How long can android grow? - Motorola Droid Bionic

I am just wondering how much room for growth android has, especially considering it has a business model that leaves many users with buyer's remorse just months after buying a new phone and being stuck with it for the contract? With the iPhone, you know they will release something better the following year, but with android, they could release something better a month or 2 later and you wish you would have waited. I'm just curious as to how long they can do this before android customers get tired of it. It seems like they would rather develop a new phone instead of developing updates to their existing phone, and for me personally, I'm growing tired of that. I've been on android for over 3 years and this is my 5th android device. I've seen the process over and over. A new customer is happy with their phone for a month or 2, then something better comes out and they wish they would have waited, and to top it off, they make you wait months upon months before they give your device an update.
Don't get me wrong, I love android and all, but the manufacturers and cell providers are ruining it. They are really making Apple look right (rrrrrrgggghhhhh) in not allowing the cell providers to have any control in it, and instead keeping control themselves. I hate for apple to look right, but what are the % of iPhone owners unhappy with their devices within 3 months compared with Android owners. I do understand many iPhone owners have been brainwashed to be happy with their phone, but the industry puts android owners through a bunch of nonsense. Personally, I think the manufacturers should only release 2 devices per year, one high end device, and one low end for people who cannot afford the high end, then work on updating the devices. Motorola failed horrible in 2011 with that, with releasing the Razr so soon after the Bionic. Now that their sales are slumping, hopefully they will wake up. I don't think Google buying them will change much unless Google replaces their management team. Sad to say, but my days on android may be winding down if the industry can't come up with a real plan to keep their customers happy with their purchase for longer than 3-4 months.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA

I agree with you 100%... I also experienced buyers remorse after buying the bionic wishing I had waited for the Razr. I may look into getting and apple device if things don't change with the new devices coming out every few months...
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using xda premium

There are so many things wrong with this post, I don't even know where to begin.
Sent from my HERO200 using XDA

No offence, but I feel you just need to be happy with the phone you have. There is no need to have the next latest and greatest for whatever reason. Do your research, make a decision on a phone you want and stick with it. All phones will have their shortcomings. You just have to chose what 'phone quirks' you can accept.
As far as how far can android go? Think of how far technology and development have come in the past ten years. Now, think of the next ten to twenty years.
I feel android systems are only limited by the people who develop the OS's, ROM's, apps, etc. That is the main reason for open source. The freedom to choose. iPones are nice for the person who wants to stay with a system that remains confined to parameters set by one group of dev's with no user choice of change.
It is your choice: Move on to the confines of Apple, or accept your android choice and make it the best phone you can tailored to you.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

You both have really good points but all it comes down to is money.If they can put something just a little nicer 2 months down the road for people will want it then there you go people will want it and buy and thetes no money in there pocket.st least we can customize are droids.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA

Mesaman2012 said:
You both have really good points but all it comes down to is money.If they can put something just a little nicer 2 months down the road for people will want it then there you go people will want it and buy and thetes no money in there pocket.st least we can customize are droids.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what companies are counting on. They do the market research to find what the consumers want. Then they develop and market the "latest and greatest" next generation phone knowing the these folks will lay down their cash for this new phone. People are not satisfied with what they've got. It's always about "beating the Jones's" next door. Or gotta have the same as my friends have, or need (want) the newest one, etc. Never satisfied.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

I'm pretty satisfied with my bionic. There's nothing on Verizon I would want over it except maybe the rezound. The Razr or GNEX don't really excite me any.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using XDA

Related

Nexus One market life span?

