[N_LaRUE]

So, I found something interesting, well for me anyway.

I may have mentioned this group some time ago but I just found out that they reformed and are touring. They're in Canada, US and then Australia. They have a big following in Aus.

They're one of my favourite Canadian 90's bands. They're prog rock. They're somewhat melodramatic and the singer has, to me, a good voice. He's a musician with 'Absolute Pitch'. Their music tends to have influences from around the world. The first two albums had a heavy middle eastern sound and then they took on an electronica sound on my favourite album. They tend to experiment a lot.

Anyway, they're known as 'The Tea Party'. No connection to the US political movement. They don't do political songs either.

All their music is on YouTube, Spotify and there's a lot of live videos of concerts as well since they started touring again. They actually encourage the audience to video.

If you like their stuff I highly recommend seeing them live and I'm hoping they come to Europe.

[MSFTisMIA]

Thanks! That helps a lot. 😊

I would be getting an unlocked one, not any carrier models.

I'm curious to see what LG does. It feels they're going the Samsung route (as usual) with the V series being akin design wise to the G series each year.

[MSFTisMIA]

I think I'm at the point with Android where the compromises are cutting it as much.

I'd like a balanced hardware and software experience. Many OEMs now make great hardware, but still lag behind on software. It's still as if I need to root to get what I want.

Love the hardware on the V20, but for some reason this version of LG's UX isn't sitting well with me. I love the G6's hardware, but the pace at which LG is doing updates now has changed.

I like what Xiaomi has done hardware wise, but the pace at which it is taking to get 7.0 is a long arc.

Would I get a Pixel? Maybe, but that only gives me 1 year of support for OS and 2 years for patches. Quite frankly, I just disagree with Google charging iPhone money for 2 years OS support, just to always have the lastest updates monthly and first OS updates.

Doesn't cut it anymore.

[MSFTisMIA]

I think I'm at the point with Android where the compromises are cutting it as much.

I'd like a balanced hardware and software experience. Many OEMs now make great hardware, but still lag behind on software. It's still as if I need to root to get what I want.

Love the hardware on the V20, but for some reason this version of LG's UX isn't sitting well with me. I love the G6's hardware, but the pace at which LG is doing updates now has changed.

I like what Xiaomi has done hardware wise, but the pace at which it is taking to get 7.0 is a long arc.

Would I get a Pixel? Maybe, but that only gives me 1 year of support for OS and 2 years for patches. Quite frankly, I just disagree with Google charging iPhone money for 2 years OS support, just to always have the lastest updates monthly and first OS updates.

Doesn't cut it anymore.

Apple isn't an option and MSFT is still MIA. So I have to sit again and decide what compromises I want to make with Android. Oh, well...

[libra89]

I think I'm at the point with Android where the compromises are cutting it as much.

I'd like a balanced hardware and software experience. Many OEMs now make great hardware, but still lag behind on software. It's still as if I need to root to get what I want.

Love the hardware on the V20, but for some reason this version of LG's UX isn't sitting well with me. I love the G6's hardware, but the pace at which LG is doing updates now has changed.

I like what Xiaomi has done hardware wise, but the pace at which it is taking to get 7.0 is a long arc.

Would I get a Pixel? Maybe, but that only gives me 1 year of support for OS and 2 years for patches. Quite frankly, I just disagree with Google charging iPhone money for 2 years OS support, just to always have the lastest updates monthly and first OS updates.

Doesn't cut it anymore.

Yeah you have a great point on that. It's harder to compromise if you feel like they aren't worthwhile.
Since you mentioned this, I'm curious to know if there's a reasonable compromise for you outside of Xiaomi and Blackberry (Android I mean, not BB10).

Sent from mTalk

[libra89]

Apple isn't an option and MSFT is still MIA. So I have to sit again and decide what compromises I want to make with Android. Oh, well...

Would a flagship Nokia change your mind? Apparently they plan to be on it when it comes to updates.

Sent from mTalk

[MSFTisMIA]

Would a flagship Nokia change your mind? Apparently they plan to be on it when it comes to updates.

Sent from mTalk

Nope.

Nokia is dead in the same way Research in Motion is. That's just another OEM with no track record of updates in using an OS that's new to them.

