Why is Playground pre-installed? - Google Pixel 4a Questions & Answers

So Google discontinued Playground AR for the Pixel 4a, but it's still pre-installed and can't be uninstalled, even though we can't use it. Why?

tzzeri said:
So Google discontinued Playground AR for the Pixel 4a, but it's still pre-installed and can't be uninstalled, even though we can't use it. Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Resides in system partition (inaccessible unless rooted) and consumes no scarce resources. Meh ...

tzzeri said:
So Google discontinued Playground AR for the Pixel 4a, but it's still pre-installed and can't be uninstalled, even though we can't use it. Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disable it if you want.

I think Playground is used by other Apps, I installed a camera that does much the same thing as Playground used to do

Playground is still active, in Chrome sure for "Baby Yoda".
I liked it when it was in the Camera App, not a fan anymore but it is still used.

Related

Kitkat SOT and battery life is better than Marshmallow!!

Hi,
I'm always insist on using upgraded ROMs and softwares. For months I was using Marshmallow and my SOT was around 3.5-4 hours. But it was 5.5-6 hours on Kitkat! I thought maybe my battery is aged, but today again i flash Mahdi-Rom 2.9 (Kitkat) and again my SOT is 5.5-6 hours with same usage as Marshmallow! I want to know whats the problem? Do you have same experience? I really like Marshmallow but i'm thinking to use Kitkat as daily driver!
Thanks.
Did you try to compare KK vs MM without Play Services? I'm pretty sure that Google related stuff require more and more battery.
Actually I have +50% of SOT since I removed Google apps.
Primokorn said:
Did you try to compare KK vs MM without Play Services? I'm pretty sure that Google related stuff require more and more battery.
Actually I have +50% of SOT since I removed Google apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow - how does one use an adroid phone without Play Services and Gapps (at least the essentials eg. mail, calendar, etc.)?
Primokorn said:
Did you try to compare KK vs MM without Play Services? I'm pretty sure that Google related stuff require more and more battery.
Actually I have +50% of SOT since I removed Google apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't try them without GPS, but try them with same version of Google Play Services (9.0.82) that SOT on Kitkat is much better!
( V ) said:
wow - how does one use an adroid phone without Play Services and Gapps (at least the essentials eg. mail, calendar, etc.)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't also use Android without them...
( V ) said:
wow - how does one use an adroid phone without Play Services and Gapps (at least the essentials eg. mail, calendar, etc.)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
easy, I did that for a while.
Now I only have the google play app, and that's it.
GDrive: my Owncloud server
Play Store: f-droid, apkmirror
GMail: K-9
Books: any epub reader
Newsstand: PressReader (it's even free)
Maps: OsmAnd or Here Drive
Youtube: Newpipe
Google photos: Quickpic before it got bought by Cheetah Mobile
Calendar: Etar
( V ) said:
wow - how does one use an adroid phone without Play Services and Gapps (at least the essentials eg. mail, calendar, etc.)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry but this makes me laugh! There's a world besides Google apps and services I don't want to give all my personal data to one company. There's plenty of good apps to use, even apps that respect your privacy.
There's also a FLOSS framework to replace Google Services (microG Gms Core).
matgras said:
easy, I did that for a while.
Now I only have the google play app, and that's it.
.......
Play Store: f-droid, apkmirror
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You forget the Play Store
matgras said:
Google photos: Quickpic before it got bought by Cheetah Mobile
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use this one or LeafPic (available on F-Droid).
Primokorn said:
Sorry but this makes me laugh! There's a world besides Google apps and services I don't want to give all my personal data to one company. There's plenty of good apps to use, even apps that respect your privacy.
There's also a FLOSS framework to replace Google Services (microG Gms Core).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read about them (also on Replica project), but are they safe security wise? microG is heavy alpha and F-droid was accused for outdated apps. For me privacy is not that big of an issue (I'm pretty sure Google, FB, Microsoft, NSA laugh etc. can figure out pretty much anything even if we use open source software), however power and memory consumption is.
( V ) said:
I've read about them (also on Replica project), but are they safe security wise? microG is heavy alpha and F-droid was accused for outdated apps. For me privacy is not that big of an issue (I'm pretty sure Google, FB, Microsoft, NSA laugh etc. can figure out pretty much anything even if we use open source software), however power and memory consumption is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The main purpose of microG is privacy concerns, not security (even if I don't notice anything special about security) and it's working well for my needs. Other reasons to use it: free software, no bloatware, legal issues with gapps... The better battery life is just bonus
F-Droid is a small team of enthusiasts of free/libre softwares. Most of the time they have to manually build the apps so don't blame them if they need time and support to update the repos. By using apps from F-Droid, you know that the source code is available and apps respect the users.
In addition, there's a big difference between open source softwares and free/libre softwares. GAFAM shouldn't have too much power and it's dangerous (example).

