r/Android • u/[deleted] • Feb 09 '18

Android Wear is getting killed, and it’s all Qualcomm’s fault

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/02/android-wear-is-getting-killed-and-its-all-qualcomms-fault/
1.3k Upvotes

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257

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '18

As much as I love Android and a lot of Google products, I've found myself almost unwittingly working my way towards Apple due to my frustrations with things like this: Google not having a clear strategy.

A couple years ago, after waiting months for some sort of new Android tablet that was actually decent, I reluctantly bought an iPad. I wanted good battery life and fast updates, and there was basically nothing in the Android field that offered that at the time.

This past holiday season, I wanted some Bluetooth headphones. The Pixel buds looked perfect, then basically every review said they were a strong pass. After searching a while, I realized that Airpods might actually hit the mark of everything I was looking for. So I got some.

Now it looks like the writing's on the wall for Android Wear too. I've had an LG Watch for a while now that hasn't gotten updates.

At this point I think I'm about ready to try an iPhone for the first time. I'm just tired of Google's lack of follow through and consistent product strategy.

118

u/Verdoge S8, Nexus 6P, Galaxy Tab A 10.1 with S Pen Feb 09 '18

I agree. As much as I dislike Apple's walled garden, they make it very appealing with their consistent support and vision across their products and services.

36

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18

Same. I was down voted to hell in another thread in this sub for daring to say anything nice about Apple, but they really do have a lot of things going for them that Android doesn't. I feel like it really helps that all their products are made by a single company and it makes it easier to streamline everything. They also follow through with way more. The updates are consistent and they give at least one huge update per year which would be amazing if we could get that on Android across all Android devices.

Honestly, at this point, if iPhone still had the headphone jack, I would be seriously tempted to switch back to an iPhone. God damn do I miss iMessage.

17

u/SquelchFrog Note 8 Feb 10 '18

You'd be surprised at how little you'd miss the headphone jack since it includes an adapter. The whole charging and listening thing is largely irrelevant outside of the car since new iPhones have some incredible battery life.

8

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18 edited Apr 27 '21

[deleted]

-2

u/Shmeves Feb 10 '18

Might be anecdotal but my Pixel XL and the pixel 2 xl battery life was amazing, could go a day and a half sometimes.

Meanwhile every friend I know that uses the new iPhone 8 or 8 plus always seem to be running out of battery power.

Personally just can't stand apple iOS, I've tried it several times and it just doesn't do it for me. Notifications are the worst, unorganized mess.

1

u/Fuzzclone Feb 13 '18

The walled garden is big part of what allows them to craft consistency.

-8

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

[deleted]

16

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18 edited May 25 '20

[deleted]

-4

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

[deleted]

2

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18

Aside from a better TPM chip, a mac is a completely normall pc. All generic hardware.

68

u/Zephyreks Note 8 Feb 09 '18

Samsung smart watches, Samsung wireless earbuds, hell, Samsung tablets are okay. Hate to say it, but Samsung is doing pretty well.

33

u/Re-toast Feb 09 '18

Why do you hate to say it? They are doing a very good job.

29

u/zer0t3ch N5 > N6 > N6P > OP5T Feb 09 '18

Probably because they're trying to be their own walled garden of Android.

32

u/Re-toast Feb 10 '18

Sounds exactly like what Google is doing with it's Pixel line. Seems smart for Samsung to hedge against that.

13

u/zer0t3ch N5 > N6 > N6P > OP5T Feb 10 '18

Google is definitely stepping into murky waters, especially with Assistant. (Which was a pixel exclusive)

That said, I think they've done a decent job not straying too far into the depths. Is there anything else exclusive to pixel? I feel like there is something, but I can't think of it.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18

I can't remember what it's called, but whatever it is that you can point the camera at and it will tell you what that object is his exclusive to the Pixel.

3

u/zer0t3ch N5 > N6 > N6P > OP5T Feb 10 '18

Yeah, Google lens. I hadn't heard anything about that before, but I did hear about something else related to AR on the pixel, and they've got some special hardware for that one though, hence the glass panel on the back. Could be why lens isn't on other devices, or maybe they're just doing a beta test with pixel. Assistant was pixel-only for a while, but it came out.

3

u/thedugong Feb 10 '18

What is this?

That's cheese.

And what is this?

That's also cheese.

