Anyone annoyed enough with Bloatware yet?

[Marc123]

I just received my latest phone and it is great.
What upsets me is that there are so many pre-installed apps that cannot be removed.

I used to report them to Google as inappropriate just for fun, but that option is now removed from the play store?
The apps use space on the device and more importantly use data for updates due the the automatic update setting being on by default.

The apps can be disabled and hidden with some effort but only if you have some experience with these things.

My question is simple...

Are there enough people that would join in a very public class action lawsuit against the service providers and app owners who force these apps onto our personal devices?

 

[backstreetboy]

Vote with your wallet...

 

[Marc123]

Vote with your wallet...

Very valid point. I just would not know where to look ?

Every service provider loads the bloatware and we need cellular access nowadays.

 

[newby_investor]

I personally never buy a device from a service provider. I buy my phones outright, in the past from Orange (though they're not around anymore), most recent one from Takealot.

Pros: No bloatware from the service provider, though depending on the manufacturer they might pre-load some annoying apps.

Cons: You have to pony up the full price. For me - not really an issue since I usually buy mid-range but decent devices (Previous phones have been Asus Fonepad, Moto G2, currently Nokia 8), and make them last a long time, usually 3 years is my minimum requirement.

 

[Bryn]

Very valid point. I just would not know where to look ?

Every service provider loads the bloatware and we need cellular access nowadays.

I've been with OnePlus since the OnePlus One. Currently using the OnePlus 6 and it's amazing. Totally clean version of Android with the OnePlus Community app (their support and discussion forum) being the only 'bloatware'. Really awesome.

You usually have to import them though.

 

[marioat1]

Just install an international firmware, or root and debloat once ooBF period expired

 

[SauRoNZA]

No bloatware on iOS...

 

[backstreetboy]

Very valid point. I just would not know where to look ?

Every service provider loads the bloatware and we need cellular access nowadays.

Telkom Mobile, Cell C and I guess Rain doesn't muck about with the firmware. Else just go prepaid with a nice dual sim phone like Huawei/Honor.

 

[Trompie67]

Toss the 'droid advertising junk & get an iPhone. Zero Bloatware.

 

[Binary_Bark]

This is why I gone to custom OS when I had my S5

 

[Bryn]

Toss the 'droid advertising junk & get an iPhone. Zero Bloatware.

But then I've just traded one problem in for another.

 

[newby_investor]

No bloatware on iOS...

Toss the 'droid advertising junk & get an iPhone. Zero Bloatware.

Not all of us are sophisticated enough to be able to use such a device, we want something a bit more working-class...

 

[SauRoNZA]

But then I've just traded one problem in for another.

And then you'll never ever have these concerns again.

Besides you were getting ready for a Macbook anyway.

 

[Bryn]

And then you'll never ever have these concerns again.

Besides you were getting ready for a Macbook anyway.

That's for sure - my overriding concern definitely won't be bloatware if I have an iPhone.

I'm still on the verge of getting a MBP. There just seems to be an invisible force pushing me away from spending R46.5k on an averagely spec'd laptop. Maybe it's my ancestors protecting me. Not that having a MBP would make me any more likely to get an iPhone. I really can't emphasise enough how much I hate iOS.