Looks like you guys nailed the price forecast in the podcast. Nicely done! Now if Google could bring the Moto X down to that price point, there'd be much more to write home about.
Beginning with the Nexus 4, Google has essentially sold them at its cost, using ad revenues to "subsidize" the price. The Moto X is sold through the traditional model with a carrier subsidy, so it won't be the same price.
At this point the announcement could be a 14 second clip of them saying "So yeah, you know literally everything about this phone, here ya go" and that would be ok, lol. I don't think they even tried to keep it a secret, there is quite a hype train around it thanks to all the leaks.
I hope $349 is 16GB model? (i.e. they are selling 16GB and 32GB models this time, not 8GB and 16GB like Nexus 4.)
I also want to see a quick Nexus 7 update to use Snapdragon 800 (can keep everything else the same including price), to be on par with Kindle Fire HDX and Nexus 5.
Trying to be on par by stuffing a more powerful SoC into the same device might be futile and merely a spec sheet war. Phones with high-end SoCs are thermally limited so the power isn't really used because the SoCs don't always run at their full speed, although for brief bursty race to idle situations they might be better. I suspect that tablets see continual loads more often than phones. Plus, the price point...
The more likely route is what Google did with Nexus 7 2012: Introduce a 64GB version at $269, shift the 32GB version down to $229 and discontinue the 16GB version. Still unlikely but far more likely than a SOC change 3 month after release.
So your phone hasn't even once entered magic hovercraft mode and slid down to the floor from an imperceptibly angled surface? Not a deal breaker for me, although it can be a glass back breaker if you're not careful.
I don't think you'll ever get SMS over WiFi, but something similar to iMessage where SMS and iMessages are integrated seamlessly in one app and the application figures out whether you can use iMessage or needs to use SMS. The advantage of Google Hangout would be that it is available on IOS as well. It could also be a problem, depending on how they implement it and how people have Hangout configured.
It could also be a problem for some people if this means you'll have all your SMS end up at Google's server for some reason.
Anyway, I find it interesting that the 16 GB Nexus 5 will be at the same price point as the 32 GB Nexus 7 LTE. For me it gets more and more tempting to reconfigure my habits to a smaller and simple smartphone (maybe a cheap Nokia Lumia) and a decent tablet. Having a 5" smartphone and a very similar 7" tablet with exactly the same OS which differ just by 2" in display size and nothing else seems a bit pointless...
I have to say that everyone who gets a Nexus 5 and a Nexus 10 instead of jumping at the opportunity to diversify the OS/apps landscape he has access to should return his nerd card... (I have an iPhone and a Nexus 7 and if I'll replace my iPhone with a Nexus 5 I definitely will sell off my Nexus 7 and get an iPad instead, just because).
That seems like an arrangement that would only really work for one of the few people out there who are totally agnostic about which mobile OS they use. I personally can't stand iOS and its Apple-imposed limitations and I don't see why I should use it just for the sake of diversity. Android is much more useful for me, and since I prefer the OS and am invested in the ecosystem, why should I bother with an iOS device?
Well, that 2" difference means it's got twice the display area. Still, the OS being the same, you do the exact same things, but the real estate makes a huge difference in menial tasks like reading, gaming or web browsing.
The sad thing is that I know this and still shed a tear when I see a Nexus 5 and look at my old Nexus S. It's more that enough for what I use it for, but "dat N5".
I don't see a lot of real estate difference in using a large screen phone and the nexus 7 tablet. The tablet is narrow anyway so , I don't won't one . Will stay with the iPads . They have more real estate in whatever position you turn them. Portrait mode or landscape mode , the iPad has more screen space.
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GrammarNietzsche - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Looks like you guys nailed the price forecast in the podcast. Nicely done! Now if Google could bring the Moto X down to that price point, there'd be much more to write home about.KPOM - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Beginning with the Nexus 4, Google has essentially sold them at its cost, using ad revenues to "subsidize" the price. The Moto X is sold through the traditional model with a carrier subsidy, so it won't be the same price.Crono - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Nexus 5 at $349 is an easy sell.Drumsticks - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Somebody's in trouuuuuuuuuble! Although I think it's being revealed like later this week isn't it?tipoo - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
At this point the announcement could be a 14 second clip of them saying "So yeah, you know literally everything about this phone, here ya go" and that would be ok, lol. I don't think they even tried to keep it a secret, there is quite a hype train around it thanks to all the leaks.I'm excited, my Nexus S needs to retire!
ssiu - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
I hope $349 is 16GB model? (i.e. they are selling 16GB and 32GB models this time, not 8GB and 16GB like Nexus 4.)I also want to see a quick Nexus 7 update to use Snapdragon 800 (can keep everything else the same including price), to be on par with Kindle Fire HDX and Nexus 5.
