Google Confirms Pixel 4 Will Feature Square-Shaped Camera Bump

[Darth Tulhu]

Yeah, the same people crying for USB-A and FW on their laptops.

This is a recurring theme. A problem of Apple's making circa 2012:

Do I love macOS enough to replace my ENTIRE infrastructure around Apple's design decisions?
Do I love my iOS/Mac integration so much that I am willing to put up with dongles to connect to the devices I own or are at work?
Do I give up Mac OS and the sweet iOS integration and experience so I can have the keyboard feel I used to have, to be able to connect to todays Networks and peripherals, to be able to upgrade, to pay less, and to carry less stuff in my bag?

Yea, after all the changes away from things "tied to the past" but that we STILL use today, and dealing with the questions above, I DO feel like "crying" a little bit, on the inside at least.

Maybe I need to cry harder, like for SIX YEARS STRAIGHT, same as those WHINY Mac Pro female canines.

 

[realtuner]

That would be very difficult to do. Suffice to say that Android is leading in many regards right now (for example, 5G, widgets, real multi-tasking, user-accessible file system, support for memory cards, pen support, under-the-screen fingerprint scanners, USB-C, fast(er) charging etc.)

Real multitasking? Both iOS and Android are 100% fully preemptive, multi-threaded and multitasking operating systems. Unless you mean the "fake" definition of multitasking invented by Android users to pretend iOS doesn't multitask. And had you read anything on the release notes for Android Pie and Q you'd realize Google is actually making Android "multitasking" more in line with iOS. Hence my previous comment wondering if Android users will still repeat that same tired meme when Q launches without realizing Google has restricted multitasking.

File system? More proof you never read my previous post (or read up on Android Q). Google is also taking this ability away in Android Q. Apps will be further sandboxed and you'll need to grant access to get to files. No more universal file managers either.

Under screen fingerprint scanners? Uh, that's a hardware feature by companies like Synaptics or Qualcomm. Why are you bringing up hardware in a discussion about copying features between iOS and Android? Same goes for memory cards, pen support, USB-C, 5G and so on. You move the goalposts any further and they'll be on the moon.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Good
You adapted.
Complaining about the "emperor's clothes will get you nowhere on MR.
What you need is a new tailor.
I didn't switch over to Bluetooth because of Apple, I stopped using wired headphones in 2006 with my Treo phones, Motorola and Plantronics.

The jack ain't coming back jack.

I ain't complaining, I'm just saying.

But I hear you, even if you still don't get it. I don't need a tailor. I'm not the one who's buck.

Sometimes it takes a friend to let you know you're screwing up. And it takes listening for change to happen.

Even tone-deaf-as-hell Apple listens sometimes, just like with the Mac Pro. But other companies listen more closely.

Which is why I'll use them until something changes, whether internally or externally.

I have literally ZERO Apple envy when it comes to phones. Samsung's been catering to me.

But macOS is irreplaceable.

 

[xraydoc]

A) I never said you said that but then why call out Google for copying Apple at all then if they also copy Android? If they both copy each other its a mute point.

Moot. Moot point.

Sorry. Had to...

 

[Mimiron]

Long time iPhone User. I’ve been using them since 3rd Gen and last year, Pixel’s design felt outdated and was overpriced. I am thinking about buying a Pixel this year for real.

 

[forerunnerg34]

Apparently cameras are very important.

 

[realtuner]

That's all? Tell us more.

Not enough time in the day to list all the things Android was slow/late to get. Especially low-level architectural or security features.

But, hey, at least you can keep bringing up widgets.

 

[code-m]

Whose definition is this?

The only thing that matters is who ships an actual working device to consumers. All the rest is vaporware, especially announcements.

Well if Apple can announce vapourware like AirPower, I guess so can Google with Pixel4

 

[falainber]

Real multitasking? Both iOS and Android are 100% fully preemptive, multi-threaded and multitasking operating systems. Unless you mean the "fake" definition of multitasking invented by Android users to pretend iOS doesn't multitask. And had you read anything on the release notes for Android Pie and Q you'd realize Google is actually making Android "multitasking" more in line with iOS. Hence my previous comment wondering if Android users will still repeat that same tired meme when Q launches without realizing Google has restricted multitasking.

File system? More proof you never read my previous post (or read up on Android Q). Google is also taking this ability away in Android Q. Apps will be further sandboxed and you'll need to grant access to get to files. No more universal file managers either.

Under screen fingerprint scanners? Uh, that's a hardware feature by companies like Synaptics or Qualcomm. Why are you bringing up hardware in a discussion about copying features between iOS and Android? Same goes for memory cards, pen support, USB-C, 5G and so on. You move the goalposts any further and they'll be on the moon.

When you say that iOS is fully multi-tasking you omit that it reserves multitasking to itself. The apps can't multitask freely. That's a limitation.

I can see and work with all the files on my Android phone right now. You can't do it on iPhone. We'll see what the future versions bring.

In addition, Android OS allows the user to install any app s/he wants. iOS? Not so much. Another severe limitation.

Android OS also fully supports NFC. iOS? Limited support.

iOS is getting there following Google's lead.

 

[Abazigal]

Yep, Apple needs to be afraid VERY AFRAID!!! They haven't closed the software and machine learning gap quite yet.

However, if IOS 13 is an indicator, they're closer than they were.

Remind me what Apple is supposed to be afraid of again?

I doubt a better camera alone (and the pixel was not without its share of issues which the press largely didn’t pick up) is enough to convince users to switch.

Depending on how much Google decides to eventually price it, I think this pixel phone will compete more with existing Samsung phones than iphones.

