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Same here. I used to have Google Mail, Google Contacts, YouTube, Google Search, Google News, etc. I was feeling more and more dependent on one company's goodwi

by conradk 12y ago

Same here. I used to have Google Mail, Google Contacts, YouTube, Google Search, Google News, etc. I was feeling more and more dependent on one company's goodwill. A few months ago, I renewed my Fastmail [1] account for 3 more years, being very happy with the service. I use DuckDuckGo [2] as my main search engine and love it. I use Opera as my main browser. The only Google services I use regularly now are Android and YouTube. YouTube being totally optional and Android only being an interface to data located elsewhere, I feel free. Sure, Google has access to my data, but they can't lock me in. [1] https://www.fastmail.com https://www.fastmail.com [2] https://duckduckgo.com https://duckduckgo.com

k-mcgrady 12y ago
How is Android without using Google services? Is there a significant impact on the experience?
- toni 12y ago
  A while back I flashed my Nexus 5 with a CyanogenMod 11 build. I didn't install the GApps package afterward. One thing you will notice immediately is that the battery life lasts much much longer. With casual surfing, watching video clips, playing casual games and Wifi always on, the battery lasts for almost 24 hours. It looks as if this is what the original Nexus 5 should be. All those background Google services and "frameworks" constantly calling back home will drain the battery to the death pretty fast. That's also valid for some other apps. Not having Facebook app installed will increase the battery life too. Sure you have no Google Play store installed but you can always use one of those (safe) apk downloaders like Raccoon[1] or such to login to Play store and download your previous apps. As for other Google services (Maps, YouTube, Translate, GMail, etc.), I can always visit their sites in incognito mode. You will actually realize you really don't need all those individual apps to use these services. They all work good enough in a browser window. [1]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2772436 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2772436
  - ultramancool 12y ago
    And you can still use 3rd party markets like F-Droid and Aptoide.
    - toni 12y ago
      Excellent point, completely forgot the invaluable F-Droid.
  - rmxt 12y ago
    Also, another option is BlankStore [1]. it appears as if development has stopped and Raccoon may be a better option at this point, but it still works for me on 4.4.4 and gives me pretty consistent access straight from my phone, save for paid apps. [1] http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
- pmontra 12y ago
  The only Google services I use on my Android phone are Maps and the Play store. Occasionally Drive and Docs because of a customer that uses them. I search in the browser. No sync. It works perfectly fine. But that's how I use Google on my desktop too. If you are used to more integration you won't survive that :-)
- conradk 12y ago
  The experience for me is the same because all products I use regularly have good mobile apps and/or mobile webapps.

by conradk 12y ago

k-mcgrady 12y ago

How is Android without using Google services? Is there a significant impact on the experience?

toni 12y ago
A while back I flashed my Nexus 5 with a CyanogenMod 11 build. I didn't install the GApps package afterward. One thing you will notice immediately is that the battery life lasts much much longer. With casual surfing, watching video clips, playing casual games and Wifi always on, the battery lasts for almost 24 hours. It looks as if this is what the original Nexus 5 should be. All those background Google services and "frameworks" constantly calling back home will drain the battery to the death pretty fast. That's also valid for some other apps. Not having Facebook app installed will increase the battery life too. Sure you have no Google Play store installed but you can always use one of those (safe) apk downloaders like Raccoon[1] or such to login to Play store and download your previous apps. As for other Google services (Maps, YouTube, Translate, GMail, etc.), I can always visit their sites in incognito mode. You will actually realize you really don't need all those individual apps to use these services. They all work good enough in a browser window. [1]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2772436 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2772436
- ultramancool 12y ago
  And you can still use 3rd party markets like F-Droid and Aptoide.
  - toni 12y ago
    Excellent point, completely forgot the invaluable F-Droid.
- rmxt 12y ago
  Also, another option is BlankStore [1]. it appears as if development has stopped and Raccoon may be a better option at this point, but it still works for me on 4.4.4 and gives me pretty consistent access straight from my phone, save for paid apps. [1] http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375 http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1715375
pmontra 12y ago
The only Google services I use on my Android phone are Maps and the Play store. Occasionally Drive and Docs because of a customer that uses them. I search in the browser. No sync. It works perfectly fine. But that's how I use Google on my desktop too. If you are used to more integration you won't survive that :-)
conradk 12y ago
The experience for me is the same because all products I use regularly have good mobile apps and/or mobile webapps.