Avoiding Google

[DynahoeDave]

So I decided to download Firefox for my SGP 4.2.

But I get sent to Google play - whatever that is. It happens on the SGP, and on my PC. Is there no way to get things for Android without going through Google? I'm sorry, but Google creeps me out.

 

[brosko]

If google creeps you out, you probally should not have bought an android device. I think you can get programs directly but not sure how. Google is pretty much in on everything on an android device I think.

 

[nuismer]

You can put Amazon's Appstore on your SGP. I have it on my 5.0 and I have downloaded many apps from it. You can get it by going to Amazon in a web browzer and following the directions.

 

[dumbth]

I think you have to flip a setting that allows foreign apps to run.

Amazon is a poor place to experiment with apps because you cant seem to say you are no longer interested... it will dog you for life trying to get you to reinstall deleted apps. Also a slip of the finger can cost you money, and it clogs your email with purchase orders for zero cents. There are other app sources, but not better than play or amaz

 

[brosko]

I think you have to flip a setting that allows foreign apps to run.

Amazon is a poor place to experiment with apps because you cant seem to say you are no longer interested... it will dog you for life trying to get you to reinstall deleted apps. Also a slip of the finger can cost you money, and it clogs your email with purchase orders for zero cents. There are other app sources, but not better than play or amaz

You are absolutly right about that. Last night after reading this thread I went and got amazon apps. They require a credit card to get any app free or not tgen send invoices even for free apps to your email. It is horribly slow also. Wasnt a good experience. Now I am just waiting to get hounded for the free app I uninstalled lol

 

[DynahoeDave]

I had no idea that Android was owned by Google. Nothing I looked at while searching for media players mentioned it. I'll just figure out how to minimize my real info so they can spy all they want.

I'm not sure what other options there are. I'm not interested in Apple stuff. The SGP has been good so far.

 

[brosko]

Sometimes gps turns on by itself and you cant shut it off. Some think it is google spying. They are grwat little devices however! Just beware, they are Always watching.

 

[Sideman]

As far as GPS turning on by itself, I've had my SGP5 for the best part of a year with lots of apps, and the GPS has never turned on by itself.

Most of us have loads of apps installed. Maybe one of them is doing this in the background. I don't think Google is spying on us SGP users like this. They could do this in many other, more stealthy, ways.

 

[glassmancheck]

"Sometimes gps turns on by itself and you cant shut it off. Some think it is google spying. They are grwat little devices however! Just beware, they are Always watching."

Brosko. I learned in a forum somewhere that the GPS comes on because of the "Google Maps" app. Next time it happens, try this: a) Turn on GPS b) Open Google Maps c) Close Google Maps d) Turn off GPS. Works every time on my SGP5.

 

[brosko]

As far as GPS turning on by itself, I've had my SGP5 for the best part of a year with lots of apps, and the GPS has never turned on by itself.

Most of us have loads of apps installed. Maybe one of them is doing this in the background. I don't think Google is spying on us SGP users like this. They could do this in many other, more stealthy, ways.

It was kind of sarcastic... The quote about spying that is.
As for gps turning on by itself, it has been discussed here and on abi many times. Do a search on "blinking target notification" (or something to that effect)
The device shows in the notification bar and the settings that gps is off but the gps icon is on and blinking strangly enough. I figured out that this occurence is tied to the google maps app, whether the app is running or not.

 

[brosko]

"Sometimes gps turns on by itself and you cant shut it off. Some think it is google spying. They are grwat little devices however! Just beware, they are Always watching."

Brosko. I learned in a forum somewhere that the GPS comes on because of the "Google Maps" app. Next time it happens, try this: a) Turn on GPS b) Open Google Maps c) Close Google Maps d) Turn off GPS. Works every time on my SGP5.

I am the one that figured that out! Too funny! Go back to that forum and you will see "brosko" is the one who posted how to shut it off. As for spying I was kidding!!

 

[Sideman]

Hey, Brosko, doesn't this prove that what goes around, comes around? Got a good chuckle out of that.

 

[brosko]

Hey, Brosko, doesn't this prove that what goes around, comes around? Got a good chuckle out of that.

ya me too!