Hey guys,
I've been looking to buy a Nexus, however Im hesitant because of all the rapid improvements to smart-phones lately. Seems like just yesterday my G1 was the **** because of its 528mhz processor.. But if I were to lay down the $500+ for it, I would hate for the "Nexus 2" to come out a month later.. accompanied by the regret and face palms. Of course, I'm not expecting that specific scenario to unfold, but how long do you think the specs for the N1 will last as a competitive player in the field? And do you think it's safe to say the upcoming android updates we have yet to experience will be compatible with it?
-Thanks for your input!
The Nexus One is a great phone, but as with the G1 ALL technology is eventually replaced, I chose the nexus one becuase its Googles phone, which means if any phone has a chance to still be the beta tester for all android things to come it would be the nexus one. The Evo and Incredible are all basically re-branded Nexus One's, same hardware different software. The nexus one was my first smartphone, actually my first phone ever (my parents hate tech lol) and I've seen people with their iphones and bberries and I pull out my nexus one and KNOW without a shadow of a doubt I have the best phone. If the nexus one looks appealing to you and you are happy with what it can do, I say you wont be dissapointed. But, if you are hesitant and iffy on the purchase, perhaps wait and see whats around Androids corner. I love my nexus one and from what I see from competitive android smartphones and still think mine is the best.
-Cheers with your decision
Sell your G1, use the money towards the N1... Do it soon, buying the N1 via google won't last much longer, once retailers get ahold of it it'll cost considerably more.
The rumor/heresay is that the N2 will be out in Nov. Then just repeat the cycle of selling old, use money towards the new one.
Kind of like you're leasing the best phone at the moment
If you say n2 will come and will wait, and when the n2 comes out ou can wait for the n3. you can do two things.
Buy a new phone, and sell it after few months to buy a new one. if you sell it before a newer version comes out you can sell it almost the same price you bought it. put some extre $ and buy a new one. I do this > i had over 30 phones in my life > i'm 22 years now
or what you also can do is skip a generation. so if you buy n1 skip n2 and wait for n3 (for example). so you can use you don't have to switch phones that often.
I bought the N1 as my first smartphone and have been very happy with it. I would say it will last a while since Google demonstrated their new OS (Android 2.2) on it and also previewed the release after that on a N1. That gave me hope to know that it will work with the release of 2.2 and also the release after that. Whether they will continue to release the new OS for it after that is unknown, but there are always custom ROMs that could add functionality.
Go For It
I say buy the N1 if you like it. Yeah, there's no front-facing camera, gyroscope, or whatever else the next line of premium Android phones will all contain. It is still going to receive Google's updates first for at least another year. Also, as with the G1, the dev community is doing excellent work and should have no problem extending it's life even further beyond that. If the G1 is still going almost 2 years and numerous updates later, Nexus owners have nothing to worry about.
Namuna said:
Sell your G1, use the money towards the N1... Do it soon, buying the N1 via google won't last much longer, once retailers get ahold of it it'll cost considerably more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so. It will be aggressively priced once it hits retailers. Or may be bundled with some accessories.
Either act today, or wait 6 months. This market moves fast.
seriously this thread has been posted so many times before. just search. the nexus will be the flagship until next january for sure. it still has a long life left, so buy it and enjoy it. nexus two isnt even a rumor yet, and wouldnt be out till next year.
Motorola has a 2ghz phone hitting store before the end of the year, with 1080P vide out.
You're never gonna be "top of the line" for more than 6 months.
subramanianv said:
I don't think so. It will be aggressively priced once it hits retailers. Or may be bundled with some accessories.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already see it listed at various other places for $650+.
Somehow, I doubt that will come down once buying straight from the "manufacturer" for "cheap" is no longer an option.

Droid Bionic FREE w/ 2 year contract!!!

