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<ul><li>Xiaomi is shutting down its MIUI beta program starting July 1.</li><li>A fresh wave of bad news is beating down TikTok's door as doctors recommend 'digital detox'.</li><li>Future of work is starting to show as Accenture trains 17,000 of its employees as automation takes over their regular jobs.</li><li>Facebook is taking on YouTube and TikTok with its 'Watch Party' and ads in 4 different Indian languages.</li></ul>This Tech Insider’s daily dose of <keyword id="35609" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="tech-news">tech news</keyword> — everything that’s happening in tech that you need to know about today from Business Insider and its partner publications:

Today’s top tech news: Xiaomi slashes a program, Accenture builds new ones to train its employees as TikTok takes the heat for digital addiction

<ul><li>Too many users and not enough feedback has led to Xiaomi shutting down the MIUI beta program starting July 1.</li><li>MIUI is the Xiaomi’s customised user interface for its Android phones. </li><li>Xiaomi states that its interface as matured, which is why it is putting a stop beta program that allowed users to test Xiaomi’s features before they officially launched.</li></ul>Testers aren’t really useful if they’re not giving you feedback, which is why Xiaomi is shutting down its MIUI beta program starting July 1. In a <a href="https://in.c.mi.com/thread-1881906-1-1.html">Mi Community forum post</a>, Xiaomi stated they don’t want to expose their users to unstable versions of the MIUI — Xiaomi’s Android user interface — experience. It also means that users won’t be able to test the MIUI adoption of Android Q that is expected to roll out by the end of the year. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/chinese-technology-company-xiaomi-has-revealed-its-roadmap-for-rolling-out-googles-latest-android-update-android-q-on-its-smartphones-/articleshow/69800517.cms">11 Xiaomi devices</a> are scheduled to receive the customised version of Google’s updated Android including the flagship, Xiaomi Mi 9, and the <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/gadgets/redmi-note-7-and-note-7-pro-just-launched-in-india-%E2%80%94-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ar-BBUbWqf">Redmi Note 7 Pro</a>. No more user guinea pigs Beta programs allow users to test upcoming features and updates before they officially launch. For companies, the upside is that they get a market to test their product and work out all the bugs and users who sign up for testing get to use software ahead of everyone else. In Xiaomi’s case, the MIUI beta program lets users test the company’s Android interface before any updates officially roll out. The aim of this is to allow Xiaomi to launch bug free software for the rest of its smartphone users. But, since in the kinks and bugs still have to be worked out before the official launch, Xiaomi users enrolled in the beta program have to use unstable versions of the software on a day-to-day basis. Still ‘listening’ to feedback At this time there are too many testers of the interface and relatively less feedback actually coming back to the company through the beta program even though users were opting for the beta program on their primary devices. Xiaomi promises that it will still be listening to feedback from smartphone users across the various platforms like Twitter, the Community forum and other avenues of social media where fans can talk to the company. The other side of the story However, testers have a different take on the issue. On the Mi Community forum post, <a href="https://in.c.mi.com/thread-1881906-2-1.html">most of the feedback</a> isn’t too happy about the new development claiming that the beta versions of MIUI performed better than the ‘stable’ versions. One Mi8 user, jorgenriqeruiz, claims that bugs in their Mi8’s global stable MIUI vanished once they installed the beta MIUI. Even the Mi9’s fingerprint sensor software was attacked by a user for being dysfunctional in the stable global MIUI but worked fine with the March beta patch. Another user, Imanol Vitar, states that bugs get fixed much quicker in the beta version of MIUI instead of the stable version. While some users speculated that this was a cost cutting move by the company, others are hoping that his means Xiaomi will apply greater focus to the stable MIUI so deliver quicker and better updates. The end of Xiaomi’s MIUI beta program only impacts users who use Xiaomi phone with MIUI — not Android One and Android Go devices like the Mi A2. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/xiaomi-investment-india-new-products-launch-expected/articleshow/68460618.cms">Xiaomi makes its largest investment in India so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/xiaomi-smartphones-in-india-more-expensive-us-china-trade-war/articleshow/68517077.cms">Global currency wars made it more expensive for Xiaomi to sell phones in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/xiaomi-will-take-on-netflix-amazon-spotify-youtube-saavn-and-paytm-via-mi-music-and-mi-video/articleshow/68670108.cms">Xiaomi is looking to make five times more money — and that may be a headache for Netflix, Amazon, Spotify, and even PayTM</a>