Voice input solution needed for Google-free LineageOS 15.1 (Samsung Galaxy S7)

Hi, I've recently set up my new S7 with LineageOS, and I'm determined to not install GAPPs or Google anything on this device. I've been able to find almost everything I need, but I'm still missing speech-to-text functionality.
I installed AnySoftKeyboard from F-Droid because it said it did speech-to-text in its description; however, when I attempted to use STT on the keyboard, I got a popup error message that said, "Voice Input is not installed on your device." The box had a button for installing this feature, but I suspect it pointed to a location on the Google Play store, since it offered to open F-Droid or Uptodown, neither of which had the needed app.
What can I do to obtain STT on this device without getting entangled with Google?
Even if you are using Los there are still Google closed binaries on your device. There is no way of getting away form Google with Android. Not completely.
zelendel said:
Even if you are using Los there are still Google closed binaries on your device. There is no way of getting away form Google with Android. Not completely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fine, sure, now do you have any helpful suggestions about TTS?
Feenix0 said:
Fine, sure, now do you have any helpful suggestions about TTS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only one I know that works on Android (was origianly made to work on feature phones.) is controlled by Google or Apple. There is no real open source free, none tracking, setup.
You could look up the Google less preoject and see if they got it working but last I heard most abonoded the project because it just wasn't worth it.
Feenix0 said:
Hi, I've recently set up my new S7 with LineageOS, and I'm determined to not install GAPPs or Google anything on this device. I've been able to find almost everything I need, but I'm still missing speech-to-text functionality.
I installed AnySoftKeyboard from F-Droid because it said it did speech-to-text in its description; however, when I attempted to use STT on the keyboard, I got a popup error message that said, "Voice Input is not installed on your device." The box had a button for installing this feature, but I suspect it pointed to a location on the Google Play store, since it offered to open F-Droid or Uptodown, neither of which had the needed app.
What can I do to obtain STT on this device without getting entangled with Google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TTS and SST is bound to google, you can't download it from anywhere, and even if you download it, it won't work without google services, you must install Gapps (Nano), hope it'll help
Seems like this is a dead end, for now, but I found lots of things in the works. I expect that we'll be seeing viable alternative STT services in a few years. Google, Microsoft, and Apple are always going to be at the front in this sort of thing because of their budgets, but open source will catch up.
This may be the reason I get into android app development... local, although not as good, STT is possible, I wrote some stuff in Python to do this on an embedded system. You just have to train, or purchase voice models. There are also many cloud based solutions other than Google at this point, so I don't believe this to be technologically impossible.
japtain.cack said:
This may be the reason I get into android app development... local, although not as good, STT is possible, I wrote some stuff in Python to do this on an embedded system. You just have to train, or purchase voice models. There are also many cloud based solutions other than Google at this point, so I don't believe this to be technologically impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the feedback. I've actually retired the S7 for a OP 7T, and I'm pretty much resigned to Goggle STT for now.
Feenix0 said:
Thanks for the feedback. I've actually retired the S7 for a OP 7T, and I'm pretty much resigned to Goggle STT for now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally, with the flashing of my phone, my life is 100% Google free. Not even using MicroG. #GoogleYou'reFired. I'll just be doing without STT until I figure out a solution.
japtain.cack said:
Finally, with the flashing of my phone, my life is 100% Google free. Not even using MicroG. #GoogleYou'reFired. I'll just be doing without STT until I figure out a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Until I find a satisfactory alternative to Google's email, calendar, contacts, and cloud storage solutions, I'll still be here. Not that I'm looking right now...but one day. Maybe I'll try MicroG on my next phone. Maybe Elon Musk will roll out a linux-based, fully open source phone and supporting systems. Here's hoping!
Feenix0 said:
Until I find a satisfactory alternative to Google's email, calendar, contacts, and cloud storage solutions, I'll still be here. Not that I'm looking right now...but one day. Maybe I'll try MicroG on my next phone. Maybe Elon Musk will roll out a linux-based, fully open source phone and supporting systems. Here's hoping!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I'm using the synology nas and suite of apps. They are pretty OK. The sacrifices we make to opt out of data mining and the selling of our data to third parties... I currently have no plans to use microg. If elon makes a phone, I'd buy it, hopefully it would be better and more open.
japtain.cack said:
Yeah, I'm using the synology nas and suite of apps. They are pretty OK. The sacrifices we make to opt out of data mining and the selling of our data to third parties... I currently have no plans to use microg. If elon makes a phone, I'd buy it, hopefully it would be better and more open.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering how closed source all of elon projects are I very much doubt he'd bring out an open source android competitor, probs call it the xphone, pay to remove the integrated ****coin miner and some more for the ability to use his new 5g networking but hey maybe it'll have fart sounds as notifactions

