Can we trust Google?

[testacon]

Now that Google has more or less told the owners of the Nexus One to go pound sand on a phone THEY made, and isn't even a year old yet what does that say about them as a company? I was seriously planning on getting the Sprint EVO until reading this, now I'm not so sure. I know that HTC is making this version and not Google, I know that it's a CDMA/WiMAX chipset and not GSM but it's the business practices I'm questioning. It's bad enough that I'm still trying to understand what the implications of needing to be logged into Google just to use most of the feature sets on the phone but this also is bothering me. If Google isn't going to stand behind their hardware product, what happens when they say an exploit or software flaw isn't fixable? Is Android something we should wait some more to mature before jumping into?

Also feel free to point out if I misunderstand what just happened here and I'm way off key, this is just what I took as the basis of the news I just heard.

Thoughts, opinions??

[rainfreak]

I would appreciate a link to the news that you are referring to so that I may answer intelligably. Because as an Android user, I am a very happy customer!

[snowplow54]

Link

There's the story that the OP is referencing. I think basically Google is saying that the issues are hardware related, and not software related. Even though it is a Google branded phone. HTC is actually the manufacturer. So if anything, i would be more wary of HTC's products than Google's.

[brownhornet]

I have no clue what this guy is speaking of. if the 3g thing is what you mean that's obviously a t mobile network issue since its not the only phone with the issue...the hd2 is having the same issues.

[rainfreak]

Originally Posted by snowplow54

Link

There's the story that the OP is referencing. I think basically Google is saying that the issues are hardware related, and not software related. Even though it is a Google branded phone. HTC is actually the manufacturer. So if anything, i would be more wary of HTC's products than Google's.

Thanks for the link.

I have to agree that Google is basically telling the N1 users to figure out a solution because it is nothing within their control (via Android). It could be an issue with T-Mobile's network, the type of antenna used, the placement of the antenna, or who knows what. But it is obvious that Google is simply stating that a resolution is not something that they can provide via software because the problem is either network related (T-Mobile) or hardware related (HTC).

[testacon]

Thanks for the link snowplow54!

So say it is T-Mobiles fault, it still doesn't help me get a working phone nor does it resolve Google's own $150 early termination fee. I think that I would work a press release out first saying here's what we can do since it's not fixable instead of telling you to move to a new location or to go pound sand.

Has Google stopped the sale of this phone yet (no--I just checked), offer to waive any early termination fees, suggested another phone as a replacement or will the next non-techie/unsuspecting sucker have to find out later after the fact. Google has the power and the money to make this right, what are they waiting for?

This isn't the way to warm my heart Google. This is like buying a Toyota today not knowing for sure if your going to be able to stop when you need too!

[rainfreak]

I just fail to see how this is Google's fault. Sure, they have a moral responsibility to ensure that potential new customers are aware of the issue prior to purchasing the phone, that I agree with.

But why should Google have to pay for a network problem (not their network) or a manufacturer problem (not their company)? It is outside of their control, period.

[testacon]

Originally Posted by rainfreak

I just fail to see how this is Google's fault. Sure, they have a moral responsibility to ensure that potential new customers are aware of the issue prior to purchasing the phone, that I agree with.

But why should Google have to pay for a network problem (not their network) or a manufacturer problem (not their company)? It is outside of their control, period.

Isn't this the price you pay for control? Google wanted to sell the phone exclusively, they are still selling the phone with the option of having T-Mobile as the carrier even though they just said that they don't want to support it. It's Google branded, Google tested, Google updated and if they're selling it personally--Google approved. Google is charging you $150 as well as T-Mobile's $200 per line for early termination fees. All for a product that doesn't work properly, how is that NOT Google's fault. I think this would be different if the phone was something that you can just buy through T-Mobile but its not all links point to Google. Doesn't this fall under a manufacture warranty repair? If I bought a wi-fi card for my laptop and the label on it says Linksys by Cisco, wouldn't Cisco be obligated to repair/replace it if it was still under warranty? If the phone was shipped DOA, Google would swap it out with a replacement phone, I see no difference here.

I guess I'm missing something, all sarcasm aside, if not Google, who is to blame here? If someone has a phone that isn't working properly that's less then 6 months, how do they get this resolved then, it shouldn't cost the end users any money at all if it left the factory already defective?

Since I do not have the phone I don't know what the warranty says or how to get the phone fixed, but if I didn't abuse the phone and it's not working why are the end users biting the cost here?

I'd really like to know what the other carriers would do in this situation?

What I don't like is that Google is just waiving their arms in the air and yelling--not me!

That's pretty ****y for the new kid on the block...

Shenanigans I say!!

[Tectronus]

Being with Sprint I have seen HTC totally back up there products. I have gone from a Mogul replaced with a Touch Pro and then from that to the Touch pro 2.

In my eyes HTC totally did the right thing and Replaced tons of phones cause of manufacturing problems. They have earned my respect as upstanding company that backs there products.

I would never second guess buying another phone from them.

Seen how well the TP2 and HD2 has done. I would bet that the Evo will be another great phone. And i know that Sprint and HTC will fully back it.

Thats my .02$

[Dr.8820]

this is a good read and I see both sides. kind of a slippery slope.