Develop Bugs

[Q] Will the Desire do what my Diamond 2 does?

I am currently using a Topaz windows mobile based phone, and thinking about switching to a Desire.
However, I use my phone extensively for business, and need to know if there are some things that Android will allow.
First off, I need to be able to access my home network with the wireless. Currently I use Resco explorer, browse to my server share, and copy the files I will need to the SD card. Is this possible on Android? Is it just as easy? I often have to do this first thing in the morning, when I don't have a lot of time. This is an absolute deal breaker for me, so I am really looking for some help before I commit to a new phone.
Non show stoppers but nice to have;
Cookie's Home Tab type display , which allows me to show my next 3 calendar appointments, and 3 tasks on the home screen. Will Sense allow this on the Desire? I like the Sense interface and widgets, so would prefer to keep Sense, but am prepared to apply additional software to allow me to do what I need to. (Paid or otherwise).
The ability to map hardware keys to specific functions (eg I currently have long press on the back key to switch off my wifi. Handy for in the car, when I forget to switch it off).
Ability to edit open office, and ms office documents.
That's it I guess. Any and all feedback very much appreciated.

1) yes you can browse files on your home network using the desire, you need 3rd party software tho also there are apps that will let you controll your pc and or device remotlely from your device and or pc
2) there are loads of calendar widgets on the marketplace im sure one will take your fancy
3) the wifi will switch itself off after x amout of time idle
4) the desire comes with quick office out of the box but there are tons of office apps so yeah

Just a small warning if you think to sync your mobile with the PC (callendar, notes, mails, contacts) via bluetooth - it's not possible in android.
Well, not entirely true, as there is "Missing Sync" in the market, but costs for about $40 - a bit too much.
So, try to love your usb cable

Or sync through the google things and sync your home stuff with the google things. For me it's annoying as I hate the google things, but it does sort of work.

dysje said:
Or sync through the google things and sync your home stuff with the google things. For me it's annoying as I hate the google things, but it does sort of work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you buy a google thing-centric phone if you hate google things?

On it's way
Thanks guys, you've convinced me.
Ordered from O2 for the princely sum of £285 + VAT, which I thought was a mistake, but it seems not. Be rude not to at that price.
Bit of luck it will arrive tomorrow, as I'm not working, so can play all day

JohnSteveDoe said:
Why would you buy a google thing-centric phone if you hate google things?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just to give one example - I would not want to share with google my company contacts.
Also I preffer to keep business calendar outside of google (with all the respect)
Regards
R
Sent from my ZX Spectrum using Froyo_zx81

remmyhi said:
Just to give one example - I would not want to share with google my company contacts.
Also I preffer to keep business calendar outside of google (with all the respect)
Regards
R
Sent from my ZX Spectrum using Froyo_zx81
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're not "sharing" with google though. You're just using their webspace to host information such as calendar and contacts.
Do you really think that Google have the time to look though all of their user's data, see your calendar information and contacts?

brummiesteven said:
You're not "sharing" with google though. You're just using their webspace to host information such as calendar and contacts.
Do you really think that Google have the time to look though all of their user's data, see your calendar information and contacts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol ..........

brummiesteven said:
You're not "sharing" with google though. You're just using their webspace to host information such as calendar and contacts.
Do you really think that Google have the time to look though all of their user's data, see your calendar information and contacts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would they bother with your phone when they've got street view cars to access open WiFi networks?
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Most people here swear by Astro file manager and their add ons.
Check out the Sense agenda widget for upcoming appointments and tasks.
Widgets are the way to go, Sense widgets for WiFi, mobile connectivity, airplane mode etc etc etc......
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Thanks JabbaFat32.
Will check both of those out.

make facebook correct their app... so the contact sync works on ICS

Hi there,
Facebook put out their new app this week
unfortunatly, the contact synching is not working ...
i opened a request here : https://www.facebook.com/help/community/question/?id=1845593
maybe if the link is shared, and a lot of people ask for a fix, they would fix it ?

