Account Free Android Tablet.

Minimal Google/Ads without Rooting.

By James Toebes http://james.toebesacademy.com

Privicy issues have been in the news a bit lately. I began thinking about the amount of free services I use, the accounts I had set up and the tracking info left behind. I looked at my phone and tablet then realized how much I am being watched. No, I don't think Google, Yahoo, Amazon, Facebook or many of the advertizers are evil. They are providing me with free/reduced cost services. As they readily admit, it is so they can use my information to provide marketing information to me.

My daughter got a new tablet for Christmas so she let me have her old one as a spare. Its an HKC Android 4.0 tablet (P771A) with Google play access and apps. I wondered if I could configure it Account Free with minimal to no tracking. I wanted a solution that provided.

Email
Contacts - Server synced
Calendar - Server synced
File/Folder Synced with Server (similar to Dropbox)
New pictures automatically uploaded to a server I controlled.
Applications installed without an account on the device.
Local apps/data. It's WiFi and WiFi is not everywhere..
Maps - OFFLINE. See Previous :)
Remote Device access (AirDroid)
No other device required for config (Other than server for data storage)
Miminimize data transfer to servers.
Preferred Open Source
Secure communications with client/server.
NO ROOTING - Minimal skills to install/configure.

I am already running my own server (http://owncloud.org) offering what I need server side. I set it up to be accesible from the internet with DynDNS (http://dyn.com). For this document i'll reference the owncloud instance on it as https://homeserver.dyn.com/owncloud It was a bit of configuration that I may detail in another document. My ownCloud instance is using a class 1 certificate issued by StartSSL (http://startssl.org). This is a free certificate. While the tablet (and most androids) recoginized the StartCOM authority that issues it, it needs the Intermediate Server certificate to browse to the site without error.

I have web hosting from Bluehost (http://BlueHost.com). That would allow me to handle the email side of things. My Gmail and Yahoo accounts forward to my personal email.

The question was can I make the client config easy enough for a non-technical person to follow. I would be interested to hear your results in trying this.

While this is not truely a Tracking free device, it is reasonably so. By greatly reducing the network dependancy, it has helped battery life. This tablet that could not go 4 hours before dying seems to last 6+ hours.

Here is what I did:

Wipe the tablet clean. Start Fresh.

NOTE: THIS WIPES ALL DATA, PICTURES, VIDEOS, APPLICATIONS AND OTHER INFORMATION. DO NOT DO THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE BACKUPS OF INFO!

Settings => Backup and reset => Erase All Data.
Scroll Down, Check the box Erase Storage. Click Reset tablet.
Confirm With Pin/Password (if set)
Clic Erase Everything

Setup without an account.

When your device resets, it should be running the new device wizard. Complete the wizard SKIPPING any steps that request an account. I.e. Google.... These steps are device specific. I'll list my steps, yours will likely be different.

Ok on Tablet zoom welcome.
Start Button
Choose Home Network
Enter Password, Connect, Next
Confirm Date/Time, Next
Not Now on "Make it Google" Page
Uncheck all options allowing Google Location access (We are trying to be anonymous :), Next
Put in a Name if you want. I am "First Last". Next
Click Next on Google Services. You have no option if you want to continue. Let the lawyers figure that one out....
Finish!
The tablet often shows intro screen when you start. Read and click OK if they apear.

Cleanup preinstalled Apps

You can't delete most of the preinstalled apps. But you can disable many. Let's disable as many as possible. If you end up disabling something you need, you can use the same process to enable it.

Settings => Apps
Switch to the All Tab
Choose an app,

Click disable. Most have warning about disable built-in app. Ok.

Clear Data if any. Yes, just wiped and they aleady have data....

Click back button.
Repeat for each app.

These were the ones on my tablet that I could disable. All others I left alone.

AccuWeather

Chrome

Currents

Drive

Earth

Face Unlock

Facebook - Use the Web interface, it doesn't run in the background....

Finance

Gmail.

Google Account Manager

Google Bookmarks Sync

Google Contacts Sync

Google Korean keyboard

Google Pinyin

Google Play Books

Google Play Magazines

Google Play Movies

Google Play Music

Google Play Store

Google Search

Google Text-to-Speech Engine

Google Voice

Google+

Maps

Pandora

Skype

Street View

Talk

Translate

Twitter

YouTube

Install Certificates for your OwnCloud server.

Download the certificates required for your server.

Using the browser on the tablet, navigate to http://www.startssl.com/certs/

click sub.class1.server.ca.crt to download.

To installing certificate, encryption must be enabled on the device.

