It’s since backpedaled.
  • Chozo@fedia.io
    1685·
    11 months ago

    I mentioned this in another thread, but this only applies to their “Team Pixel” ambassador program. Those aren’t actual reviewers, they’re contracted by Google’s PR firm, specifically to promote their product line. They’re not coming after MKBHD and the likes with this. This is just part of their sponsorship agreement.

    Worst case scenario in this situation is a few lifestyle vloggers will stop getting free phones.

    • Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      281·
      11 months ago

      The second half of the article goes into that a bit. Seems like some reviewers were also grouped into that program before, and the terms weren’t like this before.

      The Verge spoke with other independent reviewers and freelance tech journalists who say that they were grouped into the Team Pixel program for review units in the past. For those in the latter group, the new stipulation is a threat to their integrity and livelihood. Matlock says he’s since quit the Team Pixel program over the new terms.

      YouTuber Kevin Nether, who runs The Tech Ninja channel, also says the clause led him to quit the Team Pixel program. “As someone who reviews technology for a living, I work with many brands. To be cornered into using one product — that doesn’t work for me, and that’s nothing I want to participate in.”

      Nether echoes that he’s never seen this kind of stipulation in previous Team Pixel surveys. Usually, he says, the survey gauges a creator’s interest in various topics, like sports or fashion, to identify areas for collaboration. In the past, he says he’s made it clear to Team Pixel representatives that outside an obligatory post, he will review the device as normal. Nether also says this exclusivity term is atypical. Usually, when brands demand exclusivity from creators or brand ambassadors, they’ll offer payment, have clear disclosure rules, and have limited timelines.

      Either Google changed the focus of the program, or the intent wasn’t clear enough in previous years

      • Chozo@fedia.io
        15·
        11 months ago

        Either Google changed the focus of the program, or the intent wasn’t clear enough in previous years

        I dunno, I got invited to it and I read through the application forms, which looked very similar to the ones they’re posting screenshots of now. Back when I first looked at it a few years ago, it seemed pretty clear that the whole deal was “we’ll give you free phones if you advertise us to your community”. The application process focused very heavily on determining what sort of following the applicant has, how receptive they are to calls to action, etc.

        As far as I can tell, the only thing that’s changed is that Google is saying the quiet part out loud, which I would imagine is because a member likely bad-mouthed the product and raised a stink about getting cut off from the freebies. Not to sound victim-blamey, but if anybody in this programed was disillusioned into thinking it was anything short of “be our unpaid advertising monkeys”, then they must not have even taken a cursory glance at the description before signing up.

        • Kazumara@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
          6·
          11 months ago

          Thank you for sharing that information.

          Then it really does seems like some reviewers were just entering the grey zone willingly, to get phones intended for advertisements and used them for reviews anyway.

  • nebulaone@lemmy.worldEnglish
    984·
    11 months ago

    The only reason I am buying Pixel devices is the amazing third party os / rom support (especially GrapheneOS).

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      282·
      11 months ago

      Same. I don’t care about the camera or AI features, the speakers could be louder, and a few other nitpicks, but it supports GrapheneOS, has a long SW support cycle, and has some great security hardware, so I bought one. I actually kind of prefer my older, crappy Moto phone in some ways, but I’m unwilling to use an insecure device, and ROMs aren’t supported (well, I guess I could sign an abusive agreement).

      So yeah, Pixel wins for me because of GOS and longer SW support. That’s honestly it.

      • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        346·
        11 months ago

        So because it’s not literally for everyone, nobody can share an opinion about it?

        Weird take.

      • cows_are_underrated@feddit.orgEnglish
        102·
        11 months ago

        So just because my car has the ability to tow a trailer it is bad? The pixel gives everyone that wants to the possibility to install a custom ROM, which is great because not every phone allows this.

        • nullpotential@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
          3·
          11 months ago

          Yeah that’s what has put me off getting a new Samsung phone as a free upgrade even though they have better specs. They all have the stupid Snapdragon processors.

          • cows_are_underrated@feddit.orgEnglish
            4·
            11 months ago

            I think next year will be the time when I buy a new phone too and I’m also looking to get a pixel. I will devinetively not buy a new one but maybe a refurbished one.

          • Persen@lemmy.worldEnglish
            1·
            11 months ago

            Snapdragons are decent for custom roms, the problem is samsung blocking bl-unlock on US SDM phones.

  • floofloof@lemmy.caEnglish
    543·
    11 months ago

    Tech reviews are a corrupt mess and can seldom be trusted, especially reviews by “influencers”.

    • Dr. Moose@lemmy.worldEnglish
      19·
      11 months ago

      Also these days it’s all about rushing content and pandering to the lowest common denominator. Though pop tech channels were always this way. I stumbled on Unbox Therapy lately and it’s so blatant that it almost feels illegal.

  • intensely_human@lemm.eeEnglish
    533·
    11 months ago

    When is the industry going to recognize that the camera needs to be flush with the back?

