Apple is as bad at bloatware as Android is!!

[Traverse]

I agee, that tips app is just annoying.

Why can't Apple just offer the apps at set up or have a section on the App Store?

I don't use tips
I don't use podcats
I don't use Health
I don't own an Apple Watch
I don't use voice memos
I don't use Game Center.

I realize some people do so I'm glad a Apple makes them, but I wish it was user choice whether to have them installed. That "Utilities" folder has sure filled up since iOS 5...

 

[Detonation]

As a long time Android user who just switched to an iPhone, iOS is definitely not as bad as Android in terms of preinstalled apps.

Most Android phones come with all the google apps installed (gmail, music, books, drive, etc), then the manufacturers add their own proprietary apps (which are usually redundant to the stock google apps), and then carriers add their own bloatware and sponsored apps. These apps usually can't be uninstalled, but they can be disabled so they don't run in the background or show up in the app drawer. This doesn't save you space, but that's a moot point because they're on the system partition which is a fixed size and the user can't use space on it.

While iOS does have it's own various preinstalled apps, they're all Apple apps and none of them are redundant of each other, and there are no carrier or sponsored apps at all. Which on Verizon, for example, is ton - 5 or 6 useless Verizon apps, and then a bunch of apps Verizon thinks you want, like imdb, amazon, slacker, etc.

The amount of Apple apps may keep increasing, but it's nowhere near as bad as it is on Android

 

[mgroot]

The very definition was already linked to just a few posts ago. If you don't agree with it or don't like it, that's certainly fine, but it doesn't change what it is.

I can read the definition, but as was also mentioned before in this thread.. What's a totally unnecessary app for someone is unmissable for someone else. The definition maybe that (for that one source), that doesn't change that it's an arbitrary definition

 

[Traverse]

or a damn calculator).

That made me laugh! Thanks!

I know, it's a complete over site that I just don't get. iPad users don't calculate or check the weather?

I know you can get third-party apps, but these are some pretty basic standards that should be included. I remember when I first got my iPad 3 on iOS 5 I spent a good 15 minutes in setting trying to find where the calculator was before I just googled that there isn't one.

 

[KALLT]

You can easily root almost any android phone and delete all bloat ware

Yet I had to wait a couple of months until my mum’s ASUS tablet (MEMO Pad 8) could be rooted. Just because it is easier to root Android in general, it doesn’t mean that it is necessarily easy for end users. Many devices require specific programs to do it and it can take quite a while until one is available to you and that doesn’t screw up your system along the way.

Rooting the device is also discouraged if you want to keep your warranty in tact.

Same is true with installing custom distributions, like Cyanogenmod. It is not available for all Android devices. You do need to have a device that is explicitly supported by them.

 

[mgroot]

That made me laugh! Thanks!

I know, it's a complete over site that I just don't get. iPad users don't calculate or check the weather?

I know you can get third-party apps, but these are some pretty basic standards that should be included. I remember when I first got my iPad 3 on iOS 5 I spent a good 15 minutes in setting trying to find where the calculator was before I just googled that there isn't one.

I got my first iPad last year when the Air 2 came out and I was really surprised to not have those on there as well

 

[C DM]

If you go by that definition, then the contacts app, notes, reminders, calendar, etc, all bloatware?

Core apps aren't bloatware. iWork apps, garageband, iMovie, that's bloatware. Core applications like Notes, Reminders, etc? Nope.

Apple Watch app isn't core to the functionality of the iPhone, neither is iBooks or Podcasts or even Newsstand or Tips yet they are all there and can't be removed. Bloatware is there, to what degree and all that is a somewhat separate question.

 

[redheeler]

Apple stop pushing your bloatware onto my iPhone! I don't want an Apple Watch therefore I don't need your apple watch app. I don't read books on my phone so I don't need iBooks on my phone. These should be optional & downloadable if someone wants them. Instead you are eating my precious storage up!

+1, especially to the Apple Watch app. Why put that ugly thing on the home screen by default when I and many others don't have and don't intend to get an Apple Watch? Must be some form of advertising.

