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Noob question sorry, is nexus s plain android or is there bloatware installed?

About to buy one and I just wanna know
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

Pure vanilla Android.

There's a bunch of stuff preinstalled on it, but it's all Google stuff; I don't think there's any third-party apps.

It's not plain android, there's a bunch of Google bloatware.

JCopernicus said:
It's not plain android, there's a bunch of Google bloatware.
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I'm curious as to what you consider Google bloatware, because the Nexus S is about as plain as you can get. Most of the time bloatware is stuff added by OEMs, such as the preinstalled demo games on the MT4G. Mind elaborating?

I can't speak for JC, but in my mind, anything that comes preinstalled on a device which I neither want nor need is bloatware. This, of course, makes the entire concept subjective, but in general with things like Android, I think less is more, since you can download nearly all of these things from the Market anyway. The consumer-side justification of "bloatware" (revenue for the provider, of course, being the primary, producer-side justification) is to present the user with access to a service they might otherwise not know to look for. ("Oh, hey, my phone can play TV/can display YouTube/has internet radio/whatever!"). For most of us though, particularly anyone savvy enough to be on XDA in the first place, most of it ends up falling into one of three categories:
-Don't care about
-Use a different app for
-Would have downloaded if it wasn't included.
In any case, I've observed that what most people have the biggest issue with isn't that stuff may come preinstalled on their phone, it's that you can't get rid of it, and if you do, you may well open yourself to a world of trouble should you ever wish to install an OTA update.

I would consider it plain android, as the "bloatware" on it is really only google apps, which come with all android phones. It doesn't have bloatware from a third party though like some of the other android phones. Either way, bloatware can be removed off any rooted phone with titanium backup

zorak950 said:
I can't speak for JC, but in my mind, anything that comes preinstalled on a device which I neither want nor need is bloatware. This, of course, makes the entire concept subjective, but in general with things like Android, I think less is more, since you can download nearly all of these things from the Market anyway. The consumer-side justification of "bloatware" (revenue for the provider, of course, being the primary, producer-side justification) is to present the user with access to a service they might otherwise not know to look for. ("Oh, hey, my phone can play TV/can display YouTube/has internet radio/whatever!"). For most of us though, particularly anyone savvy enough to be on XDA in the first place, most of it ends up falling into one of three categories:
-Don't care about
-Use a different app for
-Would have downloaded if it wasn't included.
In any case, I've observed that what most people have the biggest issue with isn't that stuff may come preinstalled on their phone, it's that you can't get rid of it, and if you do, you may well open yourself to a world of trouble should you ever wish to install an OTA update.
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Fair enough points.
Unfortunately, we still run into that last issue even on the Nexus S. Folks were unable to update via the stock 2.3.1 OTA if they had modified system files, such replacing the stock Mms.apk or Gmail.apk with the black/custom ones from the Themes & Apps section or deleting any of their relevant .odexs. Even placing the missing files back on the system partition didn't seem to work, at least for me. It was a very curious update.

unremarked said:
Fair enough points.
Unfortunately, we still run into that last issue even on the Nexus S. Folks were unable to update via the stock 2.3.1 OTA if they had modified system files, such replacing the stock Mms.apk or Gmail.apk with the black/custom ones from the Themes & Apps section or deleting any of their relevant .odexs. Even placing the missing files back on the system partition didn't seem to work, at least for me. It was a very curious update.
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Yeah, I soft-bricked my Vibrant trying to grab T-Mobile's OTA after I took it upon myself to delete all the extraneous crapware that came with it. They can be very touchy indeed. It's a steep learning curve for newbies. x_x

Next question,how is t mobiles 4G .I live in knox tn. Anyone know?
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk

So it doesn't have the useless Amazon mp3 app anymore like the nexus one?

evilsock said:
Next question,how is t mobiles 4G .I live in knox tn. Anyone know?
Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
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No HSPA+ (it's not 4G!) on the Nexus S. Don't ask me why, it boggles my mind too.
NexusDro said:
So it doesn't have the useless Amazon mp3 app anymore like the nexus one?
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No Amazon MP3 app installed. Just made me look at my app drawer to confirm, lol.

