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T-Mobile's parent company says no to pre-installed bloatware
- Deutsche Telekom will let users opt out of pre-installed bloatware and let manufacturers send OS updates directly.
- T-Mobile is likely to follow this move, given that Deutsche Telekom is its parent company.
- Such a move might dramatically change the way carriers operate in the US.
Deutsche Telekom also states that Android updates will now come directly from manufacturers. Could this be a beginning of something new for Android users?
What drives people away from Android? Some cite security concerns (I no longer see the merit in this argument), some cite inadequate cross-device support (fair enough), but one of the biggest reasons has got to be the amount of bloatware and the slow software updates. Unwanted pre-installed apps and software updates that are six months too late are particularly pervasive in the US where most Android phones are carrier-branded. Even well-established companies like Samsung sell their flagship devices filled with carrier-specific bloatware. And even the phones with the lightest custom skin take ages to receive OS updates.
Well, Deutsche Telekom wants to transform this unfortunate reality, and its decision could bring some much-needed changes to the US, starting with T-Mobile. Specifically, Deutsche Telekom says that from now on, its customers will be given the option to install carrier-specific apps during the initial set-up. Not only that, future firmware updates will come directly from Android manufacturers, meaning Deutsche Telekom won’t require an additional “carrier testing” period.
Just like the death of two-year contracts, bloatware and slow updates on Android phones could become a thing of the past.
The best part about this, at least for those who are in the US, is that Deutsche Telekom is the parent company of T-Mobile. While it remains to be seen, it is not unlikely that T-Mobile will introduce similar policies in the future. The option to remove all bloatware means faster and smoother performance, and direct updates should dramatically reduce the time it takes for you to receive software updates. If T-Mobile takes a similar approach in the US, it could really disturb the industry status quo. Just like the death of two-year contracts (which T-Mobile spearheaded with its Un-carrier movements), bloatware and slow updates on Android phones could become a thing of the past.
What are your thoughts on Deutsche Telekom’s move? Let us know by leaving a comment below!