I thought ICS didn't support contact syncing with Facebook anyway? The feature seemed to come and go on my Desire depending on how frosty Google-Facebook relations were at the time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

It's something that Google won't allow happen until facebook gives in to their demands. They demanded that it be programmed in a certain way and facebook said "screw you". So Google said, then your syncing no longer works.
It doesn't work on any Nexus phones that I know of...at least not directly from the official facebook app.

All Facebook has to do is use the Android Contacts API, which they so far are refusing to do.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Chrono_Tata said:
All Facebook has to do is use the Android Contacts API, which they so far are refusing to do.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Google has to do is pull their head out of their ass and stop screwing their users over.

MikeyMike01 said:
All Google has to do is pull their head out of their ass and stop screwing their users over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How dare you talk about Google that way?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

pr3cision said:
How dare you talk about Google that way?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is probably one of the least likeable companies around.
Sent from my SGH-I897

What we actually have here is two differing philosophies about ownership of data.
Google believes your data is portable. They believe that once you import data, you own it, and you should be able to export it. If you give me your phone number, I know own that data. Example: If you decide you don't want me to have your number any more, you can't do anything about it. You can't make me forget it or tear up the piece of paper I wrote it down on. You shared it, I imported it, it's now mine.
Facebook disagrees with this. Facebook believes that the phone number only belongs to the person who's phone it is. They believe that if you share your phone number with me, I have to give it back and forget about it if you ever ask me to. Because of this, Facebook does not allow integrating contact info. They only allow Facebook contact data to exist "along side" your other data. So if someone unfriends you, you lose their contact info, picture, etc.
Google, on the other hand, recognizes that this is fundamentally stupid. If you share your data with me, I can keep it if I want, and I can export it to my contacts list if I want and if you don't like it then don't share it!
Facebook takes their position under the guise of maintaining that "only you should have ownership of your own data." But in reality they are enforcing the presence of Facebook if you want to use data obtained from Facebook. In essence, they are asserting that Facebook owns your data that you share.
This is another example of Facebook's dangerous philosophy about "openness." They call it open, but really it's Facebook in control. Meanwhile Google lets you pack up and leave and take your data with you any time you like....

screw you facebook....

rsox said:
I thought ICS didn't support contact syncing with Facebook anyway? The feature seemed to come and go on my Desire depending on how frosty Google-Facebook relations were at the time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i didn't know that, do you have a source ?
BTW the synching menu is there, but the facebook app get one error... so i guess its not really that google forbid something, but that facebook did an error...
I really don't belive google will play that kind of game, and make the android customer unhappy...
Android always gave their user the choice (see flash...)
if Android forbid Facebook sync, apple could use this...
and there are FAR more facebook users than flash sites

alain57 said:
i didn't know that, do you have a source ?
BTW the synching menu is there, but the facebook app get one error... so i guess its not really that google forbid something, but that facebook did an error...
I really don't belive google will play that kind of game, and make the android customer unhappy...
Android always gave their user the choice (see flash...)
if Android forbid Facebook sync, apple could use this...
and there are FAR more facebook users than flash sites
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can google for this information pretty easily. Facebook and Google has had this high-profile fight since earlier this year.
Google is obviously trying to put the pressure on Facebook to be more open with their data, but not really succeeding since probably over 90% of Android users aren't even affected by this anyway. Most OEM flavours of Android such as Sense and TouchWiz still support Facebook syncing. If you want Facebook syncing with your People app you can use an app like FriendCaster instead.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

When you say contact sync, do you mean that you can see Facebook statuses in the People app? If so, wouldn't it be easier to just go to Facebook app? You can do/see much more stuff (Facebook-related) in the Facebook app than in the People app.

