Android 9.0 Pie: A mix of satisfaction and disappointment
The final version of Android Pie has arrived. While those able to get the update right now are still few in number, countless articles about its new features have been published and it has been tested widely. Since everyone knows all about Android 9.0 now, we asked your opinion of it in last week's poll. Here are the results!
Android Pie has a lot of new features like a simpler interface and gestures, action recommendations, adaptive battery and several digital wellness features. This seems to be enough to get most people excited, with 45% of those who voted saying that they appreciate the new features and think Android Pie is a great update.
That's a large number of people who seem to be pleased with the new update, however, it's important to note that 28% are still disappointed about how long it will take for them to receive it. Since most people aren't using Pixel devices, Android's fragmentation can cause a lot of frustration when it comes to update delays. That could contribute to the crowd who couldn't care less about Android Pie (6%) and those who don't care about Android updates in general (2%). It's hard to care when you might not get the update for months.
A quarter of respondents said they were neutral about the update and could take it or leave it. Another 14% just don't like the new features. Perhaps this is due to the digital well-being options being a bit condescending. Personally, I was underwhelmed by the features and wanted to see something unexpected from Android Pie, and it seems I'm not alone. 72% of people said they wished the new features were more innovative.
Are you frustrated with update delays? What features would you like to have seen in Android Pie?
I switched from an iPhone to a Pixel 2XL. I was so happy with it!! My favorite feature was the simplified Android Auto appi could use in my car along with voice commands made my driving safer and more hands free than I could manage on the iPhone. Unfortunately Pie killed this. Google Assistant no longer works with my phone connected to car stereo by Bluetooth while running Android Auto app on there phone (to be clear I do not have an Android auto stereo). Also my phone is prone to lagging and seems slower which I never encountered with Oreo.
It got so bad I switched back to my iPhone for a while. I just saw the speed test between the new iPhone XS and the Pixel 3 (which got crushed). Because appears that Pie is flushing apps out of RAM aggressively forcing them to reload every time you launch making everything slower.
I want to regress back to Oreo but it's a major hassle.
My biggest disappointment was the anticipated support for bluetooth hearing aids many were predicting would be available, at least for Google's Pixel line.
Pie's footsteps are quite shy, the novelties being quite insignificant and not spectacular. It's like Android development would take an inspirational break, and waiting for the new Android 10 (which I hope to have a more normal name!), so we use what we already have.
Ok Google (lol, get that pun?)
The gestures reminded me of Motorola (and Leno-rola knew when to stop at them). I appreciate about half of them, the rest doesn't impress me (this is where I note that I have large hands, but I don't require a screen size any larger than 6.0").
That Single Line replacing the 3 Menu Buttons is a nope for me (I'm sure a custom Launcher will let users return to the 3 Menu Buttons), so for once Android Users will probably welcome Huawei's version (that will definitely keep them).
I just got Nougat OS 7.1 in October. I will have Oreo OS 8.1 next month (September). Both of these are stable versions of Android (with ZTE and Motorola devices) including prompt security updates - and that's all I ask for.
I can skip Android OS Pie 9.0 - it will probably be almost a year if either device gets it (I wouldn't bet on those odds here in Las Vegas - lol - I would bet on having to buy a new device to guarantee an OS update that I don't want) and wait to see if Google has an OS 10 worth the wait.
Off Topic - I really don't care for the Notch, I'm fine with smaller bezels above and below the screen, I appreciate the fingerprint scanner on the back only (manufacturers and developers take note!)
Meh. My first Android G phone was snappy on an LG with 512MB of internal storage and 256KB of RAM and full, non-encrypted (i.e. very fast) 32GB of App2SD functionality. All the preinstalled Google apps were under 1MB and nearly all third-party services could move to the SD card. It was eventually overwhelmed by Google replacing the excellent Market with the bloated Play Store and Play Services and every other service, and a falling off mainstay third party apps as well as the telco network. (But still works running OSM offline maps in the car.) I don't do anything of significance better or much different on the current ZTE Android L and don't expect to on the newer versions, which are making microsoft Windows look like Bruno Mars next to Biggie Smalls, setting aside improved cameras - which I do look forward to.
I got an Essential PH-1 about 2 weeks ago. When I powered it up, it was on 7.1, when I connected it to wi-fi, it went straight to 9.0, been running it for a couple weeks, no issues. My phone is a work tool. I process & clear service calls via a web app, respond to phone calls, text, email, photos (work) etc. I'm not into making it look "pretty" or any of that garbage. I enable developer options, and set all the animation garbage to zero. I want the thing to respond FAST, not have stuff pop out, zoom in/out, sparkle or anything else. At the end of the day, it goes on the fast charger, and once charged it sits until the next morning. No problems with 9.0
I am not a 12 year old girl on Inst-a-Face-a-Twit-o-Gram. As a grown up adult I use my phone as the tool it was intended. I use the volume buttons to control the volume ringer on my phone silently when I enter meeting rooms with my accountant, volunteer groups or as a general courtesy to everyone else sitting at the table. The "Pie" OS update changed the default volume buttons to media volume. Videos of squirrels on facebook or youtube content is not my concern to control media volume by default for the volume buttons on the phone.
To even change the volume on the phone ringer, there is an extra step that sounds off the ringtone when changing the volume. Certainly NOT silent. Bad move, really bad.
I'm in the Pixel family. When I saw the news stories the day after Pie being released, I just hit the UPDATE button and away it went the got the OS upgrade (1.2 Gig or something like that). Pixel is the way to go if you don't want to wait a year or never......
If you are not interested in using social media, nor are you interested in watching stupid videos on youtube, why do you even have a smartphone?
Seriously though, just toggle the switch on the volume drop down menu and your side buttons will default back to ringtone.