Vodafone to scrap bloatware on HTC Desire with Android 2.2
updated 01:10 pm EDT, Tue August 10, 2010
Vodafone HTC Desire update to Froyo to clean apps
Vodafone today responded to criticism of forced app installs on its version of the HTC Desire by promising that its version of the Android 2.2 (Froyo) upgrade would scrub the phone clean. The new Google OS when pushed will remove Vodafone's 360 apps and will prevent its settings from hijacking the browser homepage or adding bookmarks. All the carrier apps will still be available but will instead be optional Android Market downloads.
The update is currently being tested by Vodafone and doesn't have a release date, but it should be ready within days.
An update comes after users in Vodafone's forums and elsewhere attacked the company for what amounted to after-sale "bloatware," or company-supported apps that sometimes degrade the performance or usability against the customer's will. Vodafone not only didn't include the apps with the Desire on launch but didn't reveal that the update would have the apps, giving customers no way to opt out of the new apps. Many of the apps installed couldn't be removed.
