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…And it was dropped off at FedEx a few hours ago.
With the $300 off for Black Friday + 10% off ID.me Federal Employee discount I decided to give it a try. Kind interesting it was 10% off of the full $1800 MSRP, not the sale price for a total of $480 off.
But now I'm back to my Pixel 9 Pro XL
I really do like the idea of a foldable phone, and with the upgrades made from the original Pixel Fold to the gen 2, I thought I could make it work but a few things kept me from keeping it.
First and foremost, the size of the external display. While I loved the internal display, the 6.3" external is just way way way too small compared to the 9 Pro XL of 6.8". Since 90% of the use would be with the external display, it was hard to convince myself having the big internal display is more beneficial. A couple of my coworkers have newer Samsung Z Fold's and that tall display is just not for me, don't like it one bit. Never would I buy a Samsung phone, but I felt Google did it right, but too small.
The second problem was the launcher. I despise the native Pixel Launcher, been using Nova Launcher (and paid for the Premium version) for probably 10+ years now but with Android 15 there were some hiccups, so I switched to Microsoft Launcher, which surprisingly isn't bad and I get it customized to where it's 95% like I had Nova. But with all of my widgets, I would put things in the order how I wanted them on the external display and that wouldn't translate properly on the internal display. Widgets would get cut off, appear on top of each other or the size would be off. I couldn't get text and icon sizes to be to my liking. They were either super small on the external and the size of a half dollar on the internal or vice versa. Tried Nova and it was even worse.
The third problem and I knew about this, was most apps just look like garbage on the internal display. Google's own apps are pretty good for the most part, but I don't use many Google apps outside of Maps. For YouTube I just play videos in Firefox with uBlock enabled because of how bad ads are on YouTube. The Microsoft Office apps did look great, but realistically how often would I use them was the question. Mindless web browsing using Firefox would be the only thing I would use on the internal display, and it simply wasn't worth it for me.
The fourth problem, and it may have been overblown and/or it may not be a problem anymore, but Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners were reporting problems connecting to AT&Ts 5G network early on. Not sure if that's still a problem, but as I plan to dump T-Mobile and go with AT&T, I might run into that problem.
While this phone isn't quite for me, from a hardware perspective I was very impressed with it in the 4 1/2 days I've had it. Looking forward to see what future generations bring and I'll be open to giving it another try.
If the Pixel Watch 3 could be paired with two phones, there is a chance I would have kept the Fold and alternated between the two, but I don't feel like doing a factory reset on the watch every time I'd switch. If there was a 9 Pro Fold XL I would get it.
With the $300 off for Black Friday + 10% off ID.me Federal Employee discount I decided to give it a try. Kind interesting it was 10% off of the full $1800 MSRP, not the sale price for a total of $480 off.
But now I'm back to my Pixel 9 Pro XL
I really do like the idea of a foldable phone, and with the upgrades made from the original Pixel Fold to the gen 2, I thought I could make it work but a few things kept me from keeping it.
First and foremost, the size of the external display. While I loved the internal display, the 6.3" external is just way way way too small compared to the 9 Pro XL of 6.8". Since 90% of the use would be with the external display, it was hard to convince myself having the big internal display is more beneficial. A couple of my coworkers have newer Samsung Z Fold's and that tall display is just not for me, don't like it one bit. Never would I buy a Samsung phone, but I felt Google did it right, but too small.
The second problem was the launcher. I despise the native Pixel Launcher, been using Nova Launcher (and paid for the Premium version) for probably 10+ years now but with Android 15 there were some hiccups, so I switched to Microsoft Launcher, which surprisingly isn't bad and I get it customized to where it's 95% like I had Nova. But with all of my widgets, I would put things in the order how I wanted them on the external display and that wouldn't translate properly on the internal display. Widgets would get cut off, appear on top of each other or the size would be off. I couldn't get text and icon sizes to be to my liking. They were either super small on the external and the size of a half dollar on the internal or vice versa. Tried Nova and it was even worse.