I dont know about Nexus, but I have HD2 and CM7 ROM and everything syncs....so I suppose stock ROM on Nexus doesnt support facebook syncing but others do/will

luffyp said:
When you say contact sync, do you mean that you can see Facebook statuses in the People app? If so, wouldn't it be easier to just go to Facebook app? You can do/see much more stuff (Facebook-related) in the Facebook app than in the People app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most people want contact syncing with Facebook as a lot of people list their phone numbers in Facebook and to pull profile pictures from Facebook to use as contact photos.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

MikeyMike01 said:
All Google has to do is pull their head out of their ass and stop screwing their users over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol @ you
Sent from my Yakju Googletron

Chrono_Tata said:
Most people want contact syncing with Facebook as a lot of people list their phone numbers in Facebook and to pull profile pictures from Facebook to use as contact photos.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unless they fix it you can use this program if you want the pictures youll just have to add the contacts info from facebook yourself
Google Contact Sync

This actually disappeared in a Gingerbread update (2.3.3) for the Nexus S back in February or March, IIRC. Probably not at all surprising therefore that it's not in ICS

The Nexus One still supports this feature, even with the latest Gingerbread update from Google. The latest CyanogenMod ROMs also still do this on the Nexus One. I believe that Google's reasoning there was that the device came with the ability, so they would allow it to stay.
I really wish Facebook would just update their app to use the proper API. I used SyncMyPix and it worked well enough, but it would be nice if Facebook could just do it properly.
A word of warning about Friendcaster... all info I could find says that Friendcaster pulls all your (possibly hundreds of) Facebook friends into your phone's contacts. I didn't want this. I only wanted to sync with my existing contacts, like I was able to do on my Nexus One. SyncMyPix did this pretty well.

MikeyMike01 said:
Google is probably one of the least likeable companies around.
Sent from my SGH-I897
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What on Earth are you talking about? lol
From the customer perspective: They get nothing but rave reviews.
From a personnel perspective: They get nothing but rave reviews.
Their employees love them, their customers love them.

matt2053 said:
What we actually have here is two differing philosophies about ownership of data.
Google believes your data is portable. They believe that once you import data, you own it, and you should be able to export it. If you give me your phone number, I know own that data. Example: If you decide you don't want me to have your number any more, you can't do anything about it. You can't make me forget it or tear up the piece of paper I wrote it down on. You shared it, I imported it, it's now mine.
Facebook disagrees with this. Facebook believes that the phone number only belongs to the person who's phone it is. They believe that if you share your phone number with me, I have to give it back and forget about it if you ever ask me to. Because of this, Facebook does not allow integrating contact info. They only allow Facebook contact data to exist "along side" your other data. So if someone unfriends you, you lose their contact info, picture, etc.
Google, on the other hand, recognizes that this is fundamentally stupid. If you share your data with me, I can keep it if I want, and I can export it to my contacts list if I want and if you don't like it then don't share it!
Facebook takes their position under the guise of maintaining that "only you should have ownership of your own data." But in reality they are enforcing the presence of Facebook if you want to use data obtained from Facebook. In essence, they are asserting that Facebook owns your data that you share.
This is another example of Facebook's dangerous philosophy about "openness." They call it open, but really it's Facebook in control. Meanwhile Google lets you pack up and leave and take your data with you any time you like....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a load of crap. Google masquerades their bull open policy too. They're both self absorbed companies fighting over who gets to steal your information.
Facebook is sitting on the mother load of personal information and Google wants to get at that information.
Google put a wrench in Facebook's app in a shameless attempt to push Google+.
Sent from my SGH-I897

Google NEEDS to add facebook integration already!!!!!!!

No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?

Gambler_3 said:
No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, facebook needs to comply with the APIs.

So you want Facebook contacts? Doesn't it already sync with your contacts. What's it missing. And Google shouldn't stop G+. The second businesses tuck there tails because there's a better product is when consumers suffer. Google is trying to make a good network. Use Google plus its actually very good. Facebook is about ads and making money. We are just not getting a native android app
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

I personally don't like having my Facebook contact numbers cluttering my phonebook so it isn't a deal breaker by any means. I'd rather they keep the stock Android experience as minimal as possible.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus

Zepius said:
no, facebook needs to comply with the APIs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They complied with them in gingerbread and Google blocked com.facebook.katana in syncproviders.apk. So either way, Google will not allow it.
---------- Post added at 06:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:00 PM ----------
ECBomb said:
I personally don't like having my Facebook contact numbers cluttering my phonebook so it isn't a deal breaker by any means. I'd rather they keep the stock Android experience as minimal as possible.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Having Facebook contacts sync with already existing contacts is a nice feature imho (G+ does this). I wouldn't want to sync all my FB contacts obviously.