http://wireless.amazon.com/Motorola...nypincher&pf_rd_p=1323240242&pf_rd_s=center-1
Saw this deal and thought you might like to know.
Amazon has the Droid Bionic FREE w/ a 2 year contract for new customers (not upgrades)
Hope this helps someone
That sure is a great way to start with Verizon....
I just bought this phone for 179 last month from them as a new customer... Sigh. Atleast this will hopefully get some more ppl involved in developing for this phone
nedu09 said:
I just bought this phone for 179 last month from them as a new customer... Sigh. Atleast this will hopefully get some more ppl involved in developing for this phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously... I bought TWO at $199 each. Sometimes, you can't win.
Crazy to me that no one jumped on this deal
3 replies for a free Droid Bionic?
I know most of the people here have the Bionic already but I would think a few new members would jump on this deal asap.
No, lol. No one wants a locked BL POS when the phones on the horizon are looking so much better. Tuesday 2 or 3 phones, both of which are going to be better than the Bionic will be announced.
One of which is a Samsung, and the other is called 'Rezound'. I'll take a pass.
hmm... i take it that deal's just if you're going through amazon. my thunderbolt is having issues(needs a new screen+digitizer) and i called verizon. they offered to mail me a new bionic for $300 & i can keep the thunderbolt to.
MillionManMosh said:
One of which is a Samsung, and the other is called 'Rezound'. I'll take a pass.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree. Samsung is a no go for me, Nexus or not. Samsungs way of fixing a problem with their phones is by announcing another one.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using Tapatalk
voxigenboy said:
hmm... i take it that deal's just if you're going through amazon. my thunderbolt is having issues(needs a new screen+digitizer) and i called verizon. they offered to mail me a new bionic for $300 & i can keep the thunderbolt to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can sell your thunderbolt back to them for approx. $140.00 as well.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using Tapatalk
lrs421 said:
You can sell your thunderbolt back to them for approx. $140.00 as well.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the early upgrade with the Charge, and had it sold on Craigslist for $350 within 6 hours of recieving the Bionic. The Charge, in turn, was a free replacement for my Fascinate (thus the No Samsungs policy...) I make it a habit to never lose money on anything
lrs421 said:
You can sell your thunderbolt back to them for approx. $140.00 as well.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i can sell back my TB to them even though it needs to be fixed and is rooted?
voxigenboy said:
i can sell back my TB to them even though it needs to be fixed and is rooted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhhh. Maybe not, LOL.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using Tapatalk
MillionManMosh said:
I did the early upgrade with the Charge, and had it sold on Craigslist for $350 within 6 hours of recieving the Bionic. The Charge, in turn, was a free replacement for my Fascinate (thus the No Samsungs policy...) I make it a habit to never lose money on anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As a former captivate owner I feel your pain. It's not just their phones either. I had terrible experiences with their bluray players as well.
The Amazon deal for the Bionic is a steal.
Sent from my HTC Flyer P512 using Tapatalk
I had a DLP TV of theirs a few years back. One of the first 1080P projection models, back when LCDs of that size were prohibitively expensive. Gorgeous screen, but the speakers went out within 6 months of use, the tuner flaked out... "Pretty to look at, but useless" summarizes my experience with Samsung in general.
Generally speaking, I've actually heard really great things about samsung TV's and monitors and I've had pretty good experiences. My family has 4 samsung TV's and 2 monitors and none of them have had problems. They're all currently in the 2-4 year age range. I also know a couple of friends that have had TV's for a couple years with good results thus far. It's not hard to find bad apples for any company.
The upcoming samsung device is supposed to be a google experience device, isn't it? I kind of separate google experience devices from normal devices of any one company. I wouldn't say they're miraculous devices or anything like that, but they definitely seem to be of higher quality, in general.
CC Lemon said:
Generally speaking, I've actually heard really great things about samsung TV's and monitors and I've had pretty good experiences. My family has 4 samsung TV's and 2 monitors and none of them have had problems. They're all currently in the 2-4 year age range. I also know a couple of friends that have had TV's for a couple years with good results thus far. It's not hard to find bad apples for any company.
The upcoming samsung device is supposed to be a google experience device, isn't it? I kind of separate google experience devices from normal devices of any one company. I wouldn't say they're miraculous devices or anything like that, but they definitely seem to be of higher quality, in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hardware wise they're pretty ordinary- or at least share components with other phones (HTC Incredible/N1 and Galaxy S/N-S). It's the leaner software that makes them unique. But you're right, it only takes a few bad experiences to sour my opinion of a company in general. And I would say I've been saddled with an inordinate number of lemons.
What really tempers my opinion is that all of my Galaxy S phones (Captivate, Fascinate and finally Charge) had more or less the same issues. The Cappy was the only one that shut itself down from idle (thankfully), but the other two had the same problems with not getting calls or texts, terrible GPS, inconsistent data connection, heat management, etc. It seems to me that Samsung just can't get their software QA right. I would certainly hope a true Nexus phone would be different... and I didn't hear any bad reports about the Nexus S, so one Samsung warranty exchange fewer and I might have given it a try. As is, I'm giving Moto their fair shot.
CC Lemon said:
Generally speaking, I've actually heard really great things about samsung TV's and monitors and I've had pretty good experiences. My family has 4 samsung TV's and 2 monitors and none of them have had problems. They're all currently in the 2-4 year age range. I also know a couple of friends that have had TV's for a couple years with good results thus far. It's not hard to find bad apples for any company.
The upcoming samsung device is supposed to be a google experience device, isn't it? I kind of separate google experience devices from normal devices of any one company. I wouldn't say they're miraculous devices or anything like that, but they definitely seem to be of higher quality, in general.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google experience is software, the hardware is Samsung. I'm happy you had great luck with Samsung. Many others cant say the same.
Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk
MillionManMosh said:
I did the early upgrade with the Charge, and had it sold on Craigslist for $350 within 6 hours of recieving the Bionic. The Charge, in turn, was a free replacement for my Fascinate (thus the No Samsungs policy...) I make it a habit to never lose money on anything
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crap..you did a lot better than me. My Charge was as mint as mint gets with an Otterbox Commuter case - started at $350 and after 3 weeks on Craigslist I finally let it go for $200. When it got to $250 I decided to swipe the 32gb MicroSD though, f$$k it.

How did Google Manage to Mess up the launch this Badly?

