I have to use an android phone. I know little about android, except that I want to keep as far away from google as possible. I only need a few apps, like Skype and a non-chrome browser. I was going to download them from Amazon, but now I learn that you have to log in to Amazon just to use their apps. Are there alternatives for common apps like the ones I need. Tnaks.
Avoiding Google
- Thread starter barlev
- Start date
- Apr 23, 2011
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You should be able to download Skype and a non chrome browser like Firefox from getjar
http://www.getjar.com/
http://www.getjar.com/
- Apr 23, 2011
- 30,106
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You can also use the debloater tool from XDA-Developers to disable Google Apps, Google Play services, etc.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/debloater-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294
http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/software/debloater-remove-carrier-bloat-t2998294
Just as an FYI, Microsoft owns Skype. Avoiding Google services in favor of Microsoft is a step in the wrong direction from a privacy and security standpoint.
The best way to avoid Google on an Android device is to flash a custom ROM that doesn't include Google Play Services. Which device are you using?
Mooncatt
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- Feb 23, 2011
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For the average, and even moderate user, avoiding Google on an Android phone is practically impossible. It would be like trying to use a Windows computer without being tied into Microsoft.
Dpham00 gave some good suggestions, but you'll still need a Google account just to use the phone. There are ways to get around this, but that gets into some tricky stuff that a new user probably shouldn't mess with (it can brick the phone if not done right).
Dpham00 gave some good suggestions, but you'll still need a Google account just to use the phone. There are ways to get around this, but that gets into some tricky stuff that a new user probably shouldn't mess with (it can brick the phone if not done right).
metllicamilitia
Trusted Member
- Dec 3, 2011
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Agreed, I mean it's Google's OS. The only way to truly avoid Google on Android is to not use Android.
The only way to truly avoid Google on Android is to not use
Mooncatt
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pbike908
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- Mar 16, 2015
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Even if one can avoid Google, the fact that you are on this website pretty much means someone is tracking you, or has the ability to track you. I imagine you have a job (or had one recently), you have a mobile phone, you have a bank, you pay taxes, you have health insurance, you go to the doctor, you have electricity at your house, you have a credit card, etc. meaning you are in several databases that can be and more likely already have been compromised. Furthermore, if your friends and family have your email address and contact information in their computer/mobile phone several of them have already granted access to their contract list through apps.
Heck you have a GPS in your phone. If you leave it on or simply have the battery in your phone, you can be tracked.
In 21st century America it is virtually impossible to avoid having your info in a database or tracked.
Even homeless folks are tracked at some level, as their info is in a govt database somewhere.
Might as well just give in, use Google, and enjoy the benefits of modern tech. And yes, that does mean sharing your habits with tech companies. And as someone pointed out Microsoft tracks folks too...
Heck you have a GPS in your phone. If you leave it on or simply have the battery in your phone, you can be tracked.
In 21st century America it is virtually impossible to avoid having your info in a database or tracked.
Even homeless folks are tracked at some level, as their info is in a govt database somewhere.
Might as well just give in, use Google, and enjoy the benefits of modern tech. And yes, that does mean sharing your habits with tech companies. And as someone pointed out Microsoft tracks folks too...
Even worse than that; Microsoft will provide data to third parties, which Google does not. That's one of the reasons that I said that avoiding Google services in favor of Microsoft is a step in the wrong direction from a privacy and security standpoint
pbike908
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- Mar 16, 2015
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Keeping track of who can do, or do does what, with your personal data is a fruitless exercise. Once your data is unleashed into the wild, which essentially every American's is, it's too late. It can get intercepted, bought, sold, hacked, etc.
The best one can hope for is to use secure passwords, and use different ones for each site. But about the only way to do that is to use a password manager -- like Roboform, Last Pass, or store their passwords in Google's, Apple's, or Microsoft's servers -- which is then of course also subject to being hacked. Disclaimer, I use Roboform.
It's the price we pay for enjoying a modern 21st century lifestyle. And if anyone teleported back even 10 years ago almost everyone would want to return to 2016 very quickly. Especially when one wants 2016 healthcare -- which everyone does!
I see this "logic" a lot and it is ludicrously stupid. It's like saying you can always be in a car crash so there's no point to wearing a seatbelt or driving within the speed limit. You may not stop tracking altogether but you can limit it as much as possible.
What ever benefits you get from google don't even be gin to justify their spying. The only way they can get away with it is that there are so many foolish people with your attitude. It every just said we're not buying you products until to stop it, they'd stop.
I'll be you are under 35. Those of us who have been around for a while know how badly the world has gone down hill. Computers and the internet have increased the complexity of everything to an absurd level because businesses can braking everything into small pieces and charge for each one. It allows businesses to make you unpaid employees to do their work for them so that they don't have to hire real employees and customer assistance. It has allowed them to invade and spy on every aspect of you life. It has led to a globalization that has robbed us of our homes and our culture. The only people who benefit from this is big business and government since they have gained more power to control our lives. Try reading "1984". That's the future.
No, I wouldn't go back 10 years. I go back at least 30. All this convenience that you are willing to sell your soul for didn't exit then. And guess what? We got along perfectly well without it. But you'd have to have been an adult to then to understand this. Children can't.
As far a health care Is concerned. Yeah, the treatment is better but the accessibility and cost is far worse.
T48
Well-known member
- Dec 2, 2011
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Google does not sell your data. They do however try to match the ads that they are selling to your interests or things related to you. As mentioned Microsoft nor Apple would qualify as noble, given perspective. Do not even think there is a flip phone that would qualify what you are looking for as it would be tied to a carrier doing the same. As well as possibly your cable company. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2016/08/03/comcast-wants-to-sell-your-web-history/
So aside from pay phones on every street corner, it is what it is.
pbike908
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- Mar 16, 2015
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I am 50 years old...I have variations of this discussion with my senior citizen parents about the complexity of life in the information age, and I feel that you and my parents both have valid points about this. But the fact is, there has NEVER been a better time to be senior citizen in America than 2016.
Health care is definitely more expensive these days. And one of the reasons is because THEIR IS BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE. Many small towns and most medium sized now have a modern hospital in them. My grand parents used to have to drive 60 miles to The Big City for major health problems -- not any more. And "evil technology" has made for BETTER healthcare. Think back to what a hospital room looked like 30 years ago compared to today. Not to mention MRIs and cat scans. Many of the new drugs have come about because of advances in technology. And more.
As I cynically tell some when they complain about modern technology, next time you go to the hospital (or Doctors) tell them, "I hate modern technology. Please only provide me treatments and services that were available the year I was born."
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