The Android Thread - He;pl - The Something Awful Forums

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > The Android Thread - He;pl

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WeAreTheRomans: Feb 23, 2010; by R. Guyovich

Mu Zeta posted:

I'll never understand the gold color on phones and laptops

Chinese love that poo poo

# ? Jul 25, 2017 09:05

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# ? May 12, 2024 22:23

MikeJF: Dec 20, 2003

Kerning Chameleon posted:

According to everything I'm reading, I'm going to have to root my 6P just to make sure I can salvage it when it goes tits up in a few months. Can't say I'm entirely happy with that state of affairs.

People really don't poo poo on Qualcomm as much as it deserves. (And they poo poo on it a fair bit).

# ? Jul 25, 2017 09:05

ClassActionFursuit: Mar 15, 2006

Mu Zeta posted:

I'll never understand the gold color on phones and laptops

If Apple made the current MacBook Pros in Gold or Rose Gold I'd have picked those in a heartbeat over the Space Grey I bought. Hell, I almost got a MacBook at the same price just for the color.

MikeJF posted:

People really don't poo poo on Qualcomm as much as it deserves. (And they poo poo on it a fair bit).

You got that right. A fair chunk of what's wrong with the Android ecosystem as a whole (support windows, timely updates, poorly performing devices) fall on Qualcomm. The problem is that there's no alternative.

It's obvious why Apple went their own way with chip design but that's not a solution anyone else could undertake. It's SO patent-encumbered and SO expensive to start doing that even if there was a company I'd trust to do it, they couldn't. Of course it should be mentioned that Samsung makes Exynos but there's that trust problem again.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 09:20

Groetgaffel: Oct 30, 2011; Groetgaffel smacked the living shit out of himself doing 297 points of damage.

Garish colours aside, I'm still excited for any news about Nokia's new flagship.
What I've read about the Nokia 8/9 sounds interesting to me. IP68 and Carl Zeiss camera especially.

I've been wanting to replace my old and tired Samsung Galaxy S5 for a while now, but ever since I heard that Nokia is retuning to the phone market (yeah yeah, HMD Global, w/e) I've been wanting to try one.
One of the reasons is that I prefer having hardware buttons below the screen, instead of on the screen, and almost no android phones do that anymore.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 10:00

Surprise Giraffe: Apr 30, 2007; 1 Lunar Road
Moon crater
The Moon

Groetgaffel posted:

Garish colours aside, I'm still excited for any news about Nokia's new flagship.
What I've read about the Nokia 8/9 sounds interesting to me. IP68 and Carl Zeiss camera especially.

I've been wanting to replace my old and tired Samsung Galaxy S5 for a while now, but ever since I heard that Nokia is retuning to the phone market (yeah yeah, HMD Global, w/e) I've been wanting to try one.
One of the reasons is that I prefer having hardware buttons below the screen, instead of on the screen, and almost no android phones do that anymore.

Seconding, wanted a camera-based phone for ever, esp. at a reasonable price (please please..)

# ? Jul 25, 2017 10:14

pepperoni and keys: Sep 7, 2011; _{I think about food literally all day every day. It's a thing.}

I have a strange problem with my Nexus 5X, which is running Android 7.1.2. When it has been turned on and logged in for a minute or two, the Android loading screen with four animated dots appears (Picture) without any warning or message telling me what's up. It just goes black for a second and then the screen appears. The screen doesn't disappear, or at least it didn't when I had left it on for an hour. The top part of the phone did however turn really warm after a while, so I assume it's doing something in the background. From the loading screen, the only thing I seem to be able to do is to force it restart by holding the power button. After a restart, it seems to be working fine for a minute, until the loading screen appears again. I haven't installed any shady applications (or any other application in the most recent half-year), and I haven't downloaded anything on it except for various podcasts.

It boots just fine and I can do anything on it (sending messages, going on the Internet, etc), so it doesn't appear to be the well-known bootloop problem. I've tried to clear the cache but it didn't help. I haven't done a factory reset yet, since I hope there is a better way to solve this problem. Does anyone in this thread have any idea about what could be wrong and how I can fix this issue?

# ? Jul 25, 2017 11:17

Mister Facetious: Apr 21, 2007; I think I died and woke up in L.A.,
I don't know how I wound up in this place...

Mu Zeta posted:

I'll never understand the gold color on phones and laptops

Some people just like beige.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 11:38

HolyDukeNukem: Sep 10, 2008

LastInLine posted:

If Apple made the current MacBook Pros in Gold or Rose Gold I'd have picked those in a heartbeat over the Space Grey I bought. Hell, I almost got a MacBook at the same price just for the color.

