Vodafone suggests future Android phones could have less Google
By Donald Melanson 
posted Apr 29th 2009 2:58PM
posted Apr 29th 2009 2:58PM
Android and Google may seem inseparable to some, but Vodafone is apparently suggesting that some of its future Android-based phones could possibly pack a little less Google and a little more Vodafone. While the carrier unsurprisingly isn't offering much in the way of specifics just yet, it did tell TechRadar that future Android phones could ditch some of the familiar Google services in favor of a more "basic package" that would let Vodafone (or other carriers following the same route) offer their own client software instead -- a winning idea if there ever was one. And it seems that there will indeed be more Android phones in the offing from Vodafone sooner rather than later, with Vodafone's Rachel William's telling TechRadar that the carrier is "looking at other Android devices," and that "by joining the Open Handset Alliance it shows our commitment."[Via Talk Android]
good
The only thing good about that, is that Vodafone will get more Android devices.... everything else sucks.
Carriers just leave the darn handset alone. . . Have they ever heard if it ain't broke don't fix it?
It's about time! If Android is really open, someone has to come out with a phone that doesn't force Google's stuff down user's throat.
Vodafone, why the hell do you think you'll be able to better content which is (a) the choice of most of the internet-savvy world, and (b) free as well? I'll say it now. Stick to providing phones and a reliable connection. Leave it to the consumer to decide what they want to view over that connection, or you'll soon be as popular as a 1995 Compuserve home page.
Voda LOVE having their own firmware on handsets... problem has ALWAYS been the excessive delays in them updating firmware (months after manufacturers release updates of standard builds, N73 is a great example)...
And the fact they (for some unknown goddamn reason) lock down a bunch of defaults in internet connectivity and app defaults etc etc (look at Sony Ericsson web browsers running on Vodafone firmware - nightmare)...
Fingers crossed they don't eff it up...
I'd actually be interested in Android if it didn't involve Google.
Because Google is the Big Bad Evil of the internet world, and you all know it.
That is like saying I would love Windows Mobile . . . if we could only take out that pesky Microsoft. . . lol
Let's be real here. . . Vodafone is the same company as VZW, and VZW likes to **** up phones by makeing them proprietary to VZW. You take an open source OS phone like ANY GOOGLE Android device and lock it up like Voda or VZW like to do and it will sell NOTHING.
No, it isn't. Because I can use Windows Mobile without being connected in any way or form to Redmond. No cloud needed.
And I don't know anything about Vodafone, I was just speaking in general. I prefer handsets to be between me and myself, with connectivity as I choose it. Having everything I do with my phone analysed by Google to serve me more ads? No thanks.
I'm really quite interested in Android conceptually, it looks really great and all. But as long as you need anything more than a SIM card to use a phone (like, say, google logon), it's not something I'd ever use.