Well, I for one did not expect Google to mess up this bad.
They run the biggest Data centers and networks in the world.
And they can't manage to have a good system for Ordering/Shipping phones?
I might just send them an email asking them why they don't purchase a small company that deals with shipping/orders.
They might as well do that as it will save them in the future.
About two Weeks late bro
Yeah I know, I just never got around to making this thread.
I read on another forum that even after the second launch they were still blown away by how many people were still purchasing the n4. I think they were just unprepared and should've waited for the others to receive their phones from the 13th.
Perhaps this really the way they had planned it to go. All the publicity, the rarety bringing prices up.
At this point I find it hard to believe that most of us all knew oy would be big which is why we waited all night, etc. There is no way they could not know.
In the end this may turn out very well as long as they get any issues sorted quickly.
I read an article today that apple is releasing a $200 iPhone to compete with Google. Go figure, Google is changing everything!
sent via xda premium with nexus 7 while waiting for my back ordered Nexus 4-hoping for it today or tomorrow!!
imtiax said:
Well, I for one did not expect Google to mess up this bad.
They run the biggest Data centers and networks in the world.
And they can't manage to have a good system for Ordering/Shipping phones?
I might just send them an email asking them why they don't purchase a small company that deals with shipping/orders.
They might as well do that as it will save them in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you don't understand with over 100 million android users even if like 3-4 % decide they want this phone that's 4 million orders. Even the best servers in the world can't handle millions of people hitting a site and mashing F5.
Its called DDOS attack and all us crazy Nexus 4 purchasers were doing that to Google.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Well I was referring to the Stock Issue, they should have been prepared.
An Android with 2GB ram and a Quad Core Processor is a must have. Especially for that dirt cheap price.
mobilehavoc said:
I think you don't understand with over 100 million android users even if like 3-4 % decide they want this phone that's 4 million orders. Even the best servers in the world can't handle millions of people hitting a site and mashing F5.
Its called DDOS attack and all us crazy Nexus 4 purchasers were doing that to Google.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget all the stupid apps and scripts constantly polling the servers for updates...
Hardly surprising the have problems coping with demand...
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I think it was all very last minute, the phones probably weren't even being made until the final month to launch, probably why there are shortage and build quality issues. LG are probably all hands on deck right now and maybe the cheap price Google are selling them at is slowing things down as LG and carriers are not happy?
Who knows but Google has the money to jut pay them to keep making.
imtiax said:
Well I was referring to the Stock Issue, they should have been prepared.
An Android with 2GB ram and a Quad Core Processor is a must have. Especially for that dirt cheap price.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I were Google, based on previous experience I'm not surprised .
Nexus s didn't sell that well, galaxy nexus as well, so even taking both numbers in to the account its probably not even half what is being sold when it comes to nexus 4
And like someone said earlier. 2-4 % out of some few hundred million people its a hell of a lot of orders .
Look at apple they practically have the same problems after every new iPhone. Their webpage is damn slow ,yes it still works but it rather unusable .
Talk in to account that searching is less data hungry than purchasing. All purchasing has to be verified with banks, checked on server if everything is valid etc oh and it has to go through SSL
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
1. What was wrong with posting in one of the 15 other threads of this nature? Its one of the rules to search before you post. You didn't. reported for rule breaking and spamming the forum.
2. Only ppl who didn't get the phone and have a veruca salt complex care.
3. You have no idea how to run a company at all. I doubt you can barely keep your basement dwelling clean, let alone tell google how they should do business. Especially when the phone is sold out ...Twice.....Seems they are doing just fine.
And
4. Whats super retarded is that if they never would have sold out / had any issues the same ppl would have created "Google fail" threads because they couldn't even sell out the flagship device.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2004241

