Carriers Continue to Force-Install Junk Apps
May 29, 2011, 7:27 AM by Eric M. Zeman
Sprint recently pushed out a firmware update to the HTC EVO. Along with the firmware update, Sprint also installed several applications, including Netflix and N.O.V.A., a game. These apps cannot be uninstalled. N.O.V.A., in particular, has a troubling list of permissions. In can edit, read, and receive SMS; send SMS messages that cost money; full Internet access; change network connectivity; change Wi-Fi state; prevent phone from sleeping; and modify/delete microSD card contents. Phone Scoop has found this same application on the LG G2x, where it consistently runs in the background despite the fact that it was never opened. Sprint isn't alone in installing unwanted apps with software updates. Verizon, for example, installed Bing Search on a Motorola Droid being used by Phone Scoop. Responding to queries made by CNet, Sprint said that "it is taking steps to develop a technical solution that would allow customers to remove any unwanted applications that have been preloaded or pushed in an over-the-air software update." Sprint did note, however, that it will continue to use firmware updates to add demo apps.
Advertisements
Comments
lol silly carriers
*facepalm*
It would seem to me the carriers need to be sued
Any legal eagles out there want to take this up?
Yes it's stupid they pre-install certain apps, yes it's even more stupid...
(continues)
Here is the VZW part where its covered.
"My Wireless Device
Your wireless device must comply with Federal Communications Commission regulations, be certified for use ...
(continues)
Carrier IQ?
While working Sprint Email escallations one of my coworkers got an email asking "What is Carrier IQ and why is it installed on my Samsung Epic?" S...
(continues)
I find it somewhat insulting
Though, in no way shape or form does it make any sense to me what-so-ever that you would make it entirely impossible to remove these applications from an already extremely limited memory on a device that the customer fully owns. (I consider the a...
(continues)
I was going to wait a year before I root... then an Otterbox scratched my phone by putting slight scratches at the bottom of the screen. This was my Q to not care anymore, but I still haven't rooted my phone.
I've also found that GoLaunch...
(continues)
(continues)
I remember I had a Kaiser from AT&T, it had carrier apps, but they also could be rem...
(continues)
EVO 4G Update DID NOT force install Netflix
Oh and lest not forget that one MAKES A CHOICE if they...
(continues)
What's to work on?
"it is taking steps to develop a technical solution that would allow customers to remove any unwanted applications that have been preloaded or pushed in an over-the-air software update."
Seems like this is a pretty quick fix... this statement is just a buying time mechanism.
(continues)