Android |OT| Beep-Boop

Grimey.

Also LOL @ Flossy doing a 'short' review of the V30

35 minutes long

And the shade on the Essential a minute in...

Awesome. Hope more dudes from the community show up. Wasn't there a group hangout? Getem on here lol

By joefu Go To PostAwesome. Hope more dudes from the community show up. Wasn't there a group hangout? Getem on here lol

I haven't been in the Hangout since they re-made it

Speaking of Essential, $500 is mighty tempting

Fury's Top 5 Android devices this year:

LG G6
Xperia XZ Compact (for people with small hands)
S8/S8+/V30
Huawei Honor 9
Pixel/Pixel 2

My Kameelah Ass List for smartphones over $700:
IR Blaster
IP68
HDR certified
dual front facing speakers
quad mics or dual mic at least
wireless charging
Daydream support
HDMI display mode to monitor or Dev-like docking solution
Quad DAC
Manual Photo and Video Mode
1 second exposure
Portrait Mode
Quick Charge
Dual Camera
Dual front facing camera if the device is $1000
Wide angle front facing camera
notification LED
Enhanced audio features
microsd card support
Two years of OS Updates launched with latest OS
Near stock android
Fast updates

Running an S7, starting to see some slowdowns but can't upgrade on contract until next year sadly. Is there any good advice on what I could potentially do to make it last longer? I always wanted to clean out and install stock android but never got around to it, recommended?

I have a G6, but the V30 looks so tempting. Might pull trigger 4 months later when price drops lool.

By Eorl Go To PostRunning an S7, starting to see some slowdowns but can't upgrade on contract until next year sadly. Is there any good advice on what I could potentially do to make it last longer? I always wanted to clean out and install stock android but never got around to it, recommended?

Have you tried a factory reset?

Sounds like the Pixel 2 XL is fucked. Glad I like smaller phones.

By Vermillion Go To PostSounds like the Pixel 2 XL is fucked. Glad I like smaller phones.

what a debacle they have on their hands.

hope they can bounce back next year.

with a headphone jack.

Kind of glad I didn't go for the pixel 2 after I got my pixel for the debacle that was Nexus 6p.

By Vermillion Go To PostSounds like the Pixel 2 XL is fucked. Glad I like smaller phones.

Until another Android phone can get the Pixel's timeline for updates, it doesn't even have competition on that front. It'll do just fine.

Yes, the display issues definitely are concerning, but those specific issues have nothing to do with the functionality of the phone. I want a smart phone. Not a glamour phone.

why was this topic so late? (yes, I could have made it here, but just planned to make it on ERA. Obviously I lost.

Wait what? What's going on with Pixel 2 XL? I was going to look at one tonight :/

By Smokey Go To PostWait what? What's going on with Pixel 2 XL? I was going to look at one tonight :/

Color shifting when tilting the device and burn-in (like all phones with OLED screens). Considering how a phone is normally held, the first is a non issue and the second has always been the downside to using OLED in any phone or TV.

Disappointed by the Pixel2, thinking of just jumping on the 5t if/when it drops depending on what's packed in.

Due to life had to hold back on a purchase. My Honor 8 has done me well, but battery is all sorts of fucked lately.

Still waiting for my Panda Pixel 2 XL. A month to go I guess.

By RATHasReturned Go To PostStill waiting for my Panda Pixel 2 XL. A month to go I guess.

Just wanted to say that your Avatar is awesome, lol.

Amazon has deals on smartphones:

The LG G6+ is the star of the show as it's a better version of the LG G6 with more storage and a hifi dac.

Only issue with these devices is you pay for ads but it's really a great deal in the case of the G6+. You're better off buying the G6 used as that goes for around $300 if you find the right dealer.

By Furyous Go To PostAmazon has deals on smartphones:

The LG G6+ is the star of the show as it's a better version of the LG G6 with more storage and a hifi dac.

Only issue with these devices is you pay for ads but it's really a great deal in the case of the G6+. You're better off buying the G6 used as that goes for around $300 if you find the right dealer.

Yup. Plus I believe you can pay to have the ads removed later.

My phone blocked charging this morning because it's moisture sensor went off. I have the LG G6. How common is it?

By Con_Smith Go To PostDisappointed by the Pixel2, thinking of just jumping on the 5t if/when it drops depending on what's packed in.

Due to life had to hold back on a purchase. My Honor 8 has done me well, but battery is all sorts of fucked lately.

what happened to the battery? I just bought the Honor 8 recently, great phone.

Whats a good small phone (around size of samsung s5 mini)? I was looking at a xperia compact. Even that isnt available in Canada so ill have to order it.

By Alcotholic Go To PostMy phone blocked charging this morning because it's moisture sensor went off. I have the LG G6. How common is it?

