Worrisome things about Android discussion

**TheBundo** · #1 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:33 PM

I read in the general discussion that all Android devices have the GPS on ALL the time. Aside from the privacy problem, isn't that a battery killer? I also read that you HAVE to sync your calendar with Google, and HAVE to have a Google account? WTF????

Aside from these concerns, feel free to add any of your own, and correct me if I'm wrong about any of my concerns.

**WarChild** · #2 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBundo

I read in the general discussion that all Android devices have the GPS on ALL the time. Aside from the privacy problem, isn't that a battery killer? I also read that you HAVE to sync your calendar with Google, and HAVE to have a Google account? WTF????

Aside from these concerns, feel free to add any of your own, and correct me if I'm wrong about any of my concerns.

I think anytime you switch operating systems lie this there will be issues with things like these. They are valad issues and this phone wont be for everybody all-be-it I think it will be for most.

CW

**gTen** · #3 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBundo

I read in the general discussion that all Android devices have the GPS on ALL the time. Aside from the privacy problem, isn't that a battery killer? I also read that you HAVE to sync your calendar with Google, and HAVE to have a Google account? WTF????

Aside from these concerns, feel free to add any of your own, and correct me if I'm wrong about any of my concerns.

You don't have to have a google account to use android.. just makes it easier...and you can sync outside of google for calender as well, google is jsut default.

In some android phones google was completely replaced with yahoo and bing.

You can also kill GPS if you want.

**TheBundo** · #4 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:55 PM

When you kill GPS, can you still use it when you want to, like Google Maps, etc., then turn it back off? Or are you really killing it for good from ROM?

**gTen** · #5 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBundo

When you kill GPS, can you still use it when you want to, like Google Maps, etc., then turn it back off? Or are you really killing it for good from ROM?

There are apps that provide and on/off functionality for gps..just as always if you turn it back on it will take a bit to get the satellites and etc...

**rainfreak** · #6 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 05:59 PM

You can turn it on and off as needed, though I don't personally see a need to have it off.

**TheBundo** · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the answers. Here is another. Can Android devices record phone calls like the TP2 can?

**gTen** · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBundo

Thanks for the answers. Here is another. Can Android devices record phone calls like the TP2 can?

yes there is..remember android is based on linux kernel so the sky is the limit.

Also don't forget you have to notify the other person you are recording the convo by law.

**TheBundo** · #9 (**permalink**) 05-13-2010, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gTen

yes there is..remember android is based on linux kernel so the sky is the limit.

Also don't forget you have to notify the other person you are recording the convo by law.

The recording laws are convulted. There are different laws by state, and then a Federal one that cover conversations accross state lines. Also, if there is reason to believe you may be being recorded "for training purposes" like you are notified of when on hold with many businesses, you are not required to notify them.

I'm glad to hear that you can record calls. That is a great feature for me, because I recieve a lot of complicated info by phone when driving, so I use call recording to save it until I get stopped later, and can listen to it again and write it down.

Okay, here is another question. I often get password-protected Office Files (mostly Excel, even from my own computer), and can't open them on my TP2's native Office program, but I can open them with SoftMaker Office (which also has all the desktop features, which MS Office Mobile doesn't). SoftMaker says they don't have the manpower at present to port over to Android. Is there a MS Office on Android, and/or are there better alternatives to MS Office Mobile that offer more features (like handling password-protected files)?

BenC · #10 (**permalink**) 05-14-2010, 01:15 AM

DataViz claims to be able to edit Excel and Doc files, a major concern for me. The move for me also means I will no longer have access to HanDBase and that will force me to carry a 2nd PDA (maybe keeping the TP2 for that purpose). Syncing contacts though is my scare. When I attempted to change my sync server settings to Google, the user name and password could not be changed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBundo

Okay, here is another question. I often get password-protected Office Files (mostly Excel, even from my own computer), and can't open them on my TP2's native Office program, but I can open them with SoftMaker Office (which also has all the desktop features, which MS Office Mobile doesn't). SoftMaker says they don't have the manpower at present to port over to Android. Is there a MS Office on Android, and/or are there better alternatives to MS Office Mobile that offer more features (like handling password-protected files)?