Which Google account can I go all in on?

[musika]

Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

Hi there!

So as a long time iPhone user, I'll be switching to Android this year. I tried last year (twice) after my distaste for iOS 7, but I always ended up coming back. This year, all of the bugs of iOS 8 have made me further realize the feeling I've felt since iOS 7: I do not enjoy using this phone anymore.

So here's my question:

I have four Google accounts, and I'm not sure which one I want to use for all of the Google-y stuff like Now. Here are my accounts and what they are used for:

- Personal company Google Apps for Work account. I run a design studio, and this is my "dylan at" address that I use for talking to partners. I also use this account for work events like client meetings in Google Calendar.
- Business company Google Apps for Work account. This is the account I use to communicate with clients.
- Personal Google Apps for Work account. This account is used for my personal email so that I can have an "at {my domain name}" address to email from.
- A normal Google account! This is the account I used last year when I tried switching to Android, because I figured that I would get a better Google experience from a non-Apps-for-Work account, and that new features would be rolled out quicker. Am I wrong?

So, this is craziness, right?

I need both company Google Apps accounts, but I don't know if I want to run all of my Google stuff out of that personal company Apps account.

I'm thinking the best thing to do is to get rid of the normal Google account, and start fresh in my personal Google Apps account to go all in on. And then keep the company stuff separate just for email and calendar and maybe Drive for Work.

Does this make any sense? What would you do if you were in this situation?

Thanks for putting up with the craziness!

 

[zedorda]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

I would just make a new Google account dedicated to your phone for all the apps you want to buy. You can still have all your other accounts loaded up. That way it doesn't get mix up with the rest at all.

 

[Gekko]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

i vote for "A normal Google account" using something tied to your name because -

1. a normal Google account is simple and will prob always work best with Play Store Apps etc. simple always works best. less snafus.
2. your name will always be your name - while companies may come and go. longevity is key - especially for buying Apps.
3. you can tie in all of the other email addresses as satellites - and make your primary Gmail your core. buy all of your Apps on the core account.

good luck.

 

[raptir]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

- A normal Google account! This is the account I used last year when I tried switching to Android, because I figured that I would get a better Google experience from a non-Apps-for-Work account, and that new features would be rolled out quicker. Am I wrong?

This is definitely the best option. I don't know that you would necessarily get a better experience out of the account itself, but all your other accounts are potentially volatile (if you leave your company, if you decide to stop paying for your personal Google Apps account). You don't want to lose your purchased apps, music, movies, etc... or all of your customization in Google Now and all that.

The one thing I will say is that I'm not sure how well Google Now works with non-primary Gmail accounts. For example, one feature is that when you get a shipping e-mail it will track it through Google Now. If you have a calendar event, it will show up in Google Now. I'm not sure how well that works if you're using your GApps account for e-mail/calendar and your Google account for Google Now.

 

[musika]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

Thanks for the reply (everyone, too)!

Yeah, I was definitely concerned about the way that the email features work with Now. I would love to be able to use Now to the fullest potential.

Also worth noting that while I'm paying for the company Apps accounts, I'm not paying for the personal one, as I'm grandfathered into the free place from 5 years ago. Maybe this changes things?

Does anybody know how Google Now works with non-primary Gmail accounts?

 

[Rukbat]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

I have one Google account for my phone, but all my GMail addresses in my email app, so I can still get all my email in one app at one time - and send emails from any one of them. Whichever way you do it, if you do it right the person on the other end of your emails can't tell how you did it.

The calendars can be set up the same way - you choose which ones you want to see, or use 3rd party apps for different calendars.

I think you're overthinking this, and making problems for yourself where there are none.

 

[musika]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

I wouldn't say I'm overthinking it. I have a lot of accounts, and I'm trying to figure out the best one to invest in to make Google's tracking features for Now and otherwise work best.

 

[musika]

Re: Trying to decide which Google account to go all in on

Also... Just found out that Google Apps accounts don't support Gmail cards in Google Now. That kinda sucks!