Google Android catch-all

I had a Note 4 tablet, but gave it to my son when I got my Surface - thinking I could set up an Android VM pretty easily to play the few games I enjoy. Well, not so much. There are some Android VM's out there, but they are hit or miss on how well they work, how much power they take, and how recent the version of Android they run. I don't understand why Google doesn't support VM's better - it is in their best interest to get people using Android as many places as possible... They have started supporting Android apps on their most recent Chromebook machines, but I haven't found a Chromebook VM either.

I'm going to make the jump from IOS to Android and had a few quick questions. I'm on Verizon but not on contract. I'm thinking Pixel is probably the safest phone to buy for updates.

Where's the best play to buy a Pixel for Verizon? (I had heard rumors that the Verizon ones were worse prob due to crapware)

Am I going to have to pay an activation fee? If so does anyone know the cost?

Can I just move my sim over or is there more to it?

I'm sure the best Pixel is directly from Google. The problem is, I believe it is pretty hard to get a phone from them. I know on The Verge podcast one of the host said he has been trying to get a Pixel for months, and after finally being able to order one the ship date is like a month off. He did mention that getting one directly from Verizon wouldn't be a problem. I'm sure bloat is the reason he didn't go that route.

EvilDead wrote:

I'm going to make the jump from IOS to Android and had a few quick questions.

Having used a Pixel, it's fine, but I wouldn't say it's worth switching to over a current iOS device. That back glass is really prone to scratches, and however well made the hardware is (and it is), you're still looking at maybe 2 years of full updates and one past that for security fixes.

The Pixel XL, especially in the 128GB configuration, has only been in stock or available to preorder intermittently since it was released. The other configurations are much easier to find.

I would be switching over from a 6S and was looking at the the smaller Pixel 128 GB. I did just check their website and that particular configuration is not in stock. Hmmm.

@Kurrelgyre - Why do you say it isn't worth switching from an iOS device? Is there another Android phone I should look at?

Edit: It looks like the caveats from getting it from Verizon are:

1. Locked bootloader
2. Bloatware (uninstallable so not a big deal)
3. Updates have to be certified by Verizon before being pushed out. Verizon claims they will push out updates in the same timeframe that Google does directly but who knows how long that will last.

EvilDead wrote:

@Kurrelgyre - Why do you say it isn't worth switching from an iOS device? Is there another Android phone I should look at?

No, just in the general sense of it not doing anything phenomenally better, just doing it different.

Yeah I wouldn't get it from Verizon. When I had the Galaxy Nexus from then a few years ago the updates were months behind and then eventually stopped, despite Google still putting out updates for the phone.

Damn, I guess it's the waiting game then. It's weird that google doesn't let you order now for stock shipment later.

Does anyone else have issues with your contacts on Android? I'm missing contacts, and have multiple duplicates since a couple of days. Google contacts did a major update recently, maybe it's related? I can't find anything useful on the webs.

I'm sporting a OnePlus 3.

EvilDead wrote:

1. Locked bootloader
2. Bloatware (uninstallable so not a big deal)
3. Updates have to be certified by Verizon before being pushed out. Verizon claims they will push out updates in the same timeframe that Google does directly but who knows how long that will last.

The last device I got through Verizon they pushed an update that completely killed all my google services. I couldn't use google talk, gmail, anything google specific. It was a Sony device and they acknolwedged the bug and put out a quick fix but 3 months later Verizon still didn't get around to pushing it out, and since things were locked I couldn't update it myself (I tried many times). Eventually I paid to get out of contract and switched to another provider. Moral of the story, never get tied to a provider.

Ok, so Verizon sold version is out of the question.

dejanzie wrote:

Does anyone else have issues with your contacts on Android? I'm missing contacts, and have multiple duplicates since a couple of days. Google contacts did a major update recently, maybe it's related? I can't find anything useful on the webs.

I'm sporting a OnePlus 3.

I had that on my old LG 3. But it was after a encrypt/decrypt cycle I did to try to run some work software. Somehow the phone contacts got out of sync with the Google contacts. It was a total mess.

Stele wrote:
dejanzie wrote:

Does anyone else have issues with your contacts on Android? I'm missing contacts, and have multiple duplicates since a couple of days. Google contacts did a major update recently, maybe it's related? I can't find anything useful on the webs.

I'm sporting a OnePlus 3.

I had that on my old LG 3. But it was after a encrypt/decrypt cycle I did to try to run some work software. Somehow the phone contacts got out of sync with the Google contacts. It was a total mess.

Did you find a way to fix it? I'm hesitant to delete all contacts to be honest...

EvilDead wrote:

Ok, so Verizon sold version is out of the question.

As is Google, most of the time. Getting a Pixel is kind of a pain, which is why I went with a Nexus 6P. Only cost me $450, I believe, so that was nice.

