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tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
7,467
5,097
Do the live wallpapers work when ever the screen comes on? I never use live wallpapers on my iPhone because you have to 3D Touch them to get them to work. I assuming that's not the case with Pixel right?

Are the new live wallpapers limited specifically to the Pixel? I downloaded the new Wallpaper app from Google but only have Earth, Landscapes, Cityscapes, Life, and Textures. These are beautiful but was hoping to try out the live ones.
 

Blaze4G

macrumors 65816
Oct 31, 2015
1,300
1,177
Are the new live wallpapers limited specifically to the Pixel? I downloaded the new Wallpaper app from Google but only have Earth, Landscapes, Cityscapes, Life, and Textures. These are beautiful but was hoping to try out the live ones.
I don't see live wallpapers either. I was thinking maybe you have to get the pixel launcher for it to work...just a guess though.
 
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epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
Apparently Google is doing quarterly software updates. So even though it maxes out at two years, you get four updates per year. And three years of monthly security updates.

Then you factor in that these updates are seamless and happen automatically in the background? That sounds advanced. When it's ready, it just needs a reboot.

Let's also not forget, for all Android phones, Google's core apps are updated through the Play store on a rather frequent basis all throughout the year.

Google's update strategy for the Pixels may be different from Apple's, but that's not a bad thing. It's just as robust in its own way and the seamless updating in the background sounds impressive as heck. It frankly makes iOS' method, which can only be downloaded via wifi, feel archaic. Same is true for "large" apps in the App store; can only be done on wifi.



http://www.androidpolice.com/2016/10/20/the-5-best-things-about-the-google-pixel-and-pixel-xl/
 
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Radon87000

macrumors 604
Nov 29, 2013
7,777
6,255
Went back to test the speakers. They sounded almost exactly the same volume as my s7 edge. Except the Pixel was clearer and more crisp. The bass is very weak. Acceptable coming from my s7 edge but again, it's hard to ignore what could've been. They should have at least done what the HTC 10 did with the earpiece acting as a secondary speaker.

It's a shame.

I tested the brightness again also, and have to reiterate that the s7e screen is absolutely vibrant and glowing at max compared to both pixels at max.

And got to see the black one in person. Drab and kind of boring, but nice.

I also revisited the XL again and I gotta say it's quite nice. I think XL owners are going to be particularly happy.



In conclusion: I walked away impressed, but also unimpressed. I know that sounds weird. They are nice devices in their own right, but they're also incredibly safe. And let's be fair, holding them up to an S7 Edge will inevitably make them look and feel boring, as it does holding it up to virtually any smartphone today including the iPhone.

Having said that, I think I will likely preorder...

Is the display better looking than an iPhone display?
 

Lava Lamp Freak

macrumors 68000
Jun 1, 2006
1,572
624
Is the display better looking than an iPhone display?

It depends on what is important to you, and whether you're talking about the 5" Pixel or 5.5 XL. I have the 5".

With sRGB mode enabled, the white point changes and the colors look like an IPS screen. So, you've got best of both words -- true blacks and true colors. My only complaint is that after having it at home and using it all day, I can notice the Pentile nature of it at times (or diamond pixels whatever they want to call it) -- the same as I did with my S5. It's a noticeable difference to a true RGB stripe of the same resolution. I never noticed it with S6 or S7 because of the increased pixel density. It's not a problem or a reason I'd return, but it is something that I do notice. Others may not notice it at all. At the store with the bright lighting, I didn't notice it.

In my opinion, as someone who can't stand the disadvantages of IPS displays: It's a beautiful display, and I prefer it over IPS.

Edit: I should add, if I move the phone about 3 more inches from my face from where I normally hold it at, I don't see the Pentile effect any more. So, depending on your vision you might not see it at all. I just want to reiterate that it's a gorgeous screen with sRGB mode enabled. I wouldn't like it without it though. Too much saturation by default, for my taste.
 
