Google redesigns Nexus 4 to keep it from falling off your desk


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The Nexus 4 is an attractive phone, but it's got a pretty big design flaw: the glass back of the phone is exceptionally slippery and causes the phone to slide off of most surfaces you place it down on. This can lead to catastrophes such as scratched or even cracked backs, not to mention the annoyance of it repeatedly falling off of your desk. The official bumper case that Google sells does solve this issue (and I actually purchased one specifically because of the problem), but it adds bulk to the phone and makes it less comfortable to use in one hand.

It seems that Google was well aware of the issue, however, as some four months after the phone's initial launch, the company has slightly altered the design of the rubber border that surrounds the phone. First reported by MobiFlip and confirmed by Android Central, new versions of the Nexus 4 now have small nubs on the rubber surround, which serve to lift the whole phone off of a surface and prevent it from sliding around like a bar of soap. Additionally, Android Central reports that the nubs also let the rear speaker breathe a bit, providing louder volumes when you are playing audio through it. Apparently, though they are quite small, the nubs are noticeable when you hold the device, but not as much as an external case is. Other tweaks include a slight change in the border surrounding the camera, though that doesn't seem to affect functionality.

Unfortunately for those of us that already have purchased the Nexus 4, this design update won't help us out all that much. But new customers may want to wait until they receive their phones before plunking down $20 on the bumper case if they are worried about the Nexus 4 sliding off of a desk.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/28/4157304/google-nexus-4-design-tweaks-rubber-nubs

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at least they saw a problem and fixed it, which is something you do not see often staying within the same model of a device.

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funny part is, this is the EXACT same argument we seen when the iPhone 4 came out with its back glass, then people fussed again when Apple released the bumper to help with it (along with antennagate). Good to see other companies having the same problems... People

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Good, I had mine fall off what I thought was a completely flat desk before. Just slid right off. I was like, ###### :blink: only to come in the room and see the phone on the floor.

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funny part is, this is the EXACT same argument we seen when the iPhone 4 came out with its back glass, then people fussed again when Apple released the bumper to help with it (along with antennagate). Good to see other companies having the same problems... People

There is a difference from buy a bumper, Apple eventually gave out free, then redesigning the phone. I never ever use a bumper and the phone should work without one. Also, all the bumper did on the iPhone was what you said...bumpers do not protect the device from cracking when dropped.

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Good, I had mine fall off what I thought was a completely flat desk before. Just slid right off. I was like, ###### :blink: only to come in the room and see the phone on the floor.

It was your cat... cat was like "oh shiny toy! whooo!" [knock it off the table].. "huh, it's not broken?" [jump off the table and check the toy, slide it around all over the floor]

:shifty:

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I wonder if these people also have their drinking glasses constantly slip off tables.

Nope. But when I owned a Nexus 4, it would gradually walk across just about any flat surface that was at the most minute incline and eventually fall off if I didn't put something in front of it. It was creappy watching it because it moved so slowly...like it had little tiny feet under it.

There is a difference from buy a bumper, Apple eventually gave out free, then redesigning the phone. I never ever use a bumper and the phone should work without one. Also, all the bumper did on the iPhone was what you said...bumpers do not protect the device from cracking when dropped.

Well... will a bumper give total protection from a drop? No. Will it provide some kind of protection that lowers the liklihood of a crack when dropped? Probably yes. I'm not sure if it is anything significant though. I liked that the bumper lifted the glass (and especially the camera lens) of the iPhone 4 off of the surface I set it on but ultimately I never used my free bumper. Never had issues with the signal or "antenna gate". I don't use a case on my iPhone 5 now, and it has some dings. I had the bumper for the Nexus 4 but it was so cheap that the plastic around it broke at a seam near the connector after about a week of use.

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Got a new Nexus 4 that has these new designs. Can't tell any difference for daily usage.

The most significant difference is perhaps the speaker is little bit louder when setting the phone on a flat surface.

edit: btw there are plenty of cheap but good quality bumper case available.

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Haven't encountered this issue, then again I use a silicone gel cover. Phone is really only on my desk when wireless charging.

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Got a new Nexus 4 that has these new designs. Can't tell any difference for daily usage.

The most significant difference is perhaps the speaker is little bit louder when setting the phone on a flat surface.

edit: btw there are plenty of cheap but good quality bumper case available.

How would you compare Paranoid Android vs Stock?

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How would you compare Paranoid Android vs Stock?

Two very different ROM. Really depends on what you prefer.

In terms of customization options, PA offers a lot of choices, but as far as I know, little bit less than AOKP, but far more than CM.

I personally prefer PA because it can get rid of on-screen nav buttons, or shrink them in size. (actually a lot more custom ROMs can do that now)

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lol!! Glad it's a known problem, I thought I was going crazy or had ghosts in my place or something.

Doesn't bother me at all, I love my Nexus 4. An absolutely amazing phone, best by far.

I don't really think of it as a design flaw though, just is what it is. So it's got a slick surface. I like it.

I just try to remember to place it where it isn't going to slip off. Besides, it's a very strong and well built phone.

Just looked at the picture. I think those nubs look totally stupid, so I'm happy with what I got.

Also isn't the only phone that has a speaker on the back which gets covered when placed down.

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Two very different ROM. Really depends on what you prefer.

In terms of customization options, PA offers a lot of choices, but as far as I know, little bit less than AOKP, but far more than CM.

I personally prefer PA because it can get rid of on-screen nav buttons, or shrink them in size. (actually a lot more custom ROMs can do that now)

ah, i think i might try it out

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