The official tablet (and other useless electronics) thread!

[Apoc]

Or, download the Google Messages app and you can do it too. I use it on my Samsung all the time.

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Agreed on the battery shenanigans - i'd kill for replaceable batteries again.

I'm not crazy about the app and the forced notification when the browser is open... but I get that this is likely what I'll be forced to use on the Pixel.

I used to think I needed replaceable batteries. Then I realized I'd never actually replaced one.

[Ken]

Or, download the Google Messages app and you can do it too. I use it on my Samsung all the time.

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Agreed on the battery shenanigans - i'd kill for replaceable batteries again.

I'm not crazy about the app and the forced notification when the browser is open... but I get that this is likely what I'll be forced to use on the Pixel.

I used to think I needed replaceable batteries. Then I realized I'd never actually replaced one.

All down to preference i suppose - i really like the lay-out and built in Google search, auto-reply, etc. But yeah, i'd imagine it's exactly like that on the Pixel. 

I mean, back in the S5 days i used to just keep them on me. Rather than carrying around a USB charger i just kept an extra battery. Power off, swap, 100% battery and move on with my life. A million times better to be able to just swap.

[Apoc]

I mean, back in the S5 days i used to just keep them on me. Rather than carrying around a USB charger i just kept an extra battery. Power off, swap, 100% battery and move on with my life. A million times better to be able to just swap.

I've been a desk jockey since the Galaxy line came out, so I probably didn't have the usage you did. The only time I've ever really needed a charger pack is when my S6 got old.

[BLINGMW]

Any have a mini / computer soundbar they recommend? Seems like nothing is name brand, it's all made up companies that come and go. I guess I'll roll the dice and get this one if not.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B079N6RW4P

[Apoc]

Or, download the Google Messages app and you can do it too. I use it on my Samsung all the time.

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Agreed on the battery shenanigans - i'd kill for replaceable batteries again.

I'm not crazy about the app and the forced notification when the browser is open... but I get that this is likely what I'll be forced to use on the Pixel.

I used to think I needed replaceable batteries. Then I realized I'd never actually replaced one.

Transition to Google :koolaid: complete. 

Thankfully, the Pixel doesn't require a notification icon all the time to text from the web. 

[WRXtranceformed]

I get a new upgraded phone from work next year, I'mma be all over this:
https://www.theverge.com/platform/amp/20...rcial-leak

My S8 has still been flawless, but this thing looks cool

[Apoc]

I'm done with galaxies. They no longer have product differentiation in the Android world. Rumor has it the S10 is gonna be at least $1300.

[WRXtranceformed]

I'm done with galaxies. They no longer have product differentiation in the Android world. Rumor has it the S10 is gonna be at least $1300.

Good thing I don't have to pay for it 

[Evan]

Galaxy phones are trash. I dont care how pretty the hardware is, when the software sucks as bad as it does, its a shit phone.
Fanboys go cry about it.

[Sully]

But like what's better? If you're an Android person (to avoid the inevitable iPhone Android debate). What Android phone is leaps and bounds better. Not just basically the same? The pixel? Sounds like it has shit hardware and was outdated even it released (see lack of features that all other phones have except maybe iPhones)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Jake]

The Pixel is the only Android phone worth having for the sake of decent software. Galaxy software ruins their phones.

Having been back and forth, I'm still Team iOS for the "it just works" mantra. Still. No Android hardware/software combo quite measures up.

[JustinG]

The Pixel 2 wasn't old hardware, aside from the lack of wireless charging. Which 3rd party manufacturers are just now catching up to for affordable options.

The 3 is on par, and IMO better than others.

Reading blogs about outdated processors and storage? The software hasn't out advanced the hardware for any devices the last few iterations and they focus on cloud storage like Apple. So why focus on the latest greatest processor vs enhancing the OS, which they have done and it shows. Blog posts and reviews about "Old" design that lacks excitement? Please tell me how Samsung and iPhone have drastically changed in design the last 3 iterations.

The Pixel is THE best Android phone IMO. But Samsung has talking emojis like the iPhone, so there's that?

[Apoc]

I'm pretty impressed with the machine learning stuff on the Pixel. I never understood the hate on Samsung's version of Android, but I understand why people prefer stock android. It used to be that Samsung had stuff that no one else did, including iPhone, but I think both Apple and Google has caught up. The Pixel's version of android is pretty nice, even if it misses a few small OS tweaks I've gotten used to over my last four Galaxies. Given the choice of a Pixel or Galaxy at the same price, I'm picking Pixel all day long. I didn't feel that way before the current generation. With the price differences being reported for the S10, I just can't see justifying the cost... even with someone else paying for it.

