AfterDawn: Tech news

Sprint letting users remove smartphone bloatware

Written by Andre Yoskowitz @ 24 Jun 2011 11:06 User comments (2)

Sprint letting users remove smartphone bloatware If you have purchased an Android smartphone in the last year, chances are you have been stuck with a device that comes loaded with bloatware, pre-installed apps that are impossible to remove unless you root your device.
Sprint is looking to change that, however, and starting with the release of the HTC EVO 3D it appears that owners can now remove said bloatware without having to go through the hassle of rooting their device and adding a clean ROM.

The carrier says it listened to customer complaints and will continue the practice in the future.

There is no official policy on pre-installed apps from the FCC or other groups so it is at the carrier's discretion how many apps they want to add to phones being sold on their network.

One can only hope that major offenders Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile follow in Sprint's footsteps soon, giving users the freedom to remove apps that they will never use without having to resort to rooting their devices.

Previous Next  

2 user comments

125.6.2011 12:42

Don't manufactorers get paid to place those apps on your PC/phone/whatever? Wonder if making em easier to remove is a problem with those agreements?


227.6.2011 10:26

I don't see how, but leave that to the lawyers to find out. And they will.

I mean, if they removed them to begin with and just tried shepherding users with ads or something sure. But so long as it's pre-installed, the user is introduced easily. I think it's awful that even after paying as much as we do for products and services that we can't just have that product/service. You have to have everything they want you to have and pay for.

Why I rooted my phone, and why I no longer use cable, and why I don't browse the net without adblock and betterpopupblocker.

I've already paid my dues, I have the devices/services required, I'm done. I don't understand paying a monthly subscription for something and then still having things thrown in your face.

If I can't remove all the junk, if 1/3 of every hour is adverts, then I shouldn't have to pay to use it, or I should have to pay near-to-nothing.

Comments have been disabled for this article.

Latest news

VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads (16 Mar 2024 4:31)
VLC Media Player, the versatile video-software powerhouse, has achieved a remarkable feat: it has been downloaded over 5 billion times.
1 user comment
Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit (19 Dec 2023 11:09)
Google settled its lawsuit in September 2023, and one of the settlement terms was that the way applications are installed on Android from outside the Google Play Store must become simpler. In the future, installing APK files will be easier.
8 user comments
Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets (06 Jun 2023 9:19)
Roomba Combo j7+ is the very first Roomba model to combine robot vacuum with mopping features. And Roomba Combo j7+ does all that with a very clever trick, which tackles the problem with mopping and carpets. But is it any good? We found out.
Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations (02 May 2023 3:38)
Neato Robotics has ceased its operations. American robot vacuum pioneer founded in 2005 has finally called it quits and company will cease its operations and sales. Only a skeleton crew will remain who will keep the servers running until 2028.
5 user comments
How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp (20 Mar 2023 1:25)
The world's most popular messaging platform, Meta-owned WhatsApp has enabled sending messages to yourself. While at first, this might seem like an odd feature, it can be very useful in a lot of situations. ....
18 user comments

News archive