>updates hadn't installed automatically because Windows Update was too busy advertising Windows 10
That does not make much sense, if any.
>We could look back in 5 years and see the majority using Bing (via the Start Menu), Cortana, IE, OneDrive, and syncing all their devices through MS servers and cringe
And you aren't cringing at Google Now/Google Drive/Chrome? Why?
All I can say is they hadn't been installed. When I went to WU, 'Windows 10 Pro' was ticked under optional updates and all the critical updates for W7 were unticked. The machine has always updated automatically just fine in previous months.
> And you aren't cringing at Google Now/Google Drive/Chrome? Why?
Well, it's just what I see, but I think Googles strongholds are still search, Gmail and Maps. If all the Google apps (Play Services etc) disappeared on Android overnight I honestly think most people I know would only miss Maps. I've never seen a friend use Drive, occasionally Docs (but never for serious work) and certainly not Now.
Also, I'd say it's 50/50 between my friends whether they use FF or Chrome... but everyone I know uses Windows. Windows 10 of course resets your default browser.
Plus the fact, Google are terrible at pushing and supporting consumer facing products. Imho they haven't really had Joe Public feverishly interested in anything since their Chrome launch campaign in 2008 and, before that, Gmail in 2004. They're not a software or hardware company and, save for flirting with Motorola, have never made any persistent indications that they intend to be.
>> updates hadn't installed automatically because Windows Update was too busy advertising Windows 10
> That does not make much sense, if any.
I saw exactly the same thing. The entire updates to install section in the Windows update(s) app was covered over by a big green update to Windows 10, and that was after I cancelled my Windows 10 reservation. I eventually just downloaded the damn thing, but haven't installed it yet.
What about rules like the below on Android? (or Chromebooks where you cannot even install alternative native applications)
> Devices may only be distributed if all Google Applications [listed elsewhere in the agreement] ... are pre-installed on the Device."
>The phone manufacturer must "preload all Google Applications approved in the applicable Territory ... on each device."
>The phone manufacturer must place "Google's Search and the Android Market Client icon [Google Play] ... at least on the panel immediately adjacent to the Default Home Screen," with "all other Google Applications ... no more than one level below the Phone Top."
>The phone manufacturer must set "Google Search ... as the default search provider for all Web search access points."
>If device owners hold down the physical “Home” button or “swipe up” from a digital home button or navigation bar, such actions should trigger Google Search.
>must provide access to a “collection” of 13 Google apps (Google Chrome, Google Maps, Google Drive, YouTube, Gmail, Google+, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Google Play Books, Google Play Newsstand, Google Play Games, Google+ Photos and Google+ Hangouts).
How is that not "rammed down your throat" ?
Or do you really think Android users are "voluntarily installing" Google Play Newsstand?
Last I heard you can ship Android without any Google components, you just can't call it Android.
The real issue is popular apps like Snapchat and Maps that require Play Services. So manufacturers are never going to abandon the Goog for fear of their customers not being able to run the latest fad.
You mean AOSP, Android has a completely different meaning and expectations in general use.
Apart from apps that need the Play Services, lack of the Play Store is the biggest issue with shipping AOSP. That's why they forcibly bundle it with all other Google apps and default as Google search.
Chipset and device manufacturers, and carriers, hold all the cards though. Samsung and Amazon could conspire almost overnight to bring about a real contender and, failing something bold like that, Windows Phone has always been an option.
And yet, you can still not use Google Search or Google Play. If you disable Google packages, they will stay disabled (incidentally, I do have the Play Books/Games/Music/Movies apps disabled, so speaking from experience).
You do not have such choice with Windows 10 - it will send out your data without regards to you opting out.
> Because there is a difference between "can voluntarily use" and "is rammed down your throat".
I got gmail rammed down my throat pretty hard when I needed to install an app from the play store on my Android phone... Google search was also front and center on the home screen.
That's like complaining, that when you want to get apps from Windows Marketplace, you need a Live account.
Which is fine. Except that I do not want apps from Windows Marketplace, so I don't need account. I don't want websearch from start menu, I don't want Cortana. So why does it still sends the data out, when I disabled everything that was disableable?
It's like forcing you into Gmail account, even if you didn't want to install anything from the Play Store.
That does not make much sense, if any.
>We could look back in 5 years and see the majority using Bing (via the Start Menu), Cortana, IE, OneDrive, and syncing all their devices through MS servers and cringe
And you aren't cringing at Google Now/Google Drive/Chrome? Why?