Doesn't the app sync with your contacts already ?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Gambler_3 said:
No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
facebook has nothing to do with google, youtube does. just because youre a heavy facebook user, thats youre choice. im a heavy g+ user, and dont even have the facebook app installed, nor would never want it installed on my device. deal with it instead of crying about it.

Gambler_3 said:
No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol!!!!!!!

If you want FB integration get an HTC phone. The nexus is pure Google....and there is nothing Google about FB.
Plus getting FB pics to sync is worthless since 90% of the people put pics of their cats up as a profile image...lol

It would be different if Google were asking for the moon, upgrading to the modern APIs should be child's play for facebook.
It doesn't affect me however, I don't even have an account on that lackluster ad platform.

You do understand the Facebook sync is ready to go right? They just need to make a native app with the appropriate api's. Am with Google on this one, if you don't make a native app (f*ck html5 apps) they should be able to sync.
Sent from my GT-P7310 using Tapatalk 2

turdbogls said:
If you want FB integration get an HTC phone. The nexus is pure Google....and there is nothing Google about FB.
Plus getting FB pics to sync is worthless since 90% of the people put pics of their cats up as a profile image...lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhmmmm. That one might be just you lol
simms22 said:
facebook has nothing to do with google, youtube does. just because youre a heavy facebook user, thats youre choice. im a heavy g+ user, and dont even have the facebook app installed, nor would never want it installed on my device. deal with it instead of crying about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea except everyone uses fb. I cant name one friend that uses google+. Especially international. And i go to a tech school. Legit too. Not that itt internet school crap lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Gambler_3 said:
No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as a phone revolves around being a social device a lot of us don't want social clutter on our phones, not to mention apple probably patented Facebook integration. In yo face in yo face!
...

So...why should Google make Facebook's app work?
The APIs have been around since ICS.

Dri94 said:
Uhmmmm. That one might be just you lol
Yea except everyone uses fb. I cant name one friend that uses google+. Especially international. And i go to a tech school. Legit too. Not that itt internet school crap lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah well, I go to a crap internet school, and even I knew the APIs that Facebook needs to use have been around since ICS and that the sync problem lies squarely on Facebook's shoulders.
So much for your 'legit' school.

DroidDavi said:
Doesn't the app sync with your contacts already ?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only with existing contacts, there is no way to export numbers from profiles. Like anyone who has given their number on their facebook profile, they will be automatically added to your phonebook even if you didnt have their number with native integration but not possible on a nexus phone. Nobody is talking about having ALL the facebook contacts in your phonebook only those with a number.
And I dont get pics of a few people because people can choose to block the app from interacting their profile. Dont know what that really means but thats what the app devs say and it holds true as I dont get pics for a few users.

Gambler_3 said:
No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Waaaaaaaaah what are you? Like 15? Its a social media tool not your life smfh
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

Gambler_3 said:
No its not enough to use an "app" for it as they have limited functionality and running a custom rom just to get facebook integration is even more idiotic.
Its about time google realized google+ is never going to stop facebook domination just give it up already please, facebook is like youtube there is nothing else like it and wont be. Every other major platform including non-nexus android phones as well have native facebook contact integration now.
And dont tell me facebook is being ridiculous with their demands, you know when apple can man up and accept facebook domination as something that cant be ignored then why is google being a ***** about it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eff that. Not everyone uses facebook. Not everyone wants to use it on their phone.
Sent from my phone.

