Proprietary readers and formats

[Alpha o]

Does anyone know if devices with Google Play require a Gmail account to even use the reader? Or can you just not sign up?

I'm looking for a backup for my inkBOOK. It doesn't require any type of registration except for ownership. It doesn't have Play Store and I don't want Play Store. I tried one of the cheaper Nooks and had to futz a registration since I had no intention of buying any books from B&N.

I have android phones and tablets and an iPad. I don't want to be bothered with any proprietary OS bugging me to join this or that. When I want to read, I want to read, not be bothered by internet, texts, or phone calls. If the OS is android 4.2 or higher, can you just use the reader as a reader with NO Gmail or Google sign-in? If the reader has Android 6.0 or above, can you disable Google? (I have Oreo on my phone and Google is disabled except for Play. I have apps I bought which is why I don't need the same on an ereader.) It would also be security. So far I haven't read of any attachments or nasties that can ride along with EPUB format. If your ereader works more like a tablet with full connections, you need to watch incoming files. Google does try, but doesn't always catch the nasties first.

So far, I've seen one Boox that is plain Jane. For those who want to READ.

I noticed that the inkBOOK apps include a Kindle reader. I have some books (mostly ordered from Springer) that I'd like to read, but I don't want Amazon's proprietary nonsense.

I prefer to support independent sellers, even if books are only available in PDF. Having to use a computer to download and install isn't a bother. I like it. I like page turning buttons and having an external card that works like an external card. I will take a wifi tablet on vacation for some of the apps, and I can just duplicate a card and read on the tablet. No fuss, no muss.