A Nexus for every OEM

[s44]

Well, not content with letting Samsung and HTC get free advertising at Google's Play Store, Sony is now throwing its hat in.

Unfortunately, it's using the already-dated Xperia Z as its Nexus, and not the more promising (and yet unreleased) Honami.

Could this be a permanent trend?

 

[OBLAMA2009]

nexus doesnt serve any purpose anymore, "googley edition" makes more sense for everyone, and will probably result in the google experience on higher quality hardware.

 

[Dari]

The comments in that link are spot on. Last year there were rumors of multiple manufacturers producing Nexus devices. The rumors proved true...

 

[OBLAMA2009]

i hope these phones are made available through manufacturers rather than carriers

 

[cronos]

i hope these phones are made available through manufacturers rather than carriers

They'll be available through Google Play Store.

 

[cronos]

Well, not content with letting Samsung and HTC get free advertising at Google's Play Store, Sony is now throwing its hat in.

Unfortunately, it's using the already-dated Xperia Z as its Nexus, and not the more promising (and yet unreleased) Honami.

Could this be a permanent trend?

I know you're bleeding edge, etc. But calling the Xperia Z as dated is a little much, no?

 

[swanysto]

Doesn't the Nexus line sell for $299 without contract? I would think it would be rather difficult for Sony to sell their top of the line phone for that price.

 

[dlock13]

Doesn't the Nexus line sell for $299 without contract? I would think it would be rather difficult for Sony to sell their top of the line phone for that price.

Only the official Google Nexus sells for dirt cheap. The others come straight from OEMs, and they set their price but have 100% Android instead of crappity, poop that's on them with Touchwiz and what not.

 

[cronos]

Doesn't the Nexus line sell for $299 without contract? I would think it would be rather difficult for Sony to sell their top of the line phone for that price.

The S4 Nexus Experience will have a $650 price tag. The HTC One Google Edition will probably be $600. This one from Sony won't be different.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

The S4 Nexus Experience will have a $650 price tag. The HTC One Google Edition will probably be $600. This one from Sony won't be different.

why are phones so espensive. if they can sell nexus for 300 how come they cant sell this for 400 and have it on varizin

 

[dlock13]

why are phones so espensive. if they can sell nexus for 300 how come they cant sell this for 400 and have it on varizin

I'm sure Google subsidizes the cost a bit for the Nexus 4.

 

[cronos]

why are phones so espensive. if they can sell nexus for 300 how come they cant sell this for 400 and have it on varizin

If you're on Verizon then you don't have to worry about it. Verizon won't get any of these phones

 

[poofyhairguy]

I honestly think this news is amazing and shows how the media can drive the decisions at these companies. 98% of the regular users don't care about stock Android, but because the minority that do get so excited about it the news media has caught onto that excitement and made it so that if you DON'T have a Google edition flagship right now its a PR liability.

I am scared that this will be a one generation deal though. I fear that, for example, the Google S4 will get so much praise that Samsung will be backed into a corner- you do this for the positive press, but if the press then casts a negative light in comparison on the subsidized version of the product that 99% of your customers will actually buy, then the endeavour is a liability.

So get them while you can.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

oh come on... Xperia Z dated? Just because there's a new SOC doesn't mean it's dated. Jeez. What's with people now? It's just a spec wars at that point. What we want is a well performing phone that does things.

I suppose the spec difference does get more highlighted when you equalize the software with AOSP...

I am scared that this will be a one generation deal though. I fear that, for example, the Google S4 will get so much praise that Samsung will be backed into a corner- you do this for the positive press, but if the press then casts a negative light in comparison on the subsidized version of the product that 99% of your customers will actually buy, then the endeavour is a liability.

So get them while you can.

Agreed. This was my main concern at first. We'll have to see how this trial run goes because it can get axed any moment. Whether it's good or bad, the main issue is that the OEMs have their own phones to sell, and if AOSP tarnishes their name or becomes too popular, then a shift in strategy is needed.

 

[Dari]

I honestly think this news is amazing and shows how the media can drive the decisions at these companies. 98% of the regular users don't care about stock Android, but because the minority that do get so excited about it the news media has caught onto that excitement and made it so that if you DON'T have a Google edition flagship right now its a PR liability.

I am scared that this will be a one generation deal though. I fear that, for example, the Google S4 will get so much praise that Samsung will be backed into a corner- you do this for the positive press, but if the press then casts a negative light in comparison on the subsidized version of the product that 99% of your customers will actually buy, then the endeavour is a liability.

So get them while you can.

Completely disagree. You are getting less for more, which is what the purists want. And they're willing to pay for it (well, we'll see...). For the rest of us, we'll settle for the OEM skins that we actually like.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Why do people think everything is subsidised?? Where have Google/LG posted unit costs for the Nexus 4? Even contract phones cost more than buying the phone outright, so where are all these subsidies? Or are people just using the word for anything that's not paid for in full up front?