MadMan007 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
Trying to be on par by stuffing a more powerful SoC into the same device might be futile and merely a spec sheet war. Phones with high-end SoCs are thermally limited so the power isn't really used because the SoCs don't always run at their full speed, although for brief bursty race to idle situations they might be better. I suspect that tablets see continual loads more often than phones. Plus, the price point...sherlockwing - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
The more likely route is what Google did with Nexus 7 2012: Introduce a 64GB version at $269, shift the 32GB version down to $229 and discontinue the 16GB version. Still unlikely but far more likely than a SOC change 3 month after release.psuedonymous - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
According to the service manual, there are 16gb and 32gb models.abrowne1993 - Thursday, October 17, 2013 - link
I certainly don't need a new phone but that price is so tempting.blacktrance - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
I know this has better specs than the Nexus 4, but aesthetically it's a step backwards.hughlle - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
that's the thing about aesthetics. They're totally subjective. The aesthetics of the N4 were a complete deal breaker for me, this however i love.Tetracycloide - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
I'm more interested in how functional the exterior of the device is and anything is more functional than a glass back.hughlle - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Exactly. I refused to buy it because of the back. Sparkly glass. No thanks.jonup - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
11 months later, the glass back is still non-issue. Stop talking from a script.stepz - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
So your phone hasn't even once entered magic hovercraft mode and slid down to the floor from an imperceptibly angled surface? Not a deal breaker for me, although it can be a glass back breaker if you're not careful.Spunjji - Monday, October 21, 2013 - link
This. This happens to my girlfriend's N4 every day... I keep telling her to buy a case!Chil - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
The interesting part to me is Hangouts instead of Messaging. Does this finally mean SMS over WiFi?jramskov - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
I don't think you'll ever get SMS over WiFi, but something similar to iMessage where SMS and iMessages are integrated seamlessly in one app and the application figures out whether you can use iMessage or needs to use SMS. The advantage of Google Hangout would be that it is available on IOS as well. It could also be a problem, depending on how they implement it and how people have Hangout configured.uhuznaa - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
It could also be a problem for some people if this means you'll have all your SMS end up at Google's server for some reason.Anyway, I find it interesting that the 16 GB Nexus 5 will be at the same price point as the 32 GB Nexus 7 LTE. For me it gets more and more tempting to reconfigure my habits to a smaller and simple smartphone (maybe a cheap Nokia Lumia) and a decent tablet. Having a 5" smartphone and a very similar 7" tablet with exactly the same OS which differ just by 2" in display size and nothing else seems a bit pointless...
Flunk - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
I don't think the Nexus 5 an Nexus 7 are really aimed at the same person. Maybe a Nexus 5 and 10.uhuznaa - Saturday, October 19, 2013 - link
I have to say that everyone who gets a Nexus 5 and a Nexus 10 instead of jumping at the opportunity to diversify the OS/apps landscape he has access to should return his nerd card... (I have an iPhone and a Nexus 7 and if I'll replace my iPhone with a Nexus 5 I definitely will sell off my Nexus 7 and get an iPad instead, just because).Maxpower27 - Tuesday, October 22, 2013 - link
That seems like an arrangement that would only really work for one of the few people out there who are totally agnostic about which mobile OS they use. I personally can't stand iOS and its Apple-imposed limitations and I don't see why I should use it just for the sake of diversity. Android is much more useful for me, and since I prefer the OS and am invested in the ecosystem, why should I bother with an iOS device?Nuno Simões - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
Well, that 2" difference means it's got twice the display area. Still, the OS being the same, you do the exact same things, but the real estate makes a huge difference in menial tasks like reading, gaming or web browsing.The sad thing is that I know this and still shed a tear when I see a Nexus 5 and look at my old Nexus S. It's more that enough for what I use it for, but "dat N5".
Jillxz - Wednesday, October 23, 2013 - link
I don't see a lot of real estate difference in using a large screen phone and the nexus 7 tablet. The tablet is narrow anyway so , I don't won't one . Will stay with the iPads . They have more real estate in whatever position you turn them. Portrait mode or landscape mode , the iPad has more screen space.johnsonx - Friday, October 18, 2013 - link
I just felt a little shudder from the HP Pre3 sitting on my hip, it knows its days are numbered.trajik78 - Saturday, October 19, 2013 - link
goodbye HTC One...hello again Nexus...miss my menu button and stock goodness.