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WM 6.5 dies - need a new OS/device! Can Android be without Google?

Hey folks,
is it at the moment (in the future?) possbile to use a fullfeatured android-system without a google account/being bound to google? I love WM 6.5, because it comparatively is independent of any cloud stuff. Windows Mobile Phone 7 is very closed and lives in the cloud. So how open is android and to what extent is it spy-/adware?
Thx

My thoughts:
I was a WM5/6 user for quite a few years (at least 4+ years). I heavily hacked my WM phones to get the functionality I craved.
After fooling around with various Android ports to my HTC Titan, I decided to give the TBD Verizon Android phone (aka Droid) a chance when it came out. Since that fateful day, I haven't had a single regret. The Droid (and Android) is absolutely amazing.
Prior to my Droid, I had a couple of almost totally unused GMail accounts. I was resigned to the idea that to get the full functionality out of my Droid, I needed to move into the Google "cloud".
I have been amazed at how well everything flows together, now that everything syncs/baselines off of my main GMail account.
I'm not sure how functional the phone will be if you don't have a GMail account. Here is my (probably inaccurate) guess of functionality degradation you will face by not using a GMail account:
1) The Google Market may not allow you to purchase any apps. App purchases are paid through Google Checkout - Which is associated with your GMail account.
2) EMail integration is obviously very well implemented with Google. When a message is sent to my GMail account, it seems like I get it just a few seconds later on my phone. You can also set up your GMail account to poll any of your already existing email accounts from other providers. While not updated as fast as your GMail account, it still operates very well, and also color-codes which email account your messages came from. If you don't want to use GMail, the K-9 Mail app can work as an alternative to the GMail app.
3) Syncing with Google Contacts and multiple Google Calendars won't be available to you. The instant syncing of contacts/calendars is *very* useful, and works totally seamlessly. Again, updating a contact (or event) on the web (or your phone) nearly instantaneously updates the phone / web, respectively. You don't have to worry about losing contacts or calendars anymore. If you already had a GMail account with Contacts & Calendars, all that information is available on your phone within a minute or so after you have powered up your Droid for the first time. (Note: I do have some moderate gripes about how contacts are displayed & grouped on GMail & Android. I hope Google will be addressing these items soon). If your Droid gets damaged and you don't have a GMail account, you will probably have to manually reenter all your contacts / appointments.
4) Other non-Google "push" apps (such as Flight Tracker Pro) probably won't work since they need your GMail address to send their integrated information to your phone to update their app status.
5) Probably a bit of other stuff, but I'm too tired to think right now.
As far as my "who is watching my activity" paranoia level is concerned, I don't have any concerns at all about Google. I haven't seen a single instance in the months I have been using my Droid where Google appeared to be targeting any overtly obnoxious advertising in my direction. (However, if you are still concerned about ads, there is a hack to Android to block all ads). If I had any concerns, I would certainly trust Microsoft less (by a few orders of magnitude) than Google.
I'm not entirely sure how Google is making a lot of money from the Android adoption, other than having more devices natively using Google for searching (which can result in their advertising revenue). But from what I have seen, it is no worse than when you are using Google on your PC to do your web searches.
After using Android for months now, I can't ever see going back to WM6 again. WM6 was incredibly lame in comparison. Web browsing on Android is what I always hoped the WM6 platform would achieve (but never seemed to reach). Android is an amazing OS, certainly comparable to the Apple iPhone in almost all aspects, and exceeds WM6 in most aspects.
My advise would be to take the plunge and get an Android phone & GMail account set up. Try it out. If you don't like the OS (or Google cloud stuff), you can always return the phone within a couple of weeks for all the carriers, and go back to a WM6 phone.

The only thing you really need a google account for the Market. I have all syncing (mail, contacts and calendar) turned off and auto sync turned off. I believe you have to leave background sync turned on but that's it.
For everything else I use a hosted exchange account.

if you can live without google voice and google talk, then yeah. It is a fully functional OS. Market is not essential to core functionality and you can always install apks directly from sdcard as well as switch your search engine to whatever you prefer.

Manage multiple android phones?

I work in an IT department, and have the task to figure out how we control the 30 or so HTC legend and Desire's which will be handed out to our employees.
I would like to keep the phones as safe a passible, with centralized management so we can push apps to all phones, locate them, remote wipe and so on.
Problem 1: Does every employee need their own Google account? or can we use the same account on all phones?
it would take a long time creating them and keeping track of all the accounts.
Problem 2: how do we restrict them from installing apps themselves?
haven't found anything on this yet..
Problem 3: Is there any management software out there for android?
so far I am thinking about using Lookout for antivirus and locating lost phones, it does not support remote wipe for android,(it does for win mo). And using appbrain to push apps to all phones. will this work? or are there better solutions out there?

