Let's keep things a little light for this week's column, shall we? Probably the biggest news of note is that we're going to start doing more series work. That is, we'll take a specific topic and do more cohesive coverage of it, instead of shotgunning stories here and there throughout the year. It's the right way to do it, and so that's how we're going to do things going forward, especially when it comes to non-device content.
That said, we're starting with a device this week, though not in the traditional phone-or-tablet sense. Any guesses as to what it might be?
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. It's great to see that folks are enjoying Shen Ye's Futurology series. (Check out Part 1 on batteries and Part 2 on displays.) We're hoping to have Part 3 ready later this week. (Anyone still want to complain that we only focus on the folks new to Android?) We've got some more cool series on the way as well. Stay tuned.
And, of course, we're going to get way in deep on all the new phones that are about to hit. Nothing's going to get in the way of that.
So with that, a few other thoughts on the week that was.
- It pretty much sounds like business as usual regarding this whole Samsung/Snapdragon 810 thing. I'd much rather something fail in testing than after commercial release. (That's what testing is for, after all.) And it's important to remember that there's not one single Snapdragon 810 that all the manufacturers will use. That a "new version" may be used is not surprising.
- Will any of that push back the commercial release of the Galaxy S6? (Which, remember, has yet to be announced ...) Who knows.
- The official folio cover for the Dell Venue 8 7840 is an abomination. I might write something on it later this week, if I can stomach it.
- I get that lists like this are really just a sort of marketing ploy, but damned if it doesn't feel good to be sandwiched between The Verge and Spotify.
- And a good bit of the credit for Android Central's growth goes to the moderators and advisers in the forums. Their jobs are thankless (and mostly volunteer), but this site wouldn't be what it is without them.
- That HTC One M9 leak from Phandroid looks a little more legit now with more pics. I'm starting to get serious excited about the prospect of an M8-like phone with better optics.
That's it for this week. See y'all Monday.
Reader comments
From the Editor's Desk: Narrowing our focus
If it is the right way to do it, why haven't you been doing it that way? Just wondering.
It's called "evolving".
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Content model changes at AC,
Film at 11
Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3
Phil I totally agree with your take on the M9 if in fact it looks very much like the M8 with better innards Imo that's great. This device has won some awards for best looking device or something along those lines. Why change something that is unique? It already stands out amongst the huge crowd. I'm no fanboi but if you have used a flagship HTC device there is no denying that they do hardware AND software pretty damn good. It's not av. By e too device. Its a stand out device. Why drastically change that? I don't get it when folks trip over the chance that the M9 may look much like the M8. The M8 is a gorgeous device. Remember folks saying that the M8 would be perfect if it had dropped ultra pixel.... Well it seems they HAVE . It seems they slimmed the bezels a bit and I love the fact that they are sticking with a 5 +inch 1080p screen. I'm excited for the M9, lollipop and sense!
Posted via AC app by way of my right thumb.
Apart from the speakers, what is so stand out? The metal? Certainly not the camera (unless it is in a bad way).
Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3
Phil I totally agree with your take on the M9 if in fact it looks very much like the M8 with better innards Imo that's great. This device has won some awards for best looking device or something along those lines. Why change something that is unique already stands out amongst the huge crowd. I'm no fanboi but if you have used a flagship HTC device there is no denying that they do hardware AND software pretty damn good. It's not a me too device. Its a stand out device. Why drastically change that? I don't get it when folks trip over the chance that the M9 may look much like the M8. The M8 is a gorgeous device. Remember folks saying that the M8 would be perfect if it had dropped ultra pixel.... Well it seems they have. It seems they slimmed the bezels a bit and I live the fact that they are sticking with a 5 inch 1080p screen. I'm excited for the M9 lollipop and sense 7!
Posted via AC app by way of my right thumb.
Kudos on the well deserved rise in traffic, great to see AC growing from strength to strength.
(Btw - MySpace shout out ftw)
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I have found Shen Ye's articles excellent and very informative. I think this new direction you are intending to take AC in is great.
Your welcome Phil
I love Android Central and I recommend this site to all my friends and family especially those just starting out on Android. I've been an Android user for a year and a half and it's the best thing I've could have done. Keep up the great work.