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spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
OK I have to say I've done an about face on this phone, although I still wouldn't personally buy one. But I can certainly see the appeal, and also am starting to appreciate what Google is doing here more and more. This article pretty much sums up my thoughts and why I've come around: https://9to5google.com/2016/10/20/o...its-the-least-frustrating-android-phone-ever/

Now why wouldn't I buy one? Well firstly I've grown quite protective of my privacy and just feel like with Google I have no idea where every bit of information on me is going, how it's being used or stored and who is allowed to have access to it. Secondly I still feel it's overpriced in light of how much money Google makes off of me, I strongly feel there should be a subsidy on the hardware if I'm giving up my information to make them money. BUT...with that said, I feel it's not worth the money FOR ME. For you other guys that don't have those concerns and find value in the phone, then I can completely understand and agree. Timely updates, smooth software, and the one thing Google has over Apple is the unlocked bootloader, these are well worth it for the right buyer. I will most likely grab one in 3 months or so when they are nicely discounted on Swappa, but for now I'll just keep reading about them.
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
OK I have to say I've done an about face on this phone, although I still wouldn't personally buy one. But I can certainly see the appeal, and also am starting to appreciate what Google is doing here more and more. This article pretty much sums up my thoughts and why I've come around: https://9to5google.com/2016/10/20/o...its-the-least-frustrating-android-phone-ever/

Now why wouldn't I buy one? Well firstly I've grown quite protective of my privacy and just feel like with Google I have no idea where every bit of information on me is going, how it's being used or stored and who is allowed to have access to it. Secondly I still feel it's overpriced in light of how much money Google makes off of me, I strongly feel there should be a subsidy on the hardware if I'm giving up my information to make them money. BUT...with that said, I feel it's not worth the money FOR ME. For you other guys that don't have those concerns and find value in the phone, then I can completely understand and agree. Timely updates, smooth software, and the one thing Google has over Apple is the unlocked bootloader, these are well worth it for the right buyer. I will most likely grab one in 3 months or so when they are nicely discounted on Swappa, but for now I'll just keep reading about them.
I don't have it yet so I don't know for sure, but I think you can still use the phone and pure Android on it without turning over all of your information on it. You just won't be able to use the Googley nosy helpful stuff.

On my Samsung I was given the option of denying Assistant's request for access to my information when I ran across her on Allo. Of course, if I do that, she can't function. But I could still use Allo. Though I prefer to use other messengers that have end to end encryption.

Once I discovered that most of the information I consider most sensitive, personal and dangerous is already entirely searchable via public records searches, I became less concerned about Google's form of consumer oriented data mining. I'm a mercurial person and what I like changes a lot from year to year, anyway. I'm always trying new things. I can be a very different person from a marketing standpoint, so I don't care if they know I like to eat mangos THIS year. Next year I may hate mangoes. I try to keep my character and morals consistent, but other than that, I've sampled many different religions and have changed political parties and have both ultra liberal and ultra conservative friends I admire equally. Don't even ask me about my hair color and style changes! The only thing I plan to keep consistent about myself to my dying day is my striving to be a kind and positive person. Everything else is subject to change. Good luck tracking all that, Google. Oh okay...I do have a lifelong love affair with chocolate.

Really, it is our public records that are the enemy. We have nothing in place legally to protect ourselves from the remarkably invasive profiles that can be gleaned from the public records. This is something we need to discuss with our lawmakers.
 

KillaMac

Suspended
May 25, 2013
973
374
OK I have to say I've done an about face on this phone, although I still wouldn't personally buy one. But I can certainly see the appeal, and also am starting to appreciate what Google is doing here more and more. This article pretty much sums up my thoughts and why I've come around: https://9to5google.com/2016/10/20/o...its-the-least-frustrating-android-phone-ever/

Now why wouldn't I buy one? Well firstly I've grown quite protective of my privacy and just feel like with Google I have no idea where every bit of information on me is going, how it's being used or stored and who is allowed to have access to it. Secondly I still feel it's overpriced in light of how much money Google makes off of me, I strongly feel there should be a subsidy on the hardware if I'm giving up my information to make them money. BUT...with that said, I feel it's not worth the money FOR ME. For you other guys that don't have those concerns and find value in the phone, then I can completely understand and agree. Timely updates, smooth software, and the one thing Google has over Apple is the unlocked bootloader, these are well worth it for the right buyer. I will most likely grab one in 3 months or so when they are nicely discounted on Swappa, but for now I'll just keep reading about them.
Exactly what I have decided to wait for. Is for a clean one to show up on swappa that is around 1/4 or so off the original price. I did get a 7 plus though, but would get this as a backup phone to my crappy lumia 640 and to switch to play when I am tired of IOS. :)
 

spinedoc77

macrumors G4
Jun 11, 2009
11,488
5,413
I don't have it yet so I don't know for sure, but I think you can still use the phone and pure Android on it without turning over all of your information on it. You just won't be able to use the Googley nosy helpful stuff.

