Google I/O 2021

[ian87w]

I’m surprised no main thread about this yet.

My favs:
- Better Google Maps for more efficient routes. This is hopefully will be a huge benefit for my country, where gridlocks and non-ideal roads are common.
- my country is featured in the google lens story video!
- better privacy for Android. Hopefully it’s not just lip service. What I hate on Android is how some apps will deny running if you don’t give it all the permissions it asked for, and the permissions asked are often suspicious (eg. A simple utility asking for contacts and sms permission).
- Samsung wearOS watch. Although no hardware is shown, the fact that it’s Samsung means it is highly likely to be available in my country.

With Samsung becoming a tier 1+ partner for Google now, I wonder how other OEMs would feel. This might mean for premium Android experience in many markets, Samsung is the only choice.

 

[drinkingtea]

Android 12 looks great, TBH. It’s giving me iOS vibes, and I like that Google is finally trying with the widgets. I’m so tempted to get a Pixel in the fall, especially if the Pixel Watch is announced.

 

[Expos of 1969]

As a happy owner of a Samsung Galaxy S10e and user of Google One, Google Photos, Google Maps and Gmail I am pleased to see that lots is happening. Interesting times ahead.

 

[Homme]

And for those who wanted to know about Pixel compatibility the Pixel 2 isn’t getting Android 12 it’s for Pixel 3 and later

 

[LFC2020]

And for those who wanted to know about Pixel compatibility the Pixel 2 isn’t getting Android 12 it’s for Pixel 3 and later

Wow, poor form by google, 3 years support ?‍♂️

 

[Homme]

Wow, poor form by google, 3 years support ?‍♂️

indeed. One of the biggest reasons why I prefer Apple to Google

 

[LFC2020]

indeed. One of the biggest reasons why I prefer Apple to Google

Absolutely, good to know my 2018 iPad Pro will be supported for another 3-4 years ?

 

[ian87w]

Wow, poor form by google, 3 years support ?‍♂️

Yeah, although that’s not bad in Android world, and Google already stated the lifecycle of their Pixel phones upfront, so buyers know when their phones will stop getting updates. Wish other OEMs at least do something similar, a clear timeline of software updates on their phones.

 

[Steve Adams]

Wow, poor form by google, 3 years support ?‍♂️

What phone do you have now? How long have you had it? 90 % of people change their phone every 2 years on the upgrade cycle so 3 years support is fine.

 

[mi7chy]

Here's a recap in under 9 minutes if 2 hours is too long.

 

[ian87w]

What phone do you have now? How long have you had it? 90 % of people change their phone every 2 years on the upgrade cycle so 3 years support is fine.

Hmm for enthusiasts,the 1 or 2 years upgrade cycle might be correct, but not for the general people. People will simply use their phones until it literally break, just like PCs. General people don't particularly care about updates, but since phones are becoming an important computer for most, imo it's irresponsible for OEMs to not at least push the monthly security patches (which Google has made it very easy to implement).

 

[LFC2020]

What phone do you have now? How long have you had it? 90 % of people change their phone every 2 years on the upgrade cycle so 3 years support is fine.

Not the point, I know people who are still using iPhone 6s, 7 and so on, the longer software support the better it is for everyone.

 

[jeremiah256]

What phone do you have now? How long have you had it? 90 % of people change their phone every 2 years on the upgrade cycle so 3 years support is fine.

People pass on their phones to children and other relatives. Plus, it hurts the resell value is wasteful and potentially harmful to the environment.

 

[Steve Adams]

Not the point, I know people who are still using iPhone 6s, 7 and so on, the longer software support the better it is for everyone.

Well, pretty well everyone around these parts ditch their phone every time their contract is due. You get trade in values for your old devices, which keeps them from the landfill and you come away with a new device for "nothing" up front. It's the way it is here, so 3 years of device support is fine. Really, I can't understand apples reasoning for going 5. They want to sell more phones .

 

[ian87w]

Well, pretty well everyone around these parts ditch their phone every time their contract is due. You get trade in values for your old devices, which keeps them from the landfill and you come away with a new device for "nothing" up front. It's the way it is here, so 3 years of device support is fine. Really, I can't understand apples reasoning for going 5. They want to sell more phones .

