Tag: bloatware

  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Faces Criticism Over Excessive Bloatware

    Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Faces Criticism Over Excessive Bloatware

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is priced at $1,299 and includes pre-installed bloatware from companies like Meta and Microsoft.
    2. Pre-installed apps vary by region, and users cannot choose which third-party apps to install during setup.
    3. The device includes redundant applications, such as both Samsung and Google browsers or email clients.
    4. Pre-installed apps take up 17 GB of space, adding to the 24 GB used by the operating system.
    5. Concerns exist about background services that may send data to external servers, prompting users to consider disabling them for privacy.

    The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, priced at $1,299 on Amazon, stands out as one of the pricier flagship smartphones available today. However, it seems that Samsung is making extra profit by pre-installing bloatware from companies like Meta and Microsoft. Android Authority has successfully acquired a Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra from various retailers and discovered at least eight applications from three external providers that come already loaded on the device.

    Regional Variations

    The specific apps that come pre-installed can vary based on the region where the smartphone is bought. Samsung does not allow users to select which third-party applications they want during the setup process, effectively imposing these apps on customers without any option to opt out. Moreover, there are some Samsung and Google applications that are redundant, such as having both the Samsung browser and Google Chrome, the Samsung Galaxy Store alongside the Google Play Store, or even both Outlook and Gmail.

    Memory Usage Concerns

    The pre-installed apps alone occupy 17 GB of space on a brand new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, in addition to the roughly 24 GB taken by the operating system. Users on Reddit have also voiced concerns that Samsung activates multiple background services by default, some of which are necessary for AI functions but may also send data to external servers. Given that Samsung has previously released smartphones with spyware, it is wise to disable these background services in the system settings, especially if personal data is stored on the device.

    Source:
    Link

     

    Tags: , ,
  • Nothing Phones: Avoid Ads and Bloatware for a Clean Experience

    Nothing Phones: Avoid Ads and Bloatware for a Clean Experience

    Key Takeaways

    1. Introduction of “Lock Glimpse” Feature: Nothing OS 4.0 includes a new feature that replaces the lock screen wallpaper with ads, offering users a link to promotional sites.

    2. Ad Feature Optional: The ad feature is turned off by default on current models like the Nothing Phone (3a) but may not be the same for future budget models.

    3. Pre-Installed Bloatware: Future Nothing smartphones will come with certain third-party apps pre-installed, generating additional revenue for the company.

    4. Flagship Models Free of Bloatware: While bloatware will be included on some models, flagship devices will still be sold without these pre-installed apps.

    5. User Backlash: Customers have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the inclusion of bloatware, contradicting previous assurances from the founder about a cleaner OS experience.

    Alongside the initial beta of Nothing OS 4.0, the firm has revealed two rather contentious modifications, the first being a feature dubbed “Lock Glimpse.” This new aspect substitutes the chosen wallpaper on the lock screen with advertisements that showcase an image and a line of text. Users can swipe to unveil a link that directs them to a promotional site.

    Advertisement Implementation

    Whenever the device is activated from standby mode, a different ad will pop up. Nothing emphasizes that this function is turned off by default on devices like the Nothing Phone (3a) and is optional. However, it remains unclear if this will also apply to upcoming models, especially budget-friendly options like the Nothing Phone (3a) Lite. It’s possible that Nothing might impose a fee to turn off these ads, akin to practices seen with the Amazon Kindle.

    Pre-Installed Apps

    Another equally divisive move is the plan to include a range of third-party applications pre-loaded on future smartphones, often referred to as bloatware. According to Nothing, this is aimed at generating another revenue stream and enhancing the profit margins for Nothing Phones. However, flagship devices will continue to be sold without bloatware.

    Nothing claims that these are “helpful” apps that most users would download anyway, such as Instagram, and that they should be fairly easy to uninstall. Customers have voiced their frustration on the Nothing Community Forum, particularly since founder Carl Pei has consistently assured users that Nothing OS would be free from bloatware.

    Source:
    Link

    Nothing Phones: Avoid Ads and Bloatware for a Clean Experience

     

    Tags: , ,