Why don't you guys go with BlackBerry instead? RIM has targetted their OS way more to these kind of business situations.
Anyway, if you have 1 google account for everyone. Everyone will have the same contacts, same calendar and same gmail e-mails.

The company is placed in Denmark, BlackBerry are not available to us, plus the phones have already been bought.
The Google accounts won’t be used for anything else than the market place. Mail, calendar is over exchange webmail.
Will the contacts be a problem?

Contacts won't be a problem if there are no contacts stored in it. Just gotta make sure nobody starts adding contacts in it. Or simply disable contact syncing all together, but you gotta do that on every phone.
I don't know about the other questions.

Ok, good. So no other problems with shared google accounts?

I would disagree with sharing one google account. There are many other aspects of the google account which are shared. Have you thought about cooking your own roms? You could remove the android market (and other apps) and make it more difficult to sideload apps.

I'd definitely suggest this route. Remove marketplace all together and sideload all of your necessary apps from apks.
OldCrowEW said:
I would disagree with sharing one google account. There are many other aspects of the google account which are shared. Have you thought about cooking your own roms? You could remove the android market (and other apps) and make it more difficult to sideload apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Check out the enterprise products offered by Good Technologies.

OldCrowEW said:
I would disagree with sharing one google account. There are many other aspects of the google account which are shared. Have you thought about cooking your own roms? You could remove the android market (and other apps) and make it more difficult to sideload apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it is best to have individual accounts for each and every one of the employees?
Don’t think cooking is an option for us, as it not will be allowed by our operator, with warranty and so on..
I will have a look at Good Technologies, on Monday. Does anyone have any experience with their products?

yes, def no sharing of the accounts. All it would take is one person to mess it up for everyone else. You could get Google Apps account for better management but they cost $$.

OldCrowEW said:
yes, def no sharing of the accounts. All it would take is one person to mess it up for everyone else. You could get Google Apps account for better management but they cost $$.[/QUOTE
Google Apps most definitely. Its the only way for you to control 30 phones ---- if your working for a non-profit, then G-Apps is free. You control Google Apps, then you control the phones by natural subordination.
Any other way is going to weigh a heavy demand on your shoulders, big brother.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Googe Apps
kingzion said:
I work in an IT department, and have the task to figure out how we control the 30 or so HTC legend and Desire's which will be handed out to our employees.
I would like to keep the phones as safe a passible, with centralized management so we can push apps to all phones, locate them, remote wipe and so on.
Problem 1: Does every employee need their own Google account? or can we use the same account on all phones?
it would take a long time creating them and keeping track of all the accounts.
Problem 2: how do we restrict them from installing apps themselves?
haven't found anything on this yet..
Problem 3: Is there any management software out there for android?
so far I am thinking about using Lookout for antivirus and locating lost phones, it does not support remote wipe for android,(it does for win mo). And using appbrain to push apps to all phones. will this work? or are there better solutions out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its true you need a Google account to set up your phones. However, have you thought about setting up your phones with a Google apps account?
Our company has become very "Google Friendly" as of late. We switched our email server out for a very flexible/scalable Google Apps account.
Instead of giving a gps, phone, and tablet to everyone. We found that all our needs were satisfied with giving everyone a Droid.
I am now in control of upwards 200 phones. All but a few are Android (Droids) all are set up under our Google Apps account. If you talk with your Service provider they should be able to set the phones up for you if you order yours in a bulk order at the same time. And yes everyone will need their own account, you would run into a huge mess if you were only using one account. (email, calender, contacts, and settings would all change with one person adding/subtracting something)
As for managing your users ability to download apps. You could do as suggested and remove the market place after you have installed your needed apps. Or you could limit your users to only downloading free apps. (if you set your phones up using Google Apps they cannot sync a google checkout account to their phone. (Is there a reason you don't want your users to download apps?)
Android 2.2 will give you your other request remote wipe, ease of deployment (exchange account sync), and better security.
If you go with Google you get a great community that will be able to help you out.
Free Apps that may help you out.
instamapper (tracking at its best)
wheresmydroid (turn on gps)
pdanet (internet tether)
barcode scanner
gps (mostly built in)
dropbox (file sharing)
It does take time to set up, but I think you would be very please with the transition.