You got that right. A fair chunk of what's wrong with the Android ecosystem as a whole (support windows, timely updates, poorly performing devices) fall on Qualcomm. The problem is that there's no alternative.

It's obvious why Apple went their own way with chip design but that's not a solution anyone else could undertake. It's SO patent-encumbered and SO expensive to start doing that even if there was a company I'd trust to do it, they couldn't. Of course it should be mentioned that Samsung makes Exynos but there's that trust problem again.

My suspicion is that Google is going to try their hand at making a processor. I remember seeing news that they hired a SoC designer from Apple and it would be the next logical step for them. They'd be able to support their phones for longer and probably get better battery life too which is a nice bonus. Qualcomm is definitely frustrating to deal with, but I can't blame them too much for the support windows, they are a hardware company trying to make money, if people can keep their phones for a long time without worrying about getting updates they lose a lot of money, though it's still lovely on their part.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 11:45

ulvir: Jan 2, 2005

LastInLine posted:

If Apple made the current MacBook Pros in Gold or Rose Gold I'd have picked those in a heartbeat over the Space Grey I bought. Hell, I almost got a MacBook at the same price just for the color.

You got that right. A fair chunk of what's wrong with the Android ecosystem as a whole (support windows, timely updates, poorly performing devices) fall on Qualcomm. The problem is that there's no alternative.

It's obvious why Apple went their own way with chip design but that's not a solution anyone else could undertake. It's SO patent-encumbered and SO expensive to start doing that even if there was a company I'd trust to do it, they couldn't. Of course it should be mentioned that Samsung makes Exynos but there's that trust problem again.

can anyone ELI5 why/how number of years supported is tied to the manufacturer of the SoC? Isn't Google entirely in charge of the OS?

# ? Jul 25, 2017 14:15

feedmegin: Jul 30, 2008

ulvir posted:

can anyone ELI5 why/how number of years supported is tied to the manufacturer of the SoC? Isn't Google entirely in charge of the OS?

The OS relies on device drivers, provided by the SoC manufacturer. Some are binary blobs compiled against a particular version of Android; some are source code for particular versions of the Linux kernel. Either way, going to a newer version of Android means work has to be done by the SoC manufacturer to support the newer kernels/Android userland. If they don't do that work, no new official OS updates for that SoC.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 14:27

Groetgaffel: Oct 30, 2011; Groetgaffel smacked the living shit out of himself doing 297 points of damage.

https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/25/16024456/nokia-8-hmd-launch-august-rumors

Looks like the chocolate bar phone, and its less gaudily coloured options are less than a month away. :toot:

# ? Jul 25, 2017 14:34

ClassActionFursuit: Mar 15, 2006

HolyDukeNukem posted:

My suspicion is that Google is going to try their hand at making a processor. I remember seeing news that they hired a SoC designer from Apple and it would be the next logical step for them. They'd be able to support their phones for longer and probably get better battery life too which is a nice bonus. Qualcomm is definitely frustrating to deal with, but I can't blame them too much for the support windows, they are a hardware company trying to make money, if people can keep their phones for a long time without worrying about getting updates they lose a lot of money, though it's still lovely on their part.

I know that's the rumor but let's be real here, this is the same company that can't figure out instant messaging. I don't want them designing my SoC.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 14:55

ColdPie: Jun 9, 2006

Ofecks posted:

Complete smartphone noob here. Just bought my first, a Samsung Galaxy J7 Perx running 7.0. I think I have things decently set up on it, but I have a few questions that I'm far too lazy to google:

1) Those square dot-matrix-like barcode things? I know they have a proper name but I have forgotten it. Are those still used for anything and how exactly do you scan them?

2) Are extensions possible in the mobile version of Chrome? I didn't see an option anywhere. I really don't want to browse without uBlock Origin. My phone came with another browser, some Samsung thing, which does have an extensions menu, should I use that instead?

3) Any security apps that are must-have? Anything special I need to do to not get bombarded by viruses and trojans and poo poo (aside from the usual safe browsing habits)? I already went through and uninstalled everything that my carrier pre-loaded and disabled most of the stuff I can do via browser.

4) Recommendations for a music library app (alternative to Google Play Music)? I'm kind of old and basic so I have a ton of mp3s/aacs/flacs that I listen to via Windows Media Player on my PC and plan to have all of those on a microSD for the phone. Something with a bass-boost setting (like WMP's SRS options) would be good, but I think I saw somewhere in audio settings you can adjust that?

Firefox for Android is really good and supports extensions, including ublock origin. Don't even think about browsing the web on a phone without an ad blocker, that's a sure way to get malware, audio ads, and waste your mobile data.