 

[Red Storm]

Completely disagree. You are getting less for more, which is what the purists want. And they're willing to pay for it (well, we'll see...). For the rest of us, we'll settle for the OEM skins that we actually like.

That is HIGHLY debatable. Prompt, direct updates straight from Google is THE number one killer feature of any phone that gets the Nexus treatment.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Completely disagree. You are getting less for more, which is what the purists want. And they're willing to pay for it (well, we'll see...). For the rest of us, we'll settle for the OEM skins that we actually like.

Its all about managing perception.

The OEMs put skins on Android to make their phones more desirable and to lock people into their way of doing things for brand loyalty. If the news comes out that these Google editions perform or look better than the skinned versions (which is entirely possible with ancient-looking Touchwiz), then Samsung has to deal with the PR problem that the majority of phones sold through regular distribution channels are the "inferior versions."

I had a (very non techy) cousin ask me "Do you have the Google S4?" She doesn't really know what it is, but she knows its a techy positive thing about the S4 and I am a techy guy. She shouldn't know this stuff, it has nothing to do with her personal consumer decisions, but the mobile tech industry gets so excited about it then this stuff seeps into the public sphere and becomes a way to help sell non-AOSP phones because people think "wow this S4 must be nice, the press likes it."

Hence why HTC and Sony copied Samsung, because they all want that positive press to help sell regular versions of their phones (well maybe not Sony, they just want to sell anything). This will backfire if the press starts to go on about how this Google version is the best version.

I think this is why those hoping Samsung/HTC will push for a better camera in AOSP or use of the IR/temp/etc. sensors are dreaming. They are getting all the positive press possible from doing this right now, so the game becomes gimping these Google versions a little (and hiding behind Google's shitty "not part of the Nexus experience" party line) so that the press when they are released is "cool stuff, but not for regular folks." Then they get maximum benefit.

 

[Roland00Address]

why are phones so espensive. if they can sell nexus for 300 how come they cant sell this for 400 and have it on varizin

The s4 costs almost $250 to manufacture, if they sell it to carriers for $650 that is 160% profit margin for Samsung. (it is actually less than that for Verizon, AT&T, T Mobile get a discount for buying in bulk).

If the nexus 4 costs $200 to make, if they sell it for $300 that is a mere 50% profit margin.

 

[Dari]

Its all about managing perception.

The OEMs put skins on Android to make their phones more desirable and to lock people into their way of doing things for brand loyalty. If the news comes out that these Google editions perform or look better than the skinned versions (which is entirely possible with ancient-looking Touchwiz), then Samsung has to deal with the PR problem that the majority of phones sold through regular distribution channels are the "inferior versions."

I had a (very non techy) cousin ask me "Do you have the Google S4?" She doesn't really know what it is, but she knows its a techy positive thing about the S4 and I am a techy guy. She shouldn't know this stuff, it has nothing to do with her personal consumer decisions, but the mobile tech industry gets so excited about it then this stuff seeps into the public sphere and becomes a way to help sell non-AOSP phones because people think "wow this S4 must be nice, the press likes it."

Hence why HTC and Sony copied Samsung, because they all want that positive press to help sell regular versions of their phones (well maybe not Sony, they just want to sell anything). This will backfire if the press starts to go on about how this Google version is the best version.

I think this is why those hoping Samsung/HTC will push for a better camera in AOSP or use of the IR/temp/etc. sensors are dreaming. They are getting all the positive press possible from doing this right now, so the game becomes gimping these Google versions a little (and hiding behind Google's shitty "not part of the Nexus experience" party line) so that the press when they are released is "cool stuff, but not for regular folks." Then they get maximum benefit.

I disagree. The skinned versions are not inferior and you know it. They offer far more than stock Android. This has been obvious for years, since the very first Nexus. Speaking of which, these Nexii have been around for years and those that were interested bought them. Those not interested did not. Now, if you want the purist version, pay more. Simple as that. Or, you could get more features with the subsidized version. That makes everyone happy, even Google. And no one outside of a few even gives a damn about upgrades and/or updates. Look at Windows. How many people upgrade their Windows, let alone update it without being forced to by Microsoft? And like computers, people prefer to buy new phones rather than upgrade their ancient OS to a new one on their ancient phones.

Come back to earth, man, no one outside of a vocal few are interested in stock Android. Services are where the real money is and neither Samsung or SONY or HTC or anyone is going to sacrifice all the extra cash that comes with the services they offer on their phones by 1) making the stock phones the same price as the skinned versions and 2) doing anything other than selling these stock Android phones online. Samsung's theoretical PR problem can be answered away by showing the "features" on its skinned phones...

 

[basslover1]

Unless they manufacture another model with different radios for the US, it won't work with T-Mo's LTE

 

[poofyhairguy]

I disagree. The skinned versions are not inferior and you know it.

You are completely missing my point.

