So Did Lenovo Finally Ruin Motorola?

[Raduque]

True, but every other flagship has an even bigger flaw compared to the Nexus line in my opinion: lack of proper updates. I'll settle for a camera without OIS every day if I can get timely updates.

Nexus and My S6 share the same device-breaking flaw for me, though: Lack of uSD card. I didn't think I would miss it that much, but I'm pretty desperate to get rid of this S6 and get a more open phone.

 

[lothar]

Problem with main Android is Google got it off the ground by allowing skinning, and OEMs have relied on skinning as a way to differentiate their brand.

Now the horse is out of the barn and Google lacks the leverage to put the genie back in the bottle. They tell Samsung "run stock Android without Touchwiz" and Samsung could say back "Screw you. We are forking Android and taking most of the high end users with us." Any attempt for Google to fix the problem would further fragment the ecosystem.

If regular people cared more about updates a Samsung would have to fix the problem themselves. But people don't so they won't.

Samsung doesn't have the upper hand here.
The moment Samsung does that, Google will remove their Play Store from Samsung devices.
Apps are why BB10 failed. Apps are why Amazon phone failed. Apps are why Bada failed. Apps are why Tizen is going to fail. Apps are why whatever Android fork Samsung develops will fail.

 

[lothar]

OEMs are unintentionally doing everything they can to push enthusiasts into Nexus. If I buy a new Android phone this year it's looking like I'm going to go Nexus (5X). I wasn't expect my current phone (2013 Moto X) to get an official update, but abandoning a flagship 2014 device and reneging on promised updates to the Moto E is very off-putting.

It's also kind of sad that these companies can't keep updates going for hardware 1-3 years old, especially as "good enough" hardware has made upgrading every year or every two years less compelling.

Did you read my post in this thread at all?
Moto E was promised at least 1 software update to Lollipop.
It got it's update.

I'm glad people are starting to realize this now regarding the "update" situation. The more people that get Google Nexus devices, the better.

 

[lothar]

So true. And it sucks given how every Nexus has to come with some flaw compared to other flagships.

Too bad the Google Play program is dead. Could you imagine a Google Play S6 or G4? Either would easily be the best enthusiast phone of the year.

What flaw did the Nexus 6 have?
Last I checked, it was a phone made for people like DLeRium who claim that they want a phone "without compromises"(like the OnePlus One was not)...

 

[ControlD]

Nexus and My S6 share the same device-breaking flaw for me, though: Lack of uSD card. I didn't think I would miss it that much, but I'm pretty desperate to get rid of this S6 and get a more open phone.

Yeah, I can see that. I don't use a ton of local storage on my devices (I am using 4.8 GB on my Nexus 6 right now) so I keep forgetting about the lack of expandable storage.

 

[Crono]

Did you read my post in this thread at all?
Moto E was promised at least 1 software update to Lollipop.
It got it's update.

Already read/heard it elsewhere before you posted it, and even the OP mentioned it. There's a difference, though, between how a company as a whole (and marketing people particularly) present a device versus what the fine print says. Legally they might be in the clear, but it's a little deceptive to talk up how the phone will be kept up to date in order to allay the fears of enthusiasts.

Maybe it was well known that it was only 1 guaranteed update back when it launched, but it's also too easy for others to dig up a graphic after the fact and dismiss consumer discontent as being unjustifiable.

 

[tsupersonic]

What flaw did the Nexus 6 have?
Last I checked, it was a phone made for people like DLeRium who claim that they want a phone "without compromises"(like the OnePlus One was not)...

Nexus 6 is too big, pricey (when it came out), and meh battery life. I think the 6P is also big, but it's a lot less wide than N6, which should make it easier to hold. I will need to get my hands on the N6P to confirm.

 

[IeraseU]

In answer to the OP, yes. I do believe that Motorola has gone down in terms of both customer service and timely updates since the Lenovo acquisition. I had a bad CS experience with them last year. Needless to say, I no longer recommend Motorola to my circle of contacts.

 

[poofyhairguy]

What flaw did the Nexus 6 have?

Camera was so-so. The too high of resolution screen negated the massive battery. The cost.

 

[lopri]

Updates are important and it is right to point out lack of ongoing support a minus of a smartphone. I am hesitant to point the finger only to the OEMs because I do not know how strong an influence/stronghold the carriers exert on updates, as inferred by the recent Motorola announcement. It is not too difficult to imagine the carriers trying to meddle with the updates for their gains. They also have to make sure compatibility of their crapware with updates. Another question mark is the degree of co-preparation between Google and the OEMs for a new update, but I assume for now that Google tries as much as it can since it is in its interest as well.