The third problem and I knew about this, was most apps just look like garbage on the internal display. Google's own apps are pretty good for the most part, but I don't use many Google apps outside of Maps. For YouTube I just play videos in Firefox with uBlock enabled because of how bad ads are on YouTube. The Microsoft Office apps did look great, but realistically how often would I use them was the question. Mindless web browsing using Firefox would be the only thing I would use on the internal display, and it simply wasn't worth it for me.
The fourth problem, and it may have been overblown and/or it may not be a problem anymore, but Pixel 9 Pro Fold owners were reporting problems connecting to AT&Ts 5G network early on. Not sure if that's still a problem, but as I plan to dump T-Mobile and go with AT&T, I might run into that problem.
While this phone isn't quite for me, from a hardware perspective I was very impressed with it in the 4 1/2 days I've had it. Looking forward to see what future generations bring and I'll be open to giving it another try.
If the Pixel Watch 3 could be paired with two phones, there is a chance I would have kept the Fold and alternated between the two, but I don't feel like doing a factory reset on the watch every time I'd switch. If there was a 9 Pro Fold XL I would get it.
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1692 views
I used to root, not worth it anymore. Too many security risks, too many apps won't work while rooted. No BoA, no Zelle, no Google Wallet.
As much as I despise SaaS, I jumped over to MS365 Business Premium to use at home. My mobile devices are enrolled into InTune MDM, I use MS Authenticator, I don't think either of those work while rooted. I have a Yubikey and use Yubico Authenticator as well, I'm not 100% sure, but I wouldn't think those work either.
Security, security, security. Nothing is more important than security.
The straw that broke the camels back for me with Nova was the Google Clock and Weather widgets did not work property once on Android 15. Tried it on Pixel 7, 9 Pro XL, Tablet and of course the 9 Pro Fold. There were other glitches like momentary freeze ups and crashes that I thought were normal that I have not experienced using MS Launcher. If you look at reviews from the past year on the Play Store, every negative thing brought up I experienced on multiple devices, but looked the other way due to how great it was in the past.
The Nova team is exactly one guy, Kevin Barry, the founder. Nova's future does not look bright, the entire staff was axed in the Spring except for Kevin. And I didn't realize it until I initially saw this article but Nova was purchased by an analytics firm two years ago. That alone was enough to start second guessing if I wanted to continue to use it. Going back to security for a sec, from a security aspect, for better of for worse, I trust Microsoft with security more than I do an analytics firm.
www.androidpolice.com
Most, if not all of the big name launchers have been updated with the past two months, Nova was last updated in May. The writing is on the wall.
I still do install Nova, use it for 10 seconds and then delete. Using Nova to create a shortcut for the System UI Tuner is the easiest and really only way I know of accessing it so you can have seconds displayed on the clock in the taskbar.
As much as I despise SaaS, I jumped over to MS365 Business Premium to use at home. My mobile devices are enrolled into InTune MDM, I use MS Authenticator, I don't think either of those work while rooted. I have a Yubikey and use Yubico Authenticator as well, I'm not 100% sure, but I wouldn't think those work either.
Security, security, security. Nothing is more important than security.
The straw that broke the camels back for me with Nova was the Google Clock and Weather widgets did not work property once on Android 15. Tried it on Pixel 7, 9 Pro XL, Tablet and of course the 9 Pro Fold. There were other glitches like momentary freeze ups and crashes that I thought were normal that I have not experienced using MS Launcher. If you look at reviews from the past year on the Play Store, every negative thing brought up I experienced on multiple devices, but looked the other way due to how great it was in the past.
The Nova team is exactly one guy, Kevin Barry, the founder. Nova's future does not look bright, the entire staff was axed in the Spring except for Kevin. And I didn't realize it until I initially saw this article but Nova was purchased by an analytics firm two years ago. That alone was enough to start second guessing if I wanted to continue to use it. Going back to security for a sec, from a security aspect, for better of for worse, I trust Microsoft with security more than I do an analytics firm.
Nova Launcher's future uncertain as layoffs slash core dev team
Nova Launcher's new owners lay off Cliff Wade and other founding developers who made the app what it is 😢
www.androidpolice.com
Most, if not all of the big name launchers have been updated with the past two months, Nova was last updated in May. The writing is on the wall.
