Phone Updates and 'Bloatware'

Pushka said:
Any Samsung users caught up with the update issue? If not, just don't update yet.
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Channel 7 seem to be only place reporting this, weirdly article says only South Australians impacted. Will hold off on any updates though until more details re impacted devices is published.
 
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Pushka said:
It's totally weird then. Why mainly SA?
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If you buy handset from a Telco (or reseller that uses Telco stock), updates are often affected (delayed or modified) due to the bloatware (i.e. Telstra/opts/VHA apps installed with OS that you cant delete). This is why i always buy direct from Samsung.

Telcos often schedule the push of updates regionally so that could be one reason why mainly SA.

Until they let us know which models impacted (and potentially if a particular Telco stock) it is hard to say.

Very glad it doesnt just install and has to be manually initiated.

Timely reminder though to back up photos regularly and save contacts to your android or samsung account not the phone.
 
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Lynda2475 said:
If you buy handset from a Telco (or reseller that uses Telco stock), updates are often affected (delayed or modified) due to the bloatware (i.e. Telstra/opts/VHA apps installed with OS that you cant delete). This is why i always buy direct from Samsung.

Telcos often schedule the push og updates regionally so that could be one reason why mainly SA.

Until they let us know which models impacted (and potentially if a particular Telco stock) it is hard to say.

Very glad it doesnt just install and has to be manually initiated.

Timely reminder though to back up photos regularly and save contacts to your android or samsung account not the phone.
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Note. Not really an issue with iOS.

Although I would see what extra was installed and what permissions they have, including background app refresh. Also check if any “certificates” are installed and what for.
 
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SYD said:
Note. Not really an issue with iOS.
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No if you buy an iphone from a aussie telco it also has bloatware, , noting that some of the phones sold at apple store are telstra or optus variants if on a plan.
 
Lynda2475 said:
No if you buy an iphone from a aussie telco it also has bloatware, , noting that some of the phones sold at apple store are telstra or optus variants if on a plan.
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But they’re less likely to actually impact the operation of the phone - even if the physical phone is locked to that network, you can still remove a physical SIM and use it in any clean unlocked phone (or an existing phone locked to the same network).

I‘d be curious what others experience is with new iPhones supplied by Telcos, but I’d be inclined to do a master reset (full wipe) and restore from a backup from my old phone.

Fortunately, I always buy new handsets outright through my company.
 
Lynda2475 said:
No if you buy an iphone from a aussie telco it also has bloatware, , noting that some of the phones sold at apple store are telstra or optus variants if on a plan.
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Even buying a Samsung Android introduces a whole load of bloatware on top of the Android OS as well. In terms of getting the "purest" Android system, the Google Pixel line is the best. I personally use a OnePlus phone (who for some reason do not sell directly into Australia) and have been happy with the limited amount of One+ bloatware, although I suspect mine was imported from India as I seem to have a lot of the OnePlus content aimed at Indian users and pricing in Rupees.
 
IME when i have managed app dev for aussie telcos, a factory reset of android or ios on a handset issued by the Telco results in the base version of or stubs for the bloatware being restored, which doesnt happen with non-telco variants ordered direct from Samsung or Apple.

It has nothing to do with the simcard or network. The telcos send their base bloatware to manufacturer to include in a specific factory build.

But it is easier to delete most telco bloatware now than it used to be.

The need to test the bloatware in base build with android then manufacturer updates is typically why there is a delay to updates with telco issued handsets.

In android world pixels always get updates first as pure andriod. Then direct manufacturer issued phones i.e straight from Samsung/sony/htc/oppo etc as they have some of their own stuff on top of android and lastly telco variants as they have their bloatware on top again. Some telcos faster than others too.
 
Lynda2475 said:
It has nothing to do with the simcard or network. The telcos send their base bloatware to manufacturer to include in a specific factory build.
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More about Telco installed apps shouldn’t (ever) be essential to use their service. I’d be switching telcos if they did - for privacy/security concerns.
Lynda2475 said:
But it is easier to delete most telco bloatware now than it used to be.
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Delete early, delete often! Or just “Unload” the app if unsure.
 
SYD said:
More about Telco installed apps shouldn’t (ever) be essential to use their service. I’d be switching telcos if they did - for privacy/security concerns.
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All 3 aussie telcos install bloatware. None afaik force you to use it, all have alternative web pages or phone options to pay bills and manage services if you dont want to use their apps.

That said because they provide the telephony and data services they know how you are using it.
 
SeatBackForward said:
Even buying a Samsung Android introduces a whole load of bloatware on top of the Android OS as well. In terms of getting the "purest" Android system, the Google Pixel line is the best. I personally use a OnePlus phone (who for some reason do not sell directly into Australia) and have been happy with the limited amount of One+ bloatware, although I suspect mine was imported from India as I seem to have a lot of the OnePlus content aimed at Indian users and pricing in Rupees.
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OxygenOS is a thing of beauty. My OnePlus 7 is due to be replaced now (just gone 3 1/4 years of use) so pondering what next... I do really like the switch on the side to slide between mute/vibrate/normal which is rare on Android phones. Also I hate the back swipe action on the Pixel (Mrs FB has one) so prefer the actual button OP has.
 
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Flashback said:
OxygenOS is a thing of beauty. My OnePlus 7 is due to be replaced now (just gone 3 1/4 years of use) so pondering what next... I do really like the switch on the side to slide between mute/vibrate/normal which is rare on Android phones. Also I hate the back swipe action on the Pixel (Mrs FB has one) so prefer the actual button OP has.
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We must have gotten our phones about the same time - Mine is a 7T Pro. It took me a while to get used to the back swipe, but now I'm used to it, and only recently found out you can still show the back/home/apps buttons if you want!

I was laughing at my wife's old Samsung phone and the cracking it had on the screen, but when I took the cover off mine, whilst the front glass was fine, the back of the phone had cracks all over and I'm amazed how it's keeping together. I'm very happy with it to be honest and would happily upgrade to a newer one, perhaps the 10T range, and I might need to soon if it does fall apart.
 

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