On my Samsung I was given the option of denying Assistant's request for access to my information when I ran across her on Allo. Of course, if I do that, she can't function. But I could still use Allo. Though I prefer to use other messengers that have end to end encryption.

Once I discovered that most of the information I consider most sensitive, personal and dangerous is already entirely searchable via public records searches, I became less concerned about Google's form of consumer oriented data mining. I'm a mercurial person and what I like changes a lot from year to year, anyway. I'm always trying new things. I can be a very different person from a marketing standpoint, so I don't care if they know I like to eat mangos THIS year. Next year I may hate mangoes. I try to keep my character and morals consistent, but other than that, I've sampled many different religions and have changed political parties and have both ultra liberal and ultra conservative friends I admire equally. Don't even ask me about my hair color and style changes! The only thing I plan to keep consistent about myself to my dying day is my striving to be a kind and positive person. Everything else is subject to change. Good luck tracking all that, Google. Oh okay...I do have a lifelong love affair with chocolate.

Really, it is our public records that are the enemy. We have nothing in place legally to protect ourselves from the remarkably invasive profiles that can be gleaned from the public records. This is something we need to discuss with our lawmakers.

Yeah I know you can turn of a lot of Google stuff, but then you lose the benefit of the platform. I know I'm thinking like a dinosaur and privacy is becoming something which is valued less and less as a society, but I still would like some level of control over it. I was listening to On Point on NPR the other day and there was an interesting topic about privacy, they were talking about Facebook in particular. It was interesting to learn that there are very few privacy laws which govern how your information is handled. and it's really a black hole in terms of knowing what happens to your information. It's the wild west and companies have almost free reign with that information, and that scares me a bit. It was interesting that a caller called in and said they loved that loss of privacy and gave an example in that he was able to get personalized book recommendations. The expert on the show said that was great and she was all for it, but to not forget there was a time when the FBI would go around to the libraries and make lists of everyone who checked out a book on Russia, for example. The libraries banded together and eventually laws were passed protecting the privacy of library patrons, but it illustrates where a system which seems benign can be bent to nefarious use.

Anyhoo don't mean to sound so dramatic, just my personal thoughts. I'm not fully entrenched in that way of thought and I'm not living off the grid or anything, it's just been a concern of mine.
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Exactly what I have decided to wait for. Is for a clean one to show up on swappa that is around 1/4 or so off the original price. I did get a 7 plus though, but would get this as a backup phone to my crappy lumia 640 and to switch to play when I am tired of IOS. :)

I think it will be lower, most probably 1/3 off. I just don't think the market will bear its price. It's going to gravitate towards that $600 mark where it should have been IMO. I wouldn't be surprised to see Google throwing out $50-100 discounts on it for the holiday shopping season, the 6p had some substantial discounts as well.
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
After taxes, the Pixel 128gb comes out to $815.

I'm having a really hard time pulling the trigger and justifying the price, especially when the s8 is around the corner and will likely close that software experience gap. Having a hard time letting go of the hardware advantages the s7e provides me, too. You don't easily dismiss the most worry free phone.

I don't mind preordering for my father (32gb version) who is coming from an old 2nd gen moto g. But for me coming from an s7e? Very different story.

IMO, Google really failed with the lack of waterproofing. That's the biggest thing holding me back. Foolish.
 
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bmac4

Suspended
Feb 14, 2013
4,885
1,877
Atlanta Ga
After taxes, the Pixel 128gb comes out to $815.

I'm having a really hard time pulling the trigger and justifying the price, especially when the s8 is around the corner and will likely close that software experience gap. Having a hard time letting go of the hardware advantages the s7e provides me, too. You don't easily dismiss the most worry free phone.

I don't mind preordering for my father (32gb version) who is coming from an old 2nd gen moto g. But for me coming from an s7e? Very different story.

IMO, Google really failed with the lack of waterproofing. That's the biggest thing holding me back. Foolish.

You put waterproofing before pricing? Do you use your phone near water a lot for that to be a main concern?
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
You put waterproofing before pricing? Do you use your phone near water a lot for that to be a main concern?

Not necessarily but I like having that peace of mind. Even something as simple as your shorts getting wet on a heavy rainy day -- as it did on my recent vacation -- and my s7e in pocket getting soaked.. no worries. Fully waterproof.

