I know this question may sound kind of counter to why one would get a Google Pixel in the first place, but fact is the hardware on the Pixel 2 matches everything I've wanted (front stereo speakers, superb camera with OIS, OLED, 5.0 inches or less). Outside of that, I really do not have any interest in using any of Google's apps other than the OS. In the past, I've made it a point to disable the assistant, opt out of practically anything Google, and use just the OEM supplied apps, which served well for the most part as they're very basic and doesn't have any means of tracking you. Now, however, practically everything is saddled with apps from Google. Has anyone used or have recommendations for other apps to replace Google-based ones, like phone, album, mail, music, etc.? I could just go ham and flash AOSP from the ROMs section, but let's assume at worst I just want to go to a modded stock ROM. Plus I'm interested in hearing if I'm the only one that's come across this predicament.
F-Droid is what you are looking for. It's an alternative app repository, with only free and open source apps.
Related
I just got a SW2 Open Box at BestBuy. They even had a Black Metal one (Which is what I wanted) even when most other places seem to be out of them. It seems perfect except apparently, someone shortened the band. It fits me, but I would prefer it to be a bit looser on my arm.
At any rate, I am amazed to find out that you need to install notification apps. I would think this would be included by default.
I got a phone call, and the watch did absolutely nothing. Yeah, OK there are call handlers (official and unofficial), but this should be a default (configurable) function for a "Smart" Watch. It's kinda like buying a phone, and then being told to go look on the Play Store for a Dialer. (Oh, You want the number '5' on your dialer? -- That's an in-app purchase -- Grrr!).
OK, So I can deal with D/L'g a few official Sony apps for Gmail, Messages, etc., but there isn't one for Google+ (and/or Hangouts).
In fact, AFAIK, I cannot do it at all without giving an unknown developer access to my notifications.
I see that some of the notification app developers are active here, and that is a good thing, and I am reading through this forum, but what I would like to see what the consensus here is for a good, simple (preferably free, since I feel it should have already been included) notify app?
(And, yes, I do support the developers. I have already bought Speedometer for SW2, and others.)
The SW2 is really nice looking, and even without a mic/speaker, there are lots of apps/watch faces for it, but I am kind wishing I had held out for a Android Wear device.
I will say that unless you can get a really good deal on one, or want it only for very minimal functionality beyond a basic watch, I would recommend people hold out for a real Android Wear device.
Sony --- at least write a Google+/Hangouts notification App before you abandon this thing.
Notification on Android Wear are the worst I've ever seen. It works with very few applications. maybe later but for now it is very very bad
Linuxslate said:
In fact, AFAIK, I cannot do it at all without giving an unknown developer access to my notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The app devs don't have access to your notifications. Where on Earth did you hear that?
As far as Wear goes, out of the +10 smartwatches I own, the one running Wear was the only one I ever returned. I returned it because I found it offered less than even a number of cheap Chinese Gear clones and had even worse battery. And out of those +10, the SW2 is my daily. Better battery (my worst run was +2 days), readable in more conditions, install only the notifications functions YOU want (Wear enables notifications for everything by default), and supports more Android versions than Wear. All you lose is voice commands/search and that's about it.
The devs technically have permission to read your notifications if the App has Internet access. You can find an app that doesn't though, or revoke the permission of one that does. I like the choice the sw2 provides for these apps. Sony doesn't have to do everything for us. If that's what you want get an iwatch.
True but his was more of a blanket statement.
To answer the actual question, I use WatchIt! https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=se.petersson.watch
It's free, works well for me.
The devs technically have permission to read your notifications if the App has Internet access.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, this is what I meant, not that they actually do.
Also, I was not criticizing the watch in general. I did my homework, and I knew Android Wear devices were out.
As Lokifish Marz, I like the display -- on all the time, and I have never been in a condition where it was not easily readable.
It was also well supported with lots of apps, and more elegant looking than some of the plastic Android Wear devices or Chinese BT watches.
I also paid less than half what the cheapest Android Wear device costs.
OK -- Now for the honesty -- It was actually the Nixie watch faces that made this a "Got-to-have" for me. I'm a Geek, and I built a VFD Tube clock kit as one of my first soldering projects as a kid. I'd buy a real Nixie clock kit, but I really don't need just a plain clock these days. (This is what I use for a "clock" these days: http://linuxslate.com/Review_RCA_7in_Android_Internet_Music_System.html)
The original rant was caused by the fact that there was no "official" (Sony) Google+/Hangouts notification app, when there were certain others that I do not use.
I have installed the free SmartWatch2 Notifier, and it does what I need.
Now I am off to find some more geeky Clock Widgets, or possibly make some, thanks to the thread on this forum.
Thanks to all that responded.
Did you buy that SW2 in San Antonio?
No;
A BestBuy in Florida.
They had a silver one, too.
Also an open box. The silver open box was marked $171, where as new ones were $149.
I guess you were paying to have a previous purchaser test it for you, and loose the accessories, manual etc. so that you do not have to go through the effort of loosing them yourself.
Hello all!
New to XDA Forums here... well, new on posting, been lurking for years now.
