The reviews are in and most agree, Googles new Pixel phonesare awesome.
They also mark the death of the Nexus line.
That phone (oroccasionally tablet) would serve as the reference point for Android development.
None of those things, however, matter to most people who actually buy phones.
This distinction showed in a few areas.
For starters, Google never really wanted the Nexus to be a top seller.
While the last Nexus generation worked on every carrier, you couldnt buy itin any of carrier stores.
If Googles top priority was selling as many units as possible, these were pretty big oversights.
Instead, Google was focused on experimenting and developing Android as a platform.
Since 2010, Google has released eight phones from five different manufacturers.
Instead, Google let other companies like ASUS make cheap, small tablets.
Meanwhile, Google focused on ahybrid tablet laptopthat came outbefore Android even supported multiwindow apps.
In fact, Much of that experimentation is paying off with the Pixel phones.
The Nexus program has always been a launchpad for Google.
It even allowed them to create whole new products.
TheNexus Qwas a colossal flop, but it eventually led tothe wildly popular Chromecast.
Nexuses were never about dominating the market.
They were about giving Google a place to experiment.
Most impressive of all, the Pixel has 24/7 supportbuilt right into the phone.
you’re able to even share your screen so the agent can show you what to do.
This is the kind of feature thats most helpful to the least technically-inclined users.
Inside the box, youll find a USB-to-USB-C adapter.
Finally, Google is finally serious about advertising this thing.
The company released teaser videos forits hardware eventduringMonday Night Football, an extremely expensive time slot.
According to Reuters, the company has already spentmillions on primetime television advertisingwith a lot more to come.
Apple already does this with AppleCare.
Google knows that enthusiasts and developers can tweak any phoneincluding the Pixelto do what they want.
I probably wont be buying a Pixel when my review unit goes back.
If youre reading Lifehacker, you might be in the same boat.
Its a confusing place to be.
For years, Google has catered to us because we were the loudest supporters in Androids early years.
Those days are done, though.
Android is huge and its not going anywhere.
Google can now choose to focus on other things.
Thats roughly the same price that the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S7 start at.
The Pixels are a mass market unit with a mass market price and mass market support.
This is also something of a first-generation product for Google.
There will be hiccups.
If you want to wait, no one can blame you.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons.
