Forum Home
PC World Chat
Thread ID: 137950	2014-09-13 10:19:00	Google less android tips?	fred_fish (15241)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1383866	2014-09-13 10:19:00	Just got galaxy s5 to replace my old iPhone and was wondering if anyone had managed to remain Google account free on their Android? So far I've got contact/calendar/file sync set up with my owncloud, have firefox/abp/ghostery installed for browsing and was wondering if anyone else had been down this path and had any pointers for resisting assimilation.	fred_fish (15241)
1383867	2014-09-13 12:32:00	I started with Yahoo, and did ok with it on my Motorola Atrix2, but finally found that Gmail was way better - and more secure. Luckily I changed before they got hacked.	Krakka (17266)
1383868	2014-09-13 13:35:00	any pointers for resisting assimilation. Yeah, don't bother. Just because you have a Gmail account doesn't mean you have to use it and you are deliberately reducing the functionality of the phone for no reason. Access to the app store requires an account, anything else is purely optional (such as whether you use the E-mail or any of the cloud features).	dugimodo (138)
1383869	2014-09-13 21:26:00	Yeah, don't bother. Just because you have a Gmail account doesn't mean you have to use it and you are deliberately reducing the functionality of the phone for no reason. Access to the app store requires an account, anything else is purely optional (such as whether you use the E-mail or any of the cloud features). +1 in a nutshell.	CliveM (6007)
1383870	2014-09-14 01:08:00	Yeah, don't bother. Why not? To be clear, I've got all the "cloud" stuff covered already without google - my phone now does everything I want (well except for task sync - events work but not todo's in the native app ... ). I know I can set up an account just for this and then never use it etc. but that's not the point. So far the only thing I think I'm missing is access to the google app store (there are others - it's only AN app store not THE app store, and also downloaded apps can be installed without a 'store' at all - I'm told - haven't done that yet...). Presumably at some point there will be a "must have" app that I can't get any other way. Just wondering if anybody else had "bothered" and if so did they find a showstopper issue and what was it for them?	fred_fish (15241)
1383871	2014-09-14 01:58:00	Why not? Because having an account does you no harm and the app store while not the only way to get apps is the easiest, most convenient, largest single collection, and arguably the safest way to get them. but that's not the point What exactly is the point? you dislike google so much you refuse to use their account while happily using their OS ? There is nothing to be gained by not having an account as far as I can see. Anyway, I'm not trying to convince you to do it, just trying to point out that there is no reason not to. I'm sure you will manage just fine without one if that's your wish.	dugimodo (138)
1383872	2014-09-14 02:02:00	The Google Now/instant search seems to be useful. Displays weather info, ebay purchase reminders, places, ETA's for travel, bus times, etc.	kahawai chaser (3545)
1383873	2014-09-14 02:43:00	Because having an account does you no harm and the app store while not the only way to get apps is the easiest, most convenient, largest single collection, and arguably the safest way to get them. What exactly is the point? you dislike google so much you refuse to use their account while happily using their OS ? There is nothing to be gained by not having an account as far as I can see. Fair enough, but similarly, i wouldn't want to sign up for the Microsoft account to tie your win8 to as well (if I was to use that), and would you be happy to ONLY install apps from the Microsoft Store? Mobile devices are pretty much a necessary thing (for me now anyway) and I'm interested in carrying something that I'm in control of (as much as possible), with a minimum of my data and activities being monitored and collated. Anyway, I'm not trying to convince you to do it, just trying to point out that there is no reason not to. I'm sure you will manage just fine without one if that's your wish. If it becomes too hard then probably I will, but I'm currently quite happy without, so will see if that continues :D	fred_fish (15241)
1383874	2014-09-14 22:00:00	If Microsoft had absolutely everything there, then sure why bother going anywhere else. Unfortunately they don't have most things, I'm looking at what's running right now: Chrome Steam TightVNC Speccy / CCleaner Just to name a few. If you don't want your data / activities monitored / collated, use a throwaway account and decline to use the Google Location Service (GPS) while still using the rest of your phone to its fullest functionality. Seems easy enough. There are 3rd party app-stores out there, but they're just not worth bothering with usually. See here for a great read: arstechnica.com	Chilling_Silence (9)
1383875	2014-09-14 22:37:00	. . . . . . . . . . . any pointers for resisting assimilation . too late . Android is Google . You are now part of the machine . :p But seriously, look at all the permissions you give to 'apps' . Worry about that instead (or not) Ever wondered why a newspaper app needs to access your contacts . Or why some apps need access to the camera/mic , access to you files, or ability to send txt's etc etc	1101 (13337)
1 2