So, I have this new pet project that I want to invest some time and money come 2017, and it's like this:
I want to get an Android tablet that will be kept permanently offline after initial setup, and will hold all sorts of personal information away from the interwebs.
After thinking about it, I decided to share thoughts, receive input and comments here and perhaps in some other forums to see if I can accumulate some interesting ideas.
I'll start with the most obvious question: which tablet brand and model would you think is interesting for something like this?
The ones I considered so far: HTC Nexus 9 for rooting, Samsung Galaxy Tab S or S2 for the fingerprint scanner, nVidia Shield Tab K1 for raw power and futureproofing.
Plan is to go full paranoia, disassemble the tablet, pull out stuff like cameras, microphones, possibly even speakers, and let this become a device that can only be accessed via touchscreen or connecting external speakers and microphones. Wi-fi chip and/or antenna will also go, Bluetooth, NFC if it's there, eventually modify the USB connector for power only. New stuff only via SD card perhaps.
Yes, this means I'll be forever locking it into a certain state, but it's a pet project to see how far I can go without rendering it useless... further, I'll see if there's a way to make those changes reversible, as long as you open the device up again and such. This is of course all gradual, just ideas, might not go so far.
OS and software wise, this will need a relatively recent version of Android for full disk encryption... though it would be kinda nice to have Nougat's file encryption instead. Pros and cons to consider with each device.
Some offline apps I put in a consideration list... some of them I haven't tested just yet, but will be looking into soon enough:
Apps: AppLock
Files: Crypt4All Lite, ES File Explorer
Calendar, Contacts: Flock, Fruux
Passwords: KeePassDroid
Assistant: Utter!
Dictionary: Offline Dictionaries
Translation: Bing Translate
Maps: HERE Maps
Notes: MonoSpace
Again, the idea is to have the tablet fully functioning and connected at first - update, install, configure and load it up with everything needed, and then permanently make it an offline device. I'm not sure how many of those will actually work without any network connection, but my research has been around apps that have offline options.
Any inputs are welcome, I appreciate any recommendations for hardware, apps and custom roms for the task.
You can imagine the device overall as a personal assistant, media consumption device that will securely hold private information like calendar, passwords, contacts and files in general. Not meant to be disposable, but of course, inaccessible if stolen or lost.
Thanks for reading so far, I'll keep this thread updated with progress, but I'll probably only start working on it early next year.
XSportSeeker said:
Hello all!
New to XDA Forums here... well, new on posting, been lurking for years now.
So, I have this new pet project that I want to invest some time and money come 2017, and it's like this:
I want to get an Android tablet that will be kept permanently offline after initial setup, and will hold all sorts of personal information away from the interwebs.
After thinking about it, I decided to share thoughts, receive input and comments here and perhaps in some other forums to see if I can accumulate some interesting ideas.
I'll start with the most obvious question: which tablet brand and model would you think is interesting for something like this?
The ones I considered so far: HTC Nexus 9 for rooting, Samsung Galaxy Tab S or S2 for the fingerprint scanner, nVidia Shield Tab K1 for raw power and futureproofing.
Plan is to go full paranoia, disassemble the tablet, pull out stuff like cameras, microphones, possibly even speakers, and let this become a device that can only be accessed via touchscreen or connecting external speakers and microphones. Wi-fi chip and/or antenna will also go, Bluetooth, NFC if it's there, eventually modify the USB connector for power only. New stuff only via SD card perhaps.
Yes, this means I'll be forever locking it into a certain state, but it's a pet project to see how far I can go without rendering it useless... further, I'll see if there's a way to make those changes reversible, as long as you open the device up again and such. This is of course all gradual, just ideas, might not go so far.
OS and software wise, this will need a relatively recent version of Android for full disk encryption... though it would be kinda nice to have Nougat's file encryption instead. Pros and cons to consider with each device.
Some offline apps I put in a consideration list... some of them I haven't tested just yet, but will be looking into soon enough:
Apps: AppLock
Files: Crypt4All Lite, ES File Explorer
Calendar, Contacts: Flock, Fruux
Passwords: KeePassDroid
Assistant: Utter!
Dictionary: Offline Dictionaries
Translation: Bing Translate
Maps: HERE Maps
Notes: MonoSpace
Again, the idea is to have the tablet fully functioning and connected at first - update, install, configure and load it up with everything needed, and then permanently make it an offline device. I'm not sure how many of those will actually work without any network connection, but my research has been around apps that have offline options.
Any inputs are welcome, I appreciate any recommendations for hardware, apps and custom roms for the task.
You can imagine the device overall as a personal assistant, media consumption device that will securely hold private information like calendar, passwords, contacts and files in general. Not meant to be disposable, but of course, inaccessible if stolen or lost.
Thanks for reading so far, I'll keep this thread updated with progress, but I'll probably only start working on it early next year.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're going to keep it offline then there is no reason to be paranoid about it.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Droidriven said:
If you're going to keep it offline then there is no reason to be paranoid about it.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it's going to be offline, but still mobile.