NexusDro said:
So it doesn't have the useless Amazon mp3 app anymore like the nexus one?
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Nope, they put google earth in its place.

There is also that office app that is NOT a google product...so yea, there is a bit of bloat, but pretty much it is vanilla.

ZeroSX said:
No HSPA+ (it's not 4G!) on the Nexus S. Don't ask me why, it boggles my mind too.
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True, but it does still support up to 7.2Mbps down which you'll only get in a t-mobile 4g area.
I was just in Orlando and i was getting around 5-6Mbps on my N1 and in a Nexus S i was testing at best buy and it was pretty damn fast. puts my DSL connection at home to shame.

mcosmi said:
There is also that office app that is NOT a google product...so yea, there is a bit of bloat, but pretty much it is vanilla.
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I don't think Google has an office app for Android. Every device has launched with some kind of partnered 3rd party, either ThinkFree, or Quickoffice. At least, I think those are the two they've used.
If they didn't, you wouldn't be able to read any kind of text document on your phone and that's just kind of a silly thing to not be able to do, imo.
EDIT: And on that note, Google should probably make a office app! lol

Who really cares whats installed or not, EVERYTHING can be uninstalled.

after using ThinkFREE for a while on the Galaxy S, i can say it's really good
way better than the Docs To Go and/or QuickOffice which i'm using on the XT720
but truth is... you don't need any of those with Google Office online, it's so much easier to keep things and work with documents using Google Office Online

Wow, AT&T blocks non market apps?

That is so pathetic. Just another reason to hate that company.
Anyway...my friend just got an inspire and is new to android. I'm just helping with the phone (I have a verizon android phone) and realized that AT&T finds someway to screw with consumers again. So, is there a way to get around this and install non market apps?

brian85 said:
That is so pathetic. Just another reason to hate that company.
Anyway...my friend just got an inspire and is new to android. I'm just helping with the phone (I have a verizon android phone) and realized that AT&T finds someway to screw with consumers again. So, is there a way to get around this and install non market apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use sideload wonder machine http://forum.androidcentral.com/android-sideload-wonder-machine/
Or root the phone and load a custom ROM that has non market apps enabled

the sideload wonder machine method is sipmple the only drawback is that the apps wont receive updates like they would from the market, if I'm not mistaken.

Also if I remember correctly if the app is to big for side load wonder machine, you can use adb push. There are always work arounds.

brian85 said:
That is so pathetic. Just another reason to hate that company.
Anyway...my friend just got an inspire and is new to android. I'm just helping with the phone (I have a verizon android phone) and realized that AT&T finds someway to screw with consumers again. So, is there a way to get around this and install non market apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why it's such a sweet feeling when you uninstall their application through TiBu........

You can also consider rooting the device. I did mine with no issues at all. It's VERY easy, just time consuming. From start to finish, took me about 35 minutes. I already had EVERYTHING I needed to do this though, including the ROM I wanted.

tribalartgod said:
You can also consider rooting the device. I did mine with no issues at all. It's VERY easy, just time consuming. From start to finish, took me about 35 minutes. I already had EVERYTHING I needed to do this though, including the ROM I wanted.
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Congratulations on finally getting it man.

Roland_D said:
That's why it's such a sweet feeling when you uninstall their application through TiBu........
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Click to collapse
Indeed. Buh-bye bloat.
Sent from my Inspire using Tapatalk

I am interested to know what apps are good that aren't on the marketplace. I would like to find some other cool stuff I can put on this phone. I put swype on and that was fun to side load. Would like to do some other stuff. Inform me please.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

You want good go to Amazon App store, in the past few days I got a full version of Shazam and then SoundHound. Both have full unlimited use with no expiration, also if you change rom's you can redownload them from your account for as long as you have the account. They give away a full paid app everyday on there.

