3 ms·

Ask HN: What Android devices do you use? Do you like them?

2 points by networked 11y ago

on_and_off 11y ago
disclaimer : I make a living as an Android engineer for a big startup, so my vision of the platform is probably a bit different than if I were working in another field. I very recently bought a Nexus 6P. Very nice device and makes a compelling point for big screens. I am still in my adaptation phase and need to decide whether I prefer easy one handed usage or a big screen. The pixels dance on that screen though. The camera is superb. The rear bump is another compromise. I don't like it more than the camera bump on the more recent iPhones : I understand why it is necessary (good camera captors just need some room) and for such a large phone, making it as thin as possible is a good idea. So, to sum up, I like it :) Before the 6P, I have been using a Nexus 5 for 2 years. Very good device. Some of the best real life performances, especially compared to the disastrous samsung devices. I also have a 2013 nexus 7 tablet. I only use it for reading / watching youtube. Nice device too.
testrun 11y ago
Samsung Galaxy S6. Yes.
znpy 11y ago
I have a Nexus 5 and a no-brand tablet I use only to read ebooks. And no, I do not like them. It's not about the hardware, the software or usability. It's about the fact that mobile phone has become the 21st century leash. I do not install random apps, and still my phone is always busy and burdened with notifications, notifications, unread messages and such. Wherever I am, day or night, someone is going to trigger a notification on your phone, send you a message or worse, CALL YOU. And thank god I ditched Facebook a long long time ago. This is _SO_ annoying. Also, it is ABSURD that I have to manually edit notification settings for every app in order to disable crap. And apps want absurd permissions (stupid example: want to convert degrees to radians? well, I'm gonna need access to camera, microphone, your contact list and your identity). Thank god android 6 fixes this. Sometimes I think I should switch back to my old (but SILL WORKING) Nokia N73, and keep my Nexus 5 as nice toy, just in case I need Google maps or something.
duiker101 11y ago
I have an HTC M8, I am really really happy with it. It's a solid device, snappy and good looking. All the features I could possibly want. TBH, I can hardly think of anything else that could be added to improve my experience.
sjs382 11y ago
I have a "Droid Maxx" which is the Verizon version of the Moto X, but with an extra large battery. I love it. I have the latest generation Nexus 7. It's starting to be slow recently, but I still like it. I also have an android smartwatch (Sony SW3) and I usually don't bother to wear it.
luchadorvader 11y ago
I have a nexus 9 and had a nexus 5 (turns out it can't survive the ocean) as well as a nexus 7. I love unmodified android. I won't get an android device that another company has modified due to how long, if at all, they take to get updates. I also think they're kinda ugly or gimmicky anyways. Nexus 5 and 7 I loved. Nexus 9 is disappointing. It's just not powerful enough to provide a smooth experience for me. Developing wise, I'm conflicted. I've done iOS and android development. I don't like Java and I like ios's framework pattern but android is easier to get up and running IMO which is nice. Also now that iOS has Swift, which I think is a lot better than objc, it makes it harder for me to want to develop for Android. I know you can develop in a bunch of different things for android, but if I was doing something for production, I'm not going to be using something not supported by Google.

2 points by networked 11y ago

disclaimer : I make a living as an Android engineer for a big startup, so my vision of the platform is probably a bit different than if I were working in another field. I very recently bought a Nexus 6P. Very nice device and makes a compelling point for big screens. I am still in my adaptation phase and need to decide whether I prefer easy one handed usage or a big screen. The pixels dance on that screen though. The camera is superb. The rear bump is another compromise. I don't like it more than the camera bump on the more recent iPhones : I understand why it is necessary (good camera captors just need some room) and for such a large phone, making it as thin as possible is a good idea. So, to sum up, I like it :) Before the 6P, I have been using a Nexus 5 for 2 years. Very good device. Some of the best real life performances, especially compared to the disastrous samsung devices. I also have a 2013 nexus 7 tablet. I only use it for reading / watching youtube. Nice device too.

testrun 11y ago

Samsung Galaxy S6. Yes.

znpy 11y ago

I have a Nexus 5 and a no-brand tablet I use only to read ebooks. And no, I do not like them. It's not about the hardware, the software or usability. It's about the fact that mobile phone has become the 21st century leash. I do not install random apps, and still my phone is always busy and burdened with notifications, notifications, unread messages and such. Wherever I am, day or night, someone is going to trigger a notification on your phone, send you a message or worse, CALL YOU. And thank god I ditched Facebook a long long time ago. This is _SO_ annoying. Also, it is ABSURD that I have to manually edit notification settings for every app in order to disable crap. And apps want absurd permissions (stupid example: want to convert degrees to radians? well, I'm gonna need access to camera, microphone, your contact list and your identity). Thank god android 6 fixes this. Sometimes I think I should switch back to my old (but SILL WORKING) Nokia N73, and keep my Nexus 5 as nice toy, just in case I need Google maps or something.

duiker101 11y ago

I have an HTC M8, I am really really happy with it. It's a solid device, snappy and good looking. All the features I could possibly want. TBH, I can hardly think of anything else that could be added to improve my experience.

sjs382 11y ago

I have a "Droid Maxx" which is the Verizon version of the Moto X, but with an extra large battery. I love it. I have the latest generation Nexus 7. It's starting to be slow recently, but I still like it. I also have an android smartwatch (Sony SW3) and I usually don't bother to wear it.

luchadorvader 11y ago

I have a nexus 9 and had a nexus 5 (turns out it can't survive the ocean) as well as a nexus 7. I love unmodified android. I won't get an android device that another company has modified due to how long, if at all, they take to get updates. I also think they're kinda ugly or gimmicky anyways. Nexus 5 and 7 I loved. Nexus 9 is disappointing. It's just not powerful enough to provide a smooth experience for me. Developing wise, I'm conflicted. I've done iOS and android development. I don't like Java and I like ios's framework pattern but android is easier to get up and running IMO which is nice. Also now that iOS has Swift, which I think is a lot better than objc, it makes it harder for me to want to develop for Android. I know you can develop in a bunch of different things for android, but if I was doing something for production, I'm not going to be using something not supported by Google.