Interesting developments in Android land
by Volker Weber
- Google is out of Pixel 4 and 4XL. The 4 was terrible, both did not sell well. Some people lost their job over them. Until the 5 comes out later this year, Google no longer has a flagship device. I understand they sold a lot more 3a and came out with the 4a really late. Maybe it's time for Google to compete below 200-300 € where the Android action is.
- Google drops the Play Music service, before there even is a YouTube Music app for Wear OS. Do they even care anymore?
- Samsung promises three major new Android updates for their flagship devices. For the new Note 20 that would mean Android 11 (2020), Android 12 (2021) and Android 13 (2022). That is one more than previously.
Samsung is kind of weird. On one hand, their software update game has gotten really strong and they are successful in the enterprise business. The only other player is HMD/Nokia when price is paramount. On the other hand, Samsung keeps pushing Bixby and now even runs ads on their devices. Which turns me off big time.
Comments
Gear OS? Was Bixby mentioned at yesterdays event?
Stefan Hempel, 2020-08-06
I was under the impression that Bixby was going the Cortana way.
Regarding ads on Samsung phones: That's just horrible and disgusting. If this bears fruit on my devices, I will most likely look for other options.
Hubert Stettner, 2020-08-07
If Samsung wants to drop Bixby, they should act swiftly.
Volker Weber, 2020-08-07