How are you getting on with no play store of GMS.

Hi Guys.
Now its been a few months with the device, I know a lot of you are using the device with GMS. I have decided not to side load it on to the device, It took me a while to start get used to using the phone without. I have not had any real issues with getting apps via app gallery and petal search. (I have the odd app that doesn't work 100%, but they are apps i can live without)
how are you getting on with it all?
its been good for me also, thought i would have had a lot more issues but every app i need is there, the only exclusion atm being ebay which i can easly use via web as its layout is same as an app anyway lol
I think like most initially I was apprehensive but 8 weeks on I don't even notice tbh, life continues and I've got a banging bit of kit
dw9075n said:
Hi Guys.
Now its been a few months with the device, I know a lot of you are using the device with GMS. I have decided not to side load it on to the device, It took me a while to start get used to using the phone without. I have not had any real issues with getting apps via app gallery and petal search. (I have the odd app that doesn't work 100%, but they are apps i can live without)
how are you getting on with it all?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What apps are these? i may have easy work arounds for you.
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
I think like most initially I was apprehensive but 8 weeks on I don't even notice tbh, life continues and I've got a banging bit of kit
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty much how I feel, still a few apps here and there like OP said. Do hope AppGallery gets fleshed out soon, sounds like there's promising things on the way - just hoping Huawei invest in their ecosystem / store as they said they would!
That said, Petal Search was a pretty smart way for them to get arround Apps not being launched on their own store... Well played Huawei.
I used my phone with and without google play store. Decided to debloat my phone and got rid of all huawei and google services, including app stores. This impacted battery drastically. It added me 3 hrs of on-screen time. As for an app store, I use modded apkpure market. Mod disables all reporting, ads etc.
P.s Now i have a ridiculously long battery life. Enjoying my phone more than before.
faceliler said:
I used my phone with and without google play store. Decided to debloat my phone and got rid of all huawei and google services, including app stores. This impacted battery drastically. It added me 3 hrs of on-screen time. As for an app store, I use modded apkpure market. Mod disables all reporting, ads etc.
P.s Now i have a ridiculously long battery life. Enjoying my phone more than before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is actually a really interest approach that makes a lot of sense. One thing I will say is HMS still seems to be better on the battery than GMS devices / installed. I guess it would be a lot of the data collection and analysis from Googles end.
Do mapping services still work with both cores completely removed? Has there been any draw backs at all?
The Google maps app works fine. I use it daily. But apps that use Google maps needs Google services to display the map(Like Grab). They don't work. This is the only drawback that I experienced.
ChrisHtube said:
What apps are these? i may have easy work arounds for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only app i have had real issues with is the starbucks app. I've tried via the browsers but cannot use the card feature.
faceliler said:
