Why not keep android open like the whole idea?

Google is a good amount more controlling than some people like, but they are a good amount better than apple. Google will let you root your phone and then supply you apps that once you are rooted improve your experience. I use a rooted rom where I disable most of the built in google apps so they don't clutter my device. They probably are not trying to make it all about them, but are instead just trying to make it easier for them to supply personalized information like google now to make your experience better. Whether that is a good or bad thing though is up to your personal choice.
If you would like to continue a discussion on this please register on the forum where you can find a large number of people who will gladly discuss for one side or another.

I keep location services turned off and use Maps all of the time.

Make sure you have Maps loaded via wifi once in a while.

You only need a Gmail account to access the Play Store - they need to keep track of app purchases somehow, so that's got to be by device or by user.

I agree with the Google+ nonsense for leaving comments, so I stopped.

You can avoid both Gmail and Google+ by simply using an alternative market to the Play Store.

Slide Me is a good one, and it's legal -

SlideME | Android Apps Market: Download Free & Paid Android Applications

Lower right side of the page will get you to the app download.

Depending on your version of Android, go in to your main settings, then either security or apps, and check to allow apps from unknown sources.

Go to Amazon.com for a similar legal app market alternative.

You'll never need to deal the Play Store at that point.

All because that open feature you want - it's built in, always has been.

Hope this helps.

Is not a gmail account available to everyone with phone for free?

How much trouble is it to take 5 minutes to set up a gmail account ONCE that you will be able to use for the life of your phone (and your next Android phone).

I'm not understanding that complaint. I may be missing a piece of the picture though (wouldn't be the first time)

Don't really get your questions. Personally I like Gmail on a PC, it's the only email app I use, but on my tablet I use K9 (which pulls Gmail), and a Gmail account has always been necessary with android if you want to use any of the "good" features (like the Play store). I never turned on Google+, I use Facebook and Linkedin (I don't even know if they are similar, but I assume so). I have Firefox (Mozilla) on my tablet, but mostly use Naked browser since it's faster and much smaller. I do use the Play store, 95% of what I use is free, never bothered by their advertising; also use Amazon free apps. I have Google history turned off, but do have location on, it's nice to have what's near you come up on a search. Google is SO much better at letting you take control than Apple (and SO much cheaper).

I don't think "needing" a Gmail account for anything is accurate... I use a Google account that isn't Gmail to access the Play Store and all of the other Google services and have never had a problem. I dont even have a Gmail account.. Lol.

Tbh its not Android thats giving you the problems. Its Google services. An android device works fine without the front facing google apps. If u wana use googles range of "free" services, you "pay" for that by entering into googles world where they use your anonymous data to make lots of money

Google isn't a charity. Google isn't an open-source project. Google is in the Android phone business to make money. But you don't have to play their game.

You can sign up for and use a Gmail account that has virtually no information (or false information) about you and which you never use for anything except possibly the Play Store (if that). You can use a Hotmail or Yahoo Mail account or your own personal email server for email if you don't want Google to build a database about you and target you with ads based on your email.

I store my contacts on Hotmail (and sync that to my Android phone, out of Google's reach) because Microsoft has promised not to use contact information to target ads, whereas Google has already admitted to doing so. But if any of that creeps you out, you can also store your contacts as "phone-only" contacts so that Google has no access to them. Of course if your friends all share their contact databases with Google, then Google probably knows most of your contact information and friend/family interconnections anyway.

I stopped leaving Play-Store feedback about apps when Google starting requiring a Google+ account to do so. (Foolish move by Google since it hurts the Android platform because from what I've seen, most people stopped leaving feedback rather than getting a stupid Google+ account.) But you can still leave feedback on other sites, like AppBrain.

Of course Google maps needs to monitor your GPS/location if it's going to provide you with your current location and direction, but if you've created an account with fake information, etc., then what do they really know about YOU and how can that be used to harm you? If you don't like any of that, then use a third-party map & navigation app like the free, NavFree.

It cracks me up that people are worried about the NSA having phone records when Google, Facebook, et al, know more about you than the government or your own mother. And Google has far more competence and motivation than the government to get in your shorts.

Android is an open source project.

I think people who dont use G+ should really give it a chance. Theres a Community for any interest.. lots of android people.
As for targeted ads.. i MUCH prefer to get an ad based on my interest than a "hot babes in your area" ad lol. (I KNOW all the hot babes in my area)

I honestly dont see peoples problem with allowing themself to be drawn into the complete google ecosystem. I dont wana appear racist but from my observations its usually north americans who feel that way and theres probably a lot of reasons for that but it seems very paranoid and reactionary to this outsider :thumbup:

I don't see any problem except for the extra hassle of creating an account. You don't really have to use these accounts.

Sent using the force

funkylogik said:

(I KNOW all the hot babes in my area)

Click to expand...

That made me lol hardcore..

EarlyMon said:

Android is an open source project.

Click to expand...

Yes. Lots of businesses (like those of Red Hat, IBM, HP, Linksys, et al) are built on top of open-source projects. If the OP wants to grab a copy of the open-source Android OS and spend tens of millions of dollars porting it to some hardware (like a phone, a DVD player, a set-top-box, etc.) and developing apps & services like Maps, Navigation, Voice, Play Store, he's free to do so. I personally hope that he does so and that he offers all of that stuff to us completely for free without collecting any information about us.

If you don't like it, you can switch. Instead of using play store, download amazon app store, but they're going to need a card number, even for free apps. Along with your street address. instead of using google maps, use mapquest. Every phone company listens in on its users but if you are that interesting to listen to, you'd better start an Alex Jones radio station and make some money off it at least!

Android is linux, furthermore, Firefox os is based off of android.

A lot of the things see as wrong as far as features are just that, features. Of course if you want to get real time maps from google they're going to want your location, so you don't have to read a map like one of those maps you find in a wayside rest, searching, getting confused, turning it all around so you can figure it out.

This subject matter has been getting on my nerves lately, its like mass hysteria. Maybe the gov't is listening in onto you but who cares?! If they are who cares if you tell your grandmother your coming over to her house at 3 pm? If theure tracking me, so be it I don't have anything to hide.

Every gov't has its freakiness to it. So relax and just accept that you are being recorded. Unless your a terroristic threat to them, or a drug lord, chances are, they won't bother with you anyways..

The OP never brought up the government.

A really good place to say that you don't care if the government listens to you because you have nothing to hide is in the thread dedicated to it in our Politics and Current Affairs subforum in the Lounge.

Any more political remarks and a thread lock will be required.

EarlyMon said:

The OP never brought up the government.

A really good place to say that you don't care if the government listens to you because you have nothing to hide is in the thread dedicated to it in our Politics and Current Affairs subforum in the Lounge.

Any more political remarks and a thread lock will be required.

Click to expand...

True, I got off topic I was listening to Alex Jones (with whome I disagree) also with OP mentioning the tracking of maps, it was an assumption I took, which I should not have done.

Purely for the openness of android, I have to agree with funkylogic, if you don't like it have fun making people lots of money with that info

Lol Alex Jones is hillarious. I thought it was satirical comedy at first. Check out Conspiracyscope on youtube Emon