did Google actually test the Nexus 4 Charging Orb before releasing it?

[QueBert]

With so much as apparently a single spec of dust on the orb, forget about it working. My phone won't stay in place and stops charging after about 10 seconds, 20 if I'm lucky. I know this isn't anything that hundreds of people haven't already made posts bitching about on XDA and other forums. But it's mind blowing how god awful this thing is. If it was a $15 no name company device I'd expect bad quality. But Google charges $60 for this POS? I discovered today my Nexus had film on the back and I removed it, that made it a lot worse. I don't know if there's a correlation, but now I get 5 seconds top. I tried to put the film back on but it looks bad. I noticed the IEM number's on the plastic piece so maybe it's not suppose to come off? lol.

I swear to God Google couldn't have had any test phase for this product. Serious question does anyone have one of these that works for them? With my experience, unless I got a lemon I'm absolutely stumped at how this fucker hasn't been recalled.

 

[thecapsaicinkid]

Return it for refund.

 

[Crono]

Aren't the phone and orb manufactured by LG?

Granted, Google puts its name on it, but it seems that LG is the one that slipped up.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Do you have a case? The wireless orb works well with the original phone. It works well with my case with a clear plastic back, but did not work so well with my TPU case. I had to put something at the bottom of the phone to prevent it from sliding downwards.

But I do agree, it's not the best charger, and nor did Google think this through. I know they advertise the daydream capabilities, but I don't understand why they can't separate daydream behaviors for the standard usb charge versus a wireless charge. After all the phone can recognize the wireless charger as a wireless charger (In Settings > About). Yet the Daydream options only allows you to change between daydream options for charging versus dock. Considering there's not even a freaking dock for the Nexus 4 (besides some aftermarket crap that got released months afterward), I don't really see the point of having a dock feature. In fact the Orb behaves more like a dock than anything.

Dunno, think the OP is kinda bitching more than necessary. That back is supposed to come off though. It should be self evident. I guess the IMEI sticker made it seem like it should stay on, but no way should there be a plastic backing on your phone. I kept it on for a while personally as a back protector until I got a decent case.

 

[Deeko]

Isn't it just qi? Does the phone have the same issues with other Qi chargers, or just that one? I also find it a bit odd that removing something from in between the phone and the charger actually made it worse...

 

[zerogear]

It depends on what specification of Qi they are using, the newer specifications allows for larger distance (4-5mm) vs the older one which is 1-2mm.

 

[Muyoso]

Mine works perfectly. Maybe once a month I have to wipe it down because its dirty and the phone slips, but other than that its been flawless.

 

[vshah]

i have 2, both work great as well. nexus 4, no case. i use a lint roller or piece of tape on them every few weeks.

 

[Ksyder]

I put a dbrand carbon skin on my nexus 4 back, this makes it grippy on the back. Would this work better with the charging orb?

http://dbrand.com/submodels/nexus-4

These are great. Makes the phone 10 times better than the glass back.

Also, about the plastic film on the new phone, I didn't realize it was a film for several days... and then I saw what looked like a chip in the glass and kind of freaked, thinking the glass was already chipping. Then I saw it was just a plastic film.

 

[Fire&Blood]

I discovered today my Nexus had film on the back and I removed it, that made it a lot worse. I don't know if there's a correlation, but now I get 5 seconds top. I tried to put the film back on but it looks bad. I noticed the IEM number's on the plastic piece so maybe it's not suppose to come off? lol.

Also, about the plastic film on the new phone, I didn't realize it was a film for several days... and then I saw what looked like a chip in the glass and kind of freaked, thinking the glass was already chipping. Then I saw it was just a plastic film.

LOL @you two though Ksyder gets a pass for noticing it sooner.

Seriously though, Google does suck at this. Because of the poor record on both Nexus devices and accesories, one can't blame the OEM's because they are doing what they are told, the issue lies with the contractee, not the contractors.

 

[QueBert]

I have no case I hate cases, it slips sometimes, and about 1/3rd of the time the phone doesn't seem to move but I still hear the phone make the charging off noise. I've had it over a month but never used it until recently, I'll have to check if Google will still give me a refund. I guess it's my bad for not opening and testing it, but I never had a charger before that didn't work right.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Ever since the Nexus dropped in price, I ripped off my Ringke Fusion case and now I have a naked back. My phone slipped off the past 2 nights. Freaking useless.

 

[Ksyder]

Yeah I don't like it either. Even if the phone doesn't slip off sometimes it still doesn't charge.

I'm thinking this one looks a little better
http://www.ebay.com/itm/31063621553...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

 

[Eug]

Aren't the phone and orb manufactured by LG?

Granted, Google puts its name on it, but it seems that LG is the one that slipped up.

This argument doesn't make sense.

I'm not saying the Orb design is broken, but if it is broken, it is both Google's and LG's fault.

BTW, that's an issue I have with Google's hardware products (and their online store). Google isn't very experienced in these types of things so they seem to allow a lot to slip through, both probably because of their lack of experience, and because they have a quest to hit a specific low price point. Maybe more the latter though.

 

[Graze]

I tried to put the film back on but it looks bad. I noticed the IEM number's on the plastic piece so maybe it's not suppose to come off? lol.

That plastic was meant to come off. I hope you were only joking. You could keep it on there if you want but its wasn't meant to be permanent, neither was that IMEI stick.

 

[Yreka]

I have the Anker one, it works very well even with a thick case.

 

[vshah]

if you peel off the rubber bottom and rotate it 180 degrees, it tilts the phone a bit further back and supposedly it doesn't slip as much.

i never had any problems with 2 orbs though.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

if you peel off the rubber bottom and rotate it 180 degrees, it tilts the phone a bit further back and supposedly it doesn't slip as much.

i never had any problems with 2 orbs though.

Interesting. I've also heard positioning the phone upside down because the coils are closer to the bottom of the phone? Therefore as it slides down (upside down), it'll still charge versus if its right side up.