The Google maps app works fine. I use it daily. But apps that use Google maps needs Google services to display the map(Like Grab). They don't work. This is the only drawback that I experienced.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am guessing that HMS core apps are probably on there way just taking a while.
it'll be good to see what will come in the next few months, daily there seems to be something new, I think I noticed sky go is now available!
now that i have gotten issues sorted out its not bad at all , only thing i miss is being able to cast to my chromecast. i set microsoft launcher and it allowed me to set google as my search engine so it feels very similar.
dw9075n said:
The only app i have had real issues with is the starbucks app. I've tried via the browsers but cannot use the card feature.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i see, unfortunately i don't use Starbucks. Im more of a Monster man haha. If i find anything ill be sure to let you know.
faceliler said:
I used my phone with and without google play store. Decided to debloat my phone and got rid of all huawei and google services, including app stores. This impacted battery drastically. It added me 3 hrs of on-screen time. As for an app store, I use modded apkpure market. Mod disables all reporting, ads etc.
P.s Now i have a ridiculously long battery life. Enjoying my phone more than before.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you have a link to that mod please?
rbs_uk said:
Would you have a link to that mod please?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got it from this website: https://apk4all.com/android/apps/apkpure-mobile-appstore-mod/
I meant link for this "Decided to debloat my phone and got rid of all huawei and google services, including app stores"
Manual for debloating?
MixEvo said:
now that i have gotten issues sorted out its not bad at all , only thing i miss is being able to cast to my chromecast. i set microsoft launcher and it allowed me to set google as my search engine so it feels very similar.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I am am streaming I just use the wireless display feature on the device.
EatSleepTechRepeat said:
it'll be good to see what will come in the next few months, daily there seems to be something new, I think I noticed sky go is now available!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it looks like it is getting much better. Once it has banking apps on there it will likely do much better and more people will start realising how fantastic the device is.
My music service is YouTube, I can't live without google services. I've been thinking about switch to other phone, the only gps I got working 100% of the time is Waze(Google app), don't have push for many apps is frustrating and I lost google pay that I used a lot. So not very happy.
raamoon said:
My music service is YouTube, I can't live without google services. I've been thinking about switch to other phone, the only gps I got working 100% of the time is Waze(Google app), don't have push for many apps is frustrating and I lost google pay that I used a lot. So not very happy.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try YouTube Vanced. Better than youtube and works.
---------- Post added at 07:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:40 AM ----------
rbs_uk said:
I meant link for this "Decided to debloat my phone and got rid of all huawei and google services, including app stores"
Manual for debloating?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh sorry, I used this guide: https://forum.xda-developers.com/huawei-p40-pro/how-to/adb-debloating-t4088633
In addition, I got the app called "App inspector" and got rid of many more apps than those in the guide. App inspector is for getting the package name of bloatware so i can use adb to uninstall.