Interesting. I'm comparing my open Nexus tablet (2012), which is still on Marshmallow with my s7 edge, which I just updated to Nougat. Critics and peeps like to crap on Samsung's TouchWiz a lot, but I've often found it useful. Bloaty, but useful. Many of Samsung's innovations in software over the years turn out to be crap. Their old calendar was crap and I just never used it. Having said that, many of their innovations were useful to me and I sometimes miss them when they go away. Air View was a useful "peek" feature for text messages, often allowing me to read entire messages without leaving the message list screen. This is useful when you're mass-reading texts or looking for a particular piece of content.

Well, a fair bit of the last TouchWiz stuff actually was so useful that they made it into Nougat! This actually makes the update LESS useful for Samsung users since we already had most of these from the start.

1. Quicker quick settings. Yep. Samsung in Marshmallow featured not only a good and editable Quick Settings menu, but also a scrollable longer Quick Settings, allowing you as many as 10 settings in a single line. It's useful because you can call down the settings and scroll through them all without having to take up screen real estate (in case you were reading). Scrolling to the side and picking a setting is also more ergonomic, something I miss in Nougat.

2. Multi-windows. It's nice. Good that Nougat has this now.

3. Quick replies. I didn't realize Marshmallow didn't already have this, since the s7 edge had it out-of-the-box.

4. Separate Lock and Home Screen wallpapers. Been there, done that.

5. Clear all apps. Even my S5 had this from launch, 3 years ago, and that was on Lollipop.

TouchWiz commonly has a bunch of QoL or convenience features of this nature. I remember, switching between my Nexus tablet and my S5 in 2015 that I kept getting annoyed at the lack of certain features on the Nexus. The Quick Settings, for sure.

I like Google's launcher, so I use that instead of the Touchwiz Launcher, but then again, I like Nova, too. I still like some features on the current Touchwiz on Nougat that I don't know is on Android. For instance, Quick Camera Launch in Samsung is, IMO, easier, though iOS is still easiest. You double-tap the home button. That's it. It's probably a preference thing, though. I'm glad Samsung partially got their senses back and put expandable memory and water resistance back in the S7. Still sucks about the battery not being replaceable, though.

I agree, LarryC. TouchWiz, especially in its current Grace UX iteration, does a lot which I like. I actually wish some of the hate could be steered toward more worthy targets for optimization like Facebook and Chrome.

So Im thinking I need a new phone to replace my trusty but aging S4.

I can't really make heads or tails of the phones out now but I'm pretty sure I DONT want an S8 (Way too expensive and too tall to use one handed). I'd like to avoid a phone with a glass back as well. Really I'm looking for a phone that has:

  • 64gigs + Internal Memory
  • USB-C
  • Micro SD Card Slot
  • Solid Battery Life
  • An actual home button (not just a fingerprint scanner)
  • Not locked down like Fort Knox
  • Not filled to the brim with unremoveable bloatware
  • Available on ATT or Tmobile (I'd switch if it made sense)
  • Not more than $600 if possible

I've been creeping around various tech sites looking at various phones and what not and thought maybe the 6P or the OnePlus3T or maybe the MotoZ but they all are missing this or that. You all seem to be a LOT more knowledgeable about these infernal devices so I come, hat in hand, for your wise and sage advice.

If you have some recommendations, I'd love that. But maybe even just a place to look at some of these devices. I'm not too concerned about an older model phone (Still rocking that S4, Baby) as long as it works and is relatively tough enough for me to drop it (I always drop these damn things) without it shattering into a million pieces in slow motion as tragic music plays...

Thanks in Advance!

I don't think you're going to find a home button anymore, anywhere.

I suggest you give not having a home button a chance. I've been using the Nexus 6P for a while now and the fingerprint sensor on the back is a natural way to wake the phone. And the virtual home button works well enough.

IMO, if you don't have a button on the front, double tap to wake is needed. I only realized how important this was to me as recently my LG G4's double tap has started to fail on occasion, where it never used to.

If the phone's in a car mount or just laying on the desk, only having a button on the back is annoying if you can't tap to wake.

Is that now built into these phones with no home button?

Most new flagships are also going to be over $600. That means you will be looking at older/budget phones. I would suggest looking at the ZTE Axon 7. It hits all those marks except for the physical home button. You may be able to find an LG V20 for under $600. It's been a great phone. Removable battery and fast charging makes up for it's average battery life.

5x or Pixel.

boogle wrote:

5x or Pixel.

If only the 5x had more storage. It was a great phone otherwise.

RoughneckGeek wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
boogle wrote:

5x or Pixel.

If only the 5x had more storage. It was a great phone otherwise.

The 2GB of RAM on the 5X after coming from a phone with 3GB made for a frustrating experience. The Pixel is heavenly.

And if you don't want to shell out (or wait) for a Pixel then a 6P is what I'd get. I say that because that is what I bought two months ago.

oh man I didnt know the Home button was on its way out. Its just what I'm used to. Time to learn new tricks, old dog!

