Google blocked Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro reviewers from using popular benchmarks to test the Tensor G3 chip, new owners too
www.notebookcheck.net
Google has taken the extraordinary step to block reviewers from being able to download popular chip testing benchmarks directly through its Play Store, surprising reviewers of its latest Pixel 8 series smartphones. Incredibly, the company has extended this block to include all new customers of its Pixel 8 phones following the launch, in attempt to suppress the widespread distribution of results.

cross-posted from: https://lemdro.id/post/2289548 (!googlepixel@lemdro.id)

According to the comments section, users have been able to sideload them without issues. Play Store has since begun allowing the installs.

Updated: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-8-Pixel-8-Pro-benchmark-block-lifted.759613.0.html

Google has lifted the block it placed on the ability for users to freely install benchmarking apps on its Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. The block had been in place during the review embargo period but extended past the on sale period where customers purchasing the devices couldn’t install benchmarks on their new Pixels either.

Update 2: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Exclusive-Google-confirms-with-Notebookcheck-it-blocked-benchmarks-during-Pixel-8-Pixel-8-Pro-review-embargo-period.761443.0.html

  • yoevli@lemmy.worldEnglish
    291·
    1 year ago

    This article seems to be outdated as both apps are now visible in the Play Store and I had no problems downloading and running them. A comment suggests that it may be due to the previous minimum SDK target for the apps being too low. I’d be willing to chalk this up to being more innocuous than active malice on Google’s part.

    • BearOfaTime@lemm.eeEnglish
      86·
      1 year ago

      “Don’t Be Evil” always sounded odd. As if that sort of thing needed to be said.

      After 20+ years of consistent anti-consumer behaviour, Alphabet gets no benefit of the doubt.

      • Goose306@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        9·
        1 year ago

        When this first came out I checked on my Pixel 7 which is on A14 already and I didn’t have the apps available either.

        They are now available.

        So yeah, it’s almost certainly on the app developers who didn’t target the new API version available, not Google. New Pixels launch with new versions of Android, but you can validate the same issue on older Pixels who have already upgraded to the new Android version.

      • DeathToZergEnglish
        4·
        1 year ago

        It’s even more odd they got rid of that saying in 2015 and replaced it with “Do the right thing”. I’m not sure it was an improvement.

        • ares35@kbin.social
          9·
          1 year ago

          definitely not an ‘improvement’…

          the ‘right’ thing, according to who? why, the shareholders, of course.