The Future of Nexus Smartphones

As most(if not all) of us watch google i/o, google released the galaxy s4 with stock android, as well as "prompt" future updates. What do you guys think this means for the future of nexus do you think companies will continue to build phones for google when they can just appeal to everyone and relase a version of their flagship with stock android?
I guess I never really thought about it yet. That's a good point though. I just got into the Nexus family around a month and a half ago and I already feel at home. If there is not a future for Nexus devices, I will be extremely sad. Yeah, you still get pure Android, plus an unlocked bootloader, but there's just something about having a Nexus. I guess I just feel unique having it, you know? I'm not just another guy with a Galaxy S phone. Plus, having a Nexus phone kind of shows that you're a power user/developer. I dunno...I just really love my Nexus 4 and want to be able to buy the next one when I'm ready.
That all said, it makes perfect sense. I'm pretty sure Google sells the Nexus at a loss. And if that's not enough, you see threads on here all the time with people finding the smallest reasons for getting an RMA, reasons that aren't even valid but Google fulfills them anyway. Not only that, but people will brick their Nexus cuz they're stupid and come here to ask what they can do to RMA. They do this when it was CLEARLY their fault for bricking it and they think Google should have to cover the cost for a new one because they (the person) flashed a ROM/kernel for a different phone. If I were Google, I would probably be looking at this option, sadly.
the S4 isnt the only non nexus that has been released in the past with pure android, nor will it be the last. htc has released stock android phones before, so has lg. sony has even been working with aosp for the xperia http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/23/so...n-source-project-for-the-xperia-z-smartphone/
Here's the deal Nexus gives you the most bang for your buck. No one else gives you that. The N4 is half the price of the S4. The next Nexus phone will be a power house of hardware for a bargain.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
simms22 said:
the S4 isnt the only non nexus that has been released in the past with pure android, nor will it be the last. htc has released stock android phones before, so has lg. sony has even been working with aosp for the xperia http://techcrunch.com/2013/04/23/so...n-source-project-for-the-xperia-z-smartphone/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This, I remember the biggest reason I bought my G2 was due to stock Android. It might not have been AOSP, but was close enough. I kept it running until I got my Nexus, and it was even running 4.2.
The Nexus lines future will always be as bright as the Sun!
galaxys said:
The Nexus lines future will always be as bright as the Sun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol i hope your right about that one. I just don't want it to be to the point that nexus users get the crap specs from an OEM that is more worried about their flagship. Why should they go all out on a nexus device when they can provide each type of consumer what they want...a version with either their skinned version of android or pure android. Just playing devil's advocate lol...
Simple there contracted to. If you don't fulfill your contract you don't get paid. To be honest I almost bought a S3 cuz I didn't do much research before buying a phone. The nexus is the best kept secret from none rooters, flashers, etc. Thank god I do tons of research before buying anything and troll xda
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Galaxy S4 is not the first device reintroduced in the i/o with stock android, back in 2011 or 2010 google introduced Galaxy Tab 10.1 with stock honeycomb in it.
And for AOSP support, not every device shipped with vanilla android in it get an AOSP support.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
I don't get the reaction to Samsung's Google edition S4. It isn't a Nexus and shouldn't be compared with a Nexus. The Nexus product line is first and foremost designed by Google then built by their respective manufacturers. The S4 doesn't even follow the button layout for Android! This Google edition S4 is just purely software and since I assume that Samsung will be the ones responsible for maintaining the software, it'll still be second class compared to the Nexus line when it comes to the latest and greatest Android version.
intersectRaven said:
I don't get the reaction to Samsung's Google edition S4. It isn't a Nexus and shouldn't be compared with a Nexus. The Nexus product line is first and foremost designed by Google then built by their respective manufacturers. The S4 doesn't even follow the button layout for Android! This Google edition S4 is just purely software and since I assume that Samsung will be the ones responsible for maintaining the software, it'll still be second class compared to the Nexus line when it comes to the latest and greatest Android version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nexus 4 is based on LG Optimug G. It is almost like a little redesigned Optimus G with Google's software. SGS4 Google Edition isn't redesigned, but also got Google's software. It will be sold through Play Store, it was revealed on Google I/O by Hugo Barra and it was said that it will get updates at the same time as other Google's devices. So like it or not, SGS4 Google edition could be easily called Nexus 5. I guess they didn't want to launch new Nexus only a few months after LG Nexus 4 became widely available.
Nexus 4 is very good phone, the best for its price, but got some problems - thermal throttling, cracked glass on back, which isn't cheap to replace due to internals on backcover, limited internal space and lack of SD cards, camera isn't very good. Other than that, it is very good phone. SGS4 got great hardware, but software is its weak point and I didn't want to get another Galaxy S phone because of that. But now SGS4 Google Edition is very tempting, because finally great hardware will get great software + fast updates.
The Galaxy S4 Google Edition is not a Nexus device, as much as Samsung fanboys would believe it is.
Apart from Google calling it the Nexus S4, planning to update it timely and selling it through the play store.
I'm sure Google has nice plans for their Nexus series. Or will stop making them. Which I highly doubt! Hope.
Also I don't know how anyone could get themselves to believe they sell a product at a loss.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
+1
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
Google/Android have a confusing agenda of where they want to go with the Android platform.
I guess their agenda is to just throw the kitchen sink at everyone and everything and hope to conquer the mobile platform that way.
I thought they had a certain way they were going to do the "Nexus" line.
Nexus is "pure google"
"Prompt" updates
"state of the art" hardware (with horrible camera..ha ha)
affordable pricing
The Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4 (especially with the price reduction of the original GNex to $399 than $350).
I personally do not think the pure Galaxy S4 will be a big seller in the USA. Most Americans are on family plans with post paid services like ATT or Verizon.
Paying full $650 price for a smartphone only makes sense if you go prepaid and have 1-2 lines. Most Americans on post paid have 4-5 lines where subsidized phones make sense.
No one remembers the original iPhone was $499/599. It was not a big seller except for techies or people who have too much money. When Apple dropped the price to $399 it boosted sales quickly.
There is still plenty of money to be made by selling phones below $400. Most top of the line smartphone cost $200-250 to make. So profit margin is still there.
---------- Post added at 01:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:02 PM ----------
myturbo1 said:
I'm sure Google has nice plans for their Nexus series. Or will stop making them. Which I highly doubt! Hope.
Also I don't know how anyone could get themselves to believe they sell a product at a loss.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know. It costs $200-250 to make a smartphone with high end specs. Even accounting for advertising costs. Their is still $50-100 profit to spare.
I think Google purposely kept the 8GB/16GB with no SD to secure profits.