kingzion said:
I work in an IT department, and have the task to figure out how we control the 30 or so HTC legend and Desire's which will be handed out to our employees.
I would like to keep the phones as safe a passible, with centralized management so we can push apps to all phones, locate them, remote wipe and so on.
Problem 1: Does every employee need their own Google account? or can we use the same account on all phones?
it would take a long time creating them and keeping track of all the accounts.
Problem 2: how do we restrict them from installing apps themselves?
haven't found anything on this yet..
Problem 3: Is there any management software out there for android?
so far I am thinking about using Lookout for antivirus and locating lost phones, it does not support remote wipe for android,(it does for win mo). And using appbrain to push apps to all phones. will this work? or are there better solutions out there?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
Have you found any apps that fit your needs? Do you use them? If no, is your organization still interesting in mobile device management service?
I'm asking because I'm working for http://bloove.com (personal phone management service) and we're going to expand our offer to small and medium companies.
This new service will combine existing contact, sms, phone log and bookmark backup for personal phone with MDM features like centralized app management, location and wipe service etc.
We're looking for early adopters who will have a chance to add their custom requirements to the service and get this service for free for up to six months.
Please let me know if you're interested and want to discuss this further.
Thank you,
Rostislav
[email protected]

[Q] WM6.5 Contact Map link to Bing instead of Google

I have an HTC HD2 (US)
I like Google Maps, don't get me wrong, but I put my Garmin in my glove-box since installing Bing on my WM device. I don't use Bing on my computer (I am a Google Guy), but the turn by turn navigation Bing provides makes it my favorite app.
What I don't understand is why I have seen no talk about replacing the Google Map link within the contacts and replacing it with Bing. I know Google Maps is good, but it is a Windows Mobile device, and Bing is a Windows Mobile app made by Microsoft. You would just think that Bing could be setup as the map link within the contacts instead of Google.
Does anyone know of a way to do this? Are there any apps in the making that that have promise?

[Q] Why is Gmail better?

Hi all Android and Google user.
Was just curois, since i cant get my head around why Gmail is better. I hear every Google user talk about that so i was kind of wondering why the fuzz is about, with todays standards that is.
Yes, i have a Gmail account, yes i use Live instead. Love the PC services they introduced now witch gives such a nice Outlook feeling (Better according to me) for free.
But i was kind of wondering why everybody is sweet talking so much on Gmail? I see them as 2 services offering the same and cant see why i should switch when i got a well known mail adress sincew many years back.
It´s a hounest question, so plz, no foul mouth talking. This is a thread for trying to get me, and maybe others to understand why Gmail is being regarded as superior, or basicly just better.
So, educate me, maybe you win me over even, who knows.

You don't have to download anything. Gmail works.

Hmmm, kind of short to give anything. Ofcause you dont need to download anything for Live if you dont like. It just works also. But there is some wonderfull tools as a compliment. Just try the Live Hotmail if you like. Think its great.
Anyone else could enlighten me more ?

Gmail is fast, when you have Google account has acces to many sites, like Youtube

Rafal.Sw said:
Gmail is fast, when you have Google account has acces to many sites, like Youtube
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by access to many sites? YouTube is a no brainer, but what is the other services?
Live also have access to a lot of services straight away, thats why im asking.

I.e. when you have phone with android you need to have google account, if you want to use Market

gmail quick and clean. havent found anything better.

on hotmail, the default first screen you see when you log in is some kind of advertisement screen with parts of your inbox.
On gmail, the first screen is your inbox - which is exactly what you want to see. Simple.
Threaded conversations on gmail are easier to read and keep track of than individual emails on hotmail.

on hotmail, the default first screen you see when you log in is some kind of advertisement screen with parts of your inbox.
On gmail, the first screen is your inbox - which is exactly what you want to see. Simple.
Threaded conversations on gmail are easier to read and keep track of than individual emails on hotmail.[/QUOTE]
Ahaa, nice points, thnx for the reply. On being fast, do you guys mean ots loading faster or somthing? The threaded thing is only possible with Live Mail on the PC.... i think, never thought about it, mostly use the nice client and there threaded there.
The advertisment i cant agree to on the startscreen for Hotmail. But the Inbox thing is a taste then i belive and maybe the thing maing it more likble to some?
One of the advantages i found with the start screen on Hotmail/Live is that it dedicates to what actully is happeing and from who you got a mail etc , so you can skip going to inbox if you like me have a lot of mails, and just sort through what you have that is new.
Also, you can if you just press your inbox from start screen sort mails from different categorys so you can look and delete FB notifications only directly for example.
Im getting to understand what your saying thouh. You like its just straight in to the mail box, not a mult purpose screen, and maybe other things? Except for the threaded thing that may be clearer to read in your browser, once in your inbox i see no difference between the 2, maybe for me who likes coulors have a bit more graphic ... or am i missing somthing again?
Anyways, included a pic for you to look at what i am meaning, thnx for the input guys, dont stop, keep em coming, slowly starting to get it. More details plz.
Or have we hit the spot here with just various tastes if it goes straight to inbox or a multi purpuse window?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/picture.php?albumid=4275&pictureid=14090

