Is Android a Google prison? / Is Android for Gmail user only?

G

grekory

New member
Hello,
Trying an Android phone (HTC Tattoo) in a shop, I couldn't test the diary, because I got the error: "No Gmail account connected, would you create one?" (

THEN THE SELLER TOLD ME:
- You cannot call if you have no Gmail account !!
- You cannot use many features of an Android phone if you have no Gmail account !!
Android looks to be a Google prison, if this above is right.

QUESTIONS
1. What are the Android built in features you cannot use without connecting to a Gmail account?

2. For those features, are there third party softwares working without a Gmail account?
And what web site do you recommend to find those software?

3. Is this right:
Sync/Connect to Gmail account => transfer data => pay the operator.
(=> means "involves")


In other words: should I really create a (empty/un-used) Gmail account to enjoy an Android phone?

Thanks and regards.
 
not completely sure I understand your question, but u can completely turn off all auto syncing to the associated Gmail account. when new contacts are put in, for example, android will ask if you want to sync to Gmail or work account, even w/ sync deactivated. I believe it does this so it will know what to do in the event you activate auto syncing later (like I did)

Sent from my SPH-M900 using Tapatalk
 
An Android device can work with or with out all the Google application,to show you and example search for the Motorola Backflip or check for Android Phones in China and you find that the Chinese Android devices don't have any Android Applications.I hope this answer your questionand welcome to AC forum
 
well, i never thought of this as a problem--gmail is the best email client i've ever used, but i do understand your concern that you wouldn't want to just switch emails spontaneously.

since android is made by google, you do have to log into a gmail account. however, you really aren't forced to use gmail or anything. i believe android phones come with a native email client that i actually like more than the native gmail client. i'm not sure if you can sync contacts and stuff with a non-gmail account, though.

unfortunately, i'm not exactly sure what your other concerns are...
 
of course you need to create a google account... it's ties into your youtube, google market, maps, etc. personally, i find it very convenient especially since i own a GOOGLE phone. why the heck wouldn't you want one? even then, there's an email client pre-packaged with the android software for you to sync any other email address. and if that still doesn't tickle your fancy, you can ROOT the phone! the possibilities are endless.
 
No... you do not need a gmail/google account to use an android phone.

It is very convenient to have it because you can autosync your contacts emails etc... and also enjoy the android store.

Nevertheless if you really do not want to use a google account you can still enjoy the phone with all its features...

For applications you have to have the security settings set so you can install apps apps from unknown sources

Menu > setiings > Applications > Unknown sources {V}

And the install a alterantive store such as "slideme.org" > http://slideme.org/

Hope this answer your questions

Cheers
Duarte
 
The Android OS comes in 2 flavors. There's the "Google API Version" and the vanilla flavored Android OS. Most phones out have the Google version, simply because most of us use Google's services and like the convenience. Otherwise it would be very boring, and lack all the generic apps (and the app market).

So, it's not a prison at all. In fact, it's wide open. If you have a Google API Version, then all you need to do is uncheck all the syncing.
 
Why not make a Google account? It's free, you never have to use it for anything, and it only takes 30 seconds to create a Google account when you first switch the phone on. You do not ever have to use it for anything else and you'll have the advantage that your contacts are backed up (assuming you don't turn that off). That way you can use everything on your phone (Market, etc) that requires a Google account.
 
I made a gmail account when I got my first android G1 phone. and thats all. I get ZERO emails there. I use it for nothing.

It also has a Mail client app, and the gmail one. I just use, open, and have on my desktop the Email one and I use it for my Yahoo, and Hotmail both.

One plus is every single phone number was linked to my Gmail account I made, so when I bought the Nexus one. Without inserting my Sim card or anything I signed into my Gmail on the nexus one, and I instantly had all my phone numbers, contacts, email addresses, map address saves and everything. it sends it all over Via Google Cloud. Very nice feature.

it's not locked down in any way, unlike iPhone OS, there's more than one email client.
 
Ok folks let me ask you this. I have been a Windows Mobile guy for years and know it inside and out. But am thinking it's time to try Android what with the EVO about to drop. And I am curious how I go about syncing an Android phone with MS Outlook, which I have been using for decades and has all of the information I would want on the phone, email, calendar, tasks, notes/memos. I am brand new to the Android environment and am just wondering, can this even be done or will I have to give up Outlook to have Android?

Thanks
 
Android 2.1 supports Exchange. If you want some of the more popular groupware portions that Android doesn't support, there's pay-for clients in the Market you can use (touchdown, etc)
 
I started my Android life with a G1 and used gSyncit to sync my Outlook data through Google to my phone.

I've since switched to a Mac, and use Spanning Sync to do the same between my Mac and my N1. I use my gSyncit licence on my work PC to sync my work calendar into my Google account.

I'd heartily recommend both of these utilities.

Do make sure you backup your Outlook (MS do a free backup add-in) before your first sync - the contacts information doesn't always map across perfectly so you may need to tweak some of your contacts (in your Google account or on your phone) to get the best results.

HTH
 
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