Have you checked the last Google Io?
They don't hide that they collect data.
Android is still open.
You can't expect Google to just give you a android distribution without their stuff for free just because.
You still can use it.
They have a mode in Chrome called "incognito mode" that, to the average person, strongly implies it doesn't collect data, yet of course it does.
It says what it does right there when you open it, and collecting data _and sending it to google_ would be pretty damn weird in incognito mode.
You're not invisible to websites, ISPs, ... and it says so right on the page.
I paid for the phone and they are still collecting my data. For me this is not free.
You paid for the phone, not for the google services.
You're free to use non-google services on android. Moreover open street map, and numerous other email clients, exist - it's even a practical choice.
> For me this is not free.
No comment on this portion
That was your decision. There are other options.
And while you mind, billions are really happy to have a very secure and relativity cheap phone.
I don't think Google is evil because they get money through ads.
I'm fine with that.
There is also a huge difference on how Google collects, stores and analysis your data vs. companies like Facebook.
I'm pretty sure Google actually knows we're your data is in comparison to Facebook
Apple is playing the game without ads as well.
Nokia could have forked android.
Google just continue to care enough.
The other companies could replicate it. The just don't mind
They’re probably largely to blame for setting the precedent that Internet services should be free. And of course backed by selling user data or unsustainable venture capital backed business models.
That's just the fat, juicy worm dangling on the hook just waiting for you to take it all in--hook, line, and sinker.
I can decide if I'm okay with it or not. You are clearly not. I'm.
Not to belabor a frequently raised discussion topic, but "free" as in gratis is not the same as "zero dollars"
And google charges its customers
Don’t make us all laugh. It’s ‘free’ because the user is the product, not the service.
We all know what it means. Still doesn't change the fact what the value for billion of people is real.
Google still provides android, Google maps, Gmail for free. World changing at it's time still helping people around the globe.
Their research blog is fantastic and shows what they value.
Google Io focus on people and security and trust.
Google is much further away from evil than plenty of other companies.
Did they kill stadia? Yes.
Did actually anyone care? No. Because stadia didn't matter anyway.