Google threatened tech influencers unless they ‘preferred’ the Pixel

I mentioned this in another thread, but this only applies to their "Team Pixel" ambassador program. Those aren't actual reviewers, they're contracted by Google's PR firm, specifically to promote their product line. They're not coming after MKBHD and the likes with this. This is just part of their sponsorship agreement.

Worst case scenario in this situation is a few lifestyle vloggers will stop getting free phones.

The second half of the article goes into that a bit. Seems like some reviewers were also grouped into that program before, and the terms weren't like this before.

The Verge spoke with other independent reviewers and freelance tech journalists who say that they were grouped into the Team Pixel program for review units in the past. For those in the latter group, the new stipulation is a threat to their integrity and livelihood. Matlock says he’s since quit the Team Pixel program over the new terms.

YouTuber Kevin Nether, who runs The Tech Ninja channel, also says the clause led him to quit the Team Pixel program. “As someone who reviews technology for a living, I work with many brands. To be cornered into using one product — that doesn’t work for me, and that’s nothing I want to participate in.”

Nether echoes that he’s never seen this kind of stipulation in previous Team Pixel surveys. Usually, he says, the survey gauges a creator’s interest in various topics, like sports or fashion, to identify areas for collaboration. In the past, he says he’s made it clear to Team Pixel representatives that outside an obligatory post, he will review the device as normal. Nether also says this exclusivity term is atypical. Usually, when brands demand exclusivity from creators or brand ambassadors, they’ll offer payment, have clear disclosure rules, and have limited timelines.

Either Google changed the focus of the program, or the intent wasn't clear enough in previous years
- Either Google changed the focus of the program, or the intent wasn't clear enough in previous years
  
  I dunno, I got invited to it and I read through the application forms, which looked very similar to the ones they're posting screenshots of now. Back when I first looked at it a few years ago, it seemed pretty clear that the whole deal was "we'll give you free phones if you advertise us to your community". The application process focused very heavily on determining what sort of following the applicant has, how receptive they are to calls to action, etc.
  
  As far as I can tell, the only thing that's changed is that Google is saying the quiet part out loud, which I would imagine is because a member likely bad-mouthed the product and raised a stink about getting cut off from the freebies. Not to sound victim-blamey, but if anybody in this programed was disillusioned into thinking it was anything short of "be our unpaid advertising monkeys", then they must not have even taken a cursory glance at the description before signing up.
Click bait title for sure.

The only reason I am buying Pixel devices is the amazing third party os / rom support (especially GrapheneOS).

Same. I don't care about the camera or AI features, the speakers could be louder, and a few other nitpicks, but it supports GrapheneOS, has a long SW support cycle, and has some great security hardware, so I bought one. I actually kind of prefer my older, crappy Moto phone in some ways, but I'm unwilling to use an insecure device, and ROMs aren't supported (well, I guess I could sign an abusive agreement).

So yeah, Pixel wins for me because of GOS and longer SW support. That's honestly it.
- You could try the fairphone
Could give the fairphone a try
- Too expensive for the hardware provided in my opinion.

The Option to install Graphene OS onto the Pixel do be a very good argument for it.

I'll always be distrustful of Google hardware, but yes. I've been considering a Pixel as my next.
GOS is still not for everyone.

edit: less offensive.
- So because it's not literally for everyone, nobody can share an opinion about it?
  
  Weird take.
- So just because my car has the ability to tow a trailer it is bad? The pixel gives everyone that wants to the possibility to install a custom ROM, which is great because not every phone allows this.

Tech reviews are a corrupt mess and can seldom be trusted, especially reviews by "influencers".

Also these days it's all about rushing content and pandering to the lowest common denominator. Though pop tech channels were always this way. I stumbled on Unbox Therapy lately and it's so blatant that it almost feels illegal.

Hey Google, this makes me not want a Pixel. I will however accept a large $um to cea$e $haring that $entiment.

When is the industry going to recognize that the camera needs to be flush with the back?

This is ridiculous

If the camera really does need to be that thick for lens reasons, couldn't we at least make the rest of the body bigger with more battery?
- Yes, but then it would be slightly heavier and have way too good of a battery life, reducing power bank sales and having the phone last longer without needing to be replaced due to battery degradation.
- Mine does that when I put a cover on my phone.
  
  The cover is on the same level as the camera as there's a cutout on that bit.
- Then they can't advertise that the phone is x.x mm thick (if you ignore the thickest part!)
Literally nobody who cares about their phone is rawdogging it. It's a perfectly sane design assuming there will be a case.
- I wish I didn't have to put a case on my phone
- I refuse to put anything on my phone, she as naked as the day I got her.
- I care about my phone and I’m rawdogging it
Give it a few more years. At this rate, by 2028, the entire back of the phone will be camera bump and you'll be able to lay it down on a flat surface at last.
Also, fingerprint scanners don't belong behind the screen.

Unless you have the greasiest fingers of anyone who ever lived, they just don't work. I have to lick my fingers to make it see them...
- As my grandmother used to tell me, "Your hands are dry, go lotion them up sonny."
- I thought it was just me! I lick my finger to get it to read too!

Wow those camera bumps look so ugly. They had a nice look in the previous generations

I have the 8 and I find it so frustrating. It makes the phone uncomfortable to hold and pocket
- I hate the bumps. The camera in the 4a/5 generation was fine. Hate the new look and feel but had to upgrade because of security updates and not wanting to custom rom because I value NFC payments too much.
- Do you use the phone without a protective case? I find that most cases are designed so that the bump is flush with the back of the case.
  
  That being said, I prefer thicker cases like the Otterbox oder Spigen Tough whatever series, so I could see how such a case would be "too much" for someone.
- They should go back to Pixel 2 design.
- I would think the camera bar would make holding the phone easier, is that not the case? I have a note 20 ultra and I find cases with horizontal camera cover sliders significantly more comfortable to hold than those that try to make the camera bump less noticeable
If you use a case like most people do it makes sense.
- Not if it's just a silicone case, it's not thick enough to compensate for the camera hump.
  
  Source: the phone in my hands

I don't like that this is the way things are (in relation to influencers) but it seems reasonable to me that if you sign up to shill for a company, you should be expected to shill for the company.

While this is true it should come with the caveat that it is basically reduced to... Advertising.

$1k for a Tensor chip? Hell naw

Content Creators.... Aren't all of those sucking Googles tits by spending their lives on YouTube anyway?

Yeah but the ones worth your time usually set up some other form of income like patreon so their not as dependant. Its just hard to upstart anywhere else full time because numbers.
There are also some on Facebook's, Amazon's or ByteDance's respective teats

American Fair phone users, how's your experience?

Currently using a FP4 with success. Using Ting/T-Mobile for service.
- Nice! I'm on tmo is there a decent Graphene OS rom for the fair phone?
  
  I really wish quadlock would make a case but I suppose I can just print one.

Very relevant

Also that whole channel is hilarious

Amazing
hilarious? 🤔
That could be me...I don't know anyone else with a pixel.
- I know a few people (including myself) who use pixel. They're pretty moderately priced (compared to iphones) and the functionality is nice. Also, they have the longest Android suppoet.

Wonder if Mr. Mobile caved too....

From what I've read, it's those who are "#teampixel" which he doesn't seem to be no longer part of the program.

Give his recent video a watch and decide whether he's caved or not - i don't think it's as plain as mkbhf
- Oh great that's a relief

The Option to install Graphene OS onto the Pixel do be a very good argument for it.