Android phones, apps and tablets

Source?

I'm running 4.4 on an N5 and I have 4 Google accounts on the phone and have Google Now disabled and G+ disabled.

Looking at running apps, Google Now is definitely not running. Google Search isn't even running.

There are two Google services that are running, but through the debugging stack I can see one is purely related to a location helper (seems to be a cache of locations to help speed up location based stuff), and the other is purely related to Google apps and seems to be a service for Gmail/Calendar to ensure updates get it.

I cannot see anything that identifies itself as Google Now, or Google Search, that is running.

Google Now is 'always on' in 4.4 apparently
.

No it's not.

If I swipe up on mine it shows Google Search and even says "Get Google Now". Which takes you to a place where you can opt-in.

Google Search isn't even running.

Have you found a clever way of killing it? I had it removed from my Galaxy Nexus but it just left empty space at the top of the screen where the search bar was - you have to root/custom rom it to actually use that part of the screen. It'd be nice if there was a way around that.

This: http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/how-to-disable-hide-google-search-bar-in-android-4-0-ics-stock-launcher/

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobile-phones-and-apps/25-tips-for-the-google-nexus-5-50012758/

Cloud printing enabled by default. DNW

Have you found a clever way of killing it? I had it removed from my Galaxy Nexus but it just left empty space at the top of the screen where the search bar was - you have to root/custom rom it to actually use that part of the screen. It'd be nice if there was a way around that.

Not a clever way of killing it, but the following is true for me:
1) Google Now is disabled
2) Google Plus is disabled
3) I never use search, I use DDG in Dolphin (oh, and the zoom bug is fixed)
4) I use a custom hosts file to block privacy invasive processes from doing anything

As such, the Google Search process starts and goes into cached mode but never actually does anything except the integration with the launcher (it seems to have deep tentacles there).

Oh, and I also have location disabled (so it bugs me a little that the service for that is still running) and WiFi disabled.

And I run OpenVPN 24/7.

Crazily, the phone is super useful for how I use it, and I get about 2.5 days battery life out of it.

Mine:
1) Google Now is disabled
2) Google Plus is disabled
3) I never use search, I use DDG in Firefox, Dolphin is now for work stuff, Chrome only mobile site testing.

"4) I use a custom hosts file to block privacy invasive processes from doing anything"

Do you have a copy of this and can it be applied without root?

I have Location on and I've not yet brought across OpenVPN since this is the new replacement handset I'll get onto that soon.

I've got 12 days out of the GNex... by turning on airplane mode and not using it :)

My hosts file is this:
http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/zero/

And I use AdAway:
http://sufficientlysecure.org/index.php/adaway/

And yes it requires root.

Root guides for the N5 exist already... you'd need a different one to me as I followed a Linux guide.

^ ^^
All awesome info!
Thanks

I use private internet access for VPN, fine on PC but I've just installed the app on my N5 and it seems to kill the battery (60% use overnight). For others who use VPN is it just set up in the android settings, and if so how does that affect battery, or through an app? Cheers

I use OpenVPN and the client by Arne Schwabe that you can find in the store.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.blinkt.openvpn&hl=en_GB

Battery usage on VPNs is related to which encryption algorithm is used, how much compression is used and ultimately that comes down to the provider of the VPN.

OpenVPN is pretty efficient, though using UDP should be less battery intensive than TCP.

And when you're on VPN, of course background services that are data intensive are also causing your phone to busily encrypt and compress everything. Maybe turn off background services you're not interested in.

Cheers, the PIA app uses UDP, I'll have to look into what I've got background syncing but it shouldn't be a great deal and see whether I can figure out the OpenVPN app to see how that compares.

Got my LG G2. Really impressed with it, but I just can't cope with having LG's software jizz all over it.

Am just flashing CM 10.2 as we speak. It was a bit of a ball ache getting a recovery image installed, but I'm nearly there.

And it's booting into CM 10.2. Phew.

disabled google+, can't send pics via hangouts. lame

disabled google+, can't send pics via hangouts. lame

Are you sure? I'm sure I'd done this on the old phone.

HTC One-X: Does anyone know how to stop the "no signal" message covering up the lock-screen media player widget?

Nexus 4s are starting to get KitKat updates apparently - no sign of it on mine yet though.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/20/android-4-4-kitkat-arrives-on-nexus-4-handsets/

Are you sure? I'm sure I'd done this on the old phone.

yeah if I try sending a photo over a hangout message it asks me to join google+

If I say not now it just goes back to the message, no way of sending a photo

Lame.

I'm still pissed off with being forced onto G+ to try the lame replacement to Latitude.

Yeah, same here. Maybe I imagined it or maybe I used something else.

Perhaps it was around the time I changed to Gibberbot
https://guardianproject.info/apps/chatsecure/

Lame.
I'm still pissed off with being forced onto G+ to try the lame replacement to Latitude.

No one forced you to do that.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2013/05/22/psa-photos-shared-via-google-hangouts-will-spam-your-google-photos-account-but-some-of-you-might-like-that/

So if you're sharing cock pictures on hangouts it all gets uploaded to your google+ page?

I must sort out that hangout with my mum.