Samsung Galaxy phones here, Tablet, earphones, SmartTags, S-Pens, Galaxy Watches - could well be TV, speakers as well. And more. It kind of feels like a dependency. I was preparing this week’s Phones Show Chat Podcast Recording Notes with Steve Litchfield today, reflecting on this - and one of the reasons I can’t stand iPhones and all-things Apple. It’s about being locked-in (amongst other stuff). Google is going the same way with Pixel to some degree, with ChromeBooks, phones, Pixel-only features, tablet, earbuds, watches (though they are certainly more open and don’t lock out features from other phones).
In the old days of smartphones it didn’t matter (so much) which bits of kit you have with which phones or devices. Things were more open and services not specifically designed, Good Lock or Apple style, to only work with one line of devices. Buy a Nokia phone and any old headphones and they all just work with universal protocols. I’m sure that you’re going to shout out now and say that yes, stuff does work with other stuff - Sony headphones with the Sony app work (arguably) as well on any phone. Yes, there is a lot of stuff that does work and I guess this rant is about the more deeply-embedded features.
Circle to Search, for example - exclusive to Pixel and Galaxy. A whole bunch of Pixel services that are locked into Pixel devices. Apps support in Microsoft’s Phone Link - exclusive to Galaxy (and Surface Duo). Samsung PC features (like their web browser) which only work/sync with Samsung PCs. Even Motorola’s Ready For, only really working properly with Moto phones (though there is an Assistant Android client, so that’s a bit better). Most of this rant though is aimed at Samsung, Google and Apple, I guess. And I’m sure that you get the idea.
In order to use many of their services, you just have to burn the bridges and jump in, feet-first. Probably finding it difficult to get out of the water again, which is, no doubt, their aim. I don’t like this. Android, particularly, was supposed to be open to all. And I haven’t started on the BBK group of devices or Xiaomi coming out of China, as to how they figure in all this - probably because I’m (even) less qualified to speak on that.
So yes, I’m just getting a bit fed up with the thought of being locked-in (by the Big Three, I guess). I feel more like meandering back out to AndroidOne (while it still exists amongst the embers of Nokia), Sony (with their now unified and uncomplicated photography app coming), Motorola, FairPhone maybe, Nothing Phone seems quite open, though maybe locked-up with peripherals too - and my old faithful, Motorola. Ready For or not, most stuff is pretty open and using it doesn’t make one feel like one is locked-in, hurled into the drink with nobody chucking you a Lifesaver Ring!
As usual with me, a bunch of meandering thoughts - perhaps we’ll get to discuss on PSC.
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