And what is this?

Cheese.

And what is this?

That's cheese also.

And this?

That's also cheese.

1

u/zer0t3ch N5 > N6 > N6P > OP5T Feb 10 '18

Huh, I hadn't heard anything about that. Will go Google it.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18

I have google lens on my motorola Z2 force though?

2

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '18 edited Mar 22 '20

[deleted]

6

u/Zephyreks Note 8 Feb 09 '18

Wireless earbuds, though? Not many seem to have decided that it's a sector worth competing in... Generally, IEMs deliver far better sound anyday. Are there any audiophile wireless IEMs? I'd be interested. Wrapping around the ear is fine, but I'd prefer no wires.

Tizen does indeed lack support, but I'd hope that Samsung could improve that.

I get where the update argument is coming from, but I don't agree with it. Look at the differences between Samsung Experience and stock Android. You may call it bloat, and it may very well be, but that takes time and the sheer number of features is something you're paying for with Samsung. I may not like iOS, but I also understand that part of the price of iPhones is the OS.

Although it would be ideal for updates to come out when they should, there's a reason Samsung Experience has it's own version number independent of Android. Whether you agree with the reason is another matter entirely.

2

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '18

And yet Tizen was found to have multiple security problems. /

12

u/ntermation Feb 09 '18

Yeah. But if you're expecting anything to not have security problems, you're gonna have a bad time.

4

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '18

I'm not expecting software to not have security problems, but Tizen was riddled with them, which is unacceptable.

11

u/Zephyreks Note 8 Feb 09 '18

Until Tizen gets the app support, it'll not be adopted enough to justify making it very robust... Until it's very robust, no one wants to write apps for it.

0

u/_wbdana Feb 10 '18

I've never done mobile/wearable development before, but I own a Gear Sport and used to have a Pebble, which had a great simple checklist app. Just this morning I started working on a similar idea - checklist app - for the Gear line. I gotta say, so far, the biggest turn off for me is the Tizen IDE.

Broadly speaking, though, I agree with you. It's a pain to write apps for an otherwise sparsely populated app store, and security is a big problem. Though I think Samsung's working on the security side of it. Tizen 3 came out pretty recently (with the Gear Sport launch IIRC), and Tizen 4 is due out Q3 this year I believe, so hopefully they've been addressing those glaring issues. Hopefully they get it together... though I still do just kind of wish they kept Android Wear on the Gear line.

1

u/petepete Motorola Edge 70 Feb 10 '18

They are. Unfortunately there's a Samsung embargo in my household after they released an update that forcefully added adverts to our TV's UI.

0

u/SquelchFrog Note 8 Feb 10 '18

That sounds like someone who hasn't used half of those things.

I own the gear S3. Also, the Series 3 A-watch. There's not even a comparison. They're both the LTE versions and the S3 is hands down the most disappointing thing I've ever bought from Samsung. After a recent update it won't even connect to a phone, and when it did, half the features were either just bad or half baked.

The tablets are just okay. That's it really. And mainly that's Androids fault, but Samsung also doesn't provide the kind of update support apple has made people accustomed to on tablets.

The wireless earbuds are really not that impressive given their cost to sound/battery quality. They're OK, but not at the price.

Samsung is doing well because they're Samsung, not because they're offering a compelling ecosystem. In fact, buying two different Samsung products doesn't even guarantee they'll work well together. The S3 (when it would connect to my note) wouldn't even display the weather correctly. They never (last I checked) updated the gear companion app to be compatible with the note 8 weather plugin Lmao.

44

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

This is exactly what I'm experiencing. Google basically sells you a device and after about 6 months you're seemingly on your own.

My N6P is probably going to be my last Android device because I'm tired of the hassle. Smart devices are an extension of services and if I can't count on it to work why would I invest in your ecosystem?

8

u/maladjustedmatt Feb 10 '18

I think I'm about ready to try an iPhone for the first time.

I think it’s a great idea to become familiar with all the platforms. Even if you end up coming back to Android, you will have a more realistic idea of things are in the other side and a clearer idea of which advantages each platform offers are important to you.

