My Sixth Android Phone in 15 Years

When growing up in the 60s and 70s, my family had the same, white, rotary-dial phone on the kitchen wall.  Contrast that to the fact during the last fifteen years, I've had six different Android phones.

I find it interesting that most people do not bother to keep track of very basic information in their own lives.  I guess it really doesn't matter when and what mobile phones I've used.  However, I find myself quite interesting; hence, this blog exists.

So, here's a grand review of the smart-era phones I've owned and the month each was purchased:

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: September 2025

Google Pixel 7 Pro: May 2023

Google Pixel 5: April 2021  

One Plus 6: May 2018  

Google Nexus 5: January 2014  

Google Nexus One: June 2010

Okay, Gemini, You've Won Me Over!

 

I didn't take any real photos today.  However, I did create two with Google's AI.  The first is power lines running through a desert landscape just before twilight.  In the second, I just requested, "A retiring high school teacher's yearbook photo."

Due to easy access on my Pixel phone, I often use Gemini for information. It is easy to access on any device.  I haven't much been into AI for images this year. In fact, even with these two images, I could count up the total on the fingers of two hands. More importantly, I had been playing with Microsoft's Copilot too. It is pretty good both on the Windows 11 machines, and also via an app on my phone. It is supposed to have 'persistent memory' now but I cannot make that work for me, perhaps because I'm in Canada.  Another AI favourite of mine is called Perplexity.

Yet, I think going forward, I'll focus more on Google's AI chat. I'm saying this as I may well order a Pixel 10 as an upgrade to my current Pixel 7. Tomorrow is the day they'll be unveiled and available for order. Even on our laptops and the main widescreen computer, I'm removing the MS Copilot from the task bar and adding Google Gemini. With the inclusion of  its new 'saved info' it has become vastly more personal and useful.

 

NFC Tags

I'm waiting for Amazon to deliver my box of 50 NFC coin-card tags.  I ordered them yesterday.

There is a never-ending cache of new things for me to explore.  I didn't even know about read/write NFC cards, stickers, tags, and fobs until a few days ago.  I first noticed NFC rings for men when searching for some item online.  The research lead me to install NFC Tools on my phone.  

Now, I'm ready to think of useful things to do with the technology.   They can store a small amount of data.  When a modern phone nearly comes into contact with one, it will trade information and take action.  For example, one can open a web page.  These can automate nearly any set of actions that takes place on a phone.  My home automation could replace my 'Hey, Google' audio requests into a simple phone taps.  They can essentially be placed anywhere and have a lifetime of at least 10 years (as they require no battery).  Each one costs less than 25 cents.

Well, I suppose the actual tags have to arrive first.  They were scheduled to arrive between 1:45 and 2:45 this afternoon.  It's now 5:50 pm.  Amazon's site now list their arrival as 'before 10 pm'.

A Clear Prophylactic

I'm an enthusiastic proponent of carrying around naked mobile phones. Actually, I'm a fan of nakedness in general, but that's a whole other blog post!  Today, a new clear silicone cover arrived for my new Pixel 7 Pro. 

I think putting a cover around a modern phone is stupid. Nowadays there's little harm that can come to a phone if it's not covered. Engineers design svelt, sophisticated bricks but many people plaster an awkward hunk of ugly plastic around their device. 

So why did I just slip on a new cover delivered by Amazon? I've only had this phone for a few days and I am loving it. This screen is a bit larger than I was used to with my old Pixel 5. However, it's not the shape that's bothering me but the polished aluminum back. This device is as slippery as a greasy eel. (Probably as slippery as a wet bar of soap would've been a more accurate metaphor.) 

I had a test run with my new phone on a 5-night cruise in the Pacific NW.  I felt true, unabashed fear when trying to snap a picture over the ship's railings. I definitely knew I needed something I could grip a bit better. So, I'm thankful for the rugged fit of my cheap new phone prophylactic.

 

Machu Picchu Killed Jay's Phone

 

Jay's cell phone wasn't happy in Cusco, Peru at the end of November. His cell phone battery puffed up as soon as we arrived. I assume it happened because of the city's elevation of 11,152 feet. We had a bit of altitude sickness as well.  The phone looked pretty scary and I wondered if it'd leak. Once we got back down to sea level, the phone's girth became less obvious. It never stopped working and he used the OnePlus 6 until last weekend. That is when I ordered and received a new phone for myself.  

My old Google Pixel 5 was adequate but I knew it'd make a great phone for Jay.  So, I sort of created an excuse to get a Google Pixel 7 Pro. Generally, my cell phones last three to five years. It seemed a little premature to get a new device after just two years! However, it was for a worthy cause, I reckoned.

   

Switching wasn't too much of a hassle. All data and apps ported just fine. I was up and running in a few hours.  I really believe Hazel is a good upgrade.  That's the colour of the phone, but it will also be my name for it.