Best replacement dialer app? (That doesn't need the big G)

If you are using a dialer app that isn't dependent on Google Services, and isn't the one that came with your phone (i.e. dependent on a bunch of manufacturer bloat), and you like it... could you share?
Optimally, it is open-source. I do not mind paid apps, but I need to be able to get it without Google Play (this is going on a Micro-G system, with no Store replacement).
"Simple Dialer" off F-Droid (et al) fits this bill nicely, but it has a few quirks that are too trivial to whine about but too lengthy to fix myself from source. I've tried the others there, not really what I am looking for.
Check out on f-droid
the most used FOSS dialers are
koler and true phone
out of the box , there is also the aosp phone (tipically comes from lineageOS)
If I am not mistaking there are also a magisk module for MIUI dialer
Psk.It said:
Check out on f-droid
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regrets kind sir, as mentioned, I already did that. Not trying to pick on any FOSS contribution, but none of those work quite as well for me as I want them to. To quantify, The LG dialer is the best functioning one I've used, but it requires AFAIK the whole platform (i.e. LG firmware) to work. There might be a way, but in the end, it is closed source from a vendor no longer selling phones, so a bit of a security risk IMHO.
Psk.It said:
If I am not mistaking there are also a magisk module for MIUI dialer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? Please tell me more. That's an Xiaomi thing, right? You are saying it works with other brands, too? ( OnePlus Nord N10 5G in this case)
SomeRandomGuy said:
Regrets kind sir, as mentioned, I already did that. Not trying to pick on any FOSS contribution, but none of those work quite as well for me as I want them to. To quantify, The LG dialer is the best functioning one I've used, but it requires AFAIK the whole platform (i.e. LG firmware) to work. There might be a way, but in the end, it is closed source from a vendor no longer selling phones, so a bit of a security risk IMHO.
? Please tell me more. That's an Xiaomi thing, right? You are saying it works with other brands, too? ( OnePlus Nord N10 5G in this case)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, my bad
I saw a set of miui magisk modules, but checking better no dial in them
What's the problem with your n10 dialer?
tipically dialer rely on other system services, so if there is a problem, maybe is not in the dial app, but more deep in the system
did you already try a factory reset?
Psk.It said:
What's the problem with your n10 dialer?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Current version relies on Google Services, which have been removed from my phone. Most phones now are ditching OEM dialers for this.
SomeRandomGuy said:
Current version relies on Google Services, which have been removed from my phone. Most phones now are ditching OEM dialers for this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am removing gservices as well, and koler for me works on A12 and on A11, also gdialer works even without services
@SomeRandomGuy
I notice a particolare behavior:
if you just replace the dialer apk, maybe the incall-ui will not work propertly
you should try installing the new dialer,
set It as default in the application settings
then remove the stock dialer
Aaaaand... here's why I ask this:
https://www.theregister.com/2022/03/21/google_messages_gdpr/

Question Am I better off just debloating google apps?

