Google Pixel / Home Release

[Reality]

Yeah, I'll use Google as my router. Why don't I just let them stick a probe in my skull.

In 12-18 months they'll forget they launched half the stuff they announced.

I think I'm alone in my disinterest for Amazon Echo / Google Home category of products. They seem like Sharper Image or SkyMall level products.

That's actually a concern of mine as well. Google tends to move on from products and services even when they remain popular simply because they no longer fit their long term plans. I don't blame them for doing what is best for their company, but at the same time, as a consumer, it makes me less likely to trust them going forward.

I would rather see other, more market-focused companies launch successful next-gen products like that because they would have more focus on them and would have incentive to keep supporting them well into the future while continuing to bring out upgrades.

In 2 years for example, Google could just as easily get out of the phone business entirely. They outsourced the manufacturing process of the Pixel phone which is one step in that direction. They may realize they are a "software" and "service" company and let other companies take the lead. In fact, that may even be their plan now that I think about it.

 

[Seven]

Skymall rocks. I got one of them there golf ball washers that works great on my scalp......

 

[Leadbelly]

That's actually a concern of mine as well. Google tends to move on from products and services even when they remain popular simply because they no longer fit their long term plans. I don't blame them for doing what is best for their company, but at the same time, as a consumer, it makes me less likely to trust them going forward.

I would rather see other, more market-focused companies launch successful next-gen products like that because they would have more focus on them and would have incentive to keep supporting them well into the future while continuing to bring out upgrades.

In 2 years for example, Google could just as easily get out of the phone business entirely. They outsourced the manufacturing process of the Pixel phone which is one step in that direction. They may realize they are a "software" and "service" company and let other companies take the lead. In fact, that may even be their plan now that I think about it.

Yeah. It's been a new phone hardware strategy with Google every couple of years. It's like the Cowboys and tight ends in the 2nd round. Hard to have faith they'll stick to anything and they unfortunately feel compelled to do everything.

Wonder what the plan is if HTC goes out of business in the next 2-3 years or decides they want to focus solely on VR. The general industry feeling is they'll be the next phone manufacturer to give up the ghost. Not sure they're they experts at supply chain and manufacturing management Google is hoping for.

That said, good timing by Google with Samsung's phones and that cool Mission Impossible feature.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I'm referring to its commercial performance.

Android dominates the Smartphone market.

iPhone is by a single vendor selling a single phone. They tend to sell more by specific product/model because they are the only choice in town when it comes to iOS. As a phone type, Android destroys the iPhone in sales.

 

[YosemiteSam]

So, it doesn't have to be sexy as long as it vibrates and fits in your pocket? Got it

Damn skippy!

 

[YosemiteSam]

I think I'm alone in my disinterest for Amazon Echo / Google Home category of products. They seem like Sharper Image or SkyMall level products.

It's the precursor to the Star Trek computer. The Amazon Echo is extremely limited in it's ability yet I use it every single day. Google's is much more powerful and I am extremely excited to finally get to use something that can be so much more effective in my everyday life.

 

[Reality]

Android dominates the Smartphone market.

iPhone is by a single vendor selling a single phone. They tend to sell more by specific product/model because they are the only choice in town when it comes to iOS. As a phone type, Android destroys the iPhone in sales.

Even Samsung alone outsells Apple worldwide.

 

[TheCount]

I would rather see other, more market-focused companies launch successful next-gen products like that because they would have more focus on them and would have incentive to keep supporting them well into the future while continuing to bring out upgrades.

Even Apple doesn't build it's own phones. Google's approach to "Designed by Google" isn't any different from Apple's, "Designed in Cupertino".

Chances are that you're right and eventually Google may drop support for the Pixel, but again, Apple dropped support of the iPhone 4 a few years back, so I'm not sure how unusual that might actually be.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

Yeah, I'll use Google as my router. Why don't I just let them stick a probe in my skull.

In 12-18 months they'll forget they launched half the stuff they announced.

I think I'm alone in my disinterest for Amazon Echo / Google Home category of products. They seem like Sharper Image or SkyMall level products.

