Pixel 4 Motion Gesture Thoughts
Read this article today from cnet.com.
Despite the title which sounds overtly anti-Google, the article actually comes off as being surprisingly neutral. Sure, the author is skeptical, but they actually seem to ascribe some value to the feature if done right. And aren't outright against the possibility that it may actually deliver in some capacity. Which is a heck of a lot more than I can say for almost any tech opinion piece.
That being said, I wouldn't be me if I didn't find something to disagree with.
I see this feature as being the Pixel 4 equivalent of the Squeeze gesture for the assistant in the Pixel 2, or the wide angle selfie camera in the Pixel 3.
I don't know what Google's hopes are for features like these. But, the way I personally look at them is; gimmicks. And not in a bad way. I mean that they are gimmicks in the sense that most people aren't going to be buying the phone for this feature alone, but that it may help differentiate the phone from the rest. And, if successful enough, could become a staple of future Pixel devices.
Also, while the Pixel 3a lineup is a new occurrence, it is certainly worth noting that Google always historically took these gambles on their flagship products. And that is true no matter how you look at it. These features landed on both the XL and non-XL versions, and in the case of the Pixel 3, were featured on the main lineup before the 3a line was unveiled.
In short, I don't think it is really more or less of a gamble. In fact, I think it needs to be on the flagship device if anything. If Google released a new feature on a low end product and then not on a higher end one, then I suspect the buyers of the higher product would feel cheated whether they wanted the feature or not.
Put another way; I think high end phones are where new features should be tested. So long as their usage is optional. And, to be fair, Google isn't alone in floating new features this way either. When Face ID debuted, it was released on a new top of the line model. Their most expensive iPhone model ever. It took away the quicker and more secure Touch ID. I would gladly argue that doing that was a far bigger gamble than what Google is doing here.
I will say, Google doesn't command the same influence in the market as Apple does. So, Google really can't afford to be seen to be marking up the device cost as a result of adding this feature, in my opinion. So, the Pixel 4 should be fine if the cost remains the same as the Pixel 3 [possible] or goes down [unlikely].
As for whether or not the feature is useful... I have my doubts. But then, I also had my doubts about the squeeze gesture. And while it certainly isn't a mainstay of my phone usage, it does get used somewhat regularly. While I'm open to being surprised, I certainly don't get the hype some sites are throwing out about this feature though. And in that sense I can totally side with the author of that article.
Despite the title which sounds overtly anti-Google, the article actually comes off as being surprisingly neutral. Sure, the author is skeptical, but they actually seem to ascribe some value to the feature if done right. And aren't outright against the possibility that it may actually deliver in some capacity. Which is a heck of a lot more than I can say for almost any tech opinion piece.
That being said, I wouldn't be me if I didn't find something to disagree with.
I see this feature as being the Pixel 4 equivalent of the Squeeze gesture for the assistant in the Pixel 2, or the wide angle selfie camera in the Pixel 3.
I don't know what Google's hopes are for features like these. But, the way I personally look at them is; gimmicks. And not in a bad way. I mean that they are gimmicks in the sense that most people aren't going to be buying the phone for this feature alone, but that it may help differentiate the phone from the rest. And, if successful enough, could become a staple of future Pixel devices.
Also, while the Pixel 3a lineup is a new occurrence, it is certainly worth noting that Google always historically took these gambles on their flagship products. And that is true no matter how you look at it. These features landed on both the XL and non-XL versions, and in the case of the Pixel 3, were featured on the main lineup before the 3a line was unveiled.
In short, I don't think it is really more or less of a gamble. In fact, I think it needs to be on the flagship device if anything. If Google released a new feature on a low end product and then not on a higher end one, then I suspect the buyers of the higher product would feel cheated whether they wanted the feature or not.
Put another way; I think high end phones are where new features should be tested. So long as their usage is optional. And, to be fair, Google isn't alone in floating new features this way either. When Face ID debuted, it was released on a new top of the line model. Their most expensive iPhone model ever. It took away the quicker and more secure Touch ID. I would gladly argue that doing that was a far bigger gamble than what Google is doing here.
I will say, Google doesn't command the same influence in the market as Apple does. So, Google really can't afford to be seen to be marking up the device cost as a result of adding this feature, in my opinion. So, the Pixel 4 should be fine if the cost remains the same as the Pixel 3 [possible] or goes down [unlikely].
As for whether or not the feature is useful... I have my doubts. But then, I also had my doubts about the squeeze gesture. And while it certainly isn't a mainstay of my phone usage, it does get used somewhat regularly. While I'm open to being surprised, I certainly don't get the hype some sites are throwing out about this feature though. And in that sense I can totally side with the author of that article.
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