MatUK.8 said:
I am interested to know what apps are good that aren't on the marketplace. I would like to find some other cool stuff I can put on this phone. I put swype on and that was fun to side load. Would like to do some other stuff. Inform me please.
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Click to collapse
All the Gameloft games for starters.
Sent from my mancave, wearing blu blockers while eating a twinkie using the XDA App

Would you trust all Apps?

Somebody tried to convience me by LOL'ing my concerns, that all permissions are necessary and no soft on Android Market, that could be harmful or say: abusive.
Sent from my XT910 using XDA

No, Android is riddled with viruses.

Before I started developing apps I just ignored all the permission and installed. Now I realise how foolish that is, if an app has permissions to access your files, it can access ALL your files. Android should emphasise the permissions more IMO.

On windows phone, yes.

never!

Apps ask for so much permissions, I feel like the devs can do whatever they want... I mean, you're supposed to give away all your personal data to random people!? I usually avoid installing apps that for no reason ask for personal logs, reading sms, gps position and a bunch of other stuff, but usually games and apps ask for every permission available, it just feels creepy. That's why I tend to keep the number of apps on my phone to a minimum.

Android does have malware which although usually caught quickly can sometimes get through so it makes sense to check the permissions of an app because there are unscrupulous developers out there who do get such apps on the market.
If you use common sense (eg if a live wallpaper wants to read your texts or make calls then its probably not safe to install) you should be fine.
For someone to say android is riddled with viruses is just scaremongering as neither I nor anyone I know have had malware etc from the market because we use common sense but at same time anyone who claims there can't be viruses malware etc on market is just as wrong.
Bottom line is use common sense and if you can read the market comments then it also helps you decide if an app is ok.
But yes there are malware / virus apps and yes they have been on market before.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk

Thats why root is a must to cut off from network access, at least.
Sent from my XT910 using XDA

mistermentality said:
Bottom line is use common sense and if you can read the market comments then it also helps you decide if an app is ok.
But yes there are malware / virus apps and yes they have been on market before.
Dave
Sent from my LG P920 using Tapatalk
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Very true

z33dev33l said:
No, Android is riddled with viruses.
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Half truth.. As usual.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2 Beta-5

Removing bloat

Now that root has been established by jcase, how do you get rid of all the Verizon garbage on this thing, and which stuff is safe to uninstall without injuring the phone?
Every time I attempt to remove an app, it reappears after rebooting. Ive read like a billion threads and nothing seems to work.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 4

sassca129 said:
Now that root has been established by jcase, how do you get rid of all the Verizon garbage on this thing, and which stuff is safe to uninstall without injuring the phone?
Every time I attempt to remove an app, it reappears after rebooting. Ive read like a billion threads and nothing seems to work.
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it, root for the Maxx does not give RW access to /system/apps yet, so you can't remove any of the apps until that's figured out. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2442585 - the note under limitations.

doogald said:
As I understand it, root for the Maxx does not give RW access to /system/apps yet, so you can't remove any of the apps until that's figured out. See http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2442585 - the note under limitations.
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Click to collapse
Bummer. iight thanks!
Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk 4

You can disable most of the bloatware on the Manage Apps screen in Settings, no root required. It's also safer than uninstalling because future updates may check for bloatware and abort the update if not present (lots of folks fell victim to this on the Bionic). I have about 20 apps disabled this way.

unbesorgt said:
You can disable most of the bloatware on the Manage Apps screen in Settings, no root required. It's also safer than uninstalling because future updates may check for bloatware and abort the update if not present (lots of folks fell victim to this on the Bionic). I have about 20 apps disabled this way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you mind telling us potential buyers what specific bloatware cannot be disabled? Can any other apps be uninstalled outright?

Removing ANY of the Verizon bloat prevented OTA upgrades on the Bionic. That even included games and apps like NFL.

SquareBare said:
Would you mind telling us potential buyers what specific bloatware cannot be disabled? Can any other apps be uninstalled outright?
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Click to collapse
I also have about 25 apps disabled. Literally everything verizon has pre-installed is done for. It works on everything I've tried, and I'm not trying anything else as they're all critical things left over.