Like i tell everyone...these are the first versions of iron man's JARVIS...gotta go through the first gen to get to the future gens

 

[65fastback2plus2]

In 2 years for example, Google could just as easily get out of the phone business entirely. They outsourced the manufacturing process of the Pixel phone which is one step in that direction. They may realize they are a "software" and "service" company and let other companies take the lead. In fact, that may even be their plan now that I think about it.

This isnt entirely true. They actually took multiple steps back the other direction. The nexus phones were designed and manufactured by someone else.

Pixel phones brought the design in-house completely under google. They only outsourced the manufacturing this time, which is identical to what apple does. That still makes them a service company...it just means they have more control over the service now.

 

[YosemiteSam]

This isnt entirely true. They actually took multiple steps back the other direction. The nexus phones were designed and manufactured by someone else.

Pixel phones brought the design in-house completely under google. They only outsourced the manufacturing this time, which is identical to what apple does. That still makes them a service company...it just means they have more control over the service now.

Yep, this is exactly right. Before with the Nexus line, they laid the ground rules with the manufacturer of things it was required to have, but didn't tie the manufactures to a full set of exact specifications.

These phones are designed from the ground up by Google. Which is why they have the ugly back as you say. Look at Google websites. It freaking matches their design philosophy. hah

 

[Cowboy Brian]

Android dominates the Smartphone market.

iPhone is by a single vendor selling a single phone. They tend to sell more by specific product/model because they are the only choice in town when it comes to iOS. As a phone type, Android destroys the iPhone in sales.

Yes, I am well aware of that; I am talking about a phone that can compete with the iPhone for the high-end of the market, after this recent debacle I doubt Samsung's products will be doing so and to my knowledge the Galaxy line is the closest thing Apple has had to a head-on competitor. You really must have a disdain for Apple products lol.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Yes, I am well aware of that; I am talking about a phone that can compete with the iPhone for the high-end of the market, after this recent debacle I doubt Samsung's products will be doing so and to my knowledge the Galaxy line is the closest thing Apple has had to a head-on competitor. You really must have a disdain for Apple products lol.

I have disdain for Steve Jobs and his ethics (or lack thereof) that he embedded into to Apple.

 

[Reality]

Even Apple doesn't build it's own phones. Google's approach to "Designed by Google" isn't any different from Apple's, "Designed in Cupertino".

Chances are that you're right and eventually Google may drop support for the Pixel, but again, Apple dropped support of the iPhone 4 a few years back, so I'm not sure how unusual that might actually be.

By that definition, most companies that make technology products "outsource" their manufacturing process. The problem with Google is they hand their manufacturing process over to phone manufacturers, not assembly manufacturers. The Nexus phone was made by LG (who also makes their own phones), and the Pixel was made by HTC (who also makes their own phones). As far as I am concerned, this is an HTC Phone with a Google logo slapped on it.

That's my point. If Apple was hiring LG, HTC, Samsung, etc. to make their phones, then you could say they are doing the same thing. It is essentially an exclusive licensing agreement. It would be like the NFL hiring Nike to create "NFL" jerseys. No one thinks they are NFL-made jerseys. They are simply Nike Jerseys with the NFL logo on them.

There is nothing wrong with what Google did except it makes it a lot easier for them in the future, such as 2 years from now, to say, "Okay, we're done making phones" (since they never really made them in the first place).

Companies like Apple, Samsung, HTC, LG, etc. make phones as part of their primary business focus. Meaning, they are less likely to shift like the wind simply because they lose interest and decide something else is more important.

Google has been around for 18 years and still has no idea what it is beyond search and Gmail. On any given day in the future, every other service, product, etc. by Google could be shut down. The only thing you can count on with Google is that Search and Gmail are not going anywhere. I am not anti-Google, but I am weary of trusting any company who randomly makes decisions to change directions without any regard to people they pushed to rely on their services or products.

When it comes to products, Google cannot make up its mind. On one hand they want to be the software (aka: brains, nervous system, etc.) behind all technology. On the other hand, they want to be Apple so people look at them as more than just software and services. As a result, what you get is hybrid products that are not as good as Apple's, at least not in the minds of average consumers.