Why would anyone want a Spektrum Android radio?

[CertifiedMike]

The new Spektrum radio with Android...
To me, this is essentially spyware. Why would I think that?
I have yet once, ever, thought that if my radio only had internet access, then it would perform better or range would improve or some, ANY bennefit could come from it.
I can ASSURE you that if Google is involved, you're being tracked. Perhaps thats A-OK with the rest of the world but that straight up sucks IMO.

So now I'm asking for ANYONE to explain why I would want this.

I already own cards for my esc's. Unless Spektrum MAKES their new kits ONLY interface with the spyware, this system is utterly useless in practice.

Please, without the tinfoil hat remarks etc... This is a very honest question. If I can explain this better, imo, this is like opening my front door to invite the devil in for Sunday dinner.

 

[Panko75]

I'm expecting it to have over the air updates, and in my expetience OTA updates almost always mean "we can release a buggy update quickly then patch it later on...only to create more bugs to patch later".

I dunno, $700 can get you a pretty good RC. Heck I've even bought entire real cars for that much.

 

[Chubaka]

I'm about to go old school wired remotes and use an extension cord. This update everything is out of hand and not for thr good. If this is where it's going they can keep the rectum remote and shove it up their spectrum.

 

[blaster27]

My fridge has a computer and a motherboard. So I should get rid of it? The Chinese will bake my bologna. Please, give me a brake. . Smart tv, smart phone. Really? I will live my life as I do. You sir can do the same, is all. P.S If you are so worried about the web thing. Why are you on it? .

 

[WoodiE]

For those wondering, I believe @CertifiedMike is referring to the new Spektrum iXSR.

Please, without the tinfoil hat remarks etc... This is a very honest question.

My take is that Spektrum wanted to incorporate a much improved interface for this radio system, and they really had two options. Either build a brand new operating system or use one that's readily available. It's much cheaper to use what's available than to recreate the wheel, plus it's a lot easier to find Android developers compared to looking for Spektrum O/S developers.

Cheaper, easier, and faster.

The concern over "spyware" I suppose could be a valid concern when talking about Google, but really what is going on in this radio? You're running the Spektrum app, not running your daily life through the radio. I would think that phone in your pocket or the computer on your desk would be more idea, not an RC transmitter. Even if Google had someone employed to sit and watch every iSXR radio user and what are they doing, what really is to learn about you and what you're doing on a radio you're using to control a toy car?

While spyware could potentially be some kind of concern, it wouldn't be my biggest concern. My biggest concern is that Spektrum is a toy car radio manufacture, not software developers which makes me worry about how well will this be maintained and how securely?

One example that comes to mind regarding my concern is years ago Samsung released a refrigerator with a nice big screen on it that it too ran Android and offered the ability to display your Google Calendar. Sounds like a great idea at first, have a family calendar right on your fridge for everyone to see. The issue was the version of Android used was an old version and Google had retired some API calls which completely broke the calendar.

So now you had people who spent thousands on a fridge with this feature that was completely broken and took Samsung months to resolve, some users it took even longer.

My question is one that only time will tell of how well this radio system is maintained. For a $700 radio I'm sure it works really nice right now, but what about a year, two years, or even six years down the road. Will Spektrum still be pouring time, money and resources ensuring this system is up to date, secure, and fully functional?

Time will tell.

 

[WickedFog]

For those wondering, I believe @CertifiedMike is referring to the new Spektrum iXSR.


My take is that Spektrum wanted to incorporate a much improved interface for this radio system, and they really had two options. Either build a brand new operating system or use one that's readily available. It's much cheaper to use what's available than to recreate the wheel, plus it's a lot easier to find Android developers compared to looking for Spektrum O/S developers.

Cheaper, easier, and faster.

The concern over "spyware" I suppose could be a valid concern when talking about Google, but really what is going on in this radio? You're running the Spektrum app, not running your daily life through the radio. I would think that phone in your pocket or the computer on your desk would be more idea, not an RC transmitter. Even if Google had someone employed to sit and watch every iSXR radio user and what are they doing, what really is to learn about you and what you're doing on a radio you're using to control a toy car?

While spyware could potentially be some kind of concern, it wouldn't be my biggest concern. My biggest concern is that Spektrum is a toy car radio manufacture, not software developers which makes me worry about how well will this be maintained and how securely?

One example that comes to mind regarding my concern is years ago Samsung released a refrigerator with a nice big screen on it that it too ran Android and offered the ability to display your Google Calendar. Sounds like a great idea at first, have a family calendar right on your fridge for everyone to see. The issue was the version of Android used was an old version and Google had retired some API calls which completely broke the calendar.

So now you had people who spent thousands on a fridge with this feature that was completely broken and took Samsung months to resolve, some users it took even longer.

My question is one that only time will tell of how well this radio system is maintained. For a $700 radio I'm sure it works really nice right now, but what about a year, two years, or even six years down the road. Will Spektrum still be pouring time, money and resources ensuring this system is up to date, secure, and fully functional?

Time will tell.

That's a very interesting take on this radio, and the most eye opening line of thinking.

With current radios and their simple firmwares, it's easy for the manufacturer to roll out firmware updates for them. And the only thing that will outdate it is new radio technology. With the iXSR, eventually, it will cease to function more than likely, once the Android system can no longer be updated.

Spektrum claims this radio has ground breaking technology. I just think they fell a bit short of that. If they really wanted to make a groundbreaking radio that uses an Android OS, they should have developed an Android app, and a radio housing that had an adjustable slot to accept a variety of cell phones that could then interface with the radio electronics via bluetooth, a hard connection through the USB-C port (adjustable location to match phone's USB-C port location), or a tether (patent pending ideas ).

I'd pay $700 for THAT

 

[ferrebee88]

You put a button on there I can press and someone brings me a sandwich, then I'll buy it

 

[WickedFog]

You put a button on there I can press and someone brings me a sandwich, then I'll buy it

 

[ferrebee88]

View attachment 196231

Well played!

 

[blaster27]

Think I will just do what I do. If the Russians want to invade they will. But not without a fight. . Besides you can always press that DoorDash button. .

 

[slowngreen]

Easy enough solution, stick with Futaba.

 

[WoodiE]

Easy enough solution, stick with Futaba.

I make no attempts to hide the fact I love Futaba radios, so I won't start now.

Spektrum tried this touch screen approach before with the Spektrum DX6R and I don't believe it really took off. Probably due to price to be honest. To some of @WickedFog's point, the radio doesn't offer much more than a touch screen. It's a DSMR radio with a touch screen on it.

If I'm not mistaken the DX6R was running a pretty old version of Android built in. I'd be interested in finding out what version of Android the iXSR radio is using.

Me being a huge fan of Futaba, if it were me and I really wanted to spend BIG money on a radio system, then I'd jump onboard with the Futaba 10PX. Otherwise, the Futaba 3PV is a great entry-level radio and the Futaba 4PM Plus would be my go-to recommendation for anyone wanting to step up from the entry-level radios.

Going back to my concern in my initial post around how well will this new radio be updated and maintained - while time will tell. Looking at the user reviews of the older DX6R app on the Google Play Store doesn't look promising. Like I said, time will tell. Maybe Spektrum will do better.

 

[WickedFog]

I was always a Futaba fanboi myself. Never bought anything otherwise. But now, with brands like the Flysky and Radiomaster being great radios for the price, and having a lot more RC's nowadays, I just can't justify buying the more expensive Futaba Rx's for 20+ RC vehicles. If I were racing however, I would likely have a high end Futaba for the RC's I raced.

 

[Doom!]

I'm just wondering what games will come loaded on it.

 

[WoodiE]

I'm just wondering what games will come loaded on it.

Angry birds.

 

[DavidB1126]

Candy crush!

 

[WickedFog]

I'm just wondering what games will come loaded on it.

Hey now, that's a helluva idea. A racing game that utililizes the steering and throttle on the radio

 

[DavidB1126]

Pretty cool. But radios have a feature already where you can connect your radio to your PC and acts like a gaming controller. I know the nb4 and rc8x can do it but idk about other radios

This is my buddiesvideo. Using a nb4 with vrc pro

 

[WickedFog]

Pretty cool. But radios have a feature already where you can connect your radio to your PC and acts like a gaming controller. I know the nb4 and rc8x can do it but idk about other radios

But none of those can you do all that on the radio.

Imagine this...
You open up a game on the controller which is integrated with Google Earth. Find a local track, and the game allows you to practice driving various RC cars around the track on screen

 

[Doom!]

Imagine you connect your radio to an rc car and it's like playing a game in 3d.

I think it's a pretty big expense for the convenience of upgrading your firmware, other than that I don't see the need for being "connected".