TechSavvy2 said:
I also have about 25 apps disabled. Literally everything verizon has pre-installed is done for. It works on everything I've tried, and I'm not trying anything else as they're all critical things left over.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the VZW leftovers -- like Backup Assistant -- can't be disabled through settings.
Not that the Ultra family is rooted (see link below), you can just install TiBu (Titanium Backup) and "freeze" any app. (Freezing is the same as disabling the app in settings, but TiBu can freeze apps that you can't disable.)
I'm hesitant to actually delete anything because some OTA upgrades won't install if all the bloatware isn't there.
ROOT!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2444954

rlmesq said:
Removing ANY of the Verizon bloat prevented OTA upgrades on the Bionic. That even included games and apps like NFL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wasn't the case for my maxx hd.
Sent from my XT1080 using xda app-developers app

I guess a better question would be, what can I freeze using titanium backup that won't break the phone and cause unstoppable force closes? I've already frozen as much as possible, but now with root I can also disable things like that wireless display service that I never use. What else can I freeze?

[Q] Retaining apps/texts/etc when changing handset

I'm looking at upgrading my HTC One XL to an HTC One Mini 2. I've found this article on Lifehacker on backing up apps and settings and such. Is that a) all still valid and b) going to work when moving from one type of handset to another? Anything else I need to do to get all my stuff over from my current handset to the new one?

Well i am mentioning some softwares
koberulz said:
I'm looking at upgrading my HTC One XL to an HTC One Mini 2. I've found this article on Lifehacker on backing up apps and settings and such. Is that a) all still valid and b) going to work when moving from one type of handset to another? Anything else I need to do to get all my stuff over from my current handset to the new one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are not rooted then install this app from playstore
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idea.backup.smscontacts&hl=en
this app is great for backing up the call logs,calender,contacts.
if your are rooted and on custom recovery then you can go for titanium backup and create a zip.:good:

Also do note, if your phone is synced to Google, you can get all your contacts and apps (without settings) on your new device just by linking your new phone.
For app settings and SMS, you should probably do what @sachoosaini recommends.

App settings are not at all savable if you are not rooted. Well titaniuim backup is the medicine of your questions. And I the universe if the XDA known that on gmail you can restore your backup. But there are many people who are privacy conscious. they don't install Google apps. And rely on other markets ..
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app

sachoosaini said:
if you are not rooted then install this app from playstore
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.idea.backup.smscontacts&hl=en
this app is great for backing up the call logs,calender,contacts.
if your are rooted and on custom recovery then you can go for titanium backup and create a zip.:good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the phone is rooted, and the new one will be as soon as I get it (or at least, that's the plan). My main concern was basically whether the LifeHacker article was still valid (it's three years old, which is forever with these things) and whether it would work when switching between two completely different handsets, rather than switching from my current One XL to a different One XL in the case of a lost or damaged phone, for example. They're still both HTC, and thus will both run Sense, which should avoid the biggest potential issue, but I want to make sure I've got everything sorted now, rather than trying it and having it not work.

koberulz said:
Yeah, the phone is rooted, and the new one will be as soon as I get it (or at least, that's the plan). My main concern was basically whether the LifeHacker article was still valid (it's three years old, which is forever with these things) and whether it would work when switching between two completely different handsets, rather than switching from my current One XL to a different One XL in the case of a lost or damaged phone, for example. They're still both HTC, and thus will both run Sense, which should avoid the biggest potential issue, but I want to make sure I've got everything sorted now, rather than trying it and having it not work.
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Click to collapse
Well if they are HTC, they probably shipped with transfer data software. I remember it was bundled along with HTC sense framework Roms. It has features like SMS transfer contact transfer.
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app

sachoosaini said:
Well if they are HTC, they probably shipped with transfer data software. I remember it was bundled along with HTC sense framework Roms. It has features like SMS transfer contact transfer.
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app
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That won't help with apps/app settings though, will it?

koberulz said:
That won't help with apps/app settings though, will it?
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Click to collapse
Nope....titanium back will
Sent from my XT1033 using XDA Free mobile app