The galaxy S3 has fb integration its plain foolish to think that google isnt doing it because it obviously doesnt like facebook and is hiding around some stupid excuse.
And it does NOT matter if G+ is better because no one uses it. I didnt say google should retire G+ no but that they should stop thinking that they can bring down facebook and be friends with them.

What the hell is up with all the people here? So you dont like facebook? Fine a billion people do and most people who actually have a life no offense.
Android is all about having the "option" to use your phone the way you like it and what suits your way of things. Stop being so utterly defensive over this.

[Q] New Rom / missing features of basic apps

Hi!
I just installed the KITKANG rom (cf. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2549776) and a the first glance, it is pretty nice. But then I noticed a few things I really dislike such as
- The Web Browser does not reformat text (to make it fitting on the screen) if you zoom in manually by gesture. The browser I had on my previous image (caynogenmod 7) did this. And I don't want to miss that feature anymore.
- The contacts application seems to work by syncing contacts tothe Google cloud, only. My old contacts app had the choice to store contacts locally on the phone without Google sync.
I have no idea how to get this missing features back, again. Any comments / pointers?
I.

- Install another browser that has this feature
- The newer 'people' app may not have the option to store locally, but why do you want this? The whole point of an Android phone is to sync with your Google account.
It is dangerous to only store your contacts on the phone, because if you ever lose the phone, you lose all your contacts.
If you sync your contacts to your Google account and you lose your phone, your contacts are still safe :good:

eddiehk6 said:
- Install another browser that has this feature
- The newer 'people' app may not have the option to store locally, but why do you want this? The whole point of an Android phone is to sync with your Google account.
It is dangerous to only store your contacts on the phone, because if you ever lose the phone, you lose all your contacts.
If you sync your contacts to your Google account and you lose your phone, your contacts are still safe :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@ browser issue: I meanwhile learned that the issue cause by a change of the the rendering engine in Android to WebView. So, almost all browsers are affected by this. (For details, google "Text Reflow Removed From WebViews In KitKat, Probably Not Coming Back"). Opera is an exception, because it comes alone with its own machinery. However, I tried Opera and is is slow on my HTC Desire. As many, many other people complaining, I cannot understand why the Android development folks dropped such a fundamental feature. The Android Browser of Kitkat tends to be unusable now! And I consider a smartphone without a proper browser as unusable as well. Which at the end might prevent me from buying another Android smartphone...
@ contacts: I totally disagree. Well, yes, from Googles perspective, your statement might be true. But for the user, Android is at first just an operating system to run your smartphone. Think about why Google wants your data...! - I want to *own* my data, so I don't want to use cloud services. Strange that you think syncing of data is equivalent to syncing to Google! Of course I sync all my data. To my own PC. If I'd loose my phone, I won't loose my data, just re-install it to my new phone from my PC.
It is nice that Google offers syncing. But enforcing to sync *is* evil...

