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It's the android concept. Just try to throw it against the wall and if it sticks then good but if not oh well no big loss. A great example is Google Soli. It slid down that wall like it was greased with cooking spray 😂
Cos Apple's never done that, right? They didn't put a useless strip of display into a keyboard, or made pressure-sensitive displays, or created a music-based social network that never took off? Nope, just those whacky Android manufacturers.
 
At least as far as folding is concerned, there is something quite satisfying about folding shut a phone. Might sound odd to those who were not old enough to own clam shell phones, but yeah.

In regards to functionality, I 100% agree with you. We've pretty much reached peak form factor in terms of durability. The only thing that could surpass it at this point is some form of holo-device or roll-able, printed phone, and we're a long way away from that.
I think the satisfaction is from hanging up on someone you dislike at the moment. Before flipping a phone closed we would slam the corded headset down on the receiver. Yes I'm that old 😂
 
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Cos Apple's never don't that, right? They didn't put a useless strip of display into a keyboard, or made pressure-sensitive displays, or created a music-based social network that never took off? Nope, just those whacky Android manufacturers.
Nope Apple doesn't throw stuff against the wall. For the most part they use proven technology and improve on it. A great example is Face ID. Apple didn't invent face unlock but instead perfected it.
 
This feels like the equivalent of the hype of 2-in-1s. In reality, trying to merge 2 devices into one just causes both of the devices as one device to be a worse, compromised version of their individual forms.
 
We've gotten to the point where phones have almost no moving parts and are thus super-reliable as a result, and now we want to go back to having hinges and clasps and bending, whyyy?
This is like chicken or the egg. When the first iPhone came out most people didn’t want a full screen without a keyboard. Many even mocked it.

BTW iPhones do have a moving part - Taptic Engine
 
Nope Apple doesn't throw stuff against the wall. For the most part they use proven technology and improve on it. A great example is Face ID. Apple didn't invent face unlock but instead perfected it.
Lol, and how exactly have they improved on the touchbar? Or 3D touch (which I love but Apple failed to gain any traction with)? Or the flimsy butterfly keyboard? You can cherrypick successful examples but that doesn't mean every feature they put out is a hit. This isn't even a criticism, it's just how businesses work, they try things out and sometimes they get it wrong.
 
I think the satisfaction is from hanging up on someone you dislike at the moment. Before flipping a phone closed we would slam the corded headset down on the receiver. Yes I'm that old 😂

I remember those halcyon days of the late 90s and my parent's StarTAC, thinking it was the coolest thing ever after having grown up with corded and cordless phones (and even my grandparent's rotary phones haha). And that was well before clam shells were in the mainstream.
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It's the android concept. Just try to throw it against the wall and if it sticks then good but if not oh well no big loss. A great example is Google Soli. It slid down that wall like it was greased with cooking spray 😂
Even though most of the tinkering supported by Google's capital often misses the market completely, I think that their Soli Project really has potential. Apple will also try to install radar technology as a user interface on the temples of the glasses, only they don't make it so silly public. If it works, it will be released to the market. This always seems like the actions of a mature adult to me. I like that about Apple. Unripe fruits are promoted elsewhere.
 
The tech is cool, but don’t see a practical use for something that size that mostly travels w/ you. Perhaps these foldable phones will eventually go the same route as curved monitors.

Curved monitors are great if you need the real estate. Thinking about going that way myself with the Samsung 49" to free up desk space from my 2 27-inch monitors.
 
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Why are they pushing so hard for this gimmick? I've never once felt like I wanted to fold my phone.

We've gotten to the point where phones have almost no moving parts and are thus super-reliable as a result, and now we want to go back to having hinges and clasps and bending, whyyy?

Just give me my solid, reliable slab of OLED, speakers and cameras.
I want an 8” iPhone. Only way that will happen is if it folds in some regard. Yes there is a market for this. Just now these devices are too expensive at retail for most.
 
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Maybe I'm missing something, but what is the point of a foldable phone? I understand that its a very cool proof of concept but I just don't get it. Not trying to be negative, I am genuinely curious.

I feel the same. It does not seem to be solving a problem, in most cases I’ve seen it’s not good from a UX point of view and it doubles the thickness of the device in your pocket. That’s not mentioning Samsung’s issues with debris in the hinge even...
 
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After being delayed till 2022, how long will it be on the market till they pull it?

9 months?


I saw that announcement by Google of just dropping their mainline Pixel phones as is with only the black 4a left. That is a very bad thing for the brand and is the biggest news item for them - IMHO.

Dropping these phones mid cycle means potential customers won't be your customers and go with other companies and possibly never come back. No wonder the camera guy and others left the company.

This looks bad. Google may just be a single size black Pixel (really a Nexus) and a Pixel a (cheap Nexus) model from here on out. Android really needs a strong Google presence there as the other mfrs are bad in different ways.
 
Why are they pushing so hard for this gimmick? I've never once felt like I wanted to fold my phone.

We've gotten to the point where phones have almost no moving parts and are thus super-reliable as a result, and now we want to go back to having hinges and clasps and bending, whyyy?
Samsung likes to jump in early, even if the first few iterations are mocked by the press and the public.

Apple likes to develop the product in secrecy until it feels the product is ready.

When and if foldable phones are durable, less expensive, and thinner with less noticeable crease, it can be more attractive alternative to large phablets. In the mean time, consumers of Samsung foldable phones are essentially beta testing.
 
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I think this is believable and in line with Google’s aspirations to counter Apple and even Samsung with first party offerings. If it comes to pass the pressure on Apple by 2022 to release a foldable will be high as Samsung will at that point be on their 3rd Gen foldable and it looks like Google will have this (and Microsoft will have their “foldable” or dual screen Duo to market this winter as well).
 
So they are going really narrow with this.

Already a niche market with Pixel itself AND the even more niche foldable Pixel?

Flopperoo.
 
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Replace my X with a 12 Pro/12 Pro Max this year. Then Apple’s foldable in 2-3 years even it first gen comes out next year.
 
Why are they pushing so hard for this gimmick? I've never once felt like I wanted to fold my phone.

We've gotten to the point where phones have almost no moving parts and are thus super-reliable as a result, and now we want to go back to having hinges and clasps and bending, whyyy?

Just give me my solid, reliable slab of OLED, speakers and cameras.

You have the same simple minded mentality that many critics had of the original iPhone and look how that turned out. Remember how Blockbuster laughed at the idea of Netflix and even turned down purchasing them, look at how that turned out. It's all about innovation and it's very possible that foldable phones are the future of smartphones.
 
The technology has the potential to mature, maybe more novelty at the moment more than practicality. But, the price point is stifling, as average consumers can’t afford a device that’s anywhere near what Samsung would charge, and likely Google in that same bracket.
 
Why are they pushing so hard for this gimmick? I've never once felt like I wanted to fold my phone.

We've gotten to the point where phones have almost no moving parts and are thus super-reliable as a result, and now we want to go back to having hinges and clasps and bending, whyyy?

Just give me my solid, reliable slab of OLED, speakers and cameras.
Too big for a phone, too small for a tablet, and too fragile for your pocket. Pass.

it didn't see "a clear use case yet."
At least Google and I agree on one thing.
 
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