Database Info

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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Firewalls?!!!

Hi peeps,
Honeymoon over with my new phone, realising some of the apps I use to take for granted on Android HD2, can't be used on Sensation.
Most important for me Droidwall.
Anyone know which firewalls, work and can run on a non rooted handset?
Side query, what's best way of removing ads? Never realised there was ads in apps. As it was already fixed in the custom roms. I presume u need a rooted phone, not the end of the world. handset is a joy to use.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

MaxReality said:
Hi peeps,
Honeymoon over with my new phone, realising some of the apps I use to take for granted on Android HD2, can't be used on Sensation.
Most important for me Droidwall.
Anyone know which firewalls, work and can run on a non rooted handset?
Side query, what's best way of removing ads? Never realised there was ads in apps. As it was already fixed in the custom roms. I presume u need a rooted phone, not the end of the world. handset is a joy to use.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i all ready have a flashable add-on but it wont work till we get custom recovery and to replace the file your self you still need root becuase its in the system folder

Why do you use Droidwall if I may ask?
I have always seen it referred to as a placebo if anything.

Now people are seeing why I'm not buying the Sensation till it's cracked and rooted.
Android converts via the HD2 have all been using a rooted form of Android and never knew what life was like in the "locked down" world. I'm an Android convert via the HD2 myself, and knew complaints of this sort would be coming.
DroidWall is a great means to keep apps from eating data without knowing. Also a good means to keep Android from phoning home if that is of any concern to a user.

ashasaur said:
Why do you use Droidwall if I may ask?
I have always seen it referred to as a placebo if anything.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mdeejays rom ate all my data allowance in standby on my HD2. Droidwall stopped this happening, blocking everything except the apps you want to use data.
Although changing to Boyppc rom, the data usage wasnt half as much. Hmm?
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

MaxReality said:
Hi peeps,
Honeymoon over with my new phone, realising some of the apps I use to take for granted on Android HD2, can't be used on Sensation.
Most important for me Droidwall.
Anyone know which firewalls, work and can run on a non rooted handset?
Side query, what's best way of removing ads? Never realised there was ads in apps. As it was already fixed in the custom roms. I presume u need a rooted phone, not the end of the world. handset is a joy to use.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
APNDroid with the widget on your home screen stops 3G data connection.
Adfree for removing ads but its for rooted only.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

Darnell_Chat_TN said:
Now people are seeing why I'm not buying the Sensation till it's cracked and rooted.
Android converts via the HD2 have all been using a rooted form of Android and never knew what life was like in the "locked down" world. I'm an Android convert via the HD2 myself, and knew complaints of this sort would be coming.
DroidWall is a great means to keep apps from eating data without knowing. Also a good means to keep Android from phoning home if that is of any concern to a user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. But it was upgrade time and having a 1080p camcorder enticed me to buy. Once you get over it being locked down, for now, it really is a joy to use. Every little niggle the HD2 had is gone. But yeah, rom wise, Boyppc rom makes HD2 a perfectly capable handset.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App

MaxReality said:
I agree. But it was upgrade time and having a 1080p camcorder enticed me to buy. Once you get over it being locked down, for now, it really is a joy to use. Every little niggle the HD2 had is gone. But yeah, rom wise, Boyppc rom makes HD2 a perfectly capable handset.
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, I won't be getting over it. I won't be buying the Sensation till it's unlocked.
My HD2 with the latest NexusHD2-Gingerbread has zero issues, none.
So no way I'm taking a step backward to lockdown, never.
I use several apps that require root. And I'm also not buying something I can't keep custom ROMs on.
Enjoy yours, but I'll pass if it's not unlocked.
These devices now cost way too much to compromise.

Petition againts stock not-removable apps on Android

Hi, guys,
I just got fed up of the bloatware that is all over my DHD and decided to at least try to change the things around.
If you want, lend the petition a hand
change.org/petitions/htc-corporation-don-t-ship-preinstalled-non-removable-apps-on-android-phones-ex-facebook

Dafuq?
Have you tried searching for methods in removing it?