I need to put hands on a Pixel and a 6P. I'm not necessarily trying to get a flagship phone so something older and slower (but everything will be faster than the S4) is perfectly fine for me. I dont do much gaming or anything on my phone but I want to to work reliably and comfortably with a decent camera.

Thanks for the suggestions! Anybody using the OnePlus3T? The LGV20 felt huge in my hand (and I have big hands) but I didnt get to try it out.

MannishBoy wrote:

IMO, if you don't have a button on the front, double tap to wake is needed. I only realized how important this was to me as recently my LG G4's double tap has started to fail on occasion, where it never used to.

If the phone's in a car mount or just laying on the desk, only having a button on the back is annoying if you can't tap to wake.

Is that now built into these phones with no home button?

Not that I know of.

One suggestion is to enable developer mode and turn on the never sleep option when plugged in. The display will stay on. You can still manually turn of the screen with the power button for cases where you charging at night when you go to sleep.

I recently went from a Moto G4 Plus (short-lived) to a Galaxy S7 after Sprint offered us a long-time-customer deal we couldn't refuse. (Three free S7's? Yes, please.)

The G4 Plus was the first unlocked phone I'd ever bought. Signal reception/quality was better than any cellphone I've ever had, the fingerprint sensor was lightning-fast, the camera was more than decent after having a Galaxy S4 for three years, and the 5.5" screen was nice to have. The twist gesture to wake and open the camera app was also really fast and seemed natural, but the flashlight gesture (chop-chop) took some practice before I had it down. Moto also went extra light on the manufacturer customizations, and didn't layer on Sprint garbage after putting in a SIM. It was a phone that just worked, and did its jobs well.

Sprint's free S7 deal was with trade-in. I wasn't that enthused about letting go of the G4 Plus after having it for only 5 months. It was too bad I had thrown out the corpse of my old Galaxy S4, as it would've been useful as non-functional trade-in garbage. Ah well. It was too good of a deal to pass up.

Going to the S7, I immediately recognize how much I have missed having a physical home button. Its fingerprint functionality, though fast, isn't instant like the G4 Plus. Screen is a bit smaller but it's much more one-hand friendly especially with the curved back. The AMOLED screen is much nicer and more detailed. The camera is light years beyond any cellphone prior. I haven't taken a low light shot yet which isn't usable, and the details in normal lighting are incredible. The Grace UI version of TouchWiz (as I've said before) actually adds useful things to Android and isn't as pushy/overt as TouchWiz used to be. The Sprint customizations are rather heavy-handed, but all except a couple of the apps can be uninstalled now (woo!). I couldn't care less about the glass back as I'll have a case on the phone anyway. Reception on the S7 is remarkable, but not as amazing as the G4 Plus.

The only two things I don't like about the S7:

- The non-removable battery. It can be done, but takes a skilled person with heat gun in hand which means I'll be the one replacing ours when it needs doing.

- The curved glass around the edges of the screen. This might look and feel good, but it makes finding a decent screen protector and applying it properly a real bastard. There are negative reviews all over Amazon for S7 screen protectors, and I place these squarely at Samsung's feet since makers are doing the best they can to offer something decent at a competitive price. After having tempered glass on my previous phones, I opted for a wet application film-type protector (the IQ Shield) on this one. Every glass protector out there either ends where the bevel starts (before the display ends!), or ends at the edge of the glass which makes them breakable and very case-unfriendly. The film protector I selected has enough flexibility to end just after the bevel, cover the whole display, and be case-friendly.

Overall it's a great phone. A definite trade-up from the G4 Plus... though I may go back to Motorola for an affordable option in a few years if Lenovo doesn't screw them up in the meantime.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

You may be able to find an LG V20 for under $600. It's been a great phone. Removable battery and fast charging makes up for it's average battery life.

The V20 is still among the very best Android phones going in my opinion, but for someone that thinks the S8 is too large, it won't be a great option just because of that size.

V20 was such a good update on the V10 though.

*Legion* wrote:
EverythingsTentative wrote:

You may be able to find an LG V20 for under $600. It's been a great phone. Removable battery and fast charging makes up for it's average battery life.

The V20 is still among the very best Android phones going in my opinion, but for someone that thinks the S8 is too large, it won't be a great option just because of that size.

V20 was such a good update on the V10 though.

I mean, I have big hands and I thought it felt just...ungainly? Not too wide, just too tall?

I dunno, maybe I need to have on in hand again to really check. I was rushed when I grabbed it.

Benticore wrote:

oh man I didnt know the Home button was on its way out. Its just what I'm used to. Time to learn new tricks, old dog!

Yeah. The Home button is even gone on the iPhone 7. I mean, it's there, but it's not a real button any longer. The thing I will say is that with stock Android you don't use the home button as much. You use the back and applications button more often. Double-clicking an iPhone 7 home button is awful. I had to return that phone.