Don't bother with security apps or whatever, just don't browse shady porn sites on your phone. And use an ad blocker.

It's old and kinda weird, but I really like Mort Player for playing my MP3 albums. VLC is also OK, try them both.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 14:56

Thermopyle: Jul 1, 2003; ...the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt. �Bertrand Russell

Is malware through ads on mobile really a thing? I mean silent install types...

# ? Jul 25, 2017 14:58

Mister Facetious: Apr 21, 2007; I think I died and woke up in L.A.,
I don't know how I wound up in this place...

LastInLine posted:

I know that's the rumor but let's be real here, this is the same company that can't figure out instant messaging. I don't want them designing my SoC.

Imagine ad streaming and usage statistics gathering coded in at the hardware level.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:00

Syrinxx: Mar 28, 2002; Death is whimsical today

LastInLine posted:

I know that's the rumor but let's be real here, this is the same company that can't figure out instant messaging. I don't want them designing my SoC.

This. With the number of half-assed and abandoned projects at Google I wouldn't want them anywhere near a semiconductor fab

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:01

Incessant Excess: Aug 15, 2005; Cause of glitch:
Pretentiousness

When I used Firefox for it's adblocking capabilities a while back, I thought the scrolling was noticeably worse than in Chrome.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:01

Incessant Excess: Aug 15, 2005; Cause of glitch:
Pretentiousness

The latest rumor is that the Pixel will debut the Snapdragon 836 actually:

http://www.fudzilla.com/news/mobile/44134-snapdragon-836-to-debut-with-pixel-2

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:05

Three Olives: Apr 10, 2005; Don't forget Hitler's contributions to medicine.

HolyDukeNukem posted:

I remember seeing news that they hired a SoC designer from Apple and it would be the next logical step for them.

Hired one guy, Apple has been involved in processor design for a long time, remember, they were one of the founders of ARM and help designed the PowerPC, then when they decided to start making their own processors they acquired an entire fabless semiconductor company that had already designed their own processor.

Hiring a SoC is not a bad idea, they could use him to better understand other companies processors and make recommendations for future implementations that would curry favor with Google but if Google wanted to design anything that competes with flagship chips they would need to hire hundreds of experienced people in the field and that would not go unnoticed.

Frankly if Google wanted to make high end custom Android chips they would probably be making a play for Imagination right now.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:05

Thermopyle: Jul 1, 2003; ...the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt. �Bertrand Russell

I definitely want Google to get into the SoC business. I mean, it's not like we're overwhelmed with a plethora of good choices and competition in that space. If they don't do well, then fine, whatever. If they do create something good, then great.

They don't even have to do great in a business sense, they just have to light a fire under the others in the industry. See Google Fiber.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:06

ulvir: Jan 2, 2005

feedmegin posted:

The OS relies on device drivers, provided by the SoC manufacturer. Some are binary blobs compiled against a particular version of Android; some are source code for particular versions of the Linux kernel. Either way, going to a newer version of Android means work has to be done by the SoC manufacturer to support the newer kernels/Android userland. If they don't do that work, no new official OS updates for that SoC.

gotcha, thanks

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:06

Endless Mike: Aug 13, 2003

Imagine worrying about using mobile data in 2017.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:07

Sir Lemming: Jan 27, 2009; It's a piece of JUNK!

Endless Mike posted:

Imagine worrying about using mobile data in 2017.

Imagine Verizon™

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:10

ColdPie: Jun 9, 2006

Thermopyle posted:

Is malware through ads on mobile really a thing? I mean silent install types...

I consider app store redirects in the malware category. I don't see any harm in being overbroad with the term.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:30

PerrineClostermann: Dec 15, 2012; by FactsAreUseless

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:34

sourdough: Apr 30, 2012

ColdPie posted:

I consider app store redirects in the malware category. I don't see any harm in being overbroad with the term.

Fwiw I haven't seen one of those in a long time using basic Chrome, and also haven't gotten malware or anything. I do occasionally get those terrible "steal focus with dialog box and make the vibration motor go" redirect things, but even then it's probably been months.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:36

dwarf74: Sep 2, 2012; Buglord

Ofecks posted:

2) Are extensions possible in the mobile version of Chrome? I didn't see an option anywhere. I really don't want to browse without uBlock Origin. My phone came with another browser, some Samsung thing, which does have an extensions menu, should I use that instead?

Try Opera. Same rendering engine as chrome but with adblocker and better memory management. Try the mini.

I never expected to use and love opera but here we are...

e: I tried mobile Firefox but I didn't think it performed very well.

dwarf74 fucked around with this message at 15:55 on Jul 25, 2017

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:53

bull3964: Nov 18, 2000; DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S THE SOUND OF ME PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK.