[N_LaRUE]

Personally I think mobile technology is a big problem when it comes to longevity. It was built on the premise of updating as frequently as possible to have the 'latest' tech. Thing is, how much further can we really go here? Where do we slow down to appreciate what we have? This yearly update cycle is a bit silly now. We're just making stuff for the sake of making it. It's a sad situation and it's creating more and more environmental problems.

They could, very easily, create a phone to last 3-5 years. They could as well probably make one that can be 'upgraded' however they refuse to do so because, PROFIT.

I like tech and all that but it's becoming weary now.

[MSFTisMIA]

Yeah you have a great point on that. It's harder to compromise if you feel like they aren't worthwhile.
Since you mentioned this, I'm curious to know if there's a reasonable compromise for you outside of Xiaomi and Blackberry (Android I mean, not BB10).

Sent from mTalk

If I bought something new this year, based on what's out...the choices are a HTC 11 or a G6 or a KeyOne.

KeyOne is lower on the list because of the recent hardware issues with the screen. Got s soft spot for HTC and their camera game is solid. G6 hardware is exactly what I want. The software is just...OK...their pace of updates it's in the middle.

Don't know. If I keep the V20, I may not get G6 as I don't like to have two devices from the same OEM in the same category. Don't think any of them are worth the prices being asked for.

Who knows.

[MSFTisMIA]

Personally I think mobile technology is a big problem when it comes to longevity. It was built on the premise of updating as frequently as possible to have the 'latest' tech. Thing is, how much further can we really go here? Where do we slow down to appreciate what we have? This yearly update cycle is a bit silly now. We're just making stuff for the sake of making it. It's a sad situation and it's creating more and more environmental problems.

They could, very easily, create a phone to last 3-5 years. They could as well probably make one that can be 'upgraded' however they refuse to do so because, PROFIT.

I like tech and all that but it's becoming weary now.

Exactly. I've been in that place of weariness and wariness since end of 2015, really.

[libra89]

Personally I think mobile technology is a big problem when it comes to longevity. It was built on the premise of updating as frequently as possible to have the 'latest' tech. Thing is, how much further can we really go here? Where do we slow down to appreciate what we have? This yearly update cycle is a bit silly now. We're just making stuff for the sake of making it. It's a sad situation and it's creating more and more environmental problems.

They could, very easily, create a phone to last 3-5 years. They could as well probably make one that can be 'upgraded' however they refuse to do so because, PROFIT.

I like tech and all that but it's becoming weary now.

I agree. I find it interesting that you say that though. Before getting into the smartphone realm (I was late), most of my feature phones started falling apart after the 1st year. As for my smartphones, I haven't had that issue even though I chose to replace them after or around the year mark.

Aside from screen cracking, I have seen that possibly when it comes to Apple. My friend's mom has an iPhone 4 which has been used as a daily phone for years until the dad upgraded to the iPhone SE last year and gave her that phone.

[libra89]

If I bought something new this year, based on what's out...the choices are a HTC 11 or a G6 or a KeyOne.

KeyOne is lower on the list because of the recent hardware issues with the screen. Got s soft spot for HTC and their camera game is solid. G6 hardware is exactly what I want. The software is just...OK...their pace of updates it's in the middle.

Don't know. If I keep the V20, I may not get G6 as I don't like to have two devices from the same OEM in the same category. Don't think any of them are worth the prices being asked for.

Who knows.

Ah okay, I see. I guess I'll find out what happens with the V20. Hopefully you wouldn't be as indecisive as I am xd

[libra89]

Reading a Moto E4 review, and it sounds like a decent phone but it has inconsistent images. This is interesting considering that I noticed a similar thing with G5 Plus. The camera was solid but I didn't like how one image could come out better than I thought...but on the other hand, another image can be washed out.

I would like a phone that has a solid point and shoot camera but is still small. The X Compact was a good size for me, but I'm not a manual shooter.

[MSFTisMIA]

Reading a Moto E4 review, and it sounds like a decent phone but it has inconsistent images. This is interesting considering that I noticed a similar thing with G5 Plus. The camera was solid but I didn't like how one image could come out better than I thought...but on the other hand, another image can be washed out.

I would like a phone that has a solid point and shoot camera but is still small. The X Compact was a good size for me, but I'm not a manual shooter.

It's a $70 phone. Just saying...

[libra89]

It's a $70 phone. Just saying...

I know. I was curious about it still since it seemed like a successor to the G4 Play. It sounds like they did a great job with it.