Xiaomi has shut down the testing of its new phone features by users before launch

<ul><li>The Indian smartphone market has reported a decline of 3% in sales in the Q2 2023.</li><li>Vivo has emerged as the market leader in the smartphone segment in Q2.</li><li>Apple and OnePlus reported a growth of over 60% during the quarter.</li></ul> The Indian smartphone market reported a decline of 3% in Q2 2023, and the shipments in the first six months of the year have declined by 10% to 64 million units. According to a report by International Data Corporation (IDC), the Indian smartphone market shipped 64 million units in the first half of 2023, a decline of 10% compared to the first half of 2022. In Q2 2023, the Indian smartphone market shipped 34 million units, a 3% year-on-year decline, but a 10% quarter-on-quarter growth. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Customers are moving towards the premium segment" comment="subhead" text="Customers are moving towards the premium segment">Customers are moving towards the premium segment</cmsannotation> The average selling price (ASP) of smartphones increased by 13% year-on-year to reach $241 (approx. ₹19,950). While the sub-$200 (approx. ₹16,550) segment continues to dominate, its market share has declined from 70% to 65% in Q2. The $200-$400 (approx. ₹16,550-₹33,100) segment remained flat with a 22% market share. The $400-$600 (approx. ₹33,100-₹49,660) grew by 34% year-on-year to occupy a 5% market share. The premium segment, which includes smartphones above $600 (approx. ₹49,660) reported the highest increase at 75% year-on-year to reach a 9% market share. “Consumers are opting for premium offerings, driven by easy and affordable financing options. IDC expects this growth momentum to continue in the upcoming months in 2023,” said Upasana Joshi, research manager, client devices, IDC India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="5G sales receive a boost" comment="subhead" text="5G sales receive a boost">5G sales receive a boost</cmsannotation> The Indian smartphone industry sold 17 million 5G smartphones in Q2 2023, with an ASP of $366 (approx. ₹30,300). Samsung, Vivo and OnePlus dominated the 5G segment, with a combined share of 54%. In terms of devices, the iPhone 13 and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerged as the highest selling 5G devices. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Q2 2022 smartphone market share" comment="subhead" text="Q2 2022 smartphone market share">Q2 2022 smartphone market share</cmsannotation> <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Company </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 2023 </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Q2 2022 </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Change </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vivo </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">14.5% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.4% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Samsung </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">15.7% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16.3% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-6.2% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Realme </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">12.6% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">17.5% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-29.8% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Oppo </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">11.0% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">11.5% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-7.4% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Xiaomi </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">11.0% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">17.6% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-39.4% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">OnePlus </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.2% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.3% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">61.1% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Apple </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.5% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.3% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">61.1% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Poco </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.8% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">76.5% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Techno </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.8% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.6% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">44.1% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Infinix </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.5% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.4% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">41.1% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Others </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8.7% </td><td style="border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.2% </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.6260872500000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">14.8% </td></tr></tbody></table> Source: IDC <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Vivo climbs the ladder" comment="subhead" text="Vivo climbs the ladder">Vivo climbs the ladder</cmsannotation> Vivo has emerged as the market leader in Q2 2023, beating Xiaomi, Realme and Samsung. Vivo recorded a market share of 16% in Q2 2023, up from 14.5% in Q2 2022, reporting a growth of 7.4%. Xiaomi, the market leader in Q2 2022 has been pushed to the fifth spot with a market share of 11%, down from 17.6% in Q2 2022. Realme dropped down a position to occupy the third position with a market share of 12.6% in Q2 2023, down from 17.5% in Q2 2022. Poco emerged as the biggest gainer, grabbing a 5% market share in Q2 2023, up from Q2 2022, an increase of 76.5%. OnePlus and Apple gained 61.1%, to grab 7.2% and 5.5% market share respectively. Apple also has the highest ASP among smartphone makers, at $929 (approx. ₹76,900). “In the upcoming festive season, the brands will try to spur consumer demand with affordable 5G launches, pre-booking offers, and loyalty/upgrade programs clubbed with festive discounts. The market requires strong double-digit growth in the next few months to see annual growth in 2023, which looks unlikely as of now," said Navkendar Singh, AVP – Devices Research, IDC. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-recover-in-july-2023/articleshow/102347978.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales recover after spending June in the pitlane</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-motors-posts-net-profit-of-3203-cr-in-q1-2023-24-on-improved-jlr-performance/articleshow/102108825.cms">Tata Motors posts net profit of ₹3,203 cr in Q1 on improved JLR performance</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-launches-galaxy-z-fold-5-and-galaxy-z-flip-5-foldable-smartphones/articleshow/102140759.cms">Samsung heats up the foldables segment with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and the Galaxy Z Flip 5</a>