Common if it's wet. Pretty uncommon if it's not wet.

By faceless Go To PostCommon if it's wet. Pretty uncommon if it's not wet.

Well... I forgot to mention I dropped it in the toilet. So I guess it makes sense now.

No, I woke up this morning and it was telling me it blocked charging.

By brainchild Go To PostColor shifting when tilting the device and burn-in (like all phones with OLED screens). Considering how a phone is normally held, the first is a non issue and the second has always been the downside to using OLED in any phone or TV.

Isn't there an issue with bad color reproduction. Like the settings are bad? Also just a single back camera is pretty disappointing considering most flagships are on dual cameras already. That bokeh/dof/dslr like effect on the Note 8 is pretty amazing, the software solution from Google can't really compete.

By Deadbeat Go To PostWhats a good small phone (around size of samsung s5 mini)? I was looking at a xperia compact. Even that isnt available in Canada so ill have to order it.

Not many options in the 4.5 range. If you go to 5 there are plenty good phones out there.

Fuck it.

Traded in V10 for the Pixel 2 XL. It's dope.

OLED forever

By Kill Your Masters Go To PostIsn't there an issue with bad color reproduction. Like the settings are bad? Also just a single back camera is pretty disappointing considering most flagships are on dual cameras already. That bokeh/dof/dslr like effect on the Note 8 is pretty amazing, the software solution from Google can't really compete.

Not many options in the 4.5 range. If you go to 5 there are plenty good phones out there.

No. The screen calibration isn't as vibrant as some people would like, but that's just a matter of opinion, and more importantly, something that Google could change in an update if there was enough demand for it.

As for the camera, it is considered to be the overall best smartphone camera by nearly every reputable source who's reviewed it, and this is even ignoring the DXO analysis. Bokeh in smartphone cameras are a joke when compared to DSLR cameras, and they're all fake. Every last one of them is done through software.

Two cameras used in concert do not create Bokeh DOF. They're used to create a depth map for the subject in focus (by way of stereoscopy) and distinguish it from the background. Google does the same thing with the Pixel, but instead of creating the depth map from dual lenses, they create the depth map from dual pixel sensors. Admittedly, the pixel sensors have a smaller field of view, but the concept is exactly the same. Where the technologies differ is that with dual camaras, it's much easier to calculate the depth map for the focal point because of the physical distance between the two cameras, so you don't really need some complex algorithm to sort it out. With dual pixel sensors, the difference in perspective between the left and right sensors are so small that you'll have to do some mathematical extrapolation in combination with neural networking to figure out the depth of a focal point that is on a scale of several orders of magnitude larger.

After the depth maps get created, then the Bokeh is applied, through software. This is not how cameras like DSLRs create Bokeh DOF because they don't need to; Bokeh happens naturally on those cameras due to how the physics of light work in relationship to the focal length and f-stops of those cameras.


As the light rays enter the lens at the point of incidence, light rays coming from the camera's subject converge. Light rays coming from further away than the camera's subject hit the image sensor at different angles of incidence with respect to the focal point, causing those rays to blur to infinity the further the distance. This is pretty much how our eyes work as well. The difference with digital cameras is that their apertures are not perfectly circular sometimes, so out of focus light sources will sometimes take on different angular shapes, depending on the shape of the aperture.

Frankly, it is physically impossible for smartphones cameras to create natural DOF. Their apertures, focal lengths, and image sensors are too small by inherent design.

So now that we've established that smartphone cameras create DOF through software, we can get to the real heart of the issue with DOF on the Pixel. As I alluded to before, Google has to rely on their algorithmic experience to teach the software when and where to apply the DOF, and it's a lot harder doing that with just one camera, even if it does have dual pixel sensors. However, this is completely solvable over time through machine learning, and it's already doing a good job with human subjects. It just needs more data, which will come in time.

By faceless Go To PostHave you tried a factory reset?

I do want to do this first, just wondering if there is a good reason to going native OS instead of manufacturer OS.

By brainchild Go To PostNo. The screen calibration isn't as vibrant as some people would like, but that's just a matter of opinion, and more importantly, something that Google could change in an update if there was enough demand for it.

(snip)

So now that we've established that smartphone cameras create DOF through software, we can get to the real heart of the issue with DOF on the Pixel. As I alluded to before, Google has to rely on their algorithmic experience to teach the software when and where to apply the DOF, and it's a lot harder doing that with just one camera, even if it does have dual pixel sensors. However, this is completely solvable over time through machine learning, and it's already doing a good job with human subjects. It just needs more data, which will come in time.

This is one of the most informative posts on the subject I've ever read. Perfectly explained as well.