Examples like that are not easily dismissed. There are many other instances.

As for the price, yes, I do take issue with Google wanting to play in the premium space and not offering the premium features.

What I'm really hoping is that this (and the note 7 tragedy) wakes Samsung up. Just as Apple needed Samsung to wake them up, Samsung needed Google. It's hard to pull the trigger knowing the s8 is around the corner. And even if the s8 isn't good enough, I can always go back to the Pixel at that later time.

The s8 would be an easier and more affordable jump on demand upgrade too versus the full unlocked price of the Pixel. I was always on the fence with the Pixel anyway. The lack of waterproofing and price just tipped it.

There's no getting around it; Google should have had waterproofing. I know it's a dead horse, so I'll leave it at that and let you guys enjoy your new Pixels. Still love what I'm seeing Google get right.
 
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CaleM3

macrumors member
Mar 30, 2011
99
6
Not necessarily but I like having that peace of mind. Even something as simple as your shorts getting wet on a heavy rainy day -- as it did on my recent vacation -- and my s7e in pocket getting soaked.. no worries. Fully waterproof.

Examples like that are not easily dismissed. There are many other instances.

As for the price, yes, I do take issue with Google wanting to play in the premium space and not offering the premium features.

What I'm really hoping is that this (and the note 7 tragedy) wakes Samsung up. Just as Apple needed Samsung to wake them up, Samsung needed Google. It's hard to pull the trigger knowing the s8 is around the corner. And even if the s8 isn't good enough, I can always go back to the Pixel at that later time.

The s8 would be an easier and more affordable jump on demand upgrade too versus the full unlocked price of the Pixel. I was always on the fence with the Pixel anyway. The lack of waterproofing and price just tipped it.

There are videos out there now where people have been submerging the Pixel/Pixel XL for 30 minutes and they come out with no ill signs. If you want to "take it for a swim," I'd advise against that, but it looks like it's holding up fine if you accidentally drop it in the dish water or toilet.
 

bmac4

Suspended
Feb 14, 2013
4,885
1,877
Atlanta Ga
Not necessarily but I like having that peace of mind. Even something as simple as your shorts getting wet on a heavy rainy day -- as it did on my recent vacation -- and my s7e in pocket getting soaked.. no worries. Fully waterproof.

Examples like that are not easily dismissed. There are many other instances.

As for the price, yes, I do take issue with Google wanting to play in the premium space and not offering the premium features.

What I'm really hoping is that this (and the note 7 tragedy) wakes Samsung up. Just as Apple needed Samsung to wake them up, Samsung needed Google. It's hard to pull the trigger knowing the s8 is around the corner. And even if the s8 isn't good enough, I can always go back to the Pixel at that later time.

The s8 would be an easier and more affordable jump on demand upgrade too versus the full unlocked price of the Pixel. I was always on the fence with the Pixel anyway. The lack of waterproofing and price just tipped it.

There's no getting around it; Google should have had waterproofing. I know it's a dead horse, so I'll leave it at that and let you guys enjoy your new Pixels. Still love what I'm seeing Google get right.

Yeah I totally understand. Waterproofing was never a thought in my mind before phones started to add it this year. I think it's a good thing for sure.

Yeah the pricing is hard, but reviews still seem really good which is awesome. Maybe next year they blow it out of the water.
 
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epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
There are videos out there now where people have been submerging the Pixel/Pixel XL for 30 minutes and they come out with no ill signs. If you want to "take it for a swim," I'd advise against that, but it looks like it's holding up fine if you accidentally drop it in the dish water or toilet.

Really? Links?

If this is true, that's something to consider...!
 

epicrayban

macrumors 604
Nov 7, 2014
6,517
5,353
Yeah I totally understand. Waterproofing was never a thought in my mind before phones started to add it this year. I think it's a good thing for sure.

Yeah the pricing is hard, but reviews still seem really good which is awesome. Maybe next year they blow it out of the water.

That's the other factor that I have to consider. $815 dollars for a first generation device, while impressive, is hard to swallow knowing they'll get these features in the next round. And since it's something I cherish, I know I'll want to upgrade again. How well will the Pixel retain its value? Hard to say. Either way, I'd have to drop another ~$800 dollars again to get the waterproofing that should've been in this year.
 
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