Indian smartphone market sees a declines in Q2; Vivo in the lead

Google has been making phones for years, but you probably didn't know that.You're forgiven if you didn't, of course, given that Google doesn't take the same traditional approach in selling its phones. They're not sold in stores, they typically receive little-to-no promotion in advertising, and Google announces them with relatively low-key events - a stark contrast to how Apple handles its phones, for instance. And that's especially strange, because Google's phones are excellent. Better than your new iPhone (in my opinion), better than your new Galaxy S-whatever, and less expensive too.There are two new Google phones this year, and they're <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/google-nexus-5x-preview-2015-10">arguably the best phones on the market</a>. I'm using the smaller one, dubbed the Nexus 5X, and it's genuinely amazing. It's fast. It's innovative. It's clean and simple and intuitive. It takes great photos and has a battery life on par with or better than most phones on the market.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">Ben Gilbert / Tech InsiderThe Nexus 5X, looking sleek and basic.</div></div></div>So, why haven't you heard of it? Rather, why isn't Google selling this great phone (and its bigger sister, the Nexus 6P) in stores? Sadly, there's no clear answer to that, but it seems like Google's goal isn't to recreate the success of the iPhone. Instead, it wants to set an example for all the other companies out there making Android phones.<h2>The Google Answer: These are "reference" devices</h2>The first step in my journey to understand why Google seemingly hides its amazing phones from the consumer public was to ask Google. Here's what a Google rep told Tech Insider:The Nexus program is our effort to push what's possible in hardware design while unlocking the ideal software experience. It's Google's take on the total user experience including hardware and software, the retail experience, frequency of security updates (monthly) and ongoing software updates (for two years). Over the years, we've launched the Nexus One, 4, 5, 6, 5X and 6P smartphones as well as the Nexus 7 and 10 tablets, and Nexus Player Android TV. Since Nexus is built by the same people who build the OS working closely with partners, we think these devices serve as a beacon to show the industry what's possible.That's a long way of saying, "We make these devices to set an example of what an Android phone is capable of." Google demonstrates "the total user experience" by working with manufacturers to create a phone (hardware), puts the absolute latest version of a totally stock Android operating system on it (software), and only sells the device through its online store (retail). Huh, that sounds familiar.And that's because it's the same way Apple builds the iPhone: Apple makes the hardware, Apple makes the software, Apple has stores to sell you the iPhone, Apple issues software updates. It's a complete, end-to-end solution for consumers, and it's often a better experience than buying literally any Android phone. It's no surprise that Apple sells so many iPhones - Apple makes its largest portion of profits from selling the iPhone, actually. <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/apple-is-a-computer-company-2015-10">Apple's basically in the phone business</a>.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">AppleLook no further for proof of the tremendous amount of money Apple's making by selling iPhones.</div></div></div>But if the Nexus phones are reference devices meant to demonstrate just how good Android phones can be, why aren't any phone companies taking note? The closest you can get to Google-made phones is the OnePlus Two or the Moto X line - phones with nearly pure, unadulterated Android that are sold directly to consumers by their respective makers. Meanwhile, the most popular Android phone makers like Samsung, LG, and Xiaomi, load up their versions of Android with "bloatware": apps that you can't erase that often duplicate other, better apps. Samsung makes its own email app, its own calendar app, its own text messaging app, etc., despite the fact that Google makes better versions of all of those that are built into Android, for example.And why do Samsung, LG, and the rest do this?Because, so the logic goes, this is how companies offer "customized" versions of Android. In so many words: if they all used stock Android, what would differentiate their phones from the competition? You might've answered, "Well, one of them could try to make a better phone than the others and win that way." And you'd be right!But these companies apparently don't agree with your very logical argument.