They are both very good, I just started with a gmail account has all my contacts saved google talk/voice google+ youtube marketplace etc but live is equally as good.

Gmail is quick, clean and reliable. Also you will need a google account to access other google services like android, youtube, maps etc so its a good idea to have one.
Other email services are also equally as good so its just a matter of personal preference.

I have been using gmail since it first arrived, and I like it. It is personal preference. I have a yahoo account and that isn't too bad either, and you get access to flickr and yahoo groups with that account. I have used hotmail too and it isn't too bad. I have not used live, but I have used outlook for years at work. Outlook is ok, but I am not able to access all of my email from anywhere on the net with outlook. Not sure about Live. With gmail or any web based email I can get to my email from pretty much anyplace, anytime, anywhere without downloading any application.

Gmail = instant emails + no spam, for me best

Gmail is quick, it has calendar, syncs contacts from your phone without you having to set or download anything and if u accidentally happens to remove all your contacts in the phone, then you have a restore function in gmail/google contacts.
Also Gmail has antispamservers running all the time, Hotmail/windows live mail doesn't (or atleast it seems not) . Gmail is more secure, reliable and user friendly, and combined with all other Google applications they have managed to get everything working together really smooth

I used to be a hotmail junkie too.
Gmail just seems to connect with all my services better.

I use both on a daily basis on my WP7 device, both are good however Live/hotmail has an advantage in the it is better for sending attachments.
Try sending an attachment using gmail with an attachment that is not natively supported by the device, its not there, however with hotmail/live it is. This is particulalry useful when emailing something to yourself (to your device) that you may wish to forward on for someone whjo is using a pc for example.
I once tried to email a cert using gmail, couldn't get it to open/save, however live worked no problem.
Just a small thing and it is purely subjective like many things in this world

lovly to see you taking your time to answer. Fun and intressting reading, and kudos to you typing it up a bit, im pressing the like buttons on you... if you care about it ^^
Mr ace56, since it seems you like to tryout new things, try downloading the new Live Mail thats inc in the Live Essential package and give it a spin, might like it since its free and pretty much a Outlook but better. But you need Win 7 to take full advantage of it. Maybe vista will work to, but any sane person wouldn´t use that =)
Do Gmail have the possibillity to use a client also of some kind?

Agree with a earlier post..... It just works......nuff said!

You are correct, I like trying different software, so I switched from Windows XP to Mac OS in 2009, so I guess I can't try out the Live email.

Integration. I can edit and sync my contacts to phone straight from my gmail account.
Simples.

[Q] How to add a SECOND Windows Live to the Messaging hub?

Hello my xda friends,
Last night I updated to Mango RTM version. Its all working very good.
I synced my Windows Live account with mail and people.
Also the chat is working good thru the Messaging hub.. But only facebo
ok is showing up..
So my question is: How can I add Windows Live accounts to the chat function?
Thanks alot
EDIT:
Some additional information: I have 2 Windows Live account. One for the marketplace (a fake one). This is also the one I add first in the phone.
This is because Zune then sees my fake account so im able to download apps.
After that I add my 'good' account. The problem is, the people from this account are not showing up in the Messaging hub??!!

Sounds excessively complicated to me. I'd just stick to one Live account (I use the one tied to my Xbox Live account, personally).

jasongw said:
Sounds excessively complicated to me. I'd just stick to one Live account (I use the one tied to my Xbox Live account, personally).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know but as far as I know its the only way to download / install apps from the Marketplace?
I tried a hard reset and entered my normal account first... then the Messaging page IS showing my people BUT as you can guess, I cannot download anything from the marketplace.
So right now its Marketplace VS Messenger....

You can't. The built-in Messenger only uses the primary Live ID. You cannot have it sign-on to multiple Live IDs at once, or use an alternate ID.

It seems to be that the marketplace is already available
At the 23 of august MS finally added the Netherlands to the list!
Finally I can drop my fake account
Thanks for all the answers