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I agree with the sentiment of being down on Google, but I just bought a Pixel 4 XL to replace my Pixel XL. They're not perfect, but they're phones that I can ge

I agree with the sentiment of being down on Google, but I just bought a Pixel 4 XL to replace my Pixel XL. They're not perfect, but they're phones that I can get, unlock, root, and actually have some sense of ownership over without any shenanigans. Why unlock and root? Because I can take full-disk images and restore the phone to an exact bit-for-bit copy. I can use apps like TitaniumBackup and bring over app+data piecemeal or swap out data profiles. I can use F-Droid to manage open-source apps and know that I'm getting something that I can crack open or modify if needed. I can get real insight into what the phone is doing via something like SystemPanel 2 or, worst-case, adb shell and figuring it out myself. I can copy the database from any app without dealing with Content Providers. I can install Magisk modules that give me a decent native shell and use Termux to install other utilities that I need. And ultimately, if I need something not accommodated by stock, I can install a custom ROM. I don't know how much of that is possible on an iPhone, but from what I hear, it's not much. That may be an OK option if you're willing to lock into the Apple ecosystem and take whatever they give you in exchange for feeling like your phone "just works", but if it's that important, you don't need to give up control -- just grab a cheap flip phone that will always "just work" while you retain the freedom and ability to get what you need out of your $1k pocket computer.

what_ever 7y ago
I think "just works" is way overblown. My friend just got a new iPhone 11 upgrading from 6s. FaceId is great, but you HAVE to swipe up after you unlock. There is no option, no setting to just jump to the home screen. Does it "just work"? I guess if that's the definition of working. It's been just a week and she is can't live with it. Other "just works" - always deep link to Apple Maps, Safari and other Apple apps. How is this still a thing in a "Pro" phone? Honestly I have been considering iPhone because of the longevity of their devices now that cameras have caught up with Pixels and added battery capacities but I can't deal with this locked down, spoon fed version of an OS. I think iPhone "just works" the way Apple wants and not how the user wants. Disc: Googler.
- tw04 7y ago
  No offense but it shows you haven't actually used one. By default any notifications on the phone are locked down. I can see I got a text message but I can't see the info. If I look at the phone it shows who the text is from and the contents of the text (or whatever notification we're talking about). If I swipe up I can use the phone. This experience is so far above and beyond anything google has offered to date I don't even know where to begin. Google is so far behind on faceID it's laughable. And this is coming from someone who switched from an iPhone 6 to a Pixel and stuck with google all the way until the Pixel 4. Sorry - the hardware is getting worse, not better. And the spying/data collection has become too much. When you've got a CIO that says he'd let any house guest know he's got devices recording them and would suggest anyone that has google devices in their house do the same - you lost me.
  - what_ever 7y ago
    > This experience is so far above and beyond anything google has offered to date I don't even know where to begin. I know about notifications being hidden when locked and expanded/shown only when you unlock. On Android, you can hide notification details from certain apps and show the details for others. For some apps I am okay to not worry about seeing the details of the notifications without unlocking the device. I don't unlock my phone to only see notifications, I have disabled most of the notifications and I unlock to do something actively. So more often than not, I want to get there without an extra step. So having an option there is the right thing. Pixel phone also gave an option do either - go to home screen or just show notifications. > Google is so far behind on faceID it's laughable I actually hate FaceID and like fingerprint unlock better so I don't really care about that. But by so far behind, you mean not caring if the eyes are open, sure they are far behind. > the hardware is getting worse, not better I didn't use P1 or P2 and jumped on P3 from 6P, I like it and didn't feel the hardware got worse. P4 battery life is bad (to say the least) but P4XL doesn't seem to have those issues. You brought up other issues with Android/Pixel but conveniently forgot to respond how iOS is crippling options itself. Don't even want to start with all browsers being wrappers of Safari. I am not going to respond further in this chain.
    - 7y ago

what_ever 7y ago

I think "just works" is way overblown. My friend just got a new iPhone 11 upgrading from 6s. FaceId is great, but you HAVE to swipe up after you unlock. There is no option, no setting to just jump to the home screen. Does it "just work"? I guess if that's the definition of working. It's been just a week and she is can't live with it. Other "just works" - always deep link to Apple Maps, Safari and other Apple apps. How is this still a thing in a "Pro" phone? Honestly I have been considering iPhone because of the longevity of their devices now that cameras have caught up with Pixels and added battery capacities but I can't deal with this locked down, spoon fed version of an OS. I think iPhone "just works" the way Apple wants and not how the user wants. Disc: Googler.

tw04 7y ago
No offense but it shows you haven't actually used one. By default any notifications on the phone are locked down. I can see I got a text message but I can't see the info. If I look at the phone it shows who the text is from and the contents of the text (or whatever notification we're talking about). If I swipe up I can use the phone. This experience is so far above and beyond anything google has offered to date I don't even know where to begin. Google is so far behind on faceID it's laughable. And this is coming from someone who switched from an iPhone 6 to a Pixel and stuck with google all the way until the Pixel 4. Sorry - the hardware is getting worse, not better. And the spying/data collection has become too much. When you've got a CIO that says he'd let any house guest know he's got devices recording them and would suggest anyone that has google devices in their house do the same - you lost me.
- what_ever 7y ago
  > This experience is so far above and beyond anything google has offered to date I don't even know where to begin. I know about notifications being hidden when locked and expanded/shown only when you unlock. On Android, you can hide notification details from certain apps and show the details for others. For some apps I am okay to not worry about seeing the details of the notifications without unlocking the device. I don't unlock my phone to only see notifications, I have disabled most of the notifications and I unlock to do something actively. So more often than not, I want to get there without an extra step. So having an option there is the right thing. Pixel phone also gave an option do either - go to home screen or just show notifications. > Google is so far behind on faceID it's laughable I actually hate FaceID and like fingerprint unlock better so I don't really care about that. But by so far behind, you mean not caring if the eyes are open, sure they are far behind. > the hardware is getting worse, not better I didn't use P1 or P2 and jumped on P3 from 6P, I like it and didn't feel the hardware got worse. P4 battery life is bad (to say the least) but P4XL doesn't seem to have those issues. You brought up other issues with Android/Pixel but conveniently forgot to respond how iOS is crippling options itself. Don't even want to start with all browsers being wrappers of Safari. I am not going to respond further in this chain.
  - 7y ago