<h2>Google doesn't want to compete with - and beat - the Samsungs and LGs of the world in the phone market</h2>There's another popular argument that people often cite when discussing Google's excellent phones and their lack of market visibility: Google doesn't want to eat the lunch of the companies that take Android and make it their own. <div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image">ScreenshotsOn the far left is the simple, basic notifications panel on the Nexus 5X. The other three are the messy ones on Samsung, LG and HTC phones.</div></div></div>The logic here is that, if Google competes directly with Android phone makers, it risks pushing those phone makers to stop using Android. And if those companies stop using Android, that could mean less money for Google when people uses baked-in Google services like search or buy apps and other content from the Google Play store.This is a bad argument for a few reasons:<ol><li>There are no other operating systems with anywhere near the reach of Google's Android. People who like Android are pretty unlikely to learn a whole new operating system so they can keep using their Samsung phone, and phone makers are unlikely to build their own. Likewise, app developers are unlikely to re-release their apps on yet another mobile phone platform.</li><li>No phone makers have another operating system to use at scale, even if they were to abandon Android. Samsung has Tizen, and Mozilla makes a Firefox OS - have you ever heard of either? Didn't think so.</li><li><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/goldman-sachs-says-android-is-making-google-very-little-money-2015-4">Google simply doesn't make that much money from Android</a>. </li><li>Google can afford to be competitive - arguably, making the best Android phone and competing directly with the likes of LG and Samsung would push those companies to make better products. And those products are Android phones!</li></ol><h2>So, why does Google make phones?</h2>Maybe it's just to make tech writers look like nutcases. I used iPhones for years: first the 3G, then the 4, then the 5, then the 6. Somewhere in there, I used a Nexus 5 for six months and fell in love. It was a phone with flaws, but one of the best phones I've ever used.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image">Antonio Villas-Boas/Tech Insider</div></div></div>The Nexus 5X is a continuation of my brief love affair with the Nexus 5, only this time the camera is fantastic and the battery is much more reliable. Yet, outside of it being a reference device for other Android phones, the Nexus 5X (and the 6P) are frustratingly hard to purchase. After all this bloviating, you basically have to take my word on how good this phone is - there's no way to walk into a store and just try the thing. You have to buy it on blind faith. That's not what I'd call an ideal experience.Google sees its online purchase process as a testing ground for its vision of the future of retail. Here's the answer Google gave Tech Insider when we asked why the phones aren't available in stores:...the phones are available on the Google Store in 24 countries and in many more countries with the major carriers and retailers internationally. We're focusing on building the recently introduced Google Store to be our go-to destination to help people find and buy our products as well as the accessories that work best with them.That's a similar strategy other manufacturers use too. Chinese smartphone makers OnePlus and Xiaomi almost exclusively sell their phones online, and they're very popular. Google seems to believe selling phone exclusively online could work out in the end too. Last week, it started running a ad campaign promoting the new Nexus phones during big events like the MLB playoffs and NFL games.But I still prefer to try before I buy, and the online Google Store is the only way to buy the new Google phones. And that, to me, is tremendously frustrating. So I'm at an impasse. Why does Google make phones? Maybe it's just to break my heart. You tell me. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/unboxing-oneplus-2-android-smartphone-2015-8">Here's your first look at the sequel to the hottest Android phone</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="RnaWgwdzqOA9h0NSzi5eB3QpeKwBJq5o" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

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Today’s top tech news: Xiaomi slashes a program, Accenture builds new ones to train its employees as TikTok takes the heat for digital addiction

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Today’s top tech news: Xiaomi slashes a program, Accenture builds new ones to train its employees as TikTok takes the heat for digital addiction

Xiaomi has shut down the testing of its new phone features by users before launch

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Why is it impossible to try Google's great phones?

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