4 ms·

So, Google makes (specifically subcontracts out) the Pixel (but it is their branded device). It definitely is not the most popular Android phone out there. Goo

by xrd 8y ago

So, Google makes (specifically subcontracts out) the Pixel (but it is their branded device). It definitely is not the most popular Android phone out there. Google makes the Pixelbook. It is definitely not the "best" laptop when you consider less expensive alternatives, and it is not the best seller. But, Android would be called a successful strategy. And, Chromebooks would be called a successful strategy. What I'm trying to say (and would love to hear comments suggesting otherwise) is that these forays into hardware might just be to guarantee a baseline level of quality for vendors of the products to aspire to. And, in that light, even if the hardware divisions aren't making a dent in the Google's reported revenue, they still serve and were effective in their goals. These cutbacks are just evidence that Google wants to optimize the way things are done, not evidence that they were failures. GCP is a different beast, however. :)

bilal4hmed 8y ago
The problem with Chromebooks is that they have always been touted as a way to get a computer very cheaply. Years have gone by with the marketing being that Chromebooks are cheap. When you get pixelbooks that are $600 to $1500 people are going to have sticker shock, no matter how great the product is. The pixel phones on the other hand have been selling better ( in fact grew quite a bit numbers wise as well ). The phone line has a better chance of turning in to the Googles surface line esp. since the marketing around that has been "Its the best camera ever" and people are willing to pay a premium for that.
- xrd 8y ago
  I bought the Pixelbook (online) for a little less than full price. I also bought another Chromebook at BestBuy that was ~$250. I was blown away by another Chromebook that had a 17" screen and was less than $300 at the store. I was overwhelmed by the options (and BestBuy never helps because their employees must be rated on how well they can hide in the store and not how well they can help customers). There are plenty of options in store and online, most of which hover around the $300 price point, which is very competitive. If you are buying a Pixelbook you are buying it because you want Linux on it, or the amazing screen, and are calculating that into it. If you want an inexpensive Chromebook, you aren't stymied in that search by price.
pjmlp 8y ago
Chromebooks are only successful if one constrains the world to the US school system. Outside that they are even less than the worldwide GNU/Linux desktop market, hardly a measure of success.
- xrd 8y ago
  That's a good point.
  - xrd 8y ago
    I will say though, being successful in us schools was the precursor to Apple dominance. I'm not saying cause and effect but...
deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
fvjft 8y ago
The Pixel could've been a success if they hadn't sold it at such a high price. They think they are Apple, but they obviously are not.
scarface74 8y ago
How would Android be called a successful strategy? It came out during the Oracle trial that Android has only made Google $38 billion during its entire existence - less than what the iPhone has made Apple during its last quarter.
- wstrange 8y ago
  Without Android, Apple would likely have the vast majority of market share on mobile. Apple would be charging Google even more than they do already (billions) to be the default search engine on safari.
- wetpaws 8y ago
  Lots and lots and lots of devices with google services and chrome. That bring ads. That bring money. A lot of money.
  - scarface74 8y ago
    Do you think that Oracle's lawyers missed that when they said in court documents that Google made $31B on Android? A number that Google didn't dispute... https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oracle-google-lawsuit/oracle-lawyer-says-googles-android-generated-31-billion-revenue-idUSKCN0UZ2W9 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oracle-google-lawsuit/ora...
    - jessaustin 8y ago
      Why would Google have disputed an obvious lowball? They were getting sued... The first line at your link: "...revenue of about $31 billion and profit of $22 billion..." Again, fake numbers, but wow that's profitable.
      - scarface74 8y ago
        Do you really think in discovery in official court documents that Google could get away with having false numbers? 22 billion in profit in almost a decade for having 80% of the market is peanuts. Google has paid more than that to Apple for being the default search engine on iOS for the same time period.

by xrd 8y ago

bilal4hmed 8y ago

The problem with Chromebooks is that they have always been touted as a way to get a computer very cheaply. Years have gone by with the marketing being that Chromebooks are cheap. When you get pixelbooks that are $600 to $1500 people are going to have sticker shock, no matter how great the product is. The pixel phones on the other hand have been selling better ( in fact grew quite a bit numbers wise as well ). The phone line has a better chance of turning in to the Googles surface line esp. since the marketing around that has been "Its the best camera ever" and people are willing to pay a premium for that.

xrd 8y ago
I bought the Pixelbook (online) for a little less than full price. I also bought another Chromebook at BestBuy that was ~$250. I was blown away by another Chromebook that had a 17" screen and was less than $300 at the store. I was overwhelmed by the options (and BestBuy never helps because their employees must be rated on how well they can hide in the store and not how well they can help customers). There are plenty of options in store and online, most of which hover around the $300 price point, which is very competitive. If you are buying a Pixelbook you are buying it because you want Linux on it, or the amazing screen, and are calculating that into it. If you want an inexpensive Chromebook, you aren't stymied in that search by price.

pjmlp 8y ago

Chromebooks are only successful if one constrains the world to the US school system. Outside that they are even less than the worldwide GNU/Linux desktop market, hardly a measure of success.

xrd 8y ago
That's a good point.
- xrd 8y ago
  I will say though, being successful in us schools was the precursor to Apple dominance. I'm not saying cause and effect but...

deleted 8y ago

[deleted]

fvjft 8y ago

The Pixel could've been a success if they hadn't sold it at such a high price. They think they are Apple, but they obviously are not.

scarface74 8y ago

How would Android be called a successful strategy? It came out during the Oracle trial that Android has only made Google $38 billion during its entire existence - less than what the iPhone has made Apple during its last quarter.

wstrange 8y ago
Without Android, Apple would likely have the vast majority of market share on mobile. Apple would be charging Google even more than they do already (billions) to be the default search engine on safari.
wetpaws 8y ago
Lots and lots and lots of devices with google services and chrome. That bring ads. That bring money. A lot of money.
- scarface74 8y ago
  Do you think that Oracle's lawyers missed that when they said in court documents that Google made $31B on Android? A number that Google didn't dispute... https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oracle-google-lawsuit/oracle-lawyer-says-googles-android-generated-31-billion-revenue-idUSKCN0UZ2W9 https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oracle-google-lawsuit/ora...
  - jessaustin 8y ago
    Why would Google have disputed an obvious lowball? They were getting sued... The first line at your link: "...revenue of about $31 billion and profit of $22 billion..." Again, fake numbers, but wow that's profitable.
    - scarface74 8y ago
      Do you really think in discovery in official court documents that Google could get away with having false numbers? 22 billion in profit in almost a decade for having 80% of the market is peanuts. Google has paid more than that to Apple for being the default search engine on iOS for the same time period.