I realize I'm still going overboard with it, but it's mostly for testing purposes... honestly, I'm not really all that paranoid about it, boring life with nothing to hide blah blah.
I wanna see if the tablet can even work if I take all those modules off (cameras, wi-fi, bluetooth, etc). I've tested some smartphones that can work perfectly well even if you physically disconnect cameras, not sure about the rest.
I also have another pet project to have a device that is still online, but with the most security and privacy oriented measures in place... so it's a bit of testing for that too.
The underlying purpose is to see if I can modify multiple types of devices to be used in highly secure and privacy oriented scenarios. Part of my curiosity as a journalist I guess. Already turned an old laptop into a locked down Linux machine, but I didn't do much on the hardware side.
Other stuff like encryption and a strong user login system would need to be in place in case of robberies and such.
In any case, think of it as a testing platform... I know no devices will ever be completely secure and private, but willing to do as much as possible with a single device and no specialized tools to enhance things.
Let me say first this- is NOT a tinfoil hat-style thread. I know data gets collected and that is not really the concern I have here. I am more interested in what seems to be an attempt at monopolizing users' devices. What I am trying to start a discussion on is the recent changes in just about every Google-produced apk update and the changes these updates implement into the Android environment. Take GBoard for example....this recent update took an excellent keyboard and added several features to it that are frankly, redundant and unnecessary. Rendering is better in Chrome or Firefox and with "Now on Tap", Google search widget, Google Now, and the browsers themselves this redundancy is borderline meaningless and seems more like bloatware intended to promote people to use google over any other search engine. Android System Webview is almost as meaningless. There is no reason to have an un-configurable web interface coded into every app when it makes more sense to just use a browser with more feature-rich abilities. I could see it maybe useful on slow devices, but anyone with a Qualcomm dual-core or better should not need it.
Then on the other end of the spectrum they have Google Now Launcher, which has not been updated in over a year and is extremely boring in its customizability. NowLauncher has been ignored even though it's the core of the interface. It's as if they are just bored and instead push updates in order to make people feel like things are new, when in fact many of these updates are really downgrades in functionality by causing the operating system to feel schizophrenic.
Now I am certain some will agree and probably more will disagree, but I am finding myself simply disabling or uninstalling more and more of google's totally revamped "upgraded" apps. The level of device synergy they are trying to accomplish appears to be doing the opposite and creating solutions for problems that really didn't exist. These things may pose security issues, but again that is the least of my concern.
It kinda makes me feel like Google's change in direction since the drop of the Nexus line has caused further alienation of those who loved Android for being simple yet customizable. Does anyone out there agree that Google needs to calm down a bit with these changes and maybe consider that add-ons are not improvements? I know one thing for sure- it's beginning to drive me towards AOSP and third party alternatives. I appreciate any and all input. Thanks.
The Now Launcher hasn't been updated because they moved to the Pixel launcher, I guess.
I honestly kinda like the Pixel launcher a lot better than Now launcher, though I don't use either of them. I did try them, but I prefer Nova still.
As for the keyboard, I think what they did was to make stuff more convenient, or at least try it.
The keyboard browser wasn't made to replace an actual browser. It's just for really small searches.
I also find it kinda neat.
I myself don't use Google Now, nor Google Assistant. I don't even have the Google app installed.
So being able to do a quick search right from the keyboard could prove useful in this scenario.
And I'm pretty sure I saw a switch to turn off the search option, so you can still have the old-school keyboard while still having the new features (multilingual predictions).
But I'm not using their keyboard either. It doesn't really have what I need.
Most Google apps don't suit my needs, so I opt not to use them. And that's everybody can do. They aren't forced to use them. Sure, they may come pre-installed on devices, but I'm almost certain that you can disable them if you don't need of use them.
Hi, I bought one of those cheap USB endoscope cameras. In its manual they want me to download raw .apk from some shady source which I don't intend to do, but they also recommend some app from the Play store. I reckoned that any "external camera app" will do, but apparently not only none of them seem to work with my phone+camera combo, but also they're all extremely low quality. Most of those apps are actually the same app made by some guy that can't even write proper English and ensures me that he wishes me "good health" in the intro. The sad part is that the app crashes as soon as I connect the camera.
My question is: is there any decent app for such external cameras? I'd even prefer it to be payware - I don't want intrusive ads and paying is no problem, I just want something that works... I can't wrap my head around why I can't find any such app - I'd expect there would be tons of them, not the same ****ty one that doesn't work, repackaged 100 times... What am I missing?
My phone is OnePlus 7 Pro with Android 10 (Oxygen OS 10.0.10.GM21BA). Thanks!
So, I've been in this rabbit hole surrounding installing Google Recorder in third-party phones. It seems impossible, since even changing the package name crashes the app in my Oppo A17. I just wanted to port it and use it instead of the default, seems rooting Oppos are notoriously hard to say at least.
I genuinely needed some help to make the latest version of Google Recorder work in third party phones, just like how we have so many Google Camera ports around. (I prefer BSG but I also have Shamim) Is it possible though? I'm just needing to stop this mess of a rabbit hole.
I also lack skills beyond coding HTML and CSS, so yeah.