Thanks Incred,
How Android functions is still a blind spot for me and so far (you, and Irish in another thread, aside) no one has been willing to start educating me. I am gunshy about this because I do not know enough about newer conenctions and how invasive the connection between my computer and Google server may be. As I posted, my info really is not sensitive, I just do not see WHY Android would intentionally omit the simple operation of connecting my phone to my computer (either by BT or USB) and allowing direct sync without loading via the Google server. This omission, forcing users to use the Google server, is my underlying concern.
Having a Blackberry for over 2 years, of course I have been using email and all BB functions (browsing sucks so look forward to better browsing & bigger screen). But, I still have never been squeezed into loading the details of my contacts and calendar onto ANY server. I do my syncs on BB Desktop manager and control exactly what I load/sync, back-up, load apps all without loading anything onto any server.
Obviously, "selling my soul" is an overly dramatized metaphor for the "requirement". I do not have any google account other than a password that somehow got created for "Google docs" from links to a Google check-out on some web purchase (from my home computer). I used Google check-out to pay one single merchants Google invoice and from then on I have to "sign-in" just to see any document transfered via Google. I am troubled that I paid an invoice and now that automatically forced me into using Google docs. This seems like activity tracking to me. I'm really a pretty much off-the-grid type and use my phone for calls, SMS, email and browsing. I do not bank on my phone and do not do internet purchases on my phone either. I realize the Cloud is the way of the future but I still lack some confidence in data security, especially when ABC evening news reports (as recent as last week) that phones are at risk for security and being warned by ABC news to not bank, etc on phones until security is more developed.
Of course, contacts and calendars are a far cry from banking - still, the intentional omission of non-cloud syncing is unsettling. I may give in to it as I want T-Bolt but I am hoping to find simple ways around putting my personal data onto their server.
Having never used a Google/Android device, I have no idea what the U.I's look like for each side (phone and computers) and what options may exist for privacy, blocking out social media, etc. I do not have or use Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or any other social networks. I also have never used Mobile-me. Additionally, my load/sync needs are minimal. Ideally, I would truly prefer to have a Google account so I can purchase apps and otherwise (for all my personal data) sync/load/back-up via direct sync to my iMac. If this is possible, and still enjoy full functionality of Android, that is my first choice.
Thank you for taking the time to read and reply to my post. Any additional help/education - from you and/or anyone else willing to help me better understand - is greatly appreciated.
I think the hardest part of the transition to Android, especially from Blackberry, is getting the idea out of your head about a PC Sync, forget about Desktop Manager, there is no such thing in the Android world.. save for HTC Sync, but that'll all be going away with the new HTCSense.com.. also optional.
The only data that gets stored on the cloud, is the data thats on your phone. Unless you tell the Account and Sync manager not to put it there. You never truly sync/backup anything like you would do, I used to be a BB-user myself, so I know how difficult it can be to transition into a completely different smartphone world. The most difficult thing you'll have to get used to is that you never have to plug your phone into you computer, unless you're drag n dropping music on the MicroSD. Everything else is handled by the phone/data connection, if you update software on the phone itself, its done on the handset, not through a computer application like with Blackberry.
The simple way around putting your data on the server, would just be to not sync contacts and calendar in the settings.. then the only data on the cloud is your app purchases and your gmail. Google doesn't have some sneaky background application waiting to snatch up on your data to sell to third party companies or anything like that. Don't make it out to be harder or scarier than it actually is.
As for actually syncing to your computer, I'm not sure what you're wanting to sync since your needs are minimal and you don't really need it.
Backing up apps is best done on a rooted devices with an app like Titanium Backup, puts everything on your MicroSD.. you can even export your contacts to a file on the MicroSD, but Verizon has a Backup Assistant service thats free and allows you to sync contacts with Verizon on your phone, that way if you ever get a new phone that supports Backup Assistant, it will automatically give you your contacts with the input of a PIN# as long as its another Verizon device. Music is all stored on the MicroSD or internal storage, I dunno what you'd want to sync there, since its not an iPod/iPhone, but drag n drop works just the same.
Social Media feeds are only relevant if you have an account, since you don't need/use/have them, its not of relevance.
If you're that concerned about being off-the-grid.. trust me, I do understand that want because I myself have plans someday to go fully offgrid. Then you probably don't want a cellphone to begin with, but if you're worried about data interception, then you're bein a little too paranoid bub. Any internet connection allows for that sort of thing to happen, whether it be your iMac, an iPhone, an Android phone, or even a Blackberry as has been seen in the past with celebrity Berries getting hacked.
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