>Phone OS: iOS
I guess there isn't much you can do with this, but is changing from Android to iOS really big enough difference?
I guess there isn't much you can do with this, but is changing from Android to iOS really big enough difference?
The two companies involved (Google, Apple) have a fundamental difference in their business model. One involves you and your private data as the product; the other does not.
If you're looking to be as private as possible[0], you should either use a custom ROM of Android with Privacy Guard and with Google services disabled (or use something like Replicant or FirefoxOS, if you're comfortable straying from the two dominant mobile OSes).
[0] As private as possible while still carrying around a tracking device 24/7, mind you (cell phones constantly report your location to your carriers, who are not at all modest with this data)
The worst is Google Play Services though. It's basically a way for Google to get your location data, and to generate massive global maps of WiFi networks, rather like what got them in trouble with the streetmap cars. Anyone doubting how important this is to them needs to check their reaction when Motorola wanted to use Skyhook on a device instead: http://www.theverge.com/2011/05/12/google-android-skyhook-la...
Google+ photos auto-upload is opt-in.
The sign in process for Android devices has become ever more convoluted and incomprehensible. People, understandably, complain about the Facebook app, but Google are actually far worse.
Photo backup on Google+ is off by default, you have to enter the settings part and switch it on