[MSFTisMIA]

I'm so happy to be back at work. Sitting at our barstools this morning at 6AM with my boss and 2 of my PMs enjoying our "cafecitos" when the news flash hits the screen. Hurricane Irma is now a Cat 5 with 175 mph winds and South Flori-Duh is well within the "cone". My house has accordion shutters so my storm prep is about 10 minutes including bringing in the bikes and the grill from the rear patio. But we have 15 projects with paranoid GCs that apparently have never been through a storm and they're hysterical. I'm gonna be busy the next few days. Lord help the congregation and pass the whiskey.

All the best with that. I'm watching this storm very, very closely.

I think sadly, very strong hurricanes will become part the course. I hope I'm wrong, but won't be surprised if that's the case.

[worldspy99]

Running Oreo on my Pixel. Got it via OTA update today. Used my unlimited data plan on TMO to download it during lunch since work WiFi sucks.

So far so good. Not really happy with the emoji icons on Oreo.

[MSFTisMIA]

So, I went by the old department today...and I am glad that I did. Got some positive comments from most people and a jilted lover look from the medical director there. It's a closed chapter now. I can visit periodically conscience free now.

Didn't see the old supervisor nor was I looking for her either.

[MSFTisMIA]

I just love how people with prototypes are crying about bad display issues on the V30.

For someone with a prototype now running production software, I'll be honest and say that these concerns are semi valid. People should remember these pre production units are showcase only and sometimes you get a bad unit.

I'd be more concerned if these were retail units. But with this being tech, bad units from Mass production comes with the territory.

In other words, to me it's much Ado about nothing.

[worldspy99]

Got a boatload of Chinese Android devices today. I will post pictures of some interesting ones tomorrow.

[sinime]

Found this today, off the beaten track at a campground in Angeles National Forest.
It works!!!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3f126dd3e0.jpg

maybe it's the site of an ancient civilization

[worldspy99]

Battery life on the Pixel on Oreo is superb!
14 hours off charger, 3+ hrs SOT, 43% left. And I have absolutely garbage signal at work. This is way better than the S8.
I am impressed!

[worldspy99]

maybe it's the site of an ancient civilization

I have been to sites of ancient civilizations. This probably falls in the alien colony classification.

[sinime]

I have been to sites of ancient civilizations. This probably falls in the alien colony classification.

Probably a hidden Blockbuster Video near by as well.

[sinime]

All the best with that. I'm watching this storm very, very closely.

I think sadly, very strong hurricanes will become part the course. I hope I'm wrong, but won't be surprised if that's the case.

We really didn't get hit by Harvey in San Antonio, however, the aftermath is/was bad. Last week a couple of gas stations ran out of gas and the news media, in their infinite wisdom, reported on it and jumped to the conclusion that there was a gas shortage. That report caused people to freak out and raid the gas stations, which in turn created a gas shortage. People were lining up at the pumps so bad they were creating traffic jams trying to get into the packed stations. Anyhow, 1 week later and the pumps are still not up to normal yet, but getting there. Keep seeing pictures in social media of dip-****s filling up their tank and 5 or six gas cans as well, buying more than they need and screwing over everyone else.

[Kizzy Catwoman]

You're an early bird! Welcome.

Thanks xx

[fatclue_98]

We really didn't get hit by Harvey in San Antonio, however, the aftermath is/was bad. Last week a couple of gas stations ran out of gas and the news media, in their infinite wisdom, reported on it and jumped to the conclusion that there was a gas shortage. That report caused people to freak out and raid the gas stations, which in turn created a gas shortage. People were lining up at the pumps so bad they were creating traffic jams trying to get into the packed stations. Anyhow, 1 week later and the pumps are still not up to normal yet, but getting there. Keep seeing pictures in social media of dip-****s filling up their tank and 5 or six gas cans as well, buying more than they need and screwing over everyone else.

I feel ya. I'm going through it right now with Irma. My wife showed me a ghetto-ness I didn't know she had in her when some biotch in an Escalade tried to cut in front of her at a gas station this morning. It was classic!!

[MSFTisMIA]

So, it looks like I could get a nice condition Sony XZ for under $300. Do I want one? No. But, it's nice to see I can find one at that price.

I saw the XZ in person, and Rue's take aside, I wasn't impressed.

[MSFTisMIA]

All this talk of Google potentially buying out (or turning them back into a ODM) HTC makes me sad. HTC will always have a soft spot, but the OEM game is too brutal.

[fatclue_98]

All this talk of Google potentially buying out (or turning them back into a ODM) HTC makes me sad. HTC will always have a soft spot, but the OEM game is too brutal.

HD2 = GOAT

Sent from my HP Elite x3 on mTalk

[MSFTisMIA]

HD2 = GOAT

Sent from my HP Elite x3 on mTalk

Honorary mention: HTC Kaiser and HTC Touch Diamond.

[N_LaRUE]

So, it looks like I could get a nice condition Sony XZ for under $300. Do I want one? No. But, it's nice to see I can find one at that price.

I saw the XZ in person, and Rue's take aside, I wasn't impressed.

As the saying goes, to reach their own. :)

I have no complaints but then I don't have the same requirements as other people.

I actually like the Sony design I know many people don't.

Are Sony phones perfect? No, they can be better. But for the price I paid for a good solid phone I'm happy enough.

My only take from most phones this year is how expensive they're all getting for essentially very little advancement.

Will I stick with Sony in the future? I don't know.

[libra89]

Got a boatload of Chinese Android devices today. I will post pictures of some interesting ones tomorrow.

So what have been the most interesting ones? And since you know I'll probably ask, any small ones?

[libra89]

I feel ya. I'm going through it right now with Irma. My wife showed me a ghetto-ness I didn't know she had in her when some biotch in an Escalade tried to cut in front of her at a gas station this morning. It was classic!!

I'm glad that it seems like you are ok. I was thinking of you with that hurricane.

[libra89]

As the saying goes, to reach their own. :)

I have no complaints but then I don't have the same requirements as other people.

I actually like the Sony design I know many people don't.

Are Sony phones perfect? No, they can be better. But for the price I paid for a good solid phone I'm happy enough.

My only take from most phones this year is how expensive they're all getting for essentially very little advancement.

Will I stick with Sony in the future? I don't know.

I have to give props to Sony for continuing to not only choose to make phones that are massive (to me, of course). That always makes them interesting to me. A lot of these OEMs are just making bigger phones, which is fine, but as the only choice is lame. And then if they do make a smaller phone, it has weaker specs. I like that they (Sony) still believe in choice.

Motorola is trying, and I'll give them that. The E4 is the closest size I would take of theirs, but too low spec for me. Aside from them, it seems like almost everyone else has opted out.

[worldspy99]

So what have been the most interesting ones? And since you know I'll probably ask, any small ones?

I like the Elephone P8 and Umidigi Z1 Pro and Meizu Pro 7 Plus.

The Elephone is red and resembles the HTC 10 from last year. Besides camera, it is a solid device. Stripped down stock AOSP with even fewer apps than Pixel. Only bare bones Google Apps.

The Umidigi Z1 Pro is an Android clone of the iPhone 7 Plus. Same camera gripe otherwise a solid device with a big battery.

The Meizu 7 Plus Pro is a premium device. Has a small screen at the back whose functionality I am not so sure about. The build quality is superb and the camera on this device isn't shabby at all. But it is a big device, bigger than the iPhone 7 Plus since it is a 5.7" screen device with big bezels.

[worldspy99]

So what have been the most interesting ones? And since you know I'll probably ask, any small ones?

In the small device category there are 4 devices, all with a 5 inch screen.

Gretel A9 - Typical run of the mill device. Nothing to write home about.
Blackview A9 Pro - Same as Gretel but with USB-C and a slightly better build quality.
Oukitel K 4000 - Same processor/RAM as the first two but with a 4000 mAh battery that should run at least 2 days if not more for a small screen. Also has it's own skin which is strange since other higher battery capacity versions have switched to stock Android.

My favorite though is the Meizu m5C. This is a premium feeling 5 inch screen device. I have always liked the build quality of Meizu products going back to 2014.

Hope these helps.

[libra89]

I like the Elephone P8 and Umidigi Z1 Pro and Meizu Pro 7 Plus.

The Elephone is red and resembles the HTC 10 from last year. Besides camera, it is a solid device. Stripped down stock AOSP with even fewer apps than Pixel. Only bare bones Google Apps.

The Umidigi Z1 Pro is an Android clone of the iPhone 7 Plus. Same camera gripe otherwise a solid device with a big battery.

The Meizu 7 Plus Pro is a premium device. Has a small screen at the back whose functionality I am not so sure about. The build quality is superb and the camera on this device isn't shabby at all. But it is a big device, bigger than the iPhone 7 Plus since it is a 5.7" screen device with big bezels.

Wow, they all sound interesting, considering the range you have shared here. Surprised to hear that the Elephone has less apps than the Pixel. Who would have thought?

[libra89]

In the small device category there are 4 devices, all with a 5 inch screen.

Gretel A9 - Typical run of the mill device. Nothing to write home about.
Blackview A9 Pro - Same as Gretel but with USB-C and a slightly better build quality.
Oukitel K 4000 - Same processor/RAM as the first two but with a 4000 mAh battery that should run at least 2 days if not more for a small screen. Also has it's own skin which is strange since other higher battery capacity versions have switched to stock Android.

My favorite though is the Meizu m5C. This is a premium feeling 5 inch screen device. I have always liked the build quality of Meizu products going back to 2014.

Hope these helps.

It does, thanks! I have heard of the Meizu brand but not the others. I'm curious so I'll do my searching to see how these look like.

[worldspy99]

It does, thanks! I have heard of the Meizu brand but not the others. I'm curious so I'll do my searching to see how these look like.

Meizu m5c and 7 Pro Plus side by side.