One of the reasons users passionately hate carriers is the bloatware they fill Android devices with, as in many cases a mobile operator’s app collection that comes preloaded on a new handset may be somewhat difficult to remove for an average user. In some countries, there already are laws that require carriers to let their subscribers delete any apps they want on a handset, but that’s hardly a widespread practice. Luckily for Verizon customers, Big Red is willing to make some changes to its approach to bloatware, Droid-Life reports, starting with the LG G3.
FROM EARLIER: LG G3 review: Android has a new king
“Verizon is trialing a new service on the LG G3. Pre-loaded applications will install in the background during the activation and set up process,” Verizon told the publication. “Once setup is complete, the applications will appear in the applications folder as though they have been traditionally pre-loaded. However, there IS one key difference; the applications can be completely and entirely uninstalled by the customer via the standard uninstall process. Customers will not incur any data usage or charges for the download and installation of these applications.”
Droid-Life did test the feature on a Verizon G3, and found that while it could easily uninstall some of the bloatware apps Verizon installed, some of them couldn’t be removed. From Verizon’s statement above, it would appear that all apps it preloads on a device can be deleted by the user, as the carrier did not single out any apps that can’t be deleted.
Verizon is yet to announce whether other Android devices will receive the same bloatware treatment henceforward.