If the Google S4 hits, and all the press is "how smooth it is" and "how much faster it runs than the stock S4," then that is bad for Samsung. Sure we here all know that for that smoothness you are sacrificing camera quality and tons of other things, but for the average consumer who gets their tech news from CNN.com it will simply seem like the S4 they can buy at the AT&T is the inferior version.

Come back to earth, man, no one outside of a vocal few are interested in stock Android.

I agree with that. 99% of S4 customers will get the regular version.

But quite honestly the Google S4 accounts for at least 50% of the positive publicity news articles you see on the internet related to the S4. My whole argument is the mobile news community makes a big deal about stuff like this that doesn't really matter to regular people, so guess what?- That means its a big deal.

I am not talking about a fantasy world were every consumer is making a completely informed purchase decision. I am talking about reality where people will take one piece of news they hear or read from the mainstream media and allow that limited information to shape their purchase decisions.

If you search Google News for "Google and S4" then most of what you see is tons of positive press for the S4 Google edition. People see positive news about the S4, and even though they don't understand even what the Google edition is they then think positively about the S4 which might lead them to buy the AT&T version.

If after the release of the Google S4 the news changes to "Well actually the Google edition rocks compared to the regular one," THEN at that point the press related to this action is a liability, as our barely informed consumer is forced to learn enough to know that actually the Google edition means a different version of the S4 that is batter- one he CAN'T buy at the AT&T store. And that could flush down the toilet the momentum of that previously positive press.

Samsung's theoretical PR problem can be answered away by showing the "features" on its skinned phones...

First of all, nothing short of ripping out other sellable features (like the eye stuff) will get back the "smoothness" feature the Google S4 will have.

Secondly, Samsung doesn't control the press. If the press decides that the Google S4 is much better and they blast that all over the airwaves, no amount of Samsung press releases trying to set the record straight will work.

Samsung's best play is to ride the positive press of the Google edition, and make sure its gimped just enough to make it less appealing enough to regular users that the press goes out of their way to mention that fact.

 

[Dari]

You are completely missing my point.

If the Google S4 hits, and all the press is "how smooth it is" and "how much faster it runs than the stock S4," then that is bad for Samsung. Sure we here all know that for that smoothness you are sacrificing camera quality and tons of other things, but for the average consumer who gets their tech news from CNN.com it will simply seem like the S4 they can buy at the AT&T is the inferior version.



I agree with that. 99% of S4 customers will get the regular version.

But quite honestly the Google S4 accounts for at least 50% of the positive publicity news articles you see on the internet related to the S4. My whole argument is the mobile news community makes a big deal about stuff like this that doesn't really matter to regular people, so guess what?- That means its a big deal.

I am not talking about a fantasy world were every consumer is making a completely informed purchase decision. I am talking about reality where people will take one piece of news they hear or read from the mainstream media and allow that limited information to shape their purchase decisions.

If you search Google News for "Google and S4" then most of what you see is tons of positive press for the S4 Google edition. People see positive news about the S4, and even though they don't understand even what the Google edition is they then think positively about the S4 which might lead them to buy the AT&T version.

If after the release of the Google S4 the news changes to "Well actually the Google edition rocks compared to the regular one," THEN at that point the press related to this action is a liability, as our barely informed consumer is forced to learn enough to know that actually the Google edition means a different version of the S4 that is batter- one he CAN'T buy at the AT&T store. And that could flush down the toilet the momentum of that previously positive press.



First of all, nothing short of ripping out other sellable features (like the eye stuff) will get back the "smoothness" feature the Google S4 will have.

Secondly, Samsung doesn't control the press. If the press decides that the Google S4 is much better and they blast that all over the airwaves, no amount of Samsung press releases trying to set the record straight will work.

Samsung's best play is to ride the positive press of the Google edition, and make sure its gimped just enough to make it less appealing enough to regular users that the press goes out of their way to mention that fact.

Even if you are 100% right, the $650 will be a powerful deterrent to getting the "superior" S4.

 

[Skurge]

Even if you are 100% right, the $650 will be a powerful deterrent to getting the "superior" S4.

Yeah,

I'm getting an S4 and I won't be getting the google edition. There are a bunch of features I want from touchwiz especially from the camera. If I wanted stock android I would keep my Nexus 4.

I'm pretty sure the S4, One and Z will have issues similar to the nexus 4, Inconsistent performance and poor battery life. I can imagine the HTC taking the largest hit to the camera.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Even if you are 100% right, the $650 will be a powerful deterrent to getting the "superior" S4.

True. But no one wants an "inferior" S4 at $200 either if they know a better one exists at any price.

My point is that at the AT&T store if consumers are faced with buying an inferior version of the S4 or what they assume to be a perfectly fine version of another phone at the same price, the knowledge that they are getting the worse version of the S4 might push them to purchase a non-Samsung phone.

In that case the net result of the Google S4 is bad. Hence the motivation to partially gimp the Google S4.