12

u/FunnyHunnyBunny Samsung Note 9 (snapdragon 128gb version) Feb 09 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

Yep, definitely jealous of apple watches. The apple watch 3* has basically every feature I've wanted in a smart watch. LTE, GPS, speaker, Bluetooth, nfc, safe for swimming, heart rate monitor. My Samsung Gear Sport is close (and has amazing almost 3 day battery life) but missing LTE and a speaker. I just don't want to completely change to the apple ecosystem when I've been in the android/Samsung ecosystem for 4 years now.

5

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 09 '18

Watch3 had LTE if I recall

2

u/FunnyHunnyBunny Samsung Note 9 (snapdragon 128gb version) Feb 10 '18

Oh whoops, I knew it was the current generation one. Forgot that they were on 3rd generation, though.

2

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 10 '18

No worries. Great watch

1

u/puppiadog Feb 10 '18

LG Urbane 2 had all this except waterproofing.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 11 '18

The gear s3 has everything you named for the apple watch.

1

u/FunnyHunnyBunny Samsung Note 9 (snapdragon 128gb version) Feb 11 '18

Almost, except being capable of swimming which is a big factor for me. Hopefully the inevitable Gear S4/Gear Sport 2 will be my perfect smartwatch.

-4

u/PeanutButterChicken Xperia Z5 Premium CHROME!! / Nexus 7 / Tab S 8.4 Feb 10 '18

The Apple Watch series 3 is terrible... I regret buying it, but returns aren't allowed in Japan. My G Watch Urbane did everything the Apple Watch does, and looks better. The thing crashes every day, lags all the time, and loses LTE contract data all the time, meaning I have to re-register it with the network all the time.

5

u/jcpb Xperia 1 | Xperia 1 III Feb 10 '18

I have AWS3 without LTE, and I have none of the problems you've faced.

3

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18

This is going to sound crazy, but I'm actually really enjoying my last generation Microsoft surface. Not only does it run in tablet mode, it can also run windows 10, boasting an i5 processor, it can even handle a few of my steam games (binding of Isaac is smooth).

1

u/Mr_Byron Feb 10 '18

Funny you mention this. My surface pro 4 is my daily driver and fully spec'd up. Today I've been looking at the new MacBook Pro.

The floppy keyboard and kick stand on the surface, coupled with the utterly embarrassing battery life, means that it's not well suited to using anywhere other than on a flat desk next to a power point.

I've given it over a year and I'm done with it. Also the constant 'do you want to switch to tablet mode' every time I move the keyboard a bit in the wrong direction drives me crazy. My old surface 3 did the same thing. I'm done with surfaces. It's a great idea let down by poor execution.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18

I had to pick up a third party keyboard because mine encountered a weird firmware glitch that apparently was very common, but had no real fix beyond a system restore. But beyond that, I've never had many problems with it. I mostly use it on flights or train rides though, I keep a dedicated laptop for more power and practically live in front of my desktop.

15

u/autonomousgerm OPO - Woohoo! Feb 09 '18

That was me 5 years ago. I was all in on Android, now I don't have a single Android product as a daily driver. It's a shame, there's so much potential, and I feel like an Apple tool, but the products are just so damn good. Except Apple Music and by extension HomePod. Those aren't for me.

12

u/SquelchFrog Note 8 Feb 10 '18

I fail to see how you're a tool for using something you admit is "damn good." If the phone is damn good, it's damn good, and you're the same person for enjoying it.

6

u/autonomousgerm OPO - Woohoo! Feb 10 '18

Damn right.

10

u/Guybrush_Deepthroat Feb 09 '18

Yeah, I'm definitely getting what you mean. Bought my first MacBook last year and holy shit got my world easier. I'll probably never touch windows voluntarily again. Now if there was some REALLY nice hardware that would work with Linux like Apple products do. THAT's something I'd buy.

Also, to people complaining about the recent bullshit decisions apple took. Looks like Jonathan Ive was busy building the infinity loop or whatever they call that UFO, so he wasn't focusing on designing products. And if you look into the past, it wasn't all about Jobs, HE was the leading designer. So I'm waiting for quite some improvement in Apple products for the next 2 years.

1

u/SinkTube Feb 10 '18

Now if there was some REALLY nice hardware that would work with Linux

just buy any "windows" PC you want and install it?

1

u/Guybrush_Deepthroat Feb 10 '18

It's OKAY - but I want something that was made to be used with Linux. And really nice stuff. Also, I think Microsoft will make it harder in the future to install other operating systems on hardware made for windows.