I still do install Nova, use it for 10 seconds and then delete. Using Nova to create a shortcut for the System UI Tuner is the easiest and really only way I know of accessing it so you can have seconds displayed on the clock in the taskbar.
There has not been much of significance added in the past few versions of Android. The Gemini AI stuff does nothing for me plus I am against AI. Extra features like circle to search and the idea of DEX do nothing for me either. For individual apps, it seems like developers are just making changes to make changes and justify their own jobs. The Ford Pass app coming to Wear OS is the biggest thing to happen in my Android world since PocketCasts came out with a new widget earlier this year.
The only thing I am looking forward to is Google Wallet supporting hotel keys if it works the way I think it does. While I appreciate being able to use my phone in conjunction with the Hilton Honors app as the key for my room, in the past if I was just running out to get something to eat, fill the bucket with ice or have to get something from my car I would just leave my phone in the room. I don't need the stupid thing with me at all times. Would love to be able to go phoneless and use Google Wallet on my watch to unlock the door.
I already have one, your tax dollars paid for it and I wanna give it back. The worst and single most aggravating piece of electronics I've ever had the displeasure of using. Lame UI, terrible menu structure that makes no sense whatsoever. Why can't I have more than 4 apps docked? Why can't there be spaces between icons, why must everything align to the grid? Somehow that stupid motion picture thing keeps getting reset on mine no matter how many times I turn it off. Nothing like reviewing pictures of images of text like on the boiler plate of the back of a switch or router or asset tags and then seeing they're mini movies of blurry text. Thank God they are locked down with our MDM so users can't do much. When users have problems with those things I spend 2 minutes troubleshooting, if I can't figure it out I'll do a factory reset. For the most part the iPhone sits in a faraday bag in the center console of my car when I am not at work as 1) Apple products are not allowed in my house 2) the government doesn't need to collect more data on me then they already have.So I'll put you down for an iPhone.
There are ways to make almost all these apps still work. I was rooted a month ago and Wallet, etc were fine. The problem is that you have to constantly jump through hoops, spoof Fingerprints, use different mods, etc. That alone makes it not worth the time. What doesn't work are the AI features and no way to get them to work
The only issue I have with Nova is a minor graphics glitch when closing back to home but yeah, Nova lost their top guys and development is almost gone.Security, security, security. Nothing is more important than security.
The straw that broke the camels back for me with Nova was the Google Clock and Weather widgets did not work property once on Android 15. Tried it on Pixel 7, 9 Pro XL, Tablet and of course the 9 Pro Fold. There were other glitches like momentary freeze ups and crashes that I thought were normal that I have not experienced using MS Launcher. If you look at reviews from the past year on the Play Store, every negative thing brought up I experienced on multiple devices, but looked the other way due to how great it was in the past.
The Nova team is exactly one guy, Kevin Barry, the founder. Nova's future does not look bright, the entire staff was axed in the Spring except for Kevin. And I didn't realize it until I initially saw this article but Nova was purchased by an analytics firm two years ago. That alone was enough to start second guessing if I wanted to continue to use it. Going back to security for a sec, from a security aspect, for better of for worse, I trust Microsoft with security more than I do an analytics firm.
Nova Launcher's future uncertain as layoffs slash core dev team
Nova Launcher's new owners lay off Cliff Wade and other founding developers who made the app what it is 😢
Lawnchair is emerging as one of the next best things. I have it on mine, but still use Nova as the default until I play with Lawnchair more. MS has been getting mentioned more often so I might give that a go, too
Hell no! Never!So I'll put you down for an iPhone.
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
524 Replies
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17827 views
I have been optimizing the site the past few days... and got us here now. 
We are rocking now!
We are rocking now!
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Wasn't exactly sure where to post this. Just had a customer come in inquiring about internet. He has HughesNet and had heard good things about mine. He asked if we provided email addresses and it kinda caught me off guard. I said he should be able to keep whatever email he had been using....my sister in law is still using a BellSouth email addy and they haven't been around here for many years. He said he had gotten a letter from HughesNet stating that they had until Nov 16th to save, move, forward, whatever, their Hughesnet emails because they would lose them after that date.
