Can anyone give me a clear definition of GMS?

[xTlex]

GMS is strictly a Google service. It's the backbone of all of their services as mentioned above and in the link I provided.

It is NOT required to run regular ol' stock Android. But, it's an extension of the additional services that Google provides.

Google makes the free Android OS available via AOSP (Android Open Source Project). It's the OS anyone can use and is the basis for many custom ROMs that are available like the Lineage OS line. Every android OEM uses it for their flavors and forks of the OS for their devices like Samsung, LG, Sony, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Huawei, and Amazon for the Fire Tablets and Fire TV devices.

Some of those OEMs sign agreements to also use Google Play Services (which includes the Google Mobile Services back-end). In order to use Google Play, you can't "fork" the OS. An OEM can customize the UI up to a point, but you can't change the underlying services. That's what Amazon does with their FireOS so they can provide their own Amazon services, and Google doesn't like that. So, Amazon isn't allowed to have any Google Services on their devices (they can be sideloaded after-the-fact, but that's another issue).

Being allowed to provide Google Play means an OEM must also provide all of, or at least access to, Google's apps - Play Store, Google Account app, Maps, Google+, Google App, Drive, all the Google goodies.

The problem is the tin-foil group that has issues with the data mining that Google does. Now, there ways to mitigate much of that, but there are also options for business users that can cut that out by paying for the services (paying for it means they don't need to make advertising money off of you, and privacy is tighter). But, it's a choice.

BTW, Facebook's data mining is a separate issue, and is why I disabled the app on my S9 and only use the browser to access it, along with the Blokada app to block the generated ads.

As to why Google in not on some Chinese made phones has to do with that privacy. Argue the politics any way you wish, but the Beijing Government does require access to information from any services that run within the country. Google won't give it to them, so Google is banned. However, a lot of the Chinese OEMs operate enough outside of China that they can have separate deals to include GMS on their phones. They just can't have it within the borders of China.

So, those phones get separate services added to work within those borders. And, of course, there are other "stores" that can be loaded to install the apps you want. They just have to comply with the Chinese Government data access requirements.

APIs are a different thing not strictly related to Google. APIs are a way for various apps to access information provided by any service. Can be Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Uber, Instagram, Snapchat, whatever. Mapping information may be in an app window that pulls from Google Maps. There's an API that allows for that. An email app may have the ability let you share something on Facebook - an API on Facebook is what allows that.

That's, admittedly, still oversimplified. But, that basically covers the... um, basics. There are, however, deeper intricacies - maybe even a lot of exceptions - to all of the above.

A good read, and really well put, I learnt soke stuff malyself.

As to the whole data gathering thingy. That's why I know my data is "as safe as it can be", because of the EU privacy laws (GDPR), which even Chinese manufacturers have to follow if they want access to the EU market.

 

[xTlex]

And this is is one of the Main Reasons that I have REFUSED to sign up for Facebook!

While I use Google and I know that they collect my information , which at times I am uncomfortable with, at least Google generally only uses the information for their own products and services, and mostly uses my information to sell me stuff.

With Facebook, however, they have such a bad record of keeping user's information private, there is no way I want my personal information on Facebook. As I always half jokingly say..."I don't need some person several states away knowing the places I have gone or the things I like or don't like."

I guess that my main hangup is that while it probably isn't good to have companies know so much about me, the information they collect about me will be used to suggest products and services. Conversely, individuals knowing information about me could be used against me either socially or physically, neither of which is something I want to deal with.

{sorry for my rambling rant...I am just tired of people thinking I am weird for not having a Facebook or Instagram or Twitter account}

KCT1975 Out

Dude (non gender specific !!! Don't ever feel bad about this kind of "rambling", I would call it venting or maybe even to some degree, activism, if you try to let other people "see the light". Nowadays people think privacy is "I ain't doing anything, so I don't mind", so they give theirs away for free and say thank you. While in reality, it's the most valuable asset modern companies could ever acquire. Anyway, I know there is a degree of privacy we lose anyway, just by mearly having a laptop or smartphone, but it doesn't mean it has to be harvested for organs, maybe milked like a cow is enough.

 

[joeldf]

can i ask would the blokada app not work with the facebook app? Do you mind me asking what browser you are using?

It should work in the app. It blocks ads in the USA Today app, the Reuters app, and a local station app I use. But it doesn't block some weather app ads, or any of Samsung's app ads.

Could just be where they come from. You chose different host lists to block. But all that takes up memory and the more you load up, eventually it just won't load any more. So you have to find the balance.

There are other reasons I simply won't use the Facebook app. I don't ever message anyone through it, so I don't use FB Messenger either. All I use is the website through Firefox. I never see ads on the site.

 

[wakawaka89]

Yeah, Facebook has been caught and questions many a time about their practice and Zuckerberg's answer is always something along the line "We made a mistake, we will fix it" to seem responsible. But then the dude is back in the same exact seat, saying the same word a few year ls later, and nothing ever change, they're actually gathering more data if anything.