I might have missed something but does anyone else think that the fact Google bought Motorola mobility means they are going to eventually stop dependence on other phone manufacturers? It sucks to build awesome software and have to rely on other companies to put it on. Then said company delays in putting updated software on devices which in turn makes people upset they got android in the first place.
I know kinda out there but i can kinda see how this would work.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
myturbo1 said:
Also I don't know how anyone could get themselves to believe they sell a product at a loss.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because they probably do. Let's break it down. It'll be quite a journey, so pack a lunch.
The cost of materials alone cost, let's say, $250. That's only $50-$100 "profit" per unit. Considering how many units they sell, that's still a large amount of money, right? Well, that $250/unit cost doesn't cover labor (that I know of, I could be wrong; in which case disregard this point, there are plenty more). They have to pay the people to assemble the phones. Then they have to pay to ship it over-seas to get it to the U.S. Don't quote me here, but I think companies have to pay taxes on commercially-imported things. You know the U.S. government want their cut. Even if that's not true, don't worry; there are plenty of other things to eat that $50 up.
Research and Development is probably the biggest cost of any small electronics device. You have to pay those engineers to design your phone with the hardware you want and make it the size you want. I'm no pro or anything, but I'm pretty sure R&D has beta-testing of the hardware from the prototype all the way to the finished product. That's hardware that will never see light of day.
I take that back about R&D being the most costly thing about making electronics. Let's touch on the point I made of people RMA'ing. When it's legitimate, it costs the company a ridiculous amount of money. I don't even know what they do with the phones that are RMA'd, but I don't see them selling refurbished phones on the Play store. That's money down the drain. And that's when it's legitimate. Think about those guys that RMA because they are idiots and flashed the wrong kernel to the phone. Google still fulfills those RMA's! They lose so much doing this, it boggles my mind.
Now let's look at why. Why would Google knowingly sell devices at a loss? It isn't exactly the best business practice to sell things and lose money on them. First, let's look at the developers. This phone is a "developers" phone. If you're developing for Android, you are probably using a Nexus to test your app and tweak it. When you're done developing your app, what do you do? Publish it in the Play store. All these "app stores" you see everywhere are huge cash cows, and they cost almost nothing to keep going. Throw an app store up, shave a little off the top of every purchase, and kick back while the money flows in. Secondly, and this is true for every company that sells anything, there is the reputation of the company/product. You make a solid phone and sell it for pretty cheap, you get happy customers. Happy customers tend to also be returning customers. I know people that buy iPhones simply because it's called "iPhone", and has the apple on the back of it. That's purely the reputation of the phone. They were happy with their previous phones, so they simply go to the updated version of it when they need to buy another one. I picked on iPhones because it's probably the most widespread example of this, plus it has to do with a phone, which is what we're talking about.
The nexus line is Googles way of thanking developers and phone enthusiasts, they are ones that buy the phone
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------
Johmama said:
Because they probably do. Let's break it down. It'll be quite a journey, so pack a lunch.
The cost of materials alone cost, let's say, $250. That's only $50-$100 "profit" per unit. Considering how many units they sell, that's still a large amount of money, right? Well, that $250/unit cost doesn't cover labor (that I know of, I could be wrong; in which case disregard this point, there are plenty more). They have to pay the people to assemble the phones. Then they have to pay to ship it over-seas to get it to the U.S. Don't quote me here, but I think companies have to pay taxes on commercially-imported things. You know the U.S. government want their cut. Even if that's not true, don't worry; there are plenty of other things to eat that $50 up.
Research and Development is probably the biggest cost of any small electronics device. You have to pay those engineers to design your phone with the hardware you want and make it the size you want. I'm no pro or anything, but I'm pretty sure R&D has beta-testing of the hardware from the prototype all the way to the finished product. That's hardware that will never see light of day.
I take that back about R&D being the most costly thing about making electronics. Let's touch on the point I made of people RMA'ing. When it's legitimate, it costs the company a ridiculous amount of money. I don't even know what they do with the phones that are RMA'd, but I don't see them selling refurbished phones on the Play store. That's money down the drain. And that's when it's legitimate. Think about those guys that RMA because they are idiots and flashed the wrong kernel to the phone. Google still fulfills those RMA's! They lose so much doing this, it boggles my mind.
Now let's look at why. Why would Google knowingly sell devices at a loss? It isn't exactly the best business practice to sell things and lose money on them. First, let's look at the developers. This phone is a "developers" phone. If you're developing for Android, you are probably using a Nexus to test your app and tweak it. When you're done developing your app, what do you do? Publish it in the Play store. All these "app stores" you see everywhere are huge cash cows, and they cost almost nothing to keep going. Throw an app store up, shave a little off the top of every purchase, and kick back while the money flows in. Secondly, and this is true for every company that sells anything, there is the reputation of the company/product. You make a solid phone and sell it for pretty cheap, you get happy customers. Happy customers tend to also be returning customers. I know people that buy iPhones simply because it's called "iPhone", and has the apple on the back of it. That's purely the reputation of the phone. They were happy with their previous phones, so they simply go to the updated version of it when they need to buy another one. I picked on iPhones because it's probably the most widespread example of this, plus it has to do with a phone, which is what we're talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
R&D is done by the contractor, which I'm sure is already spent by the contractor since they build phones, the people manufacturing the phones are in sweat shop conditions so I don't think there paid much. My family does a lot of over seas manufacturing and you would be surprised at how much it really cost
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Tunderpimp said:
The nexus line is Googles way of thanking developers and phone enthusiasts, they are ones that buy the phone
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
---------- Post added at 04:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 PM ----------
R&D is done by the contractor, which I'm sure is already spent by the contractor since they build phones, the people manufacturing the phones are in sweat shop conditions so I don't think there paid much. My family does a lot of over seas manufacturing and you would be surprised at how much it really cost
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not really. It's a consumer device in the same arena as the Galaxy series, however Google has failed miserably at advertising and pushing their product due in part to poor management. The same corporate structure that gives rise to things like AOSP is not the ideal format for selling items across multiple countries and cultures. They still cannot definitively say what the end goal is with the Nexus line. If they're trying to steer people into Google services then they need to figure out how to advertise and sell, which in this country means getting in bed with the carriers, and that will not change no matter how much these forums boast about prepaid plans. That doesn't even begin to get into the area of "open source" and how no one outside of this community gives a damn.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2