Settings => Security => Screen Lock

Choose PIN or Password. Others will not work. I use PIN.

Enter a PIN

Confirm the PIN.

Click Install from SD Card.

It should find the certificate you just downloaded. Click OK to install

Restart the tablet.

Press and hold power button till Power Off Prompt

Click OK

Once Powered off. Press power button again till it starts booting.

You will need to use your PIN to unlock the tablet after boot.

NOTE: One of my test devices warned me about someone being able to snoop on my device after installing the certificate. This is due to the certificate being allowed to identify servers for SSL connections.

Confirm Certificate is working.

Launch Browser

Navigate to your Owncloud server. i.e. https://homeserver.dyn.com/owncloud

You should not get a certificate error.

If you do, check your Certificate/Server provider for steps to resolve.

Install F-Droid

An Open Source Application 'Store' with a management tool.

Since Apps will be installed from something other than Google play, we must allow this. This puts requirements on the user to understand when they install apps.

Settings => Security => Check Unknown Sources
Read, understand and click OK.
Launch Browser
Navigate to https://f-droid.org/
Click the big Download F-Droid button at the top.
You should see a download icon in your notification tray
When the download icon indicate complete, click on it. Mine was called fdroid.apk
Click Install
F-Droid will install then give you the option to open. Click Open.
It will download the repo information then show you some of the latest updates.

Install apps from F-Droid.

Click What's New will provide a popup list of categories. Clicking the Search icon at the top will allow you to type in something to search for.

NOTE: After installing, you want to launch F-Droid regularly. Autoupdates can be configured, but that drains power. I launch it weekly to check for updates and see what is new.

Here are some of the ones I installed. * are used later in the process

	Barcode Scanner - Needed by GCStar
	Cool Reader - EBook reader
*	DAVdroid - Sync Contacts and Calendar
*	Firefox - I like a browser that respects me :)
	GCstar scanner - for GCstar
	GCstar viewer - Saw this while building these instrctions. will try for DVD collection.
	Mileage - Gas Milage app. I have been using a paid app from Play. Will give this a try.
	OpenSudoku - Numbers.....
	Open Manager - claims app backup. worth investigating...
*	OsmAnd~ - Offline Navigation Sans Google...
*	ownCloud - For accessing files on server. Also autouploading pics.
	Puzzles - Got to have some fun :)
	Quill - Note taking app.
	VC ConnectBot - Connects to my server when I need

Configure DAVdroid - Contacts and Calendar Syncing

Launch Settings => Accounts & Sync.
Add Account - Calendar First

DAVdroid

Root URL	https://	homeserver.dyn.com/owncloud/remote.php/caldav/
User	{Your ownCloud user}
Password	{Your ownCloud password}

Next
Select the calendars you would like to sync. Next
Give it a name. I.e Homeserver Calendar.
Click Add Account.
Now Add Account - Adding Contacts

DAVdroid

Root URL	https://	homeserver.dyn.com/owncloud/remote.php/carddav/
User	{Your ownCloud user}
Password	{Your ownCloud password}

Next
Select the contac list you would like to sync. Next
Give it a name. I.e Homeserver Contacts.
Click Add Account.

Configure OsmAnd~ - Maps

From the home screen, click all apps, then launch OsmAnd~
Select Download regions at the welcome screen.

Choose the options for your area. The ones I selected were

Worldwide and topic maps	World basemaps
Voice Packs (TTS-synthesized, prefer)	en-tts
Worldwide Wikipedia POIs	English wiki
North Americas - United States	Us north-carolina northamerica

Click Download. It may take a while. Progress at top. It resets each file.

Configure ownCloud - Server File Access and Photo Upload.

From the home screen, click all apps, then launch ownCloud

Server:	https://homeserver.dyn.com/owncloud
User:	{Your ownCloud user}
Password:	{Your ownCloud password}

Connect
Click them menu button (3 vertical dots) then settings
Check Enable instant uploads.

Install/Configure Airdroid.

From the home screen, click all apps, then launch Firefox
Navigate to https://www.airdroid.com/en/get.html
Click on the Download link for the current version
You should see a download icon in your notification tray
When the download icon indicate complete, click on it. Mine was called airdroidv2.0.7.2.apk
Click Install
When installation completes, click open.
At the registration screen click Skip

These steps are not necessary, but test access.

Almost broke a requirement :)

Launch a browser on any OTHER computer or device on the same WIFI network.
Navigate to the address shown I.e. http://192.168.1.111:8888
You should be prompted to confirm on the tablet.
You can now manage the device and transfer files without plugging in!