inmado said:
@ browser issue: I meanwhile learned that the issue cause by a change of the the rendering engine in Android to WebView. So, almost all browsers are affected by this. (For details, google "Text Reflow Removed From WebViews In KitKat, Probably Not Coming Back"). Opera is an exception, because it comes alone with its own machinery. However, I tried Opera and is is slow on my HTC Desire. As many, many other people complaining, I cannot understand why the Android development folks dropped such a fundamental feature. The Android Browser of Kitkat tends to be unusable now! And I consider a smartphone without a proper browser as unusable as well. Which at the end might prevent me from buying another Android smartphone...
@ contacts: I totally disagree. Well, yes, from Googles perspective, your statement might be true. But for the user, Android is at first just an operating system to run your smartphone. Think about why Google wants your data...! - I want to *own* my data, so I don't want to use cloud services. Strange that you think syncing of data is equivalent to syncing to Google! Of course I sync all my data. To my own PC. If I'd loose my phone, I won't loose my data, just re-install it to my new phone from my PC.
It is nice that Google offers syncing. But enforcing to sync *is* evil...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can see this descending quickly into a rather philosophical debate, but on the basis of your reasoning I wonder whether an Android smartphone is suitable for your needs in the first place. I didn't know your stance on personal data from your first post.
I agree with the text reflow browser, a really useful feature. Opera has it like you found out, though the Desire is just an old phone now which struggles to run it. Plenty of newer Android devices will run it just fine. The depth of the Play Store is such that you'll almost certainly find an alternative suitable for your requirements, so perhaps test and consider that for future smartphone purchases.
As for syncing with cloud services, it comes down to user trust and needs I guess. You're right you don't have to use Google, but an Android smartphone really does work best if you use their services.
No, I don't think that syncing of all my data is equivalent to syncing to Google, I use other other accounts too and don't sync everything. In my opinion I think it's possible to find a reasonable middle ground between paranoid tin hat and being ignorant about all personal data. For me, I disable all location tracking stuff and usage stats for any apps (not just Google ones), as I don't need them and feel uncomfortable sending this data. But I do sync other google services like Gmail / contacts because I find they work and are convenient for me. You believe it's evil, I believe it's useful and convenient, just a difference of opinion.
For your workaround, if you don't want to sync contacts, you could disable contact sync within the settings. Would be equivalent to local storage. Or install a different contacts app to manage and store contacts locally.

To avoid this philosophical debate, I'll try give a short answer.
I am using Android for about 5 years now. Without using Google cloud services. And have been a happy Android user. Sounds quite funny to me if someone wonders if Android would be the right thing for me.
Using cloud services is not really a matter of trust. I.e. I am not afraid that Google looks into single items and makes use out of it. But if you have heard about "big data", you can imagine what the result can be when all the data of some many people gets available for ... things you cannot even imagine..
I tried to add a contact with Google sync switched off. It just don't work. The app hangs...

inmado said:
To avoid this philosophical debate, I'll try give a short answer.
I am using Android for about 5 years now. Without using Google cloud services. And have been a happy Android user. Sounds quite funny to me if someone wonders if Android would be the right thing for me.
Using cloud services is not really a matter of trust. I.e. I am not afraid that Google looks into single items and makes use out of it. But if you have heard about "big data", you can imagine what the result can be when all the data of some many people gets available for ... things you cannot even imagine..
I tried to add a contact with Google sync switched off. It just don't work. The app hangs...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're revealing more about your preferences and Android experience to date with each post...it's not just me wondering whether Android is right for you, in your second post you said so yourself
Anyway each to their own.
Have you tried installing a completely separate contacts/dialer application? You could sideload or use a different app store to find one. A few I know of:
- Contacts+
- Ex dialer
- RocketDial
- Go contacts ex
I'm certain at least one of them will be able to create phone contacts only.

Go the Google way?

So, eBay willing I will get my Huawei Mate Xs in about 10 days time.
And I have a difficult decision ahead of me. Do I Google or not?
Installing GMS and the Google apps will make my phone more like my existing Android device. But it will also introduce inevitable stability (and possibly security) issues.
Sticking to the Huawei apps avoids these, but limits my options somewhat.
What do you guys think. Do I Google or not?

If you can do without Google docs and drive, I say skip the Google hack. It's kinda risky. Even if you use the Mate XS as is without the hack, you can still use some Google services.
Gmail still works through Microsoft Outlook. Google calendar works through Business Calendar. Google Maps load fine even though can't sign in. Chrome works. Facebook Instagram WhatsApp all work.
So the only thing I use often that's missing for me is really Google drive, doc, YouTube. For latter I just go on the web browser to watch and it's ok. Not as good as app but not terrible.
I made a video of the whole setup if you're interested.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzmPXS7KrA&
rcs1000 said:
So, eBay willing I will get my Huawei Mate Xs in about 10 days time.
And I have a difficult decision ahead of me. Do I Google or not?
Installing GMS and the Google apps will make my phone more like my existing Android device. But it will also introduce inevitable stability (and possibly security) issues.
Sticking to the Huawei apps avoids these, but limits my options somewhat.
What do you guys think. Do I Google or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