[MSFTisMIA]

I know. I was curious about it still since it seemed like a successor to the G4 Play. It sounds like they did a great job with it.

It isn't. It's a successor to their E series line, which they did screw up earlier by not offering updates for stuff they promised to.

[libra89]

It isn't. It's a successor to their E series line, which they did screw up earlier by not offering updates for stuff they promised to.

True point. I meant to say that it is basically the G5 Play that never was.

[fatclue_98]

Nope.

Nokia is dead in the same way Research in Motion is. That's just another OEM with no track record of updates in using an OS that's new to them.

BlackBerry has been releasing updates faster than any OEM and a few security patches have been out quicker than for Nexus phones.

Sent from my Elite x3 on mTalk

[MSFTisMIA]

BlackBerry has been releasing updates faster than any OEM and a few security patches have been out quicker than for Nexus phones.

Sent from my Elite x3 on mTalk

I agree. But you know the technicality of what I was saying where Nokia and Blackberry hardware wise is now made by HMD and TCL.

I agree that Blackberry on the software security updates side is awesome. That's the only reason why I'd get a Key One.

I still have time to decide...

[libra89]

I agree. But you know the technicality of what I was saying where Nokia and Blackberry hardware wise is now made by HMD and TCL.

I agree that Blackberry on the software security updates side is awesome. That's the only reason why I'd get a Key One.

I still have time to decide...

You do have time. It will be interesting to see what you decide at some point.

[libra89]

I just learned that the LG G6 is actually shorter than the Moto G5 Plus I used for a bit. I'm shocked by that. If the LG G6 mini actually becomes a thing, I might be interested in trying that. It depends on the height of course.

[libra89]

Told my dad that I'm not comfortable staying in my room with my cousin...and he understands. I don't mind sleeping on the couch and she could have my bed. Apparently, this works out even better because her sister (who isn't even related to us) is likely coming with her husband and their two kids. This way, they can sleep in my bed with my cousin.

Since I'm assuming this will be the case, it's time to do some additional cleaning (and sorting) in my space. I wish that I had this conversation with him before but oh well. I feel better about this solution.

[Laura Knotek]

So, I found something interesting, well for me anyway.

I may have mentioned this group some time ago but I just found out that they reformed and are touring. They're in Canada, US and then Australia. They have a big following in Aus.

They're one of my favourite Canadian 90's bands. They're prog rock. They're somewhat melodramatic and the singer has, to me, a good voice. He's a musician with 'Absolute Pitch'. Their music tends to have influences from around the world. The first two albums had a heavy middle eastern sound and then they took on an electronica sound on my favourite album. They tend to experiment a lot.

Anyway, they're known as 'The Tea Party'. No connection to the US political movement. They don't do political songs either.

All their music is on YouTube, Spotify and there's a lot of live videos of concerts as well since they started touring again. They actually encourage the audience to video.

If you like their stuff I highly recommend seeing them live and I'm hoping they come to Europe.

I'll have to check them out. They seem like a band I'd enjoy.

[anon(50597)]

So, I found something interesting, well for me anyway.

I may have mentioned this group some time ago but I just found out that they reformed and are touring. They're in Canada, US and then Australia. They have a big following in Aus.

They're one of my favourite Canadian 90's bands. They're prog rock. They're somewhat melodramatic and the singer has, to me, a good voice. He's a musician with 'Absolute Pitch'. Their music tends to have influences from around the world. The first two albums had a heavy middle eastern sound and then they took on an electronica sound on my favourite album. They tend to experiment a lot.

Anyway, they're known as 'The Tea Party'. No connection to the US political movement. They don't do political songs either.

All their music is on YouTube, Spotify and there's a lot of live videos of concerts as well since they started touring again. They actually encourage the audience to video.

If you like their stuff I highly recommend seeing them live and I'm hoping they come to Europe.

I have seen them at least 10 or 12 times. In fact, I'm going to see them Thursday. I live on the border with Canada so they come here a lot. Their lead singer, Jeff Martin, reminds me a bit of Jim Morrison. Great vocals and he plays a variety of string instruments from around the world. A great band to see live.

[MSFTisMIA]

You do have time. It will be interesting to see what you decide at some point.

Depends on the V20. If I can flash the US software, then I keep it. If not, I may sell it and consider something else, like a G6 or a Key One.