FolderSync - File Syncing utility (Similar to Dropbox)

This one cause me some heartache. I love this tool, but the developer only has it in app stores that require accounts. Found many other options, but none that do scheduled syncing. I use this to pull my podcast set off of my owncloud server. My podcast solution is neat and crossplatform, but warrents a set of instructions on it's own. I emailed the developer looking for a direct download link, but no response so far. After several days of scouring for an alternative, I took the cheap way out, don't shoot me. I downloaded the APK of the lite version. It will suit the requirements. I purchased the full version that I use on my primary tablet. I do not condone trying to steal or hack. Nothing presented in this is illegal or unethical that I am aware of.

Launch Firefox
Navigate to http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader/
In the box for package name or google play id use dk.tacit.android.foldersync.lite
Be careful entering the ID. auto correct kept trying to put in a space between folder and sync.
Click Generate Download Link
When it appears Click 'Click here to download dk.tacit.android.foldersync.lite now'
You should see a download icon in your notification tray
When the download icon indicate complete, click on it. Mine was called airdroidv2.0.7.2.apk
Click Install
When installation completes, click open.
Click OK on the change log
Read and accept the license agreement.

Setup Server Account

Click 'Accounts'
Click 'Add Account'
Scroll all the way down, Click 'WebDAV'
Account Details

Name	Homeserver
Protocol	HTTPS
Server	homeserver.dyn.com
Start folder	/owncloud/remote.php/webdav/
User	{Your ownCloud user}
Password	{Your ownCloud password}

Test Connection, correct your typos :), Test Connection...
When Successful Click Save
Hit Back

Setup Folder Replication – I am setting up my Podcasts.

Click 'Folderpairs'
Click 'Add folderpair'
Folderpair setup

Name	Podcasts
Account	Homeserver
Remote Folder	Tap, navigate to Podcasts, Click 'Select Folder' at top
Local Folder	Tap, Click Create folder, enter podcasts. Click Folder, Click 'Select Folder' at top.
Sync Type	Two-Way
Check	Use Scheduled Sync.
Sync Interval	Every Two Hours (or whatever you feel like :)
Uncheck	Sync hidden files
Check	Sync Deletions (I delete when done listening)
Other settings	as you like....

Click Save at the top.

VLC. - Now that I have podcast, I need to listen to them :)

Launch Firefox
Navigate to http://nightlies.videolan.org/
Select the Link for your tablet. Mine was Android (ARMv7-A)
Click the latest version to download
You should see a download icon in your notification tray
When the download icon indicate complete, click on it. Mine was called VLC-debug-20140118-0108.apk
Click Install

Change default search engine.

I use one that protects my privacy. Read about it on their site.

Launch Firefox
Navigate to http://startpage.com
Click Classic - Middle of page
Click Add to Firefox - Middle of page
Click the button for HTTPS Install
Click Add
Click Menu (3 vertical dots) then settings
Click Search Settings
Click Startpage HTTPS
Set as Default.

Office Suite

What Tablet will be complete without it. A FULL suite including docs and spreadsheets.

Launch Firefox
Navigate to https://sites.google.com/site/andropenoffice/downloads
Click the download link shown.
It will lead to another download link. Click that one :)
You should see a download icon in your notification tray
When the download icon indicate complete, click on it. Mine was called andropenoffice-standalone-1.4.0.apk
Click Install

Email.

I'm wimping out on this one :). I have worked with a slew of email clients on Android. Each one was different. Your mail host should provide configuration information. Some features to consider when configuring email.

Prefer IMAP to POP. Mail stays on server and syncs between all clients.
Prefer SSL, StarTLS or Secure connections.
Authenticated access is preferred
Set polling interval (refrsh rate) to a longer interval. Mine is 1 hr. Constant polling kills battery.

Whew. That was long....

You now have a functioning device. Once configured,

You can see contacts when composing emails.
Calendar is in the calendar app.
Pictures are automatically uploaded to your server when taken
Dropbox functionality with you controlling storage
Key data backed up on server in case of loss, stolen or destroyed data.

To show this is not completly fanciful, This document was created in OwnCloud 6 from a browser. Synced via ownClound and edited with AndrOpen Office on the just configured tablet. Then automatically synced to my Desktop for final editing in LibreOffice. The results were output to a file that was uploaded to my hosted server.

Thanks to Ivan Korol at Eltima Software for point out a broken link on this page. Airdroid link has been updated to point to a current valid location. He mentioned https://mac.eltima.com/android-file-transfer.html as another transfer solution. I am not running a mac but would like to thank him for the feedback