    This is ridiculous

    • bradbeattie@lemmy.caEnglish
      30·
      11 months ago

      If the camera really does need to be that thick for lens reasons, couldn’t we at least make the rest of the body bigger with more battery?

      • JohnEdwa@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        9·
        11 months ago

        Yes, but then it would be slightly heavier and have way too good of a battery life, reducing power bank sales and having the phone last longer without needing to be replaced due to battery degradation.

      • Dasus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        81·
        11 months ago

        Mine does that when I put a cover on my phone.

        The cover is on the same level as the camera as there’s a cutout on that bit.

          • Dasus@lemmy.worldEnglish
            31·
            11 months ago

            My plastic cover doesn’t provide power, no. My cover levels the back to be on even level with the camera — much in the same way the proposed larger battery would.

            • sorrybookbroke@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              35·
              11 months ago

              Yeah, makes sense chief, but a bigger batteries main purpose would be to be a bigger battery while also being level.

              Seems like your flimsy plastic cober is kinda shit

              • Dasus@lemmy.worldEnglish
                61·
                11 months ago

                It’s a perfectly good silicone cover. You’ve never heard of silicone covers for phones?

                The only things shit here are your reading comprehension and attitude.

      • weew@lemmy.caEnglish
        2·
        11 months ago

        Then they can’t advertise that the phone is x.x mm thick (if you ignore the thickest part!)

        • Omniraptor@lemm.eeEnglish
          71·
          11 months ago

          Why? It’s better to have the part most likely to suffer damage also be replaceable

          • ElectricMachman@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
            54·
            11 months ago

            Because it adds more bulk to an already massive device, and it’d be nice to have the device itself be able to withstand bumps and scrapes without needing extra padding.

            • Omniraptor@lemm.eeEnglish
              91·
              11 months ago

              I mean, if you want to withstand bumps and scrapes you need padding. But without a case you need the padding to be glued to the phone directly. The bulk remains the same no?

    • fury@lemmy.worldEnglish
      141·
      11 months ago

      Give it a few more years. At this rate, by 2028, the entire back of the phone will be camera bump and you’ll be able to lay it down on a flat surface at last.

    • Blackmist@feddit.ukEnglish
      135·
      11 months ago

      Also, fingerprint scanners don’t belong behind the screen.

      Unless you have the greasiest fingers of anyone who ever lived, they just don’t work. I have to lick my fingers to make it see them…

      • odelik@lemmy.todayEnglish
        4·
        11 months ago

        As my grandmother used to tell me, “Your hands are dry, go lotion them up sonny.”

        • A_Random_Idiot@lemmy.worldEnglish
          4·
          11 months ago

          And from that point on, Granny never did question why lil’ Petey bought lube by the 55gal drum load.

          At least his hands, amongst other things, were soft and well moisturized.

  • db2@lemmy.worldEnglish
    503·
    11 months ago

    Hey Google, this makes me not want a Pixel. I will however accept a large $um to cea$e $haring that $entiment.

  • Lojcs@lemm.eeEnglish
    181·
    11 months ago

    Wow those camera bumps look so ugly. They had a nice look in the previous generations

      • Kecessa@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        41·
        11 months ago

        Not if it’s just a silicone case, it’s not thick enough to compensate for the camera hump.

        Source: the phone in my hands

  • 1984@lemmy.todayEnglish
    92·
    11 months ago

    Content Creators… Aren’t all of those sucking Googles tits by spending their lives on YouTube anyway?

      • blindbunny@lemmy.mlEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        Nice! I’m on tmo is there a decent Graphene OS rom for the fair phone?

        I really wish quadlock would make a case but I suppose I can just print one.

    • ABCDE@lemmy.world
      English
      11·
      11 months ago

      That could be me…I don’t know anyone else with a pixel.

      • /home/pineapplelover@lemm.eeEnglish
        22·
        11 months ago

        I know a few people (including myself) who use pixel. They’re pretty moderately priced (compared to iphones) and the functionality is nice. Also, they have the longest Android suppoet.

        • ABCDE@lemmy.world
          English
          2·
          11 months ago

          Not many complaints on my side either. I just wanted a phone without nonsense installed. It’s not quite as customisable as I may want (I can’t get rid of some pre installed applications, but yeah.

            • ABCDE@lemmy.world
              English
              1·
              11 months ago

              I bought it in the UK, no network locks these days, no bloat. I just mean standard stuff like the Calendar, Gmail, etc.

        • Matt@lemdro.idEnglish
          2·
          11 months ago

          Google has done price increases the last 2 or 3 years, so they no longer have a price advantage. Samsung also has the same 7 year support window.

    • eighty@lemmy.oneEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      From what I’ve read, it’s those who are “#teampixel” which he doesn’t seem to be no longer part of the program.

      Give his recent video a watch and decide whether he’s caved or not - i don’t think it’s as plain as mkbhf