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

  • Zak@lemmy.worldEnglish
    123·
    1 year ago

    People in the business of reviewing Android phones couldn’t possibly know about sideloading. I’m shocked anyone at Google thought this would do anything but make them look bad.

    • PrefersAwkward@lemmy.worldEnglish
      43·
      1 year ago

      It would probably violate agreements and they’d blacklist the reviewers for future releases. It would also make those reviewers look bad if they don’t respect review agreements and embargos. Other companies might not trust them with preview units.

      I agree Google looks absurd here. But if my living was being made reviewing things, I wouldn’t want to risk companies not giving me the early look that reviewers get. Especially when I can just wait till the device comes out and benchmark it then, since there’s no longer an embargo or agreement once a device goes public

      • Zak@lemmy.worldEnglish
        6·
        1 year ago

        A reviewer who’s being ethical would note any such demands from a manufacturer in their review, or refuse to review a product if the demands were too extreme. Banning benchmarks from reviews is pretty questionable, though not unprecedented. I should note that I am a reviewer, though not of phones and I don’t make my living from it. I have encountered and rejected the occasional unethical request (usually manufacturers wanting to screen the review’s content before publication).

        Trying to keep people from benchmarking it via the Play Store is the absurd part. They can use a contract for reviewers, but that’s not even going to slow down sophisticated end users.