3 years of OS support is rare in Android world, only Pixel (which is only available in select few markets) and Samsung. The rest have just 2 or 1 year at best. In my country, there’s no contracts nor subsidy on phones, so people buy them and use them until they break or they got bored with it. There are still a lot of people using old Galaxy J phones, for example. And the used market is alive and well, thus those old phones get used for an even longer extended amount of time. Considering Google has made it so easy for OEMs to apply security patches (Google even send them to OEMs a month in advance), there’s really no reason for the OEMs not pushing these patches, other than laziness.

 

[Steve Adams]

3 years of OS support is rare in Android world, only Pixel (which is only available in select few markets) and Samsung. The rest have just 2 or 1 year at best. In my country, there’s no contracts nor subsidy on phones, so people buy them and use them until they break or they got bored with it. There are still a lot of people using old Galaxy J phones, for example. And the used market is alive and well, thus those old phones get used for an even longer extended amount of time. Considering Google has made it so easy for OEMs to apply security patches (Google even send them to OEMs a month in advance), there’s really no reason for the OEMs not pushing these patches, other than laziness.

I agree, however, 3 years of support is enough for 90 percent of the population using these devices. The people using the devices longer than that really don't care as they are just casual users. As long as the app works, they are happy. they don't care that they are not getting feature updates etc. Anyone worried about that stuff buy more than every 3 years. The people here are the exception, not the rule.

 

[ian87w]

I agree, however, 3 years of support is enough for 90 percent of the population using these devices. The people using the devices longer than that really don't care as they are just casual users. As long as the app works, they are happy. they don't care that they are not getting feature updates etc. Anyone worried about that stuff buy more than every 3 years. The people here are the exception, not the rule.

Couple things. First, 3 years is the exception (only Google and Samsung), not the norm. The norm is still between none to 2 years at best.

And just because there are people using used phones, why should they not be covered security wise? People on an old $400 Windows 10 laptop are still fully patched the same as those with $2000 laptop. Why should those casual people receive less security, regardless whether they themselves care or not?

I’m not arguing with you about the reality, but I think it’s time for us to demand some accountability from these OEMs. Smartphones has become an integral part of our lives, there’s no reason for these critical devices to not at least get 4 to 5 years of security patches. I’m not saying OS upgrades, I’m saying security patches, which Google has made it very easy to update. I believe if you make a device that you know has patchable security issues, but refuse to patch it, you should be liable.

Anyway, I’ll stop. This is supposed to be a thread about I/O 2021…

 

[jamezr]

Wow, poor form by google, 3 years support 🤦‍♂️

Speaking of support...did Apple replace your iphone that had the tint issues you mentioned in other forums here on MR?

 

[michael9891]

Every thread title in this section needs changing to "How can we make this about Apple" to satisfy the Apple fans. No surprise who initiated the deviance from Google I/O. Obsessed.

 

[sracer]

Google I/O felt a little flat for me this year. Given how well chromebooks did in 2020, I was anticipating that Google would've leveraged that to announce some rubber-meets-the-road type of services. The oohs and aahs of the gimmicks like Cinematic Moments and Project Starline catch attention, but not really something that will impact many on a day to day basis.

 

[5105973]

And for those who wanted to know about Pixel compatibility the Pixel 2 isn’t getting Android 12 it’s for Pixel 3 and later

Yeah sadly I saw that coming and “decommissioned” my much loved Pixel 2, which I used as recently as a few months ago as a secondary phone despite my penchant for also running state of the art top of the line iPhones and Galaxy phones.

That Pixel was really just a good all around phone. The kids had fun playing with Google Playground AR and I entertained many a friend’s cranky little kid with it on team trips so of course Google abandoned it.

I will credit Google with keeping the camera on that phone updated with significant improvements and low light capability that prevented it from ever feeling too dated.

 

[andy2141]

So I was feeling brave…

 

[tbayrgs]

Every thread title in this section needs changing to "How can we make this about Apple" to satisfy the fan boys. No surprise who initiated the deviance from Google I/O. Obsessed.

The ignore button is invaluable in this subforum, my friend. It makes these threads much more palatable.

 

[Awesomesince86]

The ignore button is invaluable in this subforum, my friend. It makes these threads much more palatable.

Careful. I got banned for a few days for mentioning that posters should use the ignore function to combat against trolls. Modding here is, ugh, different.

 

[tbayrgs]

Careful. I got banned for a few days for mentioning that posters should use the ignore function to combat against trolls. Modding here is, ugh, different.

Seriously!? If I got banned/suspended for suggesting the use of a forum feature for its intended function would mean I leave these forums forever. Hope the mods read this post too.

From the sound of it, looks like I better say my farewells to all of you now.