Google I/O

[F123D]

The average consumer is going to be VERY confused about the same phone with different software on it. I can't wait to see their reactions. 😀

The average consumer probably isn't going to be ordering this phone from Google Play for $649.

 

[Eadfrith]

Hmm...this is really boring.

 

[MRU]

contrary to people on this thread

the crowd was so unimpressed with the GS4 nexus edition it was sad

More the price I'm betting. They were probably hoping unrealistically for a $349 S4 google edition.

 

[F123D]

They probably thought they'd all get one for free.

 

[gmanist1000]

The average consumer probably isn't going to be ordering this phone from Google Play for $649.

It'll still confuse them.

 

[Explicitic]

Hmm...this is really boring.

Sundar Pichai said himself before I/O that this DEVELOPER conference would actually FOCUS ON DEVELOPERS.

 

[MRU]

The average consumer probably isn't going to be ordering this phone from Google Play for $649.

Yep. You wont see many of these devices. What this device is for - is for developers who want the best hardware and stock android ...


Though it could be argued that the general public would want this too if they were offered the choice - albeit via subsidized handset pricing through their carriers.

 

[ChazUK]

It'll still confuse them.

Something they don't know exists? 😕

 

[rtomyj]

They probably thought they'd all get one for free.

He also said it very clear before he even showed it that it wasn't a giveaway. Haha. Only reason to go to IO is the freebies I guess...

 

[Eadfrith]

sundar pichai said himself before i/o that this developer conference would actually focus on developers.

still boring

 

[jamezr]

I wonder what is stopping anyone from flashing "Stock" android factory images onto the bloated S4?

If you could swap and change.... Could be good.

the carrier versions have a locked bootloader that is stopping this so far...

 

[mattopotamus]

Something they don't know exists? 😕

I agree with this. Only people really in to phones will know it exist.

 

[onthecouchagain]

The average consumer is going to be VERY confused about the same phone with different software on it. I can't wait to see their reactions. 😀

Not necessarily. The stock Android GS4 will be sold at the Play Store. People walking into a carrier store will pick up the TouchWiz version. People who know about stock Android will have to purposefully buy it through the Play Store.

It won't be that big of a problem.

Seriously, the argument against immediate update and fragmentation is out the window. No longer do you have to get a Nexus device (with its compromises) to get stock and direct Google updates.

Hopefully this practice becomes more and more the norm (imagine if every OEM released a "Google" version of their phone!).

Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing. 😀

 

[jamezr]

Not necessarily. The stock Android GS4 will be sold at the Play Store. People walking into a carrier store will pick up the TouchWiz version. People who know about stock Android will have to purposefully buy it through the Play Store.

It won't be that big of a problem.

Seriously, the argument against immediate update and fragmentation is out the window. No longer do you have to get a Nexus device (with its compromises) to get stock and direct Google updates.

Hopefully this practice becomes more and more the norm (imagine if every OEM released a "Google" version of their phone!).

Freedom of choice is a wonderful thing. 😀

Couldn't agree more....would love to have had the choice.......

 

[daneoni]

All in all not the blockbuster of announcements for Android. Actually kind of underwhelming. No Android 4.3 either.

GS4 is tempting but $649 means Nexus 4 (and even HTC One Dev) will still be favoured for sheer price/value. Its also US and Play Store only. Probably the only way they could get Sammy on board.

But it was the logical, easier option for them. No need to develop a new phone until Nov for Android 5. Just get a partner to sell their existing flagship on your site to tide you over.

contrary to people on this thread

the crowd was so unimpressed with the GS4 nexus edition it was sad

Well that price was quite different from the $349 people are growing accustomed to.

Love how he put out a disclaimer first; 'This isn't Free Swag'. Then had to essentially apologise for the price "Its a really great device"

 

[bmac4]

I don't understand this though......you have to think a Nexus 5 that's released later this year will have similar specs AND be priced MUCH lower.....

Confused as to the reason behind this release. Don't get me wrong, its cool and Touchwiz is the main reason I would never touch a Samsung phone, so one which runs Vanilla Android is MUCH more enticing.....

Just somewhat confused.

Well I think they are showing that not just nexus devices can have stick android. I like it. Now if you like the S4 but always wanted stock android you got it. Also they pick the best selling android brand Samsung. Now with stock android they can capture people that want stock android, and the consumers that like have an OS hold their hands. I think they see how many money can be made by offering this. They can now capture even more market share.

 

[dojoman]

uhmmm WTF? $650 for 16GB?? No thx. HTC One dev edition is same price but 64GB.

 

[Explicitic]

uhmmm WTF? $650 for 16GB?? No thx. HTC One dev edition is same price but 64GB.

But I am able to get 80GBs of storage on my Galaxy S4 (or at least 72+)...

 

[jrswizzle]

Well I think they are showing that not just nexus devices can have stick android. I like it. Now if you like the S4 but always wanted stock android you got it. Also they pick the best selling android brand Samsung. Now with stock android they can capture people that want stock android, and the consumers that like have an OS hold their hands. I think they see how many money can be made by offering this. They can now capture even more market share.

I'm sorry but the number of people who will buy a US-only stock Android $650 16GB GS4 will not greatly affect their marketshare.....

 

[sentinelsx]

The google galaxy s4 is official

OMG YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


*breathes*

Finally, about time I can have an official true stock android phone with top of the line specs.

Thank you google.

 

[walie]

uhmmm WTF? $650 for 16GB?? No thx. HTC One dev edition is same price but 64GB.

right...how much for an unlocked iPhone 5 16GB from the apple store???

 

[mattopotamus]

Well I think they are showing that not just nexus devices can have stick android. I like it. Now if you like the S4 but always wanted stock android you got it. Also they pick the best selling android brand Samsung. Now with stock android they can capture people that want stock android, and the consumers that like have an OS hold their hands. I think they see how many money can be made by offering this. They can now capture even more market share.

That is just it. It will actually be a stock android device that we know has a great camera, screen, and LTE. IMO that is worth $650. I usually buy my phones out right anyways. The nexus 4 obviously has it's market b.c the price alone, but being able to have a choice is huge.

edit: it better come in more than just white =/

 

[GoCubsGo]

Relax. And I think members are talking about it in this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=17272125#post17272125

 

[daneoni]

But I am able to get 80GBs of storage on my Galaxy S4 (or at least 72+)...

Yeah but you have to pay extra for a microSD and even then not everything will install on it. HTC One Dev gives you 64GB from the box and all of it is usable by anything from Play or otherwise.

 

[paulsalter]

Missed this but been catching up with this thread

Is there much for non US people, looks like the main things, GS4 with pure Android & music service are US only