By Gattsu25 Go To PostThis is one of the most informative posts on the subject I've ever read. Perfectly explained as well.

Thanks.

Light physics (and science in general) are one of the things I'm really passionate about, so I always try to contribute to encouraging literacy on the subject whenever I can. Glad you were able to appreciate it.

When people understand the science behind the tech, they can parse through PR buzzwords and truly evaluate the pros and cons of the products on the market.

My poor LG Stylo is in need of an upgrade to something better (8GB of internal storage is comparable to barely making it to work or class on time). And I've been looking at the LG G6, but college plus money is a mystery in on itself. Hopefully I can get a new phone next year (and maybe a job), but I am not sure at this point.

By brainchild Go To Postsnip
.

Thanks for the write up. I was aware of most of these things especially that in smartphone cameras, due to physical limitations they can't be like DSLRs, only emulate it with a lot of software processing. I was just thinking a dual lens setup makes these things better/easier. The hdr and generally what Google does with algorithms on processing a photo is stunning (I remember a video of mkbhd and how he showed a video where Googles software removed a person in front of a fence and the software managed to pretty much reproduce the background, wow)

It's all about bang for buck I guess. I just don't see the Pixel being that much better than lets say a S8 or N8 and we know these phones will be dirt cheap compared to a Pixel in 6 months or so.

Also I think they once again cheaped out on reusing hardware parts from HTC. Called it that the Pixel will be squeezable as soon as I read that HTC will make the hardware parts. It just feels as they cheaped out on the hardware part by reusing stuff from other manufacturers. I also admit I'm somewhat mad they abandoned the Nexus line of affordable phones so I'm biased in that regard.

Regarding the screen it seems they will recalibrate it in one of the next updates.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/10/26/google-will-update-pixel-2-2-xl-saturated-color-mode-says-xl-burn-not-issue/

By Kill Your Masters Go To PostThanks for the write up. I was aware of most of these things especially that in smartphone cameras, due to physical limitations they can't be like DSLRs, only emulate it with a lot of software processing. I was just thinking a dual lens setup makes these things better/easier. The hdr and generally what Google does with algorithms on processing a photo is stunning (I remember a video of mkbhd and how he showed a video where Googles software removed a person in front of a fence and the software managed to pretty much reproduce the background, wow)

It's all about bang for buck I guess. I just don't see the Pixel being that much better than lets say a S8 or N8 and we know these phones will be dirt cheap compared to a Pixel in 6 months or so.

Also I think they once again cheaped out on reusing hardware parts from HTC. Called it that the Pixel will be squeezable as soon as I read that HTC will make the hardware parts. It just feels as they cheaped out on the hardware part by reusing stuff from other manufacturers. I also admit I'm somewhat mad they abandoned the Nexus line of affordable phones so I'm biased in that regard.

Regarding the screen it seems they will recalibrate it in one of the next updates.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/10/26/google-will-update-pixel-2-2-xl-saturated-color-mode-says-xl-burn-not-issue/

Well, the Pixel also contains a pretty beastly SoC called the Pixel Visual Core, and it's just sitting dormant in every Pixel phone right now. A microelectronics chip with 3 [limited] Teraflops of computing power (Image processor with 512 ALUs, dedicate ARM core and memory), designed by Google from scratch can hardly be considered cheap when when you factor the cost of 2 SoCs in one phone. I'm pretty sure this is the first phone to do this, btw. But just because it isn't being used right now doesn't mean that it isn't adding cost to the device.

I understand that it doesn't necessarily LOOK like a high-end phone, but it definitely has the receipts to prove it.

And finally, I agree with you about Google's departure from mid-range phones like the Nexus brand (I used to own one). If you ask me, all high end phones cost way too much fucking money (they're all way above their bill of materials), but considering that people are perfectly happy to pay for them at those prices, I don't see the point in complaining about it anymore. Perception of value is a hell of a drug.

Oh, and glad Google's providing more calibration options for those who want it.

I'm happy LG is a company. Their high end phones constantly fall into mid range prices. I have no idea if they are profitable, but hope they are. Kinda sad how other phones with similar specs somehow retain their value, but LG stuff always loses value months in. As long as there is never another mobo related issue, I wouldn't mind constantly upgrading to another LG phone. The V30 is legit sexy.

Has Spotify gone to shit for anyone else this week? Slow, unresponsiveness, tracks take forever to load. Songs will go on playing a good half a minute after pausing and even completely shutting down the app.

By faceless Go To PostGrimey.

Also LOL @ Flossy doing a 'short' review of the V30

35 minutes long

And the shade on the Essential a minute in…

https://youtu.be/jy-XNrxx7us

Oh my, just got around seeing it. Love Flossys reviews.