[Jake]

I never understood the hate on Samsung's version of Android,

My hate stems from the fact that I had three of them (S3, S7 Edge, S7 Active) and they all failed consistently at performing basic smartphone tasks. The screens would freeze if I tried to answer a phone call, leaving it unanswered. Incoming texts were hit or miss. Battery life on a brand-new phone was atrocious. Photos taken with the default camera app would not save to the camera roll. Things like that.

No point in adding fancy features if your smartphone sucks at being a smartphone.

[WRXtranceformed]

I never understood the hate on Samsung's version of Android,

My hate stems from the fact that I had three of them (S3, S7 Edge, S7 Active) and they all failed consistently at performing basic smartphone tasks. The screens would freeze if I tried to answer a phone call, leaving it unanswered. Incoming texts were hit or miss. Battery life on a brand-new phone was atrocious. Photos taken with the default camera app would not save to the camera roll. Things like that.

No point in adding fancy features if your smartphone sucks at being a smartphone.

That's weird, I never had any of those issues with my S7 on VZW, just noted poor battery life before I got an S8 from work.  I'd imagine they somewhat fixed that battery issue with newer updates but my S7 has been deactivated for a while so it doesn't get the new OS updates.  It still works great though, I use it to browse the net and watch videos when I travel so I don't burn up the battery on my S8.  I really haven't had any other notable issues with Samsung phones since I had the S4.  In fact, my wife is still using her Note 5 because she loves it so much despite the battery finally starting to give up the ghost.

[Evan]

But like what's better? If you're an Android person (to avoid the inevitable iPhone Android debate). What Android phone is leaps and bounds better. Not just basically the same? The pixel? Sounds like it has shit hardware and was outdated even it released (see lack of features that all other phones have except maybe iPhones)

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

I buy a new phone every year and have bought every major brand of android phone.  I keep coming back to LG.  Cutting edge hardware and great software,  and easy to find for a good price.  And the wide angle camera is a game changer.  I use it all the time, especially travelling.

Motorola has the best android tweaks but their hardware always seems to lag behind a year.

Pixel phones are fine but hardware is clunky and they are overpriced IMO.   I miss Nexus phones!

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I never understood the hate on Samsung's version of Android,

My hate stems from the fact that I had three of them (S3, S7 Edge, S7 Active) and they all failed consistently at performing basic smartphone tasks. The screens would freeze if I tried to answer a phone call, leaving it unanswered. Incoming texts were hit or miss. Battery life on a brand-new phone was atrocious. Photos taken with the default camera app would not save to the camera roll. Things like that.

No point in adding fancy features if your smartphone sucks at being a smartphone.

What jake said.  
I bought a S7 Edge expecting it to be the amazing phone that all the fanboys (and review sites) said it was,  but Ive never had a worse phone.  Hilariously awful battery life,  bluetooth that didnt work,  fingerprint sensor that didnt work,  and the worst most unintuitive bloated version of android since 2010.   I honestly have no clue why Samsung phones are so popular.

[Sully]

I'd be afraid that an LG phone would shake uncontrollably and vibrate the entire house... Or they would sell it in a package with an attachment designed for it and then tell you after you buy it that it shakes because it's on said attachment and that you need to remove that to possibly fix your issue and eat the cost of said attachment.... Oh wait, that's their washer.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Jake]

All of this back and forth is why I just went back to iOS. No, I can't change my system font to be something unreadable and yes, I must have my home icons arranged in a grid, but everything always works fine. I don't have time to be dicking around with my phone or figuring out which one to buy next, so it works for me.

[Apoc]

I never understood the hate on Samsung's version of Android,

My hate stems from the fact that I had three of them (S3, S7 Edge, S7 Active) and they all failed consistently at performing basic smartphone tasks. The screens would freeze if I tried to answer a phone call, leaving it unanswered. Incoming texts were hit or miss. Battery life on a brand-new phone was atrocious. Photos taken with the default camera app would not save to the camera roll. Things like that.

No point in adding fancy features if your smartphone sucks at being a smartphone.

Had none of these issues with my S2, S4, S6, or S8. FWIW, the odd number models were always old hardware and the S7 was a pretty laughable update... but I get that shouldn't be a thing.

I got sick of people bitching at work about iOS 11. I think it's obvious that phones are like cars - people prefer different things and have difference experiences that influence those preferences.

[.RJ]

All of this back and forth is why I just went back to iOS. No, I can't change my system font to be something unreadable and yes, I must have my home icons arranged in a grid, but everything always works fine. I don't have time to be dicking around with my phone or figuring out which one to buy next, so it works for me.

Yup.  It aint perfect, but, it will never not handle the basic functions just fine.  People that bitch about iOS have too much free time to go looking for things to complain about.