radioraheem2 said:
If you can do without Google docs and drive, I say skip the Google hack. It's kinda risky. Even if you use the Mate XS as is without the hack, you can still use some Google services.
Gmail still works through Microsoft Outlook. Google calendar works through Business Calendar. Google Maps load fine even though can't sign in. Chrome works. Facebook Instagram WhatsApp all work.
So the only thing I use often that's missing for me is really Google drive, doc, YouTube. For latter I just go on the web browser to watch and it's ok. Not as good as app but not terrible.
I made a video of the whole setup if you're interested.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzmPXS7KrA&
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. I'm using stock browser, email, and messenger. I can do almost everything just as if I was using Google.

misleading
radioraheem2 said:
If you can do without Google docs and drive, I say skip the Google hack. It's kinda risky. Even if you use the Mate XS as is without the hack, you can still use some Google services.
Gmail still works through Microsoft Outlook. Google calendar works through Business Calendar. Google Maps load fine even though can't sign in. Chrome works. Facebook Instagram WhatsApp all work.
So the only thing I use often that's missing for me is really Google drive, doc, YouTube. For latter I just go on the web browser to watch and it's ok. Not as good as app but not terrible.
I made a video of the whole setup if you're interested.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzmPXS7KrA&
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all due respect that video is not yours. its Ben from ben gadget review. please stop lying

rcs1000 said:
So, eBay willing I will get my Huawei Mate Xs in about 10 days time.
And I have a difficult decision ahead of me. Do I Google or not?
Installing GMS and the Google apps will make my phone more like my existing Android device. But it will also introduce inevitable stability (and possibly security) issues.
Sticking to the Huawei apps avoids these, but limits my options somewhat.
What do you guys think. Do I Google or not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can have the best of both worlds by downloading vmos. I have the Huawei mate xs and it is working well.

The issue I have with VMOS is that I know *nothing* about the company who makes it. You are giving an awful lot of power to a company where the owners are unknown, that has no obvious revenue model, and where the code is closed source.
I sent a message using their contact us form, to understand what they were doing and to see if I could help with commercialisation (I'm a reasonably successful tech entrepreneur).
But I got no response.
So... I might use VMOS to run Uber in, but I'm not connecting my Google account to it.

Just got mine, tried without... but it was just not possible, there were about 10 apps I use regularly that do not want to work without Google services. Plus there are several apps I have purchased that I could either not use at all or would have had to use the free version full of ads - just not an option.
The videos posted in this thread were really hard to follow, ommitted important steps etc.
For me this one was great, even if it was still a pain and I needed 3 hard resets before getting there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYOU_YxrHhc
Now I only have 2 apps I can't use: Google Play music (but that plays fine in the browser so no big deal, also on VMOS if needed to be offline), and... the most stupid of things, the McDonald's app for getting coupons. That damn app is more protected than games and banking apps, it's ridiculous... it won't run on VMOS either.
EDIT: Damn it's been a while since I've been here, [email protected]

radioraheem2 said:
If you can do without Google docs and drive, I say skip the Google hack. It's kinda risky. Even if you use the Mate XS as is without the hack, you can still use some Google services.
Gmail still works through Microsoft Outlook. Google calendar works through Business Calendar. Google Maps load fine even though can't sign in. Chrome works. Facebook Instagram WhatsApp all work.
So the only thing I use often that's missing for me is really Google drive, doc, YouTube. For latter I just go on the web browser to watch and it's ok. Not as good as app but not terrible.
I made a video of the whole setup if you're interested.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzmPXS7KrA&
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about youtube music or banking apps?

Youtube Music works for me. Google play music didn't but since that's going to be killed shortly and once should migrate to YTM and use that it's what I did.
Banking apps most of mine work, only one doesn't.

im think for buy the huawei xs but if the xda dont want unlock root ....

I'm getting mine tomorrow and I'll try it without GMS and see how I like it. Biggest drawback I see is the lack of native Youtube app support, I prefer not to use the browser version.