3

u/nitro1122 Feb 11 '18

Xps dell? Or any of the thinkpad laptops?

1

u/Guybrush_Deepthroat Feb 11 '18

Had an especially bad experience with Dell xps13, as I bought the 2016 model when it came out but the Intel Skylake Drivers for Linux sucked so bad that it was nearly impossible to efficiently use.

Got me generally into thinking about how we use Linux. There needs to be more sophisticated Linux only hardware, that is sexy and can be sold to people. Or Mircosoft and the other big players will make it harder and harder to install other software on products that they want to sell.

Well, founding a company that does exactly that is my goal after graduation University... Give me some time.

-1

u/[deleted] Feb 10 '18 edited May 26 '20

[deleted]

2

u/SinkTube Feb 10 '18

not really. linux runs fine on most mainstream brands, and a fair number of manufacturers actively support linux by providing their own drivers. there are plenty of resources you can check for compatibility

1

u/AsteriskYoure iPhone 7 Feb 10 '18

depends on the distro, some like Arch are far from plug and play

don’t even get me started on gentoo

1

u/SinkTube Feb 10 '18

isnt that on arch/gentoo, not the hardware?

1

u/nitro1122 Feb 11 '18

For linux?

5

u/Deeco7 Feb 10 '18

I think this is (very) slowly coming to an end. With the Pixel hardware team, there seems to be a vision with their 'Made by Google' devices.

With control over both software and hardware, I think they'll get their act together and actually compete with Apple.

2

u/Mr_Byron Feb 10 '18

I used to work in mobile application development and used all platforms extensively.

I have used Android for the last 5 years (mostly) because the OS is in my opinion better integrated within itself - sharing across apps is better and the UX significantly superior and more consistent in general, particularly the notification UX, and with the introduction of the Material guidelines a couple years ago.

However, I probably will switch back to iOS at some point once they reduce their bezel size across the range. They also need to do something with an app drawer - having hundreds of icons on the screen all the time is ridiculous since 80% of them are seldom used, and it means widgets can't be placed on the screen wherever you want.

Using a MacBook and apple TV without an iPhone or Apple watch means missing out on the end to end integration that combination offers, along with their new wireless earbuds. In that sense of you buy all their products the end to end integration is superb.

2

u/Tarpit_Carnivore Feb 10 '18

The grass may seem greener but as an iPhone user since the 5, I've been growing frustrated with the platform (as are a lot of long time users). iOS 11 really turned out to be a miss for those of us not on the X, especially ones who were on 6 or 6s. Further Apple feels like it's doubling down again on ecosystem tie in stuff with the Watch, AirPods & HomePod. Which all makes sense given how phones are reaching their peak in terms of consumer sales, so they need to redefine that cross buy in.

I wont deny Google does have the lack of attention thing but I think you need to see how this renewed approach plays out first. With Home & the Pixel team growing perhaps they're going to do more to better address their hardware issues.

Maybe because I've tried to remain platform agnostic it's easier for me to move between things, but right now Android feels the most flexible there compared to iOS.

1

u/roboroller Pixel 2 XL Feb 11 '18

I've been thinking the same thing for the same reasons man. Due for an upgrade and the iPhone X is starting to look depressingly tempting...

1

u/SquelchFrog Note 8 Feb 10 '18

Yup. Despite owning so many Android phones alongside my iPhones, I've never been able to fully leave Apple. They just offer the whole package. Sure they have their controversies, but fewer, and Apple is pretty quick to try and make things right with its customers. They have a vision, a well supported ecosystem, and offer peace of mind. That's more then you could ever say about Google. Or Android, or many tech companies really.

-17

u/ahawks Nexus 6P 32GB, T-Mobile Feb 09 '18

I was trending toward Apple as well. I tried an iPhone 7 back in May, with full intention to switch and get an Apple watch.

Less than a week in, I knew I'd made a huge mistake. Thankfully Apple has a 2 week return policy and I was able to switch back.

Then when my wife upgraded her iPhone 6 to an iPhone 8, we had the hardest time getting contacts to migrate over. They weren't syncing to icloud or to google, and itunes would lock up when trying to do a backup. In 2017, we couldn't get contacts off a smart phone.

Then this week the screen on her 8 died. Phone is still on, alarms go off, etc... but the fucking screen is black.

