Hardware is table stakes [#acpodcast]

Daniel Bader, Jerry Hildenbrand, Russell Holly, and Phil Nickinson talk about the motives and strategies behind some significant moves in the industry this year, including Google’s HTC deal and Amazon’s new Echo products and Fire TV 4K.

It’s update-mageddon! With Google extending security updates for Nexus 5X and 6P, and the Moto X Pure Edition just now getting Android 7.0, what can users reasonably expect from manufacturers in the way of support for devices they already own?

Finally, the Pixel 2 only days away—Google is offering up to $410 back when trading in your original Pixel through the Google Store. Now might be a good time to get on it!

Show Notes and Links:

• The Sony Xperia XZ1's camera has pleasantly surprised me
• Google extends Nexus 5X and 6P security updates until Nov. 2018
• It's September 2017, and the Moto X Pure Edition just got Android 7.0
• For Google, HTC deal is about the Pixel's next decade
• Essential has probably sold around 5,000 Essential Phones since its release
• Amazon announces cheaper second-gen Echo with better audio, new design
• Amazon's new Echo Connect brings landline phone calls to your Echo
• Amazon's new Fire TV 4K supports Alexa, starts at $70
• New Amazon Echo Plus has ZigBee smart home hub built in, priced at $150
• Amazon's new Echo Spot is like a smaller, rounder Echo Show
• Get up to $410 back when trading in your Pixel through Google Store