Google Nexus rumors finally heating up

Originally Posted by jeffro3000

I judge things based on their price, and in terms of feature per dollar, the Nexus 4 is leaps and bounds above any other new phone on the market, even without LTE. Not because it's a better phone (it's not), but because it's almost as good for $350 less.

If the iPhone 4S had been $349 unsubsidized on its launch, it wouldn't have been regarded by near as many people as a disappointment. All the sudden it becomes the best deal around. Things change when the price is so dramatically lower than the norm.


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My point is that the price isn't so dramatically different to the consumer. The device cost is cheaper, but I'd venture to guess that for 95% of potential buyers it is not cheaper OTD.

Most people sign that contract without a second thought. So a Nexus 4 is $299. An iPhone 5 is $199. An S3 is $99. OTD prices.

Do you consider how destructive it is to the market with Google trying to drop the bottom out of pricing? The only reason they're doing this is because the Nexus line doesn't sell well but if that changes you're going to have pissed off Android partners with no margin and thus no ability to develop great new products. Pretty soon Samsung is going to own the entire ecosystem. Google is ensuring that margins stay razor thin. They're going to have to cut manufacturers in on their profits from content and advertising. A race to the bottom does not excite me.

Originally Posted by Tauce says

Do you consider how destructive it is to the market with Google trying to drop the bottom out of pricing? The only reason they're doing this is because the Nexus line doesn't sell well but if that changes you're going to have pissed off Android partners with no margin and thus no ability to develop great new products. Pretty soon Samsung is going to own the entire ecosystem. Google is ensuring that margins stay razor thin. They're going to have to cut manufacturers in on their profits from content and advertising. A race to the bottom does not excite me.

It's only destructive if the Nexus 4 is successful. To the mass market I don't think it will be, even though it's a very cool phone.

To your average Joe/Sally comparing a Windows, Apple, and Google phone it is one of the most expensive out there (because afaik they aren't offering it subsidized) and it doesn't have LTE. Not a recipe for success.

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Most people sign that contract without a second thought.

Hopefully Google's pricing and unlocked strategy will catch on and this will no longer be the case.

Verizon is getting close (within 2 years maybe) to being able to offer voice over LTE, meaning that CDMA will become obsolete. Maybe then things can start changing for the better. Cheaper phones, no contracts, more advanced networks.


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Originally Posted by jeffro3000

Hopefully Google's pricing and unlocked strategy will catch on and this will no longer be the case.

Verizon is getting close (within 2 years maybe) to being able to offer voice over LTE, meaning that CDMA will become obsolete. Maybe then things can start changing for the better. Cheaper phones, no contracts, more advanced networks.


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In that case I agree with what Tauce says

Originally Posted by Tauce says

Do you consider how destructive it is to the market with Google trying to drop the bottom out of pricing? The only reason they're doing this is because the Nexus line doesn't sell well but if that changes you're going to have pissed off Android partners with no margin and thus no ability to develop great new products. Pretty soon Samsung is going to own the entire ecosystem. Google is ensuring that margins stay razor thin. They're going to have to cut manufacturers in on their profits from content and advertising. A race to the bottom does not excite me.

Not sure about that... Asus profits were up 43% last quarter thanks largely in part to the cheapo Nexus 7 tablet sales. Razor thin margins? Just because they're not 50 or 60% like Apple's doesn't mean they're not making any money.

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Originally Posted by jeffro3000

Not sure about that... Asus profits were up 43% last quarter thanks largely in part to the cheapo Nexus 7 tablet sales. Razor thin margins? Just because they're not 50 or 60% like Apple's doesn't mean they're not making any money.

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Yes Asus made 230 mil on 3.8 billion in revenue. Apple is mad jelly. They also said they hope to sell 10 million tablets in 2013. This leads me to believe that very little of that profit is derived from the Nexus 7 and that you're full of crap. Apple's 50% margins ignore development and advertising budgets.

Originally Posted by Tauce says

Yes Asus made 230 mil on 3.8 billion in revenue. Apple is mad jelly. They also said they hope to sell 10 million tablets in 2013. This leads me to believe that very little of that profit is derived from the Nexus 7 and that you're full of crap. Apple's 50% margins ignore development and advertising budgets.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspe...-an-ipad-mini/

Actually, it looks like a pretty good deal for Asus. Not that I don't value your opinion too or anything though.

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Hands on with the Nexus 4 from Wired:

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/...lagship-phone/

It's getting more and more annoying that there is no LTE version since it's looking like such a good phone otherwise. A CDMA version like the LTE Gnex would be a nice addition to Verizon.

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Originally Posted by Tauce says

Yes Asus made 230 mil on 3.8 billion in revenue. Apple is mad jelly. They also said they hope to sell 10 million tablets in 2013. This leads me to believe that very little of that profit is derived from the Nexus 7 and that you're full of crap. Apple's 50% margins ignore development and advertising budgets.

asus ftw

Originally Posted by jeffro3000

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspe...-an-ipad-mini/

Actually, it looks like a pretty good deal for Asus. Not that I don't value your opinion too or anything though.