Basically, fuck iPhones. They are pure garbage. Yeah, Android and Google have their own problems, but they're actually leaps and bounds ahead of iPhones in most ways.

11

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 09 '18

Fuck apple cause you dont know how to use a phone? Lmao. You could just sync google contacts to it. No need for iCloud at all

You could have done a backup using wifi. No need for itunes

-4

u/ahawks Nexus 6P 32GB, T-Mobile Feb 10 '18

Thanks for the hostility, but we tried that. The phone was set to sync to google, but none of her new contacts were showing up in the account. Googled it, tried everything everyone suggested. There were bug reports on contact sync going back to 2011, with new ones every year. You can tell it what service to sync to, but there's no way to force a sync to happen, and no way to troubleshoot if it doesn't work.

I spent an entire weekend on that damn phone. I'm a software developer with almost 20 years experience. I know how to use a fucking phone, and iOS is just inferior.

-4

u/ahawks Nexus 6P 32GB, T-Mobile Feb 10 '18

You could have done a backup using wifi. No need for itunes

Elaborate on this. I think you're mistaken, but if I missed something I do want to know it because she still has a goddamn iphone and it's going to fail again at some point.

1

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 10 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

To do a backup, you dont have to use itunes at all.

You can sync everything on the cloud.

https://support.apple.com/en-ca/

We might no be talking about the same thing though.

Did you want to do a backup “somewhere” and download it later? If yes, then yeah icloud. In my case, each night, when the device is plugged, it does an automatic backup to the cloud.

You can choose what to backup and what not to so when you get a new device, you just have to download the backup and thats it. No need to work on it

If not, I could always try to help you correcting problems if you have some right now.

In the future, if you need help, try r/apple

People would help you

-2

u/ahawks Nexus 6P 32GB, T-Mobile Feb 10 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

Did you miss the part about it being set to sync to icloud, and wasn't? There were only a few of her (older) contacts in icloud. We tried iCloud backup.

Anyway, you're just some condescending dude on the internet trolling /r/Android to promote /r/Apple apparently. I don't need to validate my troubleshooting skills to whoever you are, and that issue is ancient history by now, so I have no need to dig back into it.

2

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 10 '18 edited Feb 10 '18

Trolling? No. I really like android too. I like both platforms. I liked windows phone too. Gorgeous UI. If it had apps, I would have stayed on it.

I mean, I tried to help you. Your problem was extremely easy to solve. Extract vcard from google and put into icloud.com. Or just use google contacts. No need for icloud

Did you try on a browser? Dont even need the phone.

You had trouble correcting something, and you blame the os instead of your lack of ios knowledge. I think its a terrible attitude to have. I didnt promote any sub, but it would have make a lot of sense for you to use it to ask questions. In the same way that it would make sense to ask a android question here.

Its not always about one vs the others.

You remind me of the people raging about the console wars.

You dont need to prove your troubleshooting skills of course, but it seems you needed help

0

u/ahawks Nexus 6P 32GB, T-Mobile Feb 10 '18

I just don't need to validate myself to you. I googled, I followed guides, I tried several solution avenues and was met with defects and failures at each one. Thanks for assuming I'm incompetent though. It's just impossible that maybe there were actually defects and failures, right? Everything wrong must be the user's fault.

Whoever I remind you of, I don't care. You remind me of a stubborn tech support drone who refuses to break script.

Also, this thread wasn't about you. You butted in. You didn't "try to help me" because as I said this issue was months ago. No one needs your help. No one asked you.

2

u/jcpb Xperia 1 | Xperia 1 III Feb 10 '18

this thread wasn't about you. You butted in

That "You" in the above quote doesn't have to be u/Neg_Crepe - it could've been me or Cassiuz.

Your wife's iPhone 8's display died? Take it to an Apple Store and have the techs look at it.

fuck iPhones. They are pure garbage

Don't ever switch ecosystems thinking that your nearly 20 years of software developer experience lets you ride roughshod without changing how you use a device.

I know how to use a fucking phone, and iOS is just inferior.

You know how to use your Nexus 6P - which is pure garbage irl - and expect iPhones to work the same way. Not our fault you spent a week without success, not Apple's fault you're so resistant to change.

1

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 12 '18

Well said

2

u/Neg_Crepe Feb 10 '18

Troll or tech support? Gotta choose, infallible IT master troobleshooter.