Some very basic questions about Android

[Napoleon54]

I'm sure a lot of people here are familiar with Android, so hopefully someone will provide some insight. This is pretty basic because I know nothing about Android.

I'm thinking about getting a new phone and am browsing the user manuals for a few models. It seems that google and its various functions are inextricably integrated into the operation of the phone.

Is it even possible to own and use an Android phone without signing into a google account? If so, how often is the phone going to prompt you to login to a google account, and how much of the phone's functionality is unavailable if you're not signed into a google account?

Thanks!

[cruelpupet]

I think a gmail account is only required for the app store, and even then it might not be required

[LPMiller]

actually, it's google checkout that is required for the app store, though that is usually tied to gmail. If you want any apps, including free ones, you need to have it. However, you can easily set the phone to sync only when you want it to, and once you set it up, the app store should never ask you to input your info again unless you reset your phone.

[Thesifer]

I believe I signed in to my Google account one time and one time only on my Inspire. But I left it signed it, because it doesn't worry me/bother me.. whatever. I did set it up so I have to use my "Pin" if I buy anything on the App Store. But I did that mostly for my own benefit of not actually buying things, even though it prompts me again either way I believe, on accident.

From my understand with my wifes iPhone, it works just about the same way hers does. I usually allow most things to still contact me, but it can all be turned off as well (Gmail notifications and the like)...

What are your "concerns" with the google part? Having to login often, always being logged in (privacy concerns), or something else?

[Napoleon54]

I'd prefer to have as little to do with Google as possible. IMHO that company is just plain too big, too close to a monopoly, and I don't trust it. I don't want a phone to be tracking me, sending me ads, or anything of the sort. If it's just an OS that runs the phone, then fine I guess I don't have a problem with that. I just don't want it collecting any sort of data and sending it back to the mothership for analysis and exploitation. I guess that's my main concern FWIW.

[Thesifer]

I think in that case, you should probably avoid all "Smart Phones" .. Since that's what they all basically do. And they all have "Phone Tracking" turned on by default.

I'm not really paranoid that anyone cares about me, so I leave most things on for the most part, and leave myself signed in to Google. As they are no worse / better than Microsoft / Apple.

Or really any company these days. They're all out to make an extra buck. I just ignore it. I don't receive any "Buy this we thought you'd like" Text messages, or notifications or anything, and receive 0 spam in my Gmail, which works for me.

[nate el bueno]

If you lose your phone as often as I do, having a Google account will back up all that jazz

[Napoleon54]

I used to use gmail as my primary email account but I managed it via Mozilla Thunderbird so I never really see the web interface. Then one day I signed into the web interface. It had kept track of everyone I had emailed and was showing me who was online using their chat client. It was showing me ads for Home Depot because I had mentioned plywood in an email.

Y'know, I just want to send and receive email. I don't need or want an email account to suggest new friends, or try to be a chat program, or sell me a lawnmower and floor tile. That shit freaks me out. Just leave me alone and do your intended job, goddammit.

So now I don't use gmail as my primary anymore.

[Napoleon54]

If you lose your phone as often as I do, having a Google account will back up all that jazz

I have a pretty good track record with phones so not too worried about that. Never lost one, never broken one. I have one for 1-2yrs, it'll get old and slow, or start to lose signal or battery charge, so I replace it.

I guess my whole point is that I don't want google to have all that info in the first place, for any reason whatsoever, regardless of the supposed and potential benefit.

[nate el bueno]

I do find that Google is constantly trying to sync certain things, but there are settings to enable/disable syncs with Facebook, ect.

[attgig]

I used to use gmail as my primary email account but I managed it via Mozilla Thunderbird so I never really see the web interface. Then one day I signed into the web interface. It had kept track of everyone I had emailed and was showing me who was online using their chat client. It was showing me ads for Home Depot because I had mentioned plywood in an email.

Y'know, I just want to send and receive email. I don't need or want an email account to suggest new friends, or try to be a chat program, or sell me a lawnmower and floor tile. That shit freaks me out. Just leave me alone and do your intended job, goddammit.

So now I don't use gmail as my primary anymore.

but those ad's are how they make money....

[LPMiller]

I used to use gmail as my primary email account but I managed it via Mozilla Thunderbird so I never really see the web interface. Then one day I signed into the web interface. It had kept track of everyone I had emailed and was showing me who was online using their chat client. It was showing me ads for Home Depot because I had mentioned plywood in an email.

Y'know, I just want to send and receive email. I don't need or want an email account to suggest new friends, or try to be a chat program, or sell me a lawnmower and floor tile. That shit freaks me out. Just leave me alone and do your intended job, goddammit.

So now I don't use gmail as my primary anymore.

There is literally not a phone that doesn't track you, google or otherwise. Smart or otherwise, for that matter. Heck, just logging into gotapex tracks you. The only way not to be tracked and target by ads and all that fun stuff is to be off the grid.

[Napoleon54]

Let me distinguish for clarity. Yes, any phone, smart or not, can/ will track location via triangulation. I'm well aware of that.

What I'm talking about is tracking or recording content, usage, key words, location, etc, for marketing purposes. There are plenty of phones that do not track for those reasons. If an Android phone is going to do any of that then I don't want one. I don't want a phone that will try to sell me stuff or monitor me in any way beyond what I'd expect from my current Net10 non-smartphone.

And that brings us back to my original question. Is it possible to have/use an Android phone without being forced into all that, or are they inextricably linked?

[LPMiller]

Let me put it this way. If you use apps, no matter what the smart phone is, you are tracked. It's really a function of apps. Windows, Apple, Google, it's all the same. However, the tracking is pretty much the same as what's the PC surfing the net, and you only have limited control of that on the PC. That's pretty much true on the phone as well.

[Napoleon54]

See, I'm not at all interested in having apps for everything under the sun. I'm just looking for a web browser and POSSIBLY email. That's pretty much it. I can actually do that on my current phone (Net10 LG900), but it's cumbersome. So I'm looking at the more advanced/ powerful phones, and what I see is Android, Android, Android. Hence the questions.

[LPMiller]

Yeah, I understand. Email is an app too, whether it's Gmail or the straight email app, and there is limited tracking on it for android/apple/windows. I don't know of anything that will prevent that or block it. You do have some ability to block location tracking I think.