Android's Open Source Bloatware

The Android operating system that Google creates only contains certain programs and processes that come "stock" when shipped to phone manufactures. Companies like HTC, Motorola, LG, and Samsung have decided to add what they like to call "enhancements" and what we like to call bloatware, to their devices before final release. Sometimes this is a helpful add-on, as with HTC. HTC enhances their phones by adding Sense, a slight modification to the way users access and view information on the phone. Other times this can be seen as unnecessary software that takes up valuable space and sometimes runs processes that can effect the speed of the phone. This tends to be the case with cell phone carriers' own proprietary applications and modifications to the open-source platform Google created. The problem with these programs is that they cannot be easily removed without modifying the operating system, which is too complicated for some end-users.

I think that this goes against the original intent of open-source, as the operating system should be modifiable by the end-user. It is clear that companies like Verizon use the new platform to make money where others have already cashed in, like Apple. Apple doesn't license their iOS as open-source and makes decisions on which programs make it to the App Store and which ones don't. Google has been much more "open" about their applications approval process allowing basically anything to be in the "market". The difference is what the users get when they buy the phone, if it's bloatware from one company or many companies. Is the pre-loaded stuff helpful, as in the case with Apple's calendar application, or does it detract from the phone as is the case with Verizon's pre-loaded software. Another question to pose is whether these companies should be able to make these applications a permanent fixture on their devices. What's clear is that all of the smartphone makers load basic software onto all of their devices and that will always be the case. But the bigger problem is when you make it impossible to remove the bloatware without voiding the warranty on the phone. End-users should have the ability to utilize their property as they see fit, and these companies should be able to pre-load whatever they see fit, as long as it can be modified. Give the people what they want, more functionality at a lower price and with less bloatware!