71
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] falkerie71@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

Microsoft and the Surface line is not a great comparison imo, since their hardware specs aren't exactly unique, and every feature Windows has on Surface is the exact same on other brand laptops; while Pixel devices have Android features exclusive to them and not on any other Android phones.

If Google wants to sell Android/Google services and not just Pixel, wouldn't it be better to trickle down more features to mainline Android? Currently, the only previously Pixel-exclusive feature that is now available on any Google One subscription (that I know of) is Magic Eraser. Plus, Google now developing their own SoC and promising 7 years of software support for their hardware, means that they probably do care about hardware. (And we all know where Google products end up if they don't care enough about it)
Though admittedly I'm not a business analyzer, and I still need to sit on this question a bit to conclude my thoughts (problems include how Google would be able to put Pixel features into the hands of other phone manufacturers to improve Android). Appreciate the answer anyways.

[-] golli@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago

It's not neccessarily about being unique, but also serving as a reference.

Microsoft introduced the Surface line in 2012, same year as windows 8 that had a new UI designed to be used with a touch screen. They've also released devices with ARM processors to bring windows into that space, presumably with the idea that others might follow. But those attempts so far have failed. Probably due to simply not having any great SoCs available like the Apple with the M1.

You do have a good point with the Pixel exclusive features.

Isn't longer software support actually something that might decrease hardware sales, rather than increase them? Considering it might lead to people using their device for longer. That said i think it is partially to avoid bad optics compared to apple and some of the android manufacturers like samsung. This also seems like a point where the pixel line might try to set an example for more to follow. It might have benefits for google, if more phones are consistently running the newest version.

I wonder if they'd develop a SoC themself, if there were a great mobile SoC on the market with dedicated hardware for ai/machine learning. Apple has with the neural engine in their chips, but that obviously isn't for sale. Google, like many others, is rolling out products that might make use of it, so it is definitely desirable to have. And Google is actually in a good position to develop it, since they didn't start from scratch designing chips, but have done so for a while with the TPUs for their data centers (where they do care about hardware). So this might be aimed at leading the market due to neccessity, since outside of apple others might not have the hardware ready for when the software/service side might need it.

[-] falkerie71@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Isn't longer software support actually something that might decrease hardware sales, rather than increase them?

Apple already has a track record of supporting their old phones for 5+ years, yet they still make loads of money every year on iPhone sales. So while it may seem to lead to lower hardware sales in the long run, I don't think it necessarily means lower profit.

It might have benefits for google, if more phones are consistently running the newest version.

Good point.

Do you see a future where Google makes Tensor chips available on other phones? It would probably be inevitable if the Pixel line goes in the graveyard, but for now, I don't really know. Might piss off chip designers like Qualcomm and Mediatek except maybe Samsung.
I could see Tensor be the next evolution in Samsung Exynos chips since Tensor is derived from Exynos, so the first phones outside of Google to use their chips may be Samsung phones if it ever comes true.

this post was submitted on 09 Oct 2023
71 points (100.0% liked)

Android

17677 readers
12 users here now

The new home of /r/Android on Lemmy and the Fediverse!

Android news, reviews, tips, and discussions about rooting, tutorials, and apps.

🔗Universal Link: !android@lemdro.id


💡Content Philosophy:

Content which benefits the community (news, rumours, and discussions) is generally allowed and is valued over content which benefits only the individual (technical questions, help buying/selling, rants, self-promotion, etc.) which will be removed if it's in violation of the rules.


Support, technical, or app related questions belong in: !askandroid@lemdro.id

For fresh communities, lemmy apps, and instance updates: !lemdroid@lemdro.id

💬Matrix Chat

💬Telegram channels / chats

📰Our communities below


Rules

  1. Stay on topic: All posts should be related to the Android OS or ecosystem.

  2. No support questions, recommendation requests, rants, or bug reports: Posts must benefit the community rather than the individual. Please post to !askandroid@lemdro.id.

  3. Describe images/videos, no memes: Please include a text description when sharing images or videos. Post memes to !androidmemes@lemdro.id.

  4. No self-promotion spam: Active community members can post their apps if they answer any questions in the comments. Please do not post links to your own website, YouTube, blog content, or communities.

  5. No reposts or rehosted content: Share only the original source of an article, unless it's not available in English or requires logging in (like Twitter). Avoid reposting the same topic from other sources.

  6. No editorializing titles: You can add the author or website's name if helpful, but keep article titles unchanged.

  7. No piracy or unverified APKs: Do not share links or direct people to pirated content or unverified APKs, which may contain malicious code.

  8. No unauthorized polls, bots, or giveaways: Do not create polls, use bots, or organize giveaways without first contacting mods for approval.

  9. No offensive or low-effort content: Don't post offensive or unhelpful content. Keep it civil and friendly!

  10. No affiliate links: Posting affiliate links is not allowed.

Quick Links

Our Communities

Lemmy App List

Chat and More


founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS