Android 15 is overwhelmed by Google

outlander

Member
Location
southern Arizona
Lenovo sent me a cheap deal on a $79 tablet that I didn't need. But I wanted to play with Android 15 so I got it, despite already having a perfectly working Android 13 Lenovo tablet.

Of course Google has been taking over Android for a while, but it just keeps getting worse. My older Android 13 tablet took quite a bit of work to degoogle, but it was still somewhat usable in Google mode.

The Android 15 tablet tried to stop me from doing just about anything. No installing APK's that weren't from Google Play Store, enabling developer mode was in a different place, tried forcing me to have a PIN number, so many Google based notifications I could hardly use it, trying to force me to login to a Google account, it just went on and on.

People can actually use this? I know that Android devices have been doing stuff like this for the last several versions, but not an overwhelming barrage like this. I kept all of the original packaging and plan to send it back, no thank you (Lenovo actually has an option for not liking a product (y)). No more Android devices for me. When my Android 13 phone and tablet become outdated and obsolete, I'll just do without ;)
 
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I’m using a Samsung tablet running the latest version of Android, and at this point the experience is barely tolerable. Reading a single article has become an obstacle course of intrusive ads — pop‑ups that appear, disappear, then flash repeatedly until you either interact with them or, as I usually do, abandon the page entirely.
There’s also a delightful new “feature”: when I’m scrolling and encounter an ad, the tablet hesitates, then slows to a crawl, as if insisting I admire the advertisement before it will allow me to move on. The choice becomes either endure the slowdown or close the session altogether.

I've mentioned this previously, I'm convinced there will be a considerably warmer section for marketing folks in the underworld afterlife.
 
I have had my current phone for about 5-6 years now, Android. I clean out photos if I want them to my digital
frame or PC, I keep my msgs clean, etc. But for over a year now I get these notifications that my memory is getting
full and I should possibly clean it up? Umm the only things I have added to my phone are the required updates
that it needs and the memory level bar shows the same as it did 2 years ago.
I am convinced they are trying scare tactics to get me to upgrade my perfectly good phone I am still happy with.
 
@IrishEyes

Make sure to remove all your important data, pics and files (sounds like you already have?).

Restore the phone to factory settings and see if that helps. Make sure to get the last known security update.

It is still possible to get a deal on a new phone released maybe 2 years ago with perhaps Android 12 or so.

I only use my Android phone for work apps, absolutely nothing else. My degoogled tablet is for consuming media content.
Older devices often have no more security updates, so using them for critical/sensitive tasks is not advisable.
 
In my humble opinion Android 10 was the best version. Fully functional even today and still lightweight, not so Google intensive but still plenty of data collection. No more security updates and probably soon to start losing compatibility with newer apps.

I have an older degoogled Motorola Android 10 that still functions. Unfortunately I replaced the battery and it was a fake, never found a genuine replacement.

I do miss the "Hello Moto" on start up:)
 
Yep, every device has a specific purpose for me, even though some capabilities overlap.

- Linux desktop does everything except phone calls and text messages.
- Little HP Stream, a former Windows laptop is loaded with Linux just because, but lives in a drawer. Emergency Linux backup if needed.
- Motorola G Pure android phone that is outdated but usable is repurposed simply as a Sonos sound system remote controller.
- I swap between a Motorola Edge 2024 (android) and an iPhone SE 3rd generation (Apple) for calls and texts depending on mood. I only have one SIM card and move it between the two phones as I choose. Currently I prefer the iPhone SE for small size and light weight but the Motorola Edge is more capable in every regard. Generally doesn't matter how powerful the phone. A phone is a phone and I use phones for calls and texts. Sometimes I choose the Motorola Edge because the battery is over twice the capacity of the iPhone.
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus based on android is the perfect tool for a quick glance at the weather when in the kitchen. It lives in a dock and with a static display. Weather display at a glance is all it does but is capable of more stuff.
- MacBook Air M4 laptop is the new toy for bobbing in the Apple waters.
- Amazon Kindle Voyage for reading books.

EDIT: If there is one single device on my list of devices I use, that could take the place of all the others, it might be the MacBook Air M4. I think it can even be set up to pretty much work as a phone too ... as long as I still have that iPhone SE enabled. Haven't played around with that though, because I don't overlap functions of devices. Not yet anyway. And since Sonos has gone to an option of a web interface, I can control my Sonos sound system from any browser. Yep, that MacBook Air M4 is a powerful beast. Well, except gamers might prefer Windows, but I'm not a gamer nor a fan of Windows.
 
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