I have never heard of a company simply mass-deleting email accounts (the customer still has his HughesNet service). From what I understand, in the past, the company who was ditching their email service simply sold the customer base to a company like Google.
Anyone else getting this letter. He said he would show it to me tomorrow when I go out there and set up his internet.
I have never heard of a company simply mass-deleting email accounts (the customer still has his HughesNet service). From what I understand, in the past, the company who was ditching their email service simply sold the customer base to a company like Google.
Anyone else getting this letter. He said he would show it to me tomorrow when I go out there and set up his internet.
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58 views
Still the same number of years, just more Sunsets…Wouldn't we then die of old age sooner?
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Can't help but wonder if a worker overlooked checking the harness. I rarely ride a roller coaster anymore but when I do I check the harness myself pretty aggressively.
Can't imagine what the son is going through.
www.dailymail.com
Can't imagine what the son is going through.
Dad levitated and bled then fell to his death from coaster
Eyewitnesses have shared fresh details of the horrific accident that happened at Six Flags Over Georgia on Monday afternoon.
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174 views
Could B&M’s Patent on the “Clamshell” Ride Restraint Design Offer Clues as to What Happened on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia?
Incredibly sad news out of Six Flags Over Georgia as it’s being reported one man was killed after being ejected from Goliath, the B&M hyper coaster. Many news outlets have posted pictures of pe…
bgtsafari.com
Had no idea there were that many redundancies built into those restraints.Could B&M’s Patent on the “Clamshell” Ride Restraint Design Offer Clues as to What Happened on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia?
Incredibly sad news out of Six Flags Over Georgia as it’s being reported one man was killed after being ejected from Goliath, the B&M hyper coaster. Many news outlets have posted pictures of pe…
It makes sense, however, I would want more types of restraints, so if one doesn't work, the other does ... the restraints coming over the shoulder I would have expected ... with a Seat belt as last resort.
Fwiw, I inquired with what they use on Coasters at Cedar Point, various Coasters, different restraints according to what the car and track requires ...
NONE of the Coasters at CP use THAT particular system
I'm glad to see ...
Ham Radio 2.0
Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGlC_BDgwZo
Direct YouTube Link - Kenwood TM-D750 vs ICOM ID-5200: Don't Buy One Before Watching This!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGlC_BDgwZo
Direct YouTube Link - Kenwood TM-D750 vs ICOM ID-5200: Don't Buy One Before Watching This!
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook
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6 views
OTHER Mini Multiswitch
I just received 6 receiver 2 port mini Multiswitch and it work great, no external power need it, and you can connect 6 receiver instead of 4 on most Mini Multiswitches... If anyone is interested in where they can get one PM me....
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44 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELCVXF_wXA
Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 459
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CELCVXF_wXA
Direct YouTube Link - Tech News Weekly 459
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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7 views
Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2129 Replies
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214621 views
Tony as the director.
Would you rather have LaRoche ???Tony as the director.
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qd-RuBfiRUM
Direct YouTube Link - Meet up in San Francisco! NVIDIA RTX Spark Meet & Greet 10/16!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Qd-RuBfiRUM
Direct YouTube Link - Meet up in San Francisco! NVIDIA RTX Spark Meet & Greet 10/16!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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7 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzOS-cQ-WkM
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's New Smart Home Ecosystem
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VzOS-cQ-WkM
Direct YouTube Link - Apple's New Smart Home Ecosystem
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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9 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I bought the fixed color version of these bulbs for my store several years ago...work great and no more replacing ballast. Finally had one go out and when I went back to Amazon I saw that now they come in selectable versions so no more guess work as to what color light would do best in a certain area. They are now double OR single ended...used to be strictly one way or the other. If any of you are looking at replacing the old style 4 or 8 ft bulbs, you might want to give these a try. The 8 footers are BRIGHT. I put 5 in my shooting/target shed and you can get a decent tan if you are in there long enough.
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27 views