I was aware of the µG project (it requires root to install though), but I'm not sure I see the point/relevance of cloning the userspace library outside of using

I was aware of the µG project (it requires root to install though), but I'm not sure I see the point/relevance of cloning the userspace library outside of using it with µG. If you don't have µG, your cloned userspace library is still sending everything through Google's servers right? Note: I should possibly have been clearer above by saying "is the only battery-efficient way to provide push to Android phones without root"