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WHY do tech blogs post bibles instead of videos?

Originally Posted by zhp43867

To your average Joe/Sally comparing a Windows, Apple, and Google phone it is one of the most expensive out there (because afaik they aren't offering it subsidized)

Oops, didn't see this earlier. T-mobile is offering it subsidized, they are the only one though.

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Originally Posted by jeffro3000

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspe...-an-ipad-mini/

Actually, it looks like a pretty good deal for Asus. Not that I don't value your opinion too or anything though.

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They've already dropped prices from the ones in that article. A 25% gross margin is not great on a piece of consumer electronics at the volume they're doing and the investment involved for development and tooling. They're effectively setting a ceiling on the Android tablet market.

Originally Posted by Tauce says

Do you consider how destructive it is to the market with Google trying to drop the bottom out of pricing? The only reason they're doing this is because the Nexus line doesn't sell well but if that changes you're going to have pissed off Android partners with no margin and thus no ability to develop great new products. Pretty soon Samsung is going to own the entire ecosystem. Google is ensuring that margins stay razor thin. They're going to have to cut manufacturers in on their profits from content and advertising. A race to the bottom does not excite me.

I don't think they're artificially lowering prices. I think some of the other manufacturers are artificially keeping prices inflated. Considering the speed with which the technology is advancing and with which new models are coming out, I think manufacturers are perfectly capable of producing great phones that don't need to be $700 without a contract.

I like that Google has given people the opportunity not to be bound to carriers in return for a discount. When customers can come and go as they please, maybe providers will start offering better service and support.

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Most people sign that contract without a second thought. So a Nexus 4 is $299. An iPhone 5 is $199. An S3 is $99. OTD prices.

That's the problem. That's the reason why we went from $5 internet to $30 internet to $20 for 200 mb and $30 for 3gb and why we may get even worse deals and service in the future. Because people don't think when they sign the contract. But who can blame them? It's not like they had much choice. Now they might.

I'm going on a three week trip on the 16th and the phone comes out on the 13th. I think there's absolutely no way I can get it on time.

Originally Posted by 'busa

I don't think they're artificially lowering prices. I think some of the other manufacturers are artificially keeping prices inflated. Considering the speed with which the technology is advancing and with which new models are coming out, I think manufacturers are perfectly capable of producing great phones that don't need to be $700 without a contract.

I like that Google has given people the opportunity not to be bound to carriers in return for a discount. When customers can come and go as they please, maybe providers will start offering better service and support.



That's the problem. That's the reason why we went from $5 internet to $30 internet to $20 for 200 mb and $30 for 3gb and why we may get even worse deals and service in the future. Because people don't think when they sign the contract. But who can blame them? It's not like they had much choice. Now they might.

But if you want a data plan with your off contract phone, you're still going to pay for it as if you were subsidizing a phone.

Also I looked it up and it looks like the T-Mobile deal makes the phone more expensive.

Originally Posted by zhp43867

But if you want a data plan with your off contract phone, you're still going to pay for it as if you were subsidizing a phone.

Also I looked it up and it looks like the T-Mobile deal makes the phone more expensive.

Freedom of choice encourages more competitive pricing and better service overall.

T-mobile offers unlimited text, talk and data for $69. Where do you see a cheaper plan?

http://explore.t-mobile.com/phone-sim-card

Originally Posted by 'busa

I don't think they're artificially lowering prices. I think some of the other manufacturers are artificially keeping prices inflated. Considering the speed with which the technology is advancing and with which new models are coming out, I think manufacturers are perfectly capable of producing great phones that don't need to be $700 without a contract.

I like that Google has given people the opportunity not to be bound to carriers in return for a discount. When customers can come and go as they please, maybe providers will start offering better service and support.

+1

And

+1

More consumer mobility between carriers could have a good effect on competition, which would be especially useful here where the trend seems to be getting less for more.

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Its really frustrating that the Nexus 4 doesn't have LTE, its more frustrating Google doesn't take the same approach as Windows Phone and dictate all the updates to their phones, let the manufacturers 'skin' get updated independently.

I'm considering the RAZR MAXX HD on Verizon, but I have no idea if it will get 4.2 or anything past 4.1, since it shipped with 4.0 for whatever reason. Forcing Google updates would be so much easier.

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

Its really frustrating that the Nexus 4 doesn't have LTE, its more frustrating Google doesn't take the same approach as Windows Phone and dictate all the updates to their phones, let the manufacturers 'skin' get updated independently.

The phone won't work on a CDMA network and LTE on AT&T has pretty shitty coverage anyway. Most people that own LTE phones don't get LTE service:



Verizon in RED. AT&T in BLUE.

HSPA+ is a bit better covered, though:

Originally Posted by Dreamliner330

I'm considering the RAZR MAXX HD on Verizon, but I have no idea if it will get 4.2 or anything past 4.1, since it shipped with 4.0 for whatever reason. Forcing Google updates would be so much easier.

I'm not a big fan of motorola, but go on XDA developers and see how easy it is to update the software yourself....