Considering Note 8, Coming From Google Ecosystem, Have a Few Q's

[Android Central Question]

Hi Everyone,

I currently have the Huawei Nexus 6P and have been using the Google ecosystem (mainly Google Assistant, Google Drive and Google Keep) and have a few questions.

- I use Google Keep on my 6P and also my MacBook to take notes and they sync without problems. Can Samsung Note also work on my Mac and also offer the same synchronizing experience?

- Pretty much, I want to stay within the Google ecosystem as much as possible and the stock Android experience.... I don't want to switch to Samsung's ecosystem (or even their cloud) ... Is there a way to do so with Note 8?

- Bixby has its own screen when you swipe to the left. Is there a way to disable this and replace it with Google Assistant?

- Is there a way to completely disable Bixby if needed?

- Is there a way to get rid of the Touchwiz experience and replace it with stock Nougat theme?

Thank guys, it's a beautiful phone and winning me over the Pixel 2 XL.

 

[belodion]

Would you like me to move the thread to the Note 8 forum so that you can engage directly with other users there?

 

[Rukbat]

I can only answer a couple of these:

- Pretty much, I want to stay within the Google ecosystem as much as possible and the stock Android experience.... I don't want to switch to Samsung's ecosystem (or even their cloud) ... Is there a way to do so with Note 8?

There's no stock Android experience with Samsung, they have their own launcher (which is pretty bad). But you can use Google Drive - I've been using it (on a Samsung and on my PC) for a few years.

- Is there a way to get rid of the Touchwiz experience and replace it with stock Nougat theme?

TouchWiz is the launcher. If you can find the stock Google launcher in the Play Store, you can install it. (Then choose "Always" the first time you're asked.)

 

[tuckertje01]

I disagree strongly, Samsung Touchwizz launcher on newer devices is pretty good nowadays. No need for third party launchers...