Having said that, I think it is also fair to point out that there is a choice for those who value fastest updates, i.e. the Nexuses. And I hope more OEMs follow the direct-sale route.

The Nexus 6 was not my thing. The combination of size and design makes one awkwardly-held phone. I got the Xperia Z Ultra instead, thinking I might as well go broke. :biggrin:

 

[zerogear]

I returned my Moto X Pure partially because of this news for an Xperia Z5, which hopefully will be supported better.

 

[Anubis]

I used to care about this, but then I looked at my current phone, a LG G3 and its never gotten an update because I rooted it on day 1 and turned off the update service. its still running 4.4.2

im too lazy and don't care enough to update myself or revert root and update and then root again

 

[Cakefish]

I persuaded my little brother to get a Moto E 2nd gen over a Sony Xperia E4 as a first phone because I presumed that there would be an update to Marshmallow. Very disappointed in Motorola, the Moto E 1st gen received more support.

 

[ThisIsChrisKim]

I used to care about this, but then I looked at my current phone, a LG G3 and its never gotten an update because I rooted it on day 1 and turned off the update service. its still running 4.4.2

im too lazy and don't care enough to update myself or revert root and update and then root again

You could flash newer versions of the firmware that are already rooted so you could get things like security updates?

 

[Anubis]

You could flash newer versions of the firmware that are already rooted so you could get things like security updates?

see my comment about being lazy

 

[lothar]

Camera was so-so. The too high of resolution screen negated the massive battery. The cost.

According to DxO, Nexus 6 had better camera than all other Android devices last year except Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 4, and Sony Xperia Z3.
Having a better camera than HTC and Moto should count for something.

I completely agree with you on resolution, even with today's SnapDragon 810.

Cost was the same price as other high-end devices from other Android manufacturers.
Yes, it was not really the same price range as the previous Nexus devices, but the phone was still priced competitively.

 

[lothar]

I persuaded my little brother to get a Moto E 2nd gen over a Sony Xperia E4 as a first phone because I presumed that there would be an update to Marshmallow. Very disappointed in Motorola, the Moto E 1st gen received more support.

Your entire post does not make an ounce of sense.

http://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/xperiae4/software/
According to Sony's website, Xperia E4 is still on freaking Kitkat 4.4.4 that was last updated on 06/26/15.
Moto E 2nd gen has been on Lollipop 5.1 Since May 14th.

If Sony can't update the Xperia E4 that you "regretted not letting your brother get" from Kitkat 4.4.4 where it is today to Lollipop, what makes you think Sony would have updated it to Marshmallow?

So you're disappointed in Motorola, but you're not disappointed in the Sony equivalent? Your extreme bias is showing here. :hmm:

Again, most Android OEMs don't update their cheap $100 phones(as we can see from the Sony Xperia E4 example here). Motorola is pretty much one of the only one that does(and they still do today), so I'm not sure why people are throwing their arms in the air regarding the Moto E 2nd gen not getting Marshmallow when they should be thankful that it's still not on Kitkat like the Xperia E4 that your brother wanted to get.

Show me a $100 Android phone getting upgraded to Marshmallow and we'll talk. Otherwise, Moto is still far ahead than other Android OEMs when it comes to Android updates on cheap phones.

 

[KeithP]

There is a lot of people in the Android community who are very upset with Motorola this week when it was discovered that the company doesn't plan to bring Android Marshmallow to the AT&T or Verizon versions of the Moto X 2014, or the 2015 Moto E:

...and how, exactly, do we know this was strictly Motorola's decision and the carriers had nothing to do with it?

-KeithP

 

[mikeymikec]

I can tolerate lack of support for a budget device, but a premium priced phone should at least receive 2 years of constant support or it's a no sell.

Only 2 years' support seems pretty stingy, IMO.

 

[poofyhairguy]

...and how, exactly, do we know this was strictly Motorola's decision and the carriers had nothing to do with it?

-KeithP

The carriers had a lot to do with it I bet, adding cost and complication to the process. The part that is Motos fault is not powering through and paying the cost to get it through the process.

I mean, Samsung and HTC are updating last years phones across the carriers. I can't see carriers specifically saying Moto can't push an update. Lenovo just doesn't want to spent the extra money to do it.

 

[dawheat]

Honestly I'd be more worried about what Lenovo does with the brand in several years. I hope it doesn't turn into the same ad infested, poor security mess they turned the Thinkpad line into.