'Junkware' comes standard on Verizon, T-Mobile smart phones

[dwell]

The Droid X comes loaded with several nonstandard applications for Google's Android, most of which cannot be removed.

Among the phone's so-called junkware is a Blockbuster video app and a demo for an Electronic Arts game called Need for Speed: Shift.

The software from the struggling movie retail chain includes a store locator and a section to download mobile movies from Blockbuster's catalog. This app cannot be uninstalled from the phone's software library using any traditional means. Users can delete it from the home screen, but it lives on -- permanently part of the software embedded on the device.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/07/android-junkware.html

You can’t remove them because Android is open. (shamelessly stolen from John Gruber).

 

[Chapbass]

blockbuster app: agreed, NFS:Shift I removed from my phone like anything else. And unfortunately for us, verizon ISNT so open :\. regardless, its basically two small programs, I don't even notice them.


Edit: okay, I didn't read the article, it says NFS:Shift can be removed. Just making sure

 

[rudeguy]

what else is new? Computers come with how much of this crap on them? This is not news at all.

Where does Tmo come into this? The only thing that I didn't like on mine was Amazon MP3. If I had to choose between that and iTunes though, its a no brainer.

Also, its not permanent. My phone has none of that on it anymore. So how can you say that it can't be removed? Maybe you and John Gruber should go figure out what the heck you are talking about. I suggest doing it while bumper shopping.

 

[Spoooon]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/07/android-junkware.html

You can’t remove them because Android is open. (shamelessly stolen from John Gruber).

Nothing to do with Android, everything to do with the carrier.

 

[Raduque]

Honestly, I don't even care, as long as the apps aren't being pushy, or constantly trying to keep themselves running.

Where does Tmo come into this? The only thing that I didn't like on mine was Amazon MP3. If I had to choose between that and iTunes though, its a no brainer.

My Vibrant came preloaded with a bunch of apps that might be considered "junkware", the Kindle App, the TV app, the media hub, Layar, Sims3, Telenav. And he means that, on most devices, you can't simply uninstall the apps through Market or App management, you have to root then use ADB to delete the APK.

 

[ponyo]

I agree junkwares are super annoying. It is ridiculous that you can't uninstall these apps without rooting. I remember how annoyed I was when I couldn't remove the Amazon MP3 app on my MT3G using the standard uninstall method. You should not have to root your phone and void your warranty in order to uninstall crapware.

I'm glad my Vibrant can be rooted. I feel for the Droid X folks.

 

[JD50]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2010/07/android-junkware.html

You can’t remove them because Android is open. (shamelessly stolen from John Gruber).

So I guess you, TheWart, and John Gruber are all equally as ignorant.

Android = open source
Verizon != open source
Motorolla != open source (referencing the signed bootloader issue)
Android != Verizon
Android != Motorolla

JFC I've explained this at least 3 times, you'd think it'd sink in at some point. You guys really need to educate yourselves on what open source actually means.

You can put proprietary software on an open source operating system, the OS is still open source. I guess you think that Fedora isn't open source because a lot of people use the proprietary nvidia driver, among other proprietary drivers and software.

 

[JD50]

Nothing to do with Android, everything to do with the carrier.

The problem is that the apple fanbois don't understand the difference between a carrier, a hardware manufacturer, and an operating system.

 

[Bateluer]

Wish there was a Code of Conduct in the Open Handset Alliance to prevent this behavior. If the carrier wants to include their own applications, they are perfectly free to do so, but the user should have the option to remove them from their device, just as they should have the right to alter, mod, hack, and tweak the device as they see fit.

 

[JD50]

Wish there was a Code of Conduct in the Open Handset Alliance to prevent this behavior. If the carrier wants to include their own applications, they are perfectly free to do so, but the user should have the option to remove them from their device, just as they should have the right to alter, mod, hack, and tweak the device as they see fit.

:thumbsup: