"So, how, exactly, do you trick Google into giving you the
foundation without allowing them to look through any windows?
Here?s how to set up an almost entirely non-Google-powered Android,
in practice: Don?t sign in during setup or enable backups
"When you first turn on your phone, or after you perform a
?factory reset? on it, you?ll be asked to sign in with a Google
account. Don?t do it, and look for the ?Skip? option. Your phone
can run without a Google account, and you can add other accounts to
fill out your contacts and calendar and the like--Microsoft
Exchange, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Also skip the options to
send feedback about your usage, back up your settings to Google,
and so on. Skip just about everything."
