No structured technical support, no humans on the other side, no bloatware on the devices they sell.
Perhaps our biggest complaint about the L9 is the amount of bloatware T-Mobile decided to toss in.
ENGADGET: LG Optimus L9 review: an affordable mid-level Android handset for T-Mobile
As bloatware goes, Sprint and Samsung have done an okay effort -- just okay -- at holding back.
Unfortunately, it wouldn't be an Android device if it didn't come bogged down with an array of carrier-installed bloatware.
While the Flex isn't exactly littered with bloatware, there are a number of redundant apps that are simply unnecessary.
Otherwise, the only thing that may catch your eye is the usual smattering of bloatware dedicated to Magenta's cause.
ENGADGET: Samsung Galaxy Note II for T-Mobile hands-on Mobile
In either case, you won't find too many apps that aren't either carrier bloatware or part of the native Android experience.
ENGADGET: HTC One for AT&T and Sprint: what's different? Mobile
Too much bloatware -- Sony loaded on a myriad of programs that really bogged things down when first entering into Vista.
ENGADGET: Sony VAIO TT: unboxing, hands-on and impressions Hands-on
We had to respect Vizio for giving most of its PCs 1080p screens and installing a clean, bloatware-free version of Windows.
Given how in-your-face HTC's new Sense 5 UI is, we feel a bit silly kvetching about something as unobtrusive as carrier bloatware.
ENGADGET: HTC One for AT&T and Sprint: what's different? Mobile
The MAINGEAR Solo 21 All-in-one builds upon MAINGEAR's pedigree of upgradeability, no bloatware, and excellent service and support that they are known for.
ENGADGET: Maingear Solo 21 receives a makeover, $899 all-in-one PC is now fully upgradable
Storage concerns will only grow as Windows 8 finds more widespread adoption trial software, pre-installed games, and bloatware will become more prevalent.
FORBES: It's Time For Windows Tablet Manufacturers To Advertise Usable Storage Space
There was no word on whether the bloatware can be disabled or uninstalled, but since the policy goes into effect today, we should find out pretty soon.
ENGADGET: Verizon adding suite of Amazon apps to all new Android devices
In a move that could only be viewed as a step in the right direction, Sprint has just made a major move in the battle against bloatware.
Another handy feature here is the ability to hide or lock certain panels, and we can already imagine the use case of stowing away rarely used system apps or bloatware.
ENGADGET: Smartisan OS unveiled in China, takes a fresh approach to Android UI design
There's at least one area where Sony has kept its finger on the consumer's pulse, and it's most apparent when you tally up the Ion's dearth of truly offensive bloatware.
ENGADGET: Sony Xperia Ion review: an Android handset with a split personality
Rather than fill the device with bloatware apps or overlay a custom UI, Sprint's installed a software button that takes you to a store exclusively designed for Sprint's new Android devices.
When you're done, though, you might want also to meet us after the break: we've got benchmark scores, network speeds, battery life results and bloatware alerts that apply specifically to those US versions.
Wang added that out of the 120 million units to be sold this year, half of them will be customized by China Mobile -- presumably so that it can choose its own bloatware, right?
Given how in-your-face HTC's new Sense 5 UI is (its BlinkFeed home page manages to be reminiscent of Flipboard, Blur and Windows Phone), we feel a bit silly kvetching about something as unobtrusive as carrier bloatware.
ENGADGET: HTC One for AT&T and Sprint: what's different? Mobile
Still, bloatware is alive and well.
ENGADGET: HTC Windows Phone 8X for T-Mobile: what's different?
But going back to the subject of bloatware, Smartisan OS will be bundled with just a few apps that Luo considers to be the cream of the crop in the Chinese market: Momo (a local "flirting" app), WeChat (IM app, but still in discussion), Sina Weibo, Youku (video platform) and Sogu input (customized by Smartisan).
ENGADGET: Smartisan OS unveiled in China, takes a fresh approach to Android UI design
Yes, Android might be "open" in the sense that the source code is available, but there's no doubt Google's wielded incredible power over the platform by restricting access to Market and its own apps -- power that hasn't been used to prevent carrier-mandated bloatware or poorly-done manufacturer skinning, but has instead apparently been used to block legitimate competitors like Skyhook from doing business.
ENGADGET: Skyhook: Google forced Motorola to drop our location service, delay the Droid X
应用推荐