There are obviously ways of doing that including rooting and installing a ROM without them.
There should be an easier way to do that, and I'm with the op on this.
Sent from my rooted Evo 4G!!

kamenlitchev said:
Hi, guys,
I just got fed up of the bloatware that is all over my DHD and decided to at least try to change the things around.
If you want, lend the petition a hand
change.org/petitions/htc-corporation-don-t-ship-preinstalled-non-removable-apps-on-android-phones-ex-facebook
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you give a direct Link? Xda app ans so on...
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using xda premium

This can be done via a root and titanium backup/pro you can uninstall any system app or freeze it so it isnt in effect
Two Root Tools (My faves)
z4Root
GingerBreak
And App to remove or freeze
TitaniumBackup

The new Sony Xperia S permits the removal of default apps. Your money are the best 'petition'

Of course we can just root and do that, but the OP has a point. Rooting and all things related are fine for people who are interested, but normal people shouldn't have to bother with all that. When they buy a smartphone and expect it to work right, it should. If they see an app they don't feel like having in their phones, whether for memory reasons or app drawer clutter, they should be able to remove it by the regular uninstall method in a minute and move on to something else. Only a small percentage of of the number of phones sold till now are rooted. So the OP has a point, the manufacturers should stop bundling uninstallable crapware in their phones.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium

sashank said:
Of course we can just root and do that, but the OP has a point. Rooting and all things related are fine for people who are interested, but normal people shouldn't have to bother with all that. When they buy a smartphone and expect it to work right, it should. If they see an app they don't feel like having in their phones, whether for memory reasons or app drawer clutter, they should be able to remove it by the regular uninstall method in a minute and move on to something else. Only a small percentage of of the number of phones sold till now are rooted. So the OP has a point, the manufacturers should stop bundling uninstallable crapware in their phones.
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Talk to the carriers. They are to blame for most of the bloatware apps. The OEM only add them because the carriers make them and in the end if they ask them to do it then they will add them.

the problem of rooting though is that you loose your warranty.
HTC rejected my defective DHD because of this reason

os2222 said:
the problem of rooting though is that you loose your warranty.
HTC rejected my defective DHD because of this reason
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can just flash a return to stock package. That's what I do to make my phone look completely stock with no traces of root.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

While I'm all for some applications being removable, there are some reasons why they are not at the moment:
The Android OS has only two app classes: user and system.
System applications have elevated rights and cannot be removed by the user.
User applications run within the permission system and can be removed.
Before we can have removable pre-installed apps, we would need to have a third class of applications (core), which would distinguish between removable system apps and not removable system apps.

[Q] Locked Bootloader = No CyanogenMod??

Hello - I am writing to try and understand - is this boot loader locked like that of Note 3 - which on AT&T has not been able to get anything like CyanogenMOD or is this phone's bootloader issue only a time issue as the phone is a recent release?? I am trying to see if the device is worth keeping? Thanks.

badrsj said:
Hello - I am writing to try and understand - is this boot loader locked like that of Note 3 - which on AT&T has not been able to get anything like CyanogenMOD or is this phone's bootloader issue only a time issue as the phone is a recent release?? I am trying to see if the device is worth keeping? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is very much worth keeping. We have root and now an unlocked bootloader is on the way. Navigate up to the AT&T G3 General forum section and reference the Bootloader Unlock Bounty thread...devs are closing in on a fix now for all G3 variants.
You can donate to the cause to financially if you are able to there as well.

badrsj said:
Hello - I am writing to try and understand - is this boot loader locked like that of Note 3 - which on AT&T has not been able to get anything like CyanogenMOD or is this phone's bootloader issue only a time issue as the phone is a recent release?? I am trying to see if the device is worth keeping? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know, lg's rom is pretty nice all in all, with the stuff we can change using root you can achieve almost anything you'd want... I don't miss cyan or slim roms and I'm a big fan of both. even if we unlock the bootloader I think I'll stick with stock rom, I've already got everything customized the way I want it, would be nice to have a recovery though for backups

screwyluie said:
you know, lg's rom is pretty nice all in all, with the stuff we can change using root you can achieve almost anything you'd want... I don't miss cyan or slim roms and I'm a big fan of both. even if we unlock the bootloader I think I'll stick with stock rom, I've already got everything customized the way I want it, would be nice to have a recovery though for backups
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. Root, debloat. The rom is pretty solid, especially with a custom launcher. I get better battery life out of it on any phone i've ever used even with google now on all the time (i used to uninstall it on other phones). I dunno, if the right rom comes along i might give it a shot, but otherwise.. it's a great phone as is (minus the att crap)

