comes to that smooth Android experience... So the whole differentiating factor of a having a Nexus/pixel phone is a wash to me (note: I haven't used a pixel phone but I do daily a pixel C tablet running stock 8.0 so I have a pretty good base for comparison). People can continue drinking the koolaid to validate their purchase, but I think it's a moot point right now.

Aside from that, the other thing I don't like is widening the side bezels. Like, WHY?? Could be the gimmicky squeeze action like you said.

The stock experience also involved automatic updates now..you just reboot your phone and get the update immediately. Another thing about google is you get the update the day it is posted on the Google images site. Well I update manually as soon as they drop but it's nice not having to wait for third parties.

Im talking about comparing it to Samsung's or LG's UI interfaces. I never liked the third party interfaces even though i use nova launcher. But I do like having the updates as soon as they are available.

I believe the side bezel is there for the squeeze action which honestly I'll find annoying more than anything. Maybe I'll use it for Google Assistant.

I totally understand the bezel on top and bottom they got those pretty small and still managed to put in there front speakers. But yea the sides should have just been screen to the edges that way the rounded screen edges would blend in rather than stick out like you are looking at a phone within a phone.

 

[Red Storm]

I forgot about the squeeze thing, that must explain the side bezels. I'd rather have a real edge to edge display than the squeeze capability, but whatever.

 

[OWR88]

After years of LG and Samsung phones, the Pixel stock experience is by far the best and closest to iPhone. Samsung phones could never keep up during heavy use. The Samsung stutter ruins anything else it has going for it. I have done the Nova launcher, Google Now launcher, LG and Samsung UI and none of them come close to Pixel. People can pretend a Nova launcher suddenly turns their S7 and S8 into a buttery smooth phone like Pixel but they are simply fooling themselves.

 

[sze5003]

After years of LG and Samsung phones, the Pixel stock experience is by far the best and closest to iPhone. Samsung phones could never keep up during heavy use. The Samsung stutter ruins anything else it has going for it. I have done the Nova launcher, Google Now launcher, LG and Samsung UI and none of them come close to Pixel. People can pretend a Nova launcher suddenly turns their S7 and S8 into a buttery smooth phone like Pixel but they are simply fooling themselves.

It's a good launcher I just find it kind of stuffy for some reason. Maybe too much white background on the app drawer but I like the google now cards on the left with the news feeds. I'm glad nova added that feature now.

 

[Red Storm]

Google's launcher needs some basic stuff like being able to hide apps in the drawer, or put folders in there. And also being able to swipe down on empty parts of the screen to access the notification bar. If I could do those I might actually give it a try, but for now Nova is still king of the launchers for me.

Edit: Below is the link to Google's Youtube livestream. 12pm eastern time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YGoxbeSzLc

 

[sze5003]

Google's launcher needs some basic stuff like being able to hide apps in the drawer, or put folders in there. And also being able to swipe down on empty parts of the screen to access the notification bar. If I could do those I might actually give it a try, but for now Nova is still king of the launchers for me.

Edit: Below is the link to Google's Youtube livestream. 12pm eastern time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YGoxbeSzLc

Honestly that's what's missing and I hope they would add it later. Just some customizable options like folders and hiding apps for example stuff like tinder and bumble show up so huge on the phone. People will notice and ask all about them sometimes.

The ability to resize icons too would be nice, scroll left and right instead of up and down, etc. I'm glad I got nova pro on sale for $1 a long time ago.

 

[Red Storm]

Honestly that's what's missing and I hope they would add it later. Just some customizable options like folders and hiding apps for example stuff like tinder and bumble show up so huge on the phone. People will notice and ask all about them sometimes.

The ability to resize icons too would be nice, scroll left and right instead of up and down, etc. I'm glad I got nova pro on sale for $1 a long time ago.

Heh I got Nova Pro for a couple dollars way back when, so worth it even when not on sale.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Google Event is going on now.

 

[openwheel]

Nest and Disney.....

Google take my money now........

 

[sze5003]

Nest and Disney.....

Google take my money now........

Yup looks very nice. I'd want one in my apartment but dunno if they would allow me.

 

[openwheel]

Google Max is not for me. It will not outperform my speakers and amp.

 

[sze5003]

I'm using nice klepsch speakers from my desktop. They are also Bluetooth but I have nothing in the living room so I may pick that up.

 

[openwheel]

Home Max will likely outperform your desktop Klipsch setup. The blown up picture of it looks promising, and if it can do room correction (that's what I think they just touted), it will be quite good.

 

[sze5003]

Yea I was hoping it would be a little less expensive but getting one for the living room will be very nice so I don't need to keep going to my room and change volume on current speakers when I want music throughout.

The klepsch are super loud and crisp but going back and forth to change songs and stuff is annoying.

 

[openwheel]

also, I think you can buy two of them and set them up in traditional stereo setup for better sound stage and imaging.

I may do this for my surrounds.

 

[sze5003]

Phones are coming up now.
XL 2 looks better than the renders on the front. Looks like edge to edge screen..yes.

 

[core2slow]

98 DxO score... Yikes!

 

[openwheel]

98 DXO score!!!!!! I am switching my wife's iPhone too, not just mine. I am SOLD!!!

 

[sze5003]

Ordered 2 pixel 2 XL's 128gb. One for my roommate and one for me.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Ordered pixel 2 xl

Crap, I didn't realize you can order. Should I trade in a Nexus 6P 64gb for $155? Or can I get more selling it on Craigslist?

 

[sze5003]

Crap, I didn't realize you can order. Should I trade in a Nexus 6P 64gb for $155? Or can I get more selling it on Craigslist?

Sell it privately that's like GameStop prices.

 

[dawheat]

Argh $950 before tax for 128GB XL which I think is necessary since there's no expandable storage. The camera is super tempting but the S8+ I currently run cost $525 during a Samsung sale + trade-in of a junk phone.

Any deals popping up yet for non-Verizon phones? MSRP being what it is, I'm not feeling paying over $600 real world for any phone where next year's is always better.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Sell it privately that's like GameStop prices.

Yeah, you're right.

Ordered a Just Black Pixel 2 XL, 128gb with Preferred Care for $1,137.31(including tax).