Haha how is this blatant data mining allowed ??????

 

[wakawaka89]

A good read, and really well put, I learnt soke stuff malyself.

As to the whole data gathering thingy. That's why I know my data is "as safe as it can be", because of the EU privacy laws (GDPR), which even Chinese manufacturers have to follow if they want access to the EU market.

I still don't get why peoe are up in arms then about Huawei not havin Google ??????

 

[wakawaka89]

It should work in the app. It blocks ads in the USA Today app, the Reuters app, and a local station app I use. But it doesn't block some weather app ads, or any of Samsung's app ads.

Could just be where they come from. You chose different host lists to block. But all that takes up memory and the more you load up, eventually it just won't load any more. So you have to find the balance.

There are other reasons I simply won't use the Facebook app. I don't ever message anyone through it, so I don't use FB Messenger either. All I use is the website through Firefox. I never see ads on the site.

Ahh I wondered if you used duckduckgo as apparantly that's good for privacy?

 

[The General52]

Ahh I wondered if you used duckduckgo as apparantly that's good for privacy?

ive used duck duck go, it doesnt seem to track any of your browsing, not sure the search results are better though

 

[xTlex]

It should work in the app. It blocks ads in the USA Today app, the Reuters app, and a local station app I use. But it doesn't block some weather app ads, or any of Samsung's app ads.

Could just be where they come from. You chose different host lists to block. But all that takes up memory and the more you load up, eventually it just won't load any more. So you have to find the balance.

There are other reasons I simply won't use the Facebook app. I don't ever message anyone through it, so I don't use FB Messenger either. All I use is the website through Firefox. I never see ads on the site.

A great should about Blakada, I'm totally trying it out. I hate that you need 2 apps for one thing, Facebook is really annoying. They both take so much space!

 

[xTlex]

I delete Google activity regularly..
And delete history every few days .
Have to sign back in to everything.

I'm not sure whether just because YOU can't see it anymore, THEY don't either. Pretty sure once they record the info, that's it, doesn't matter whether you have access to it as well. Like your Timeline in Google Maps, you can delete it or choose not to have access to it, but they do for sure.

 

[xTlex]

For real.

I thought the same exact as you at first.

 

[xTlex]

Haha how is this blatant data mining allowed ������

Haha, good question, unfortunately all big companies do it, if they ask for cookies permission then it's almost a certainty they are gathering some kind of data. And the fact that they ask had to be fought for. It might be something innocent, but most of the time it isn't, especially in the case of big Ad companies like Google and Facebook. So yeah , protect yourself as best as you can. People nowadays don't care anymore, it has become the norme to not care about privacy, because people are afraid of being branded as "weird" for not wanting to give out all their info and show where they are all the time. Not even going to get into Patriot Act and other equivalents around the world, just sad that that's how it is.

 

[xTlex]

ive used duck duck go, it doesnt seem to track any of your browsing, not sure the search results are better though

Yup, it's their whole "selling point", it's pretty decent and keeps getting better.

 

[garlow]

I still don't get why peoe are up in arms then about Huawei not havin Google ������

Cause people get used to a way of things and don't like change I guess

 

[OnkenEater313]

This has been a pretty good read, i knew it was to do with Google offering developers components of apps to help build them

 

[The General52]

Cause people get used to a way of things and don't like change I guess

I think itll take time for the masses to get on board but see it happening quicker than ppl expect

 

[wakawaka89]

ive used duck duck go, it doesnt seem to track any of your browsing, not sure the search results are better though

Ah right, ive only just heard about duckduck go and its all positive!!

 

[wakawaka89]

A great should about Blakada, I'm totally trying it out. I hate that you need 2 apps for one thing, Facebook is really annoying. They both take so much space!

Im definately going to look into this!!

 

[wakawaka89]

I'm not sure whether just because YOU can't see it anymore, THEY don't either. Pretty sure once they record the info, that's it, doesn't matter whether you have access to it as well. Like your Timeline in Google Maps, you can delete it or choose not to have access to it, but they do for sure.

Yeah, I used to think that if you deleted it then thats it it was gone, but that was me being naive.

 

[wakawaka89]

I thought the same exact as you at first.

same

 

[wakawaka89]

Haha, good question, unfortunately all big companies do it, if they ask for cookies permission then it's almost a certainty they are gathering some kind of data. And the fact that they ask had to be fought for. It might be something innocent, but most of the time it isn't, especially in the case of big Ad companies like Google and Facebook. So yeah , protect yourself as best as you can. People nowadays don't care anymore, it has become the norme to not care about privacy, because people are afraid of being branded as "weird" for not wanting to give out all their info and show where they are all the time. Not even going to get into Patriot Act and other equivalents around the world, just sad that that's how it is.

i used to worry about it, especially when it was bought to my attention a few years ago but now i just press ok