That's one thing I couldn't believe. The amount of bloat was incredible. A shortcut to ATT Homepage that is compiled like an app? I mean seriously? I'm surprised LG didn't smack the person who brought them the list of bloat apps to add..

screwyluie said:
you know, lg's rom is pretty nice all in all, with the stuff we can change using root you can achieve almost anything you'd want... I don't miss cyan or slim roms and I'm a big fan of both. even if we unlock the bootloader I think I'll stick with stock rom, I've already got everything customized the way I want it, would be nice to have a recovery though for backups
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Completely agree. I love what they did with the stock Rom. Has a little vanilla feel with the app drawer button and they have subtle touches like the vanilla alarm clock icon. Like it. LG went all out with this device and they nailed save for a few things that can be fixed via software update. The annoying aux cable bug and we definitely need a new radio update. For the most part I get great reception through my day but there are times I drop signal completely and have the searching for network symbol above the signal bars. Changing the network from 9 to 12 didn't help in my case. Ever since I've had greenify hibernate every app I use every day after the set amount of time my battery lasts days on moderate use. I didn't charge it last night and used it at work and watched some YouTube clips and I'm still at 52% battery. This device is amazing. The only thing I miss is being able to make reliable nandroids and having custom kernels.
---------- Post added at 11:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 PM ----------
Skizzy034 said:
That's one thing I couldn't believe. The amount of bloat was incredible. A shortcut to ATT Homepage that is compiled like an app? I mean seriously? I'm surprised LG didn't smack the person who brought them the list of bloat apps to add..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol yeah att went a little crazy with bloat this time. It's ridiculously bad.

Skizzy034 said:
That's one thing I couldn't believe. The amount of bloat was incredible. A shortcut to ATT Homepage that is compiled like an app? I mean seriously? I'm surprised LG didn't smack the person who brought them the list of bloat apps to add..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LG doesn't control, nor do they add the apps. You can thank ATT for that 100%
What you can thank LG for is the ability to disable every single one of the bloat apps without root, a lot of times manufactures' roms give the carrier the ability to block the 'disable' option on their apps, requiring root to remove them.

screwyluie said:
LG doesn't control, nor do they add the apps. You can thank ATT for that 100%
What you can thank LG for is the ability to disable every single one of the bloat apps without root, a lot of times manufactures' roms give the carrier the ability to block the 'disable' option on their apps, requiring root to remove them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LG marketed that the G3's software had a diet, and said the bloat could be uninstalled out of the box. This isn't really true and it certainly doesn't apply to the ATT G3.

4ndroid99 said:
LG marketed that the G3's software had a diet, and said the bloat could be uninstalled out of the box. This isn't really true and it certainly doesn't apply to the ATT G3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
source?

Enddo said:
source?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was one the posts on their fb page. I was under the impression that bloat could be deleted.

4ndroid99 said:
LG marketed that the G3's software had a diet, and said the bloat could be uninstalled out of the box. This isn't really true and it certainly doesn't apply to the ATT G3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is absolutely true, compare their rom to say a Touchwiz rom which is Heavily modified. The LG rom is damn near stock with some minor changes. As for the bloat, you can disable it out of the box. All of it. This is huge, I've never had a phone that lets you disable all the carrier crap without root, there's always a few programs you can't get rid of, not the case with this phone.

screwyluie said:
this is absolutely true, compare their rom to say a Touchwiz rom which is Heavily modified. The LG rom is damn near stock with some minor changes. As for the bloat, you can disable it out of the box. All of it. This is huge, I've never had a phone that lets you disable all the carrier crap without root, there's always a few programs you can't get rid of, not the case with this phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I was hoping the ATT bloat could be deleted out of the box, but I guess carrier bloat is an exception to the rule.

4ndroid99 said:
Well I was hoping the ATT bloat could be deleted out of the box, but I guess carrier bloat is an exception to the rule.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It can't be deleted but it can be disabled, which is what matters
Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk 2

[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.
Click to expand...
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That won't help with apps/app settings though, will it?

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