No press launch for Nexus 5 or KitKat. Dissapointed?

Now that the Nexus 5 hype has partly died down and you've all secured one, who else is disappointed Google didn't hold a press event event for the launch? Hell, I'm surprised Google didn't even have an event for KitKat. It seems like such a missed opportunity. A pre-announced event has many benefits.
1. It confirms an incoming device and helps people plan for the purchase instead of buying it within a moments notice.
2. For the geeks amongst us, this event is more than just an announcement, it's an exciting show that we can all get behind and discuss, before, during and after it has happened. The hype would be momentous.
3. Whether we like it or not, Apple has demonstrated that flashy events reach out to a wide audience. Google cannot expect to target the Nexus to average consumers if it's launch consists of a measly post on Google blog.
4. It's just informative. Especially with the release of KitKat, an event will clearly outline the major changes in Android in an appealing visual fashion. Sure, we can find out about KitKat through other channels, but it would be a lot more exciting to hear from Google themselves.
There are probably more reasons for why Google should have held an event for the Nexus 5 and KitKat, but these are the most prominent ones that come to mind. I have to say though, I am not only disappointed but surprised by the lack of a launch. Last year, Google planned an event for for the Nexus 4 (although it was cancelled due to the hurricane) and more recently, Google held live streams for Google+ and Hangout changes. So my question, why announce two items (Nexus 5 and KitKat) which are arguably more important, through a boring blog post?
The strongest defence for Google not holding the event is that, "they will sell enough Nexus 5's without one". This is quite a poor argument though. The iPhone, likewise, would be sold out without an event but that doesn't stop Apple from showcasing it's product. Its not just a sales pitch, its a moment for the company to show its pride towards its products.
I'm personally glad they didn't have an event. It insured that people who really wanted the phone had a first shot as it. We were following it daily and knew when to look for the phone to go live. I bought mine 6 min into launch. Last year many many people bought the n4 on launch cause of the hype from the event that wouldn't have on day one. Though I'm very very surprised that it went down the way it did. I was really expecting an event or announcement of some kind. I wish they would have had an event that night or Friday night.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
I feel like the lack of an event helped limit the number of scavengers who purchase as many phones as they can just to resell them at a higher cost.
i2ollingstone said:
I feel like the lack of an event helped limit the number of scavengers who purchase as many phones as they can just to resell them at a higher cost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Didn't help much. I almost put mine up for sale before I even get it due to them selling for way above retail.
Press events are for media ****tards. Glad Google don't play these dumb media circuses.
I was kinda disappointed there wasn't a conference/event. I really enjoyed the galaxy nexus ICS event not long ago.
Why is the right door always locked?
I think Google did just fine not having any sort of release party. Think about this for a minute. Apple's marketing budget is gonna be over 1 billion this year. Samsungs will top 4.5 billion. Googles budget comes in at just about 500 million and a lot of that was spent on the Moto X campaign. Google spent very little money on marketing the N5. They left it up to rumor and speculation to do that for them. The big question for me is how many devices did they sell in the opening week? It won't top the iPhone numbers but even if it comes in at half of that it's huge. I'm getting tired of the whole google cut corners to build the N5 arguement. In my eyes the only corner they cut on this phone was their marketing budget. Then they where nice enough to keep their profit margin low on top of that. That's why so many of us can afford this phone. So props to Google for doing right and doing it well.
Well, I see your points but at the same time..
You could look at is as Google simply saying.. hey look, we can release a device and an update without much advertising and work.. without making a big deal out of it.
People love trying to guess, building up hype on their own. Google let the devs and Android fans take care of the advertising and "press." Did you see how many blogs posted release dates and rumors and specs?
DowntownJeffBrown said:
Last year many many people bought the n4 on launch cause of the hype from the event that wouldn't have on day one.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There wasn't a Nexus 4 event, because it was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.
andrewNY said:
There wasn't a Nexus 4 event, because it was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know that but it was announced almost 2 weeks ahead of the release. It was all over the internet how cheap it was and the great specs. There was nothing this time around not even a video like Katy year
Sent from my LG-E970 using Xparent BlueTapatalk 2
esskayy said:
who else is disappointed Google didn't hold a press event event for the launch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
seriously?!
Google is sad about Galaxy Nexus & Nexus S (now that the OS manages well 512MB devices again).
(Just Kidding of course).
BTW, they don't need press events for a device with that awesome price. And a system with (afaik currently) 80+% market share on purchases, considering that most of the sells are from non-nexus (no-kitkat) devices.
There wasn't a need for an event. There's no groundbreaking new feature or gimmick offered by KitKat or the Nexus 5 that is going to sway new buyers, let alone demonstrate.
