Android Without Google?

[rupertbear]

I have ordered my first Android phone (Desire Z) and I'm learning what I can in advance of its arrival.

I don't currently have a Google account, the only service of theirs I use is the search engine and I don't particularly want to sign up.

However, I'm concerned that if I don't create a Google account then there may be negative effects on my experience with the phone.

I understand that I wouldn't be able to purchase apps from the Google store. I gather that alternative stores are available?

Will I be able to use the phone's location and navigation utilities?

What else might this decision affect?

Thanks

 

[chanchan05]

I've only ever bought one Android phone, and in my experience right when you open it up, it asks for a Google Account for phone activation, so AFAIK you cant even start using the phone without a Google Account, let alone install apps from other markets.

Also, there are more apps on the market than anywhere else, and there may be quite a number of good apps for the phone that are only on the market. Also you wont get updates for Google services like navigation and maps if you dont have market. Basically, you can just make a Google/Gmail Account, the information doesnt even have to be real , just so you can use the phone and have full experience. Making a Google Account (which is also your Youtube Account), doesnt mean you actually have to use that account apart from activating your phone.

EDIT: Apparently you can (I dont know how) configure the phone without a Google Account, but you'll have a very limited experience and it is recommended to make one. Again, it doesnt matter if you have an account that you actually have to divulge information onto it, or use it for other purposes that downloading apps onto your phone.

 

[Joe Dirt]

You would be hindering the use of your phone severely. Gmail accounts are free, I know a few people that have gotten a Gmail account just for the android phone. You don't have to use it for anything other than the phone services, (contact sync, market place) you do not need a Google check out for the free apps.

 

[takeshi]

You really need a Google account to make the most of the phone. However, you don't have to use gmail or sync contact or calendar data with the account. I don't. I really only use my Exchange account. Of course, I do use my Google account for Market purchases, backups to Google, etc.

You don't have to use it for anything other than the phone services, (contact sync, market place)

You don't even have to use contact sync. I wouldn't except that I need my contacts from my Exchange account synced with my Google account for Google Voice (it's not quite as handy without any Google contacts IMO).

Will I be able to use the phone's location and navigation utilities?

You don't need a Google account to use the GPS receiver. However, you may want one to get nav apps and Google Maps/Nav updates from the Market.

 

[Stuntman]

However, I'm concerned that if I don't create a Google account then there may be negative effects on my experience with the phone.

I understand that I wouldn't be able to purchase apps from the Google store. I gather that alternative stores are available?

Will I be able to use the phone's location and navigation utilities?

What else might this decision affect?

Thanks

Is there a reason you don't want to create a Gmail account? Is your reason to not create a Gmail account worth not having access to the Android Market?

As far as I know, there does not seem to be any severe negative effects of creating a Gmail account. Just use it for your phone and do nothing else with hit. I personally cannot think of a really good reason to avoid creating a Gmail account when using an Android phone.

 

[carson1]

Not sure why you don't want a google account. I've had one for years but never really used it until I got my android. Now I use it a lot, especially the calander,tasks, and docs. It's a great place to keep everything synced to and I don't see any adverse effects.

 

[Chi-TownTx]

The OP is an Apple Junkie quick jump him!!!!!

 

[dpeagle]

i think rupertbear is actually steve jobs. its alright steve, liking android doesn't make you a bad person.

 

[rupertbear]

The OP is an Apple Junkie quick jump him!!!!!

That's seriously offensive. In an ideal world I'd like to be able to benefit from available technology without some global corporation getting its tentacles inserted into every part of my private life, be it Google, Amazon, Apple or whoever comes along next.

I had already accepted that I cannot avoid this and still have the kind of phone that I want and had chosen Android as possibly the least worse in this respect.

My original post was just to test the water, to see if there were maybe some diehards who were using Android but refusing Google and, if so, to find out how they were getting on.

 

[Chi-TownTx]

Sorry you found it offensive as it was meant to only be taken in the sense of humor. Especially since the above posters already pretty much covered it. That being said...

I hear you on the corporate thing and it does indeed suck. However what you have to realize is it doesn't really matter when it comes to your phone. The main reason is because by you being on a computer and typing this they already have you. Whether you end up with apple, android, win etc the info your worried about protecting is already out there.

Google (and any other search engine) has auto trackers they use from the moment you hop onto their website. And if you think your anti-mal protects you from this think again. They also have LSO's planted into your comp and no anti virus/malware can detect it. There are ways to prevent and remove them but a majority of the computer using public doesn't even know what these things are.

You can setup your web browser to block such things with the use of various add-ons etc. Maybe you have done such things and if so i stand corrected. However if you haven't all i am saying is that while i see where you are coming from it's already too late. Sadly that's just the way the world works now these days.