Questions on "De-Binging" Verizon phones

[formula4speed]

I'm a Verizon user, and happy with the network but I'm still using a Droid Eris which is getting a bit on the old side (okay, maybe a dinosaur in the technology world). So I've been researching a newer phone, I'd like an Android world phone which leaves me with 3 options, D2 Global, Droid Pro (not all that appealing to me) and the yet to be announced HTC Merge (basically the G2). I like HTC phones, I think Sense is a good skin, the Merge will easily handle my uses from a hardware standpoint. So naturally Verizon went and made it a Bing phone, without bashing Bing, Google integration is huge for me. I use search and maps more than I actually talk on the phone, so being stuck with Bing is a deal breaker.

This of course brings us to Root, I generally understand the concept but leave the programming to those smarter than myself. After those smarter people manage to Root the Merge, how difficult would it be to get the phone to the point where I get full Google integration back? I mean the whole deal, to the point where the soft search key brings up a Google search bar (I use that a lot). Is it just a matter of someone cooking up a ROM and I simply load it and go on with my life? If I'd have to use to convoluted work around where I have to download a new launcher, some google apk and what not just to use Google on my Android phone, I may just go with the D2 Global although it's not my preferred form factor. Sorry that's so long for a basic question, just wanted to be clear on what I'm looking for.

 

[NightAngel79]

I think the soft search key is the only thing you have to root to get rid of. (i think, lol)
A custom rom should take care of that. I got the Incredible so thankfully i don't have to worry about that. I would think there should be some way to set the search key to google. I know even though it's bing you can still download all the google apps. (voice, maps, search, etc)

 

[dan330]

my guess.. like all other apps...

you can get "google search" from the market.
install it...

here is the guessing part....
when you press the key button "search"..
since you now have 2 options for search...
android will ask you.. which do you prefer to use as default.


i think it is as simple as that.
this is what happens when i loaded vlingo...and handcent....

 

[NightAngel79]

my guess.. like all other apps...

you can get "google search" from the market.
install it...

here is the guessing part....
when you press the key button "search"..
since you now have 2 options for search...
android will ask you.. which do you prefer to use as default.


i think it is as simple as that.
this is what happens when i loaded vlingo...and handcent....

Unfortunately no. With out rooting i'm almost 100% sure you can't change the search key default from bing

 

[formula4speed]

NightAngel, that seems to confirm what I've been reading. In order to get the soft key to use Google I'd have to root, kind of on the fence about voiding a new phones warranty for something so basic. Might give the D2 global a second look.

 

[NightAngel79]

NightAngel, that seems to confirm what I've been reading. In order to get the soft key to use Google I'd have to root, kind of on the fence about voiding a new phones warranty for something so basic. Might give the D2 global a second look.

Yea, it sucks hard. Was surprised to see that the upcoming HTC merge was a bing phone as well. I personally won't be getting anything bing when i upgrade. Of course i've only had my Incredible 4 months so won't have to worry bout that for a while

 

[dan330]

Unfortunately no. With out rooting i'm almost 100% sure you can't change the search key default from bing

one of us is...right
the other is ...wrong

I hope you are wrong..
but sucks if you are right!

 

[Johnny Alien]

You can get the Google maps app so that solves that problem. The only other issue is Bing search and honestly it's not the worst search in the world.

 

[NightAngel79]

one of us is...right
the other is ...wrong

I hope you are wrong..
but sucks if you are right!

I know... i fear i am though

You can get the Google maps app so that solves that problem. The only other issue is Bing search and honestly it's not the worst search in the world.

That is not the point though. First it's the principle of the matter. Secondly it's about the ease of long pressing the search key and going straight to GOOGLE navigation, or google anything. I am assuming that won't be the case with the 'bing' phones. And yes you can/will of course download all the google software but it will not be the same with bing voice search set as default