theesotericone said:
I think Google did just fine not having any sort of release party. Think about this for a minute. Apple's marketing budget is gonna be over 1 billion this year. Samsungs will top 4.5 billion. Googles budget comes in at just about 500 million and a lot of that was spent on the Moto X campaign. Google spent very little money on marketing the N5. They left it up to rumor and speculation to do that for them. The big question for me is how many devices did they sell in the opening week? It won't top the iPhone numbers but even if it comes in at half of that it's huge. I'm getting tired of the whole google cut corners to build the N5 arguement. In my eyes the only corner they cut on this phone was their marketing budget. Then they where nice enough to keep their profit margin low on top of that. That's why so many of us can afford this phone. So props to Google for doing right and doing it well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A millionaire dollar marketing campaign is not exactly what I had in mind. Just a simple announcement held in one day. Hell, they could have even done so via a live stream like they did with the Google+ and Hangouts update.
Exel said:
Well, I see your points but at the same time..
You could look at is as Google simply saying.. hey look, we can release a device and an update without much advertising and work.. without making a big deal out of it.
People love trying to guess, building up hype on their own. Google let the devs and Android fans take care of the advertising and "press." Did you see how many blogs posted release dates and rumors and specs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as I enjoyed the fan made advertising through rumours, speculation and leak, I would still have much preferred an announcement from Google themselves. In fact, why not have both? If Google really felt the fans should do advertising for them, I think that's quite lazy on their part.
alpha beta gaga said:
seriously?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I'm serious. I feel you are interpreting it in some major sense though.
esskayy said:
As much as I enjoyed the fan made advertising through rumours, speculation and leak, I would still have much preferred an announcement from Google themselves. In fact, why not have both? If Google really felt the fans should do advertising for them, I think that's quite lazy on their part.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I suppose it can be seen like that as well.
Either way, I'm just happy Google keeps releasing good devices.
I love the Nexus line, I've had every nexus phone other than the Nexus One.
Exel said:
Yeah, I suppose it can be seen like that as well.
Either way, I'm just happy Google keeps releasing good devices.
I love the Nexus line, I've had every nexus phone other than the Nexus One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly, Google consistently releases excellent products (hardware and software). It's just a shame that they don't always showcase their pride for it for the world to see. As I imagined, most people here are saying "they don't need one" but they can't be further away from the truth, as I said, it's not just a sales pitch its about advertising the product and what makes it special.
i2ollingstone said:
I feel like the lack of an event helped limit the number of scavengers who purchase as many phones as they can just to resell them at a higher cost.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it might of helped a little. Still, the best way to combat these kinds of people is to have the inventory to support demand. It looks like Google did a pretty good job this time it looks like - maximum wait time is only 3-4 weeks. I'm sure there will be another bump in demand in about a month as Christmas shopping spins up, but I'm guessing that anyone who wants one will get it by the end of the year.
Me. And I leave for work at 1pm every day. I had faith and waited it out. I like to know what's going on.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I am dissapointed, google hosted an event to launch the Nexus 7 this year alongside android 4.3 which didnt change anything visually, only under-the-hood improvements, this proves that they dont want the Nexus phones to go mainstream, its just a phone to keep us geeks happy in our bubble, but its not a phone to market, it really pisses me off because I feel stock android is the best android experience you can get, and people out in the street dont know about it, most people dont even know Google owns Android, theres a whole universe of people out there missing the best experience an android phone can have, I feel like google didnt do the event and wont market the phone because it would piss off OEMS who are making phones with similar specifications but almost doubling the price...
LRC1710 said:
I am dissapointed, google hosted an event to launch the Nexus 7 this year alongside android 4.3 which didnt change anything visually, only under-the-hood improvements, this proves that they dont want the Nexus phones to go mainstream, its just a phone to keep us geeks happy in our bubble, but its not a phone to market, it really pisses me off because I feel stock android is the best android experience you can get, and people out in the street dont know about it, most people dont even know Google owns Android, theres a whole universe of people out there missing the best experience an android phone can have, I feel like google didnt do the event and wont market the phone because it would piss off OEMS who are making phones with similar specifications but almost doubling the price...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. I cannot agree with you more. I think it's selfish for people to want Google to keep the Nexus line exclusive for geeks. The AOSP experience is unrivalled. A lot of people don't know what they are missing out on. Nexus 5 > iPhone on so many levels, and yet the average Joe would not even know what the Nexus is. Tragic.

Categories

Resources