For all your people salivating over the Nokia phone, just keep in mind that the HMD Global CEO resigned suddenly two weeks ago with no explanation.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 15:57

Wrist Watch: Apr 19, 2011; What?

It's July 25th, where's my X4 news Motorola :argh:

# ? Jul 25, 2017 16:04

Red Warrior: Jul 23, 2002; Is about to die!

Ofecks posted:

2) Are extensions possible in the mobile version of Chrome? I didn't see an option anywhere. I really don't want to browse without uBlock Origin. My phone came with another browser, some Samsung thing, which does have an extensions menu, should I use that instead?

Samsung's browser is Chrome/Chromium based and pretty good these days, install a decent adblocking extension like AdGuard Content Blocker and you'll be fine:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adguard.android.contentblocker

# ? Jul 25, 2017 16:19

Groetgaffel: Oct 30, 2011; Groetgaffel smacked the living shit out of himself doing 297 points of damage.

bull3964 posted:

For all your people salivating over the Nokia phone, just keep in mind that the HMD Global CEO resigned suddenly two weeks ago with no explanation.

That might have been over the massive distribution problems the Nokia 6 had. Hell, it's still not available in some places. Won't show up in warehouses until Aug 11 here in Sweden last time I checked.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 16:24

grack: Jan 10, 2012; COACH TOTORO SAY REFEREE CAN BANISH WHISTLE TO LAND OF WIND AND GHOSTS!

Endless Mike posted:

Imagine worrying about using mobile data in 2017.

Yeah, some people live in countries with lovely, lovely mobile plans. Like Canada, for example.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:09

IOwnCalculus: Apr 2, 2003

Endless Mike posted:

Imagine worrying about using mobile data in 2017.

TYOOL 2017: My mobile plan is unlimited, my cable modem is capped.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:13

WattsvilleBlues: Jan 25, 2005; Every demon wants his pound of flesh

I need to reset my Pixel for reasons. I see Android O Developer Preview 4 is out and it's getting close to RTM or whatever. Would I be OK installing it or just be better sticking with the current release of 7.1.2?

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:48

bull3964: Nov 18, 2000; DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S THE SOUND OF ME PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK.

No one has truly unlimited data plans.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:52

ClassActionFursuit: Mar 15, 2006

WattsvilleBlues posted:

I need to reset my Pixel for reasons. I see Android O Developer Preview 4 is out and it's getting close to RTM or whatever. Would I be OK installing it or just be better sticking with the current release of 7.1.2?

I think (though others can say for sure) that if you're on the beta path you won't get automatically updated when it goes stable. My Pixel works so well I've never felt the need for the next thing, YMMV.

bull3964 posted:

No one has truly unlimited data plans.

Unlimited enough that I don't have to care, so it's de facto the same thing. I'm sure there are people streaming anime 24/7 and yeah, I also don't care that mobile carriers cut them off.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:53

bull3964: Nov 18, 2000; DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT'S THE SOUND OF ME PATTING MYSELF ON THE BACK.

Eh, streaming one movie from Vudu will take up between 6 and 8 gb, so it's not too terribly hard to hit carrier soft caps in a month.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:57

CLAM DOWN: Feb 13, 2007

grack posted:

Yeah, some people live in countries with lovely, lovely mobile plans. Like Canada, for example.

Seriously, gently caress my life. I pay $69 CAD/mo for 1gbps down 1gbps up 2TB cap fibre to my apartment, but $110 CAD/mo for 5GB on my cell plan

# ? Jul 25, 2017 18:57

PerrineClostermann: Dec 15, 2012; by FactsAreUseless

IOwnCalculus posted:

TYOOL 2017: My mobile plan is unlimited, my cable modem is capped.

I hate this :negative:

# ? Jul 25, 2017 19:09

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# ? May 12, 2024 22:23

grack: Jan 10, 2012; COACH TOTORO SAY REFEREE CAN BANISH WHISTLE TO LAND OF WIND AND GHOSTS!

CLAM DOWN posted:

Seriously, gently caress my life. I pay $69 CAD/mo for 1gbps down 1gbps up 2TB cap fibre to my apartment, but $110 CAD/mo for 5GB on my cell plan

Thankfully I was able to get the Public Mobile matching plan from Fido for the all of 48 hours it was actually available. 4GB + unlimited local calling + NA text for $40.

Of course, being that it's still Canada there has to be some sort of arbitrary, retarded condition and Fido's is that all toll free calls are long distance.

# ? Jul 25, 2017 19:30

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