I means systemly removing them maybe keeping ones I want? I got all the major ones removed except for Google play services on stock rom. Replaced google camera with open camera and replaced google photos with lineage gallery. That way I can still have some google apps in some form. I deleted YouTube and music and just added them as third party apps instead that I can uninstall. It's easier than installing a custom ROM these days.
Temporarily disable* Google play Services when not needed. Gmail, Google backup and Playstore are dependencies of it. That may increase your SOT by a couple percentage an hour.
* uncheck find my device as system Administrator first in security. Otherwise Google play Services disable option may be grayed out.
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.
RDS5 said:
why not degoogle? do you rely on google play services for something?
you can gain tons of performance, battery life and privacy without the google play services, and for me its worked fine with aurora store and f-droid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using online Gmail through the browser is a pain.
Some apps need Google play Services and some apps are only available on Playstore.
Google is a pig... just hog tie it.
With debloating apps and magisk I made a lot of Google apps disappear. Kept important ones like files. And you can make it seem like google play is sandboxed with stock ROM of you know what you are doing.
Why do you want a less capable camera?
UltimateGamer83 said:
Can I get signature spoofing with micro g using stock firmware? If so how? I wanna get signature spoofing with youtube for when I'm out in public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about newpipe (alternative youtube client). or vanced?
otherwise, im pretty sure there are magisk modules to enable signature spoofing, but im not sure if they work on stock..
EDIT: nanodroid seems to be exactly what you need
i use lineageos/aosp on most of my devices tho..
blackhawk said:
Using online Gmail through the browser is a pain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i agree honestly, its probably intentional to get you to download the app..
arent there 3rd party mail clients tho? maybe those dont work as well tho
blackhawk said:
Some apps need Google play Services and some apps are only available on Playstore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aurora store can download apps from google play, and most apps that "need google play" dont actually need it and just throw warnings
blackhawk said:
Google is a pig... just hog tie it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
at the end it all depends on the apps and services you use.
if you are reliant on google services (eg. gmail, gpay) then you need google play services, no matter the downside.
for me i havent had a use for these services (i use a phone to make calls, play some games, take photos and watch videos. all of these can be accomplished without google play) but for many they are tied to this.
i just hope antitrust can come and bite these companies in the ass
how come microsoft got sued for IE in the 90s but now, doing the exact same thing with edge, they arent in any trouble? just something to think about..
I don't know if I am just stupid or missing something?
Why buy a Pixel if you are not going to use Google services? Like that is the whole point.
You think that by disabling Google services, using 3rd party apps and app stores you will not be tracked?
Google makes OS, UI, and processor. You don't think they can track your use in other ways besides Google services and Google apps?
You think that the 3rd party apps are safe and not tracking you?
I mean I totally get why you want to have privacy and less use on the processes and ram but I just feel like there is no escape.
Plus you lose the great AI in the camera if you switch to something else.
I just figured if I get a Pixel part of the deal is I get Google. Android is pretty much a Google mobile OS so they can track what they want once you agree to the EULA to use the phone. At least I know going in most of what I do is being monitored and monetized. Unlike some other companies that hide that fact and act privacy focused.
Sounds like you might be looking for CalyxOS
Wi1son said:
Why do you want a less capable camera?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My question, too... One of the big selling points of Pixel is the camera, but it works in tandem with software?
krakout said:
My question, too... One of the big selling points of Pixel is the camera, but it works in tandem with software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too wondered this. That being said, doesn't graphene OS have the Google camera working on its entirety?
Agreeing with others here - if you are really heading down that road (which reasoning I can fully understand) then I would suggest Graphene OS or Calyx OS which do exactly this....
RDS5 said:
what about newpipe (alternative youtube client). or vanced?
otherwise, im pretty sure there are magisk modules to enable signature spoofing, but im not sure if they work on stock..
EDIT: nanodroid seems to be exactly what you need
i use lineageos/aosp on most of my devices tho..
i agree honestly, its probably intentional to get you to download the app..
arent there 3rd party mail clients tho? maybe those dont work as well tho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like Gmail because of security, it's almost bulletproof. No Gmail related malware ever made it through in 15 years. Only a little common sense is needed. Spam filters are pretty good. Something equivalent or better be nice though.
RDS5 said:
aurora store can download apps from google play, and most apps that "need google play" dont actually need it and just throw warnings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A very few need Google play Services to run. Nothing critical though.
RDS5 said:
at the end it all depends on the apps and services you use.
if you are reliant on google services (eg. gmail, gpay) then you need google play services, no matter the downside.
for me i havent had a use for these services (i use a phone to make calls, play some games, take photos and watch videos. all of these can be accomplished without google play) but for many they are tied to this.
i just hope antitrust can come and bite these companies in the ass
how come microsoft got sued for IE in the 90s but now, doing the exact same thing with edge, they arent in any trouble? just something to think about..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since Android 10 and scoped storage Google Android is the enemy. Might as well be Apple.
Google pushes to end support for expandable storage. They're are liberal technocrats and need to be removed like the cancer they are. So yeah my next phone may indeed be Gookill free.
Schroeder09 said:
I too wondered this. That being said, doesn't graphene OS have the Google camera working on its entirety?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes, works perfectly on p7

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