When you say that iOS is fully multi-tasking you omit that it reserves multitasking to itself. The apps can't multitask freely. That's a limitation.

I can see and work with all the files on my Android phone right now. You can't do it on iPhone. We'll see what the future versions bring.

In addition, Android OS allows the user to install any app s/he wants. iOS? Not so much. Another severe limitation.

Android OS also fully supports NFC. iOS? Limited support.

iOS is getting there following Google's lead.

The files I need to work with are saved in Dropbox and synced to my ios devices (ie: my iphone and ipad) via the documents app. I can access and edit those just fine.

The irony of being able to install any app on android is that quite a number of the apps I use on iOS are not available on android. And the disparity when it comes to quality tablet apps grows even wider.

Also, integration between my apple devices is a lot tighter than google hardware.

Lastly, let’s not forget the basics - software updates and stability, as well as how the OS handles battery when idle.

Maybe iOS is getting there following Google’s lead, as you say. Bigger question is - how does Google plan to get here following iOS’ lead in the meantime?

 

[einsteinbqat]

Why aren't they just making the iPhone a tiny few millimetres thicker and do away with the bump? Is it too simple of a solution or what?

 

[fullauto]

Wow. The competition is fierce. I don’t recall a company coming out like this to be the first and undermine the competition. Props, Google. I wonder how Apple responds to this come September’s iPhone event.

Making the default search engine DuckDuckGo should sort them out.
[doublepost=1560385826][/doublepost]

Why aren't they just making the iPhone a tiny few millimetres thicker and do away with the bump? Is it too simple of a solution or what?

I guess the majority of users have a case which compensates for it.

 

[NickName99]

The problem with Apple fanboys is they know very little about the tech (at east non-Apple tech). The first phone with a fingerprint scanner was Pantech GI100 which was launched in 2004. There were many phones with fingerprint scanner after that. It took Apple almost a decade to copy the feature (and improve it, sure, but still).

You are incorrect. Android 6.0 introduced their version of Touch ID back in October 2015:

https://developer.android.com/about/versions/marshmallow/android-6.0#fingerprint-authentication

 

[AustinIllini]

Google likes to copy Apple recently, especially rumors.

They copied when they heard rumors about Screen Time and Dark Mode coming to iOS. And now a square bump! Right after following the notch, gesture navigations, and animations. Etc.

I laugh every time when Google eats their own words too when they make fun of Apple, then they do it themselves. They did it with the camera bump, headphone jack, and dual cameras. There’s probably more too.

Google is a joke. ;D

The timing doesn't add up for google to have "ripped off" apple

 

[TantalizedMind]

Wow. The competition is fierce. I don’t recall a company coming out like this to be the first and undermine the competition. Props, Google. I wonder how Apple responds to this come September’s iPhone event.

With a lawsuit.

 

[Premium1]

Eh, I dunno. Looks kinda cyclops-y to me.

I actually kind of like the cyclops look. To each their own I guess.

 

[sinsin07]

I actually kind of like the cyclops look. To each their own I guess.

Yeah.

 

[waterfta]

Is MacRumors full of a bunch of lawyers ready to jump in on the next lawsuit? Who cares who made what first?
Should we sue Google because they decided to copy Apple's bravery and remove the headphone jack?

Since when is the shape in which cameras are aligned an offense? Do you prefer a big circle? an oval? a triangle even? What will please you people? You just bored complaining about the notch and need something else?

 

[einsteinbqat]

I guess the majority of users have a case which compensates for it.

Yes, but it's a rather flawed logic from Apple, I think.

 

[Chumburro2U]

Put in a headphone jack. It hurts no one and pleases many.

I can't see where you can down vote this? There is an upvote (like) button, where is the downvote option?

 

[ersan191]

I think I'm gonna avoid this year's phones if the rumors are true. Thems is ugly.

 

[Abazigal]

Yes, but it's a rather flawed logic from Apple, I think.

Well, a thicker phone will likely be a phone that is heavier and harder to hold as well.

I don’t think it’s flawed logic. It’s simply the lesser of two evils.

 

[sakurarain]

both tech giants copy (are going to copy) the ugly design from Huawei, i guess this makes the president to put Huawei in the blacklist.

 

[8281]

I think the comments about copying have an overly simplistic view of how manufacturing works. These components aren't created in a vacuum for one single company. The industry as a whole moves in certain directions and companies like Apple, Google, Samsung figure out how to incorporate new types of components into their products. Obviously it also works the opposite way, the companies that use the components also drive the creation of new ones and put pressure on the manufacturers to come up with new advancements.

If the technology to create fingerprint sensors for cellphones is maturing enough for Apple to use in their phones, it's not like other manufacturers aren't also looking into the technology, aware that it exists, also developing the technology themselves, possibly showing it off at industry trade shows, also looking for ways to incorporate it into other company's cellphones. Some components are also made directly by companies like Samsung, who make their own phones, but also produce components for Apple...

I'm sure it's a similar set of complicated circumstances driving the creation of these square-shaped camera sensors. It happened with companies regiggering how they produce front-facing camera sensors to fit into a notch. They're not just going to sit idoly and continue to product ones that require a forehead and not refine their technology to move in the direction the rest of the industry is moving.

Apple fans say everyone copies Apple and Android fans scream about Apple copying Android features. And round and round we go, blah blah blah, buy the phone you like.

 

[einsteinbqat]

Well, a thicker phone will likely be a phone that is heavier and harder to hold as well.

I don’t think it’s flawed logic. It’s simply the lesser of two evils.

The bump is not even 2 millimetres. A few additional fractions of grams won't make that much heavier, and the iPhone lays flat on any surface without a case.