Regards
Ace Lucero
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Shame to here about the folio case for the Venue 8 7000. I picked this tablet up the other day and am really enjoying it. I do need a keyboard/case for note taking :(
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AndroidCentral up there with TheVerge is incredible. This site rocks!
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Read your articles every day and love the Podcast. Great crew, well rounded amalgam of knowledge, culture, background, etc. Like them all for different reasons but Jerry seems like the obvious favorite to me. I know it must be tough to give unbiased reviews and still be called Fanboy, but you guys do the best of this compared to some other sites. Also, in contrast to the snobbery that I seem to sense from some of the others, without naming names, The Verge, You acknowledge Apple products when appropriate without any perceptible dislike for them unless warranted. You highlight the Flagships, as is necessary, yet give adequate time to the prepaid midrange phones and MVNO carriers.
Keep up the great work and love the app.
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Good answer..........all I want to say is good work AC! Move forward!
More Shen Ye. Less polls.
I enjoy the polls. It's a great way to get a quick opinion from readers.
Posted from the Nexus 5 or Xperia Z3
" It's a great way to get a quick opinion from readers."
So that's what polls are for.
I guess my problem with some of the polls are the topics. It seems that some polls are created just because its that time of the week and not because there's an interesting public opinion to poll. Polling for poll's sake I guess is my issue.
I'm gonna be taking a more active roll in the weekly polls with Jerry, so hopefully I can avoid the 'polling for polling's sake' you're mentioning. And if anyone has any ideas for polls, feel free to suggest one.
Thank you Ara. More Tasker stuff too please.
I'm usually a big fan of the Jerry, but he did a "list" last week which is Okay. I sure hope Lists for Listing's sake doesn't become a habit though.
What's wrong with lists? I love lists, they're very helpful things. And yeah, I'm trying to get more Tasker stuff together, I'll probably be doing a Tasker + Phillips Hue lights soon, but that stuff's taken a backburner while I work more on series stuff and have the editors helping me get a more rounded experience on the site.
Yes, lists can be helpful. They are also one of the lowest forms of writing. Anybody can write a list.
I'm just hoping this site doesn't devolve into lists and polls. There are so many of those sites already.
Okay then how about a poll about poll-ing?
Posted via AC app by way of my right thumb.
It's like one a week. Not a big deal.
While they are skewed, I do like the quick insight they provide like jeddo said.
Just gotta take them with a grain of salt.
Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3
Note 4 coming soon??
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Still have my work one so haven't been in a rush.
More than likely I will do it on Friday.
Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3
Feel free to ship me to Note 3 if you don't want to hang on to it. I'd always love a free phone. Even if it was of the Fire variety.
"I'm da Blur boys!" - Me with 1200 ping. Yes. My Internet got worse.
Lol.. Gotta get in line. My youngest wants it because of the screen and being able to use the spen on pictures.
Posted by my soon to be retired Note 3
That's exactly why I like my note
Posted via the Android Central App
Sweet glad to hear you guys are expanding a bit with more stuff, love the site guys.
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Thanks Phil.
I like the direction AC is moving in. With the top tier phones all maturing into excellent devices it becomes harder to differentiate on usage and everything becomes subjective. The new in depth focus might challenge our short attention spans but we'll be more informed consumers because of it.
Oh, and more Jerry.
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Linking to a subscription required article is no bueno. :(
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Phil,
Great article and we are always learning from your columns and forums. AC is a must for all Android information, as well, as carrier information! Thanks for the great work and kudos to Jerry for all his insights. And Russell is cool.
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AC's widget is one of two that I always run on my phones. I enjoy several tech & gadget sites daily but you're top of my chart.
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upcoming apps and games should also be taken into concern
Yay moderators! Love the forums!
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Same there great it's been awesome to be involved in them
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Yup. This is why AC is pretty much the only Android site I visit and keep up with on a regular basis. It feels more personal which helps make it feel more relatable. It's also nice seeing the same faces/avatars in the comment section and reading everyone's opinions. Plus, the app is the best, I can't wait until notification alerts start working with it.
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