I'm still on iOS 8.1 and I don't see myself upgrading until I get a iPhone 6s+ with iOS 9.

 

[I7guy]

Apple Watch app isn't core to the functionality of the iPhone, neither is iBooks or Podcasts or even Newsstand or Tips yet they are all there and can't be removed. Bloatware is there, to what degree and all that is a somewhat separate question.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bloatware

It's easily argued what is there furthers the ecosystem even if not related to the core functionality of making a phone call. If bloat ware were defined by core functionality the only app that should be installed is the phone app.

 

[dk001]

Agreed that Apple is becoming increasingly worse with this, but it isn't at the level most Android phones are

I will say my iPhone 6 Plus (AT&T) has more bloatware on it than my LG G3 (AT&T). Additionally I can disable (turn off) the bloatware/crapware on my G3.

 

[redheeler]

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bloatware

It's easily argued what is there furthers the ecosystem even if not related to the core functionality of making a phone call. If bloat ware were defined by core functionality the only app that should be installed is the phone app.

It depends on how the device and apps are used on a person-by-person basis. To someone who has an Apple Watch the app isn't bloatware, but to everyone else it is. The same goes for all the other stock apps.

The phone app on my iPhone 2G never gets used, so it in fact can be considered bloatware.

 

[dk001]

Sorry, but you cannot possibly compare that to amount of carrier bloatware that is preinstalled on an Android phone.

Want to bet on that? I get to pick the Android phone (not a Nexus...)

 

[I7guy]

It depends on how the device and apps are used on a person-by-person basis. To someone who has an Apple Watch the app isn't bloatware, but to everyone else it is. The same goes for all the other stock apps.

The phone app on my iPhone 2G never gets used, so it in fact can be considered bloatware.

In that vein the definition of bloat ware is a moving target, but no matter what the definition Apple still won't allow deletion; one of those things like downgrading is discussed ad-nauseum but Apple has complete control over.

 

[C DM]

It depends on how the device and apps are used on a person-by-person basis. To someone who has an Apple Watch the app isn't bloatware, but to everyone else it is. The same goes for all the other stock apps.

The phone app on my iPhone 2G never gets used, so it in fact can be considered bloatware.

That's why to someone that needs something beyond the core features of a device they can download it.

Some like to split hairs and shift focus on this or that generally just for the sake of an argument and not much more, but most people can certainly see beyond that and get the simple reality that bloatware is there.

 

[Detonation]

I will say my iPhone 6 Plus (AT&T) has more bloatware on it than my LG G3 (AT&T). Additionally I can disable (turn off) the bloatware/crapware on my G3.

Care to list the bloatware comparison between your Iphone 6 and LG G3? There's no way all the apps LG and ATT load on their phones is less than the amount of stock apps on the iphone. Stock android vs stock ios would be a close comparison, but you're not going to find many stock carrier phones.

 

[eclipse01]

At least on most new Android devices you can delete a lot of the unwanted apps or at the minimal you can turn them off. No such luck with Apple!

until you go out to the play store and it wants an "update" for that google app you just deleted

 

[decafjava]

Is there a generally accepted definition of "bloatware"? I think everyone is using somewhat different definitions?

Ok here are two definitions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bloat

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/bloatware.html

Going by the links, it seems that the big complaint here that pre-installed Apple apps can't be deleted is not bloatware in the central meaning. They take up space in the memory and on the home page but don't affect the performance of the device.

As far as I'm concerned bloatware is what my HP desktop I bought in 2010 had. Hp stuck a bunch of useless docks and features (tune-ups etc.) that were not that good and used up resources and where just plain ugly (the dock). I could and did remove them and then realised how good Windows 7 could be.

 

[I7guy]

Is there a generally accepted definition of "bloatware"? I think everyone is using somewhat different definitions?

Ok here are two definitions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_bloat

http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/bloatware.html

Going by the links, it seems that the big complaint here that pre-installed Apple apps can't be deleted is not bloatware in the central meaning. They take up space in the memory and on the home page but don't affect the performance of the device.