By faceless Go To PostGrimey.

Also LOL @ Flossy doing a 'short' review of the V30

35 minutes long

And the shade on the Essential a minute in…

https://youtu.be/jy-XNrxx7us

This is the first video of his im watching. Lmao hes great. Rare that you find a tech reviewer with an actual personality. Gonna watch all his other vids while I work.

By s y Go To PostThis is the first video of his im watching. Lmao hes great. Rare that you find a tech reviewer with an actual personality. Gonna watch all his other vids while I work.

Yeah, flossy is great. Possibly the realest reviewer on the internet. I like that he focuses on his preferences and experiences instead of trying to make objective statements about the products he reviews.

Sidenote: I know of a "brainchild" from somewhere else but it can't be the same brainchild...

What android smartphone do you own and why?

I'm too picky about what smartphone gets the privilege of meeting my demands so abstain from owning one right now. Next year on the other hand is when I own a bunch of smartphones. GS7 should be $170 by then. XZC should be around $375. G6+ should drop to $300. I can buy all three for less than full spec Google Pixel XL2.

Close only counts in horseshoes http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/10/27/one-mans-verizon-pixel-2-came-packaging-literature-meant-included-pixel-buds-style-wired-earphones/

Hi guys. I like Android.

By Furyous Go To PostSidenote: I know of a "brainchild" from somewhere else but it can't be the same brainchild…

What android smartphone do you own and why?

I'm too picky about what smartphone gets the privilege of meeting my demands so abstain from owning one right now. Next year on the other hand is when I own a bunch of smartphones. GS7 should be $170 by then. XZC should be around $375. G6+ should drop to $300. I can buy all three for less than full spec Google Pixel XL2.

I was also brainchild at NeoGAF. Haven't really seen anyone else use my name on the internet, which is why I can normally use it without any extra characters, lol. Curious to know why you think I couldn't be the same brainchild that you're thinking of though.

I have a Galaxy S7, which I despise, but had no choice to accept as my replacement from T-mobile when my Nexus 6 died since they no longer sell it. Pixel 2 XL will be my next phone. Regardless of price, speedy updates is a priority for me, and Pixels get updates before any other Android phone. That and it's stock Android. I'm pretty much always going to get a Google phone unless another phone can have those same exact features.

Have had my Pixel 2 XL for a few days and it's pretty snappy. Been impressed by the battery and the quickness to which it charges. I charged the phone up to 100% around 3pm on Thursday, and around that same time on Friday, I had about 25% battery left. Didn't charge in between. Used plenty of GPS and Youtube watching during that period too. Software is quick and fast. This is my first Google phone so I'm still trying to get used to everything, but I am happy to be on a product that is guaranteed to get the latest Android updates.

Regarding the screen, the complaints issued earlier in the thread are valid. When viewed at an angle it looks a little weird, and even straight on it seems like the colors have something going on. Can't put my finger on it. I believe it was stated that this could be fixed in a software update? I hope so.

Fingerprint reader works very well as does Google Assistant. Overall I'm pleased with the phone, just hope they get the screen stuff sorted.

I watched this video yesterday



He does a good job of showing the features of the Pixel 2 XL and talks heavy about the screen, and shows it compared to a Note 8. It's definitely missing the punchy contrast of the 8. For me it doesn't bother. I compare it to my LG OLED in Standard mode vs Vibrant, but there is a clear difference.

In every other aspect , the phone is top notch. Everything is super quick and I'm still really impressed with the battery. Says my last charge was 1d 6hr ago, and I still have 21% left, or about 2 hours of use. Coming from the V10, that is incredible.

I swear all the dudes who use to come through to my car meets become relevant YouTubers. Flossy, SuperSpeedersRob, and Tavarish.

Flossy is a hilarious dude IRL, and was a master troll in our old BMW group. His M5 is fucking insane.

Anyway, name dropping out of the way...I mentioned in the tech thread that my Nexus 6P's battery started shitting the bed in a big way. I took it to my local UBreakIFix and they ordered a new OEM battery for me - entire fix cost $100 (including hardware). It's all good now. I can't believe how widespread the battery issue is on these.

Yup Nexus 6p's battery was shit. I remember mine was doing at about 55% everyday until I was about to get it traded in for a new Pixel. I had to keep a charger in my car, bag, home, and work just so it wouldn't die

Dang... My G6s vibration motor died or something. Also bought this phone off swappa so I'll have to pay for repairs. Sucks. Need to find a phone to use during the 2 weeks it's gonna take to fix it...

By s y Go To Post

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QszSY_UD20

Lmao @ 13:30

Great review as usual but also quite long. I wish he would do some shorter ones but yeah his personal really shines in the long reviews.