As far as I'm concerned bloatware is what my HP desktop I bought in 2010 had. Hp stuck a bunch of useless docks and features (tune-ups etc.) that were not that good and used up resources and where just plain ugly (the dock). I could and did remove them and then realised how good Windows 7 could be.

I'm with you on the definition and these apps don't even have to be on the home page. The definition in this thread is any app I don't use and want to delete. Lot of hair splitting on the personal definitions but what it essentially amounts to is Apple pulls the strings in this regard.

 

[Will22]

until you go out to the play store and it wants an "update" for that google app you just deleted

I guess you're not used to android, if you disable an app it doesn't ask to be updated so although you don't gain the space for the ones you disable you also don't see them unless you go into settings, apps and select 'disabled apps' you will not know they are there. They don't appear in the app drawer and don't update even if you have the other apps set to auto update.

That said I have a 1+1, Moto X(2014) and they less useless/unused/unwanted apps than the iPhone 6 but I also have a Note 4 and that has loads of crap on it. I had an S6 edge for a few weeks and it was much better than the Note 4

By the way I never had a network phone because I buy my phones sim free but from what I know they are far worse on android.

 

[eclipse01]

I guess you're not used to android, if you disable an app it doesn't ask to be updated so although you don't gain the space for the ones you disable you also don't see them unless you go into settings, apps and select 'disabled apps' you will not know they are there. They don't appear in the app drawer and don't update even if you have the other apps set to auto update.

That said I have a 1+1, Moto X(2014) and they less useless/unused/unwanted apps than the iPhone 6 but I also have a Note 4 and that has loads of crap on it. I had an S6 edge for a few weeks and it was much better than the Note 4

By the way I never had a network phone because I buy my phones sim free but from what I know they are far worse on android.

Nope, didn't know that

Thanks

 

[Rat-Boy]

I realize people use "etc" a lot when they run out of things to list.

Good thing Apple allows you to customize your homescreen and you can put unused apps in a folder.

What does putting them in a folder have to do with anything in this thread other than to waste thread bandwidth?

The complaint is taking up space on the phone.

I don't think putting apps in folders magically makes them take up 0 MB of the NON-expandable storage, correct?

 

[nStyle]

I don't have a problem with any pre-loaded, un-removable app except for "Apple Watch". It's the straight up "unapologetic" advertising for a product that millions of people will never buy. It's even more embarrassing that they have chosen to use this tactic to sell the watch to those that would have never been interested, but now feel like they need to give sudden meaning to this useless app sitting there.

 

[I7guy]

What does putting them in a folder have to do with anything in this thread other than to waste thread bandwidth?

The complaint is taking up space on the phone.

I don't think putting apps in folders magically makes them take up 0 MB of the NON-expandable storage, correct?

Maybe the poster said that because it's one of two options; the third option, deletion is not available.

 

[AndyK]

Even if you could fully delete them & regain their space, you're looking at a tiny amount of space. Easily <100MB, which on even a 16GB device, is nothing.

This is a horrible use of the term 'bloatware'. Given that these apps are baked into the operating system itself, can't be deleted and can't be re installed from anywhere they're not bloating anything.

If you turned off all notifications, would you then make a thread calling the notification centre 'bloatware' because you couldn't stop it running altogether & delete it from the OS?

 

[I7guy]

Even if you could fully delete them & regain their space, you're looking at a tiny amount of space. Easily <100MB, which on even a 16GB device, is nothing.

This is a horrible use of the term 'bloatware'. Given that these apps are baked into the operating system itself, can't be deleted and can't be re installed from anywhere they're not bloating anything.

If you turned off all notifications, would you then make a thread calling the notification centre 'bloatware' because you couldn't stop it running altogether & delete it from the OS?

Be vewy, vewy caweful. You are going to be told you are splitting hairs and this is not the conversation on hand. This conversation is people want the freedom to delete any app they want on iOS.