Vodafone has angered HTC Desire owners, after it updated the phone with a little present many of them did not want at all.
Believing they were going to get the latest Android 2.2 'Froyo' update with all the latest goodies, users eagerly installed a hefty download, only to be mightily disappointed when instead Vodafone sent over a number of branded applications, a new restart animation and some changes to bookmarks.
The included apps -- described by some fuming customers as 'bloatware' -- such as 360 updates, a music shop and another Web browser, were also said not to even work due to network connectivity problems. According to angry forum users they couldn't be uninstalled.
As 'Chicanekuk' commented on a board filled with furious posts, "You've got to admire the brass neck of Vodafone really. Everyone is desperately waiting for the Froyo update and they go and push this out."
"I'm sure the timing wasn't intentional or anything... you know, to trick those of us who were patiently waiting for Froyo, into installing this update for a ton of rubbish which none of us even wanted."
Some angry users promised to 'root' their phones -- stripping the operating system down to the most basic version of Android -- which like jailbreaking the iPhone, will void the warranty.
In response, Vodafone said it was only putting out its own software to improve user experience on the network.
As far as the lack of an Android update was concerned, Vodafone, in common with other networks, has to test the software before pushing it out to users.
This could take quite a while though: "Our testing process begins as soon as we receive the software, which often happens once the manufacturer has already released the open market version of the software," a spokesperson said.
"During the review process, we report any issues with the software back to the manufacturer for them to address. Once the firmware is approved by Vodafone, we return it to the manufacturer and they will then distribute the software to customers through the appropriate channels."
No release date for the actual Android 2.2 update has so far been given by Vodafone, or any other network. If you want an unbranded Android device with the latest software updates, you'll have to go unlocked.
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Comments 18
Add your comment
Maroon 4 August, 2010 11:55
Really not impressed with that reply, especially to hear that the 2.2 update will take even longer now...
Thanks for covering this!!
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 12:14
The concept of jailbreaking a phone voiding a warranty has never been legaly tested. If it were to be so, I would be surprised if it was upheld.
adebond 4 August, 2010 12:18
Let's hope that O2 don't follow suit & just focus on pushing out Froyo to its customers at the earliest opportunity. Don't get me wrong, I love the HTC Sense & skin, but it does wind me up that I can't pick & choose what I want to keep & uninstall the fluff.
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 12:24
The networks use all their customisations as an excuse to delay OS updates, so with this extra layer of crud that will be even worse now, right? Hmm, was considering Vodafone, now going off the idea rapidly. Who sells the cleanest HTCs in the UK at the moment, without jailbreaking?
(P.S. Considered using the Facebook login here, but wanted me to allow FAR too much - fix that please!)
thedarklaith 4 August, 2010 12:25
I actually feel sorry for vodafone owners I wold've rooted my phone straight away...but luckily for me I got an unlocked one from mobiles.co.uk
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 12:43
check out the facebook group Say no to Vodafones 360 spamware on the HTC Desire
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 13:14
HTC Desire on 3 network comes unlocked and you get 2000 mins 5000 texts and 1gb data for £35 a month on the one plan! My desire came unlocked and will take any sim a couple of friends have had exactly the same.
torrentblock 4 August, 2010 13:34
bless anonymous above. he sounds like a 3 employee pushing their wares but clearly isn't because 3 are out of stock of the HTC Desire and have been for a few months now!!!
they will happily take your pre orders though...
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 14:04
I also have a 3 HTC desire and I can vouch that it's unlocked and doesn't come with crud. I left Orange because of the butchering that they gave the N95, turning one of the best phones at the time into an unreliable, crashing, slow brick whilst everyone I knew with an untouched N95 were loving theirs! I learnt my lesson.
3 also have a fantastic integration with Skype which is also unmetered in addition to the 5000 3 to 3 free minutes and do NOT block ports, so sipdroid works!
I know that some people here will think that I am a 3 employee, but I am simply someone who was burnt by other provicders trying to give some credit where credit is due.
torrentblock 4 August, 2010 14:10
my ONLY gripe with the SKYPE integration is that it doesn't work over WIFI. but yes, it's amazing, my girlfriend uses that feature on her HTC wildfire on 3.
anonymous 4 August, 2010 14:12
And this, people, is why buying an unlocked phone + getting a SIM-only 30-day monthly contract is the way to go. For me, it's worked out cheaper overall (bought a Galaxy S), I have an unlocked phone without any crapware, and after the inital 30 days are over, I'm free to cancel and join another network if I'm not satisfied.
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 15:52
"which like jailbreaking the iPhone, will void the warranty."
Of course most of us have insurance so should anything go wrong we simply "lose" our phones and get a new one, where's the problem?
Anonymous 4 August, 2010 16:50
Learned my lesson, with the N97 mini, to never, ever, buy a branded smart phone. I suppose that's another feather in the iPhones cap.
Anonymous 5 August, 2010 12:14
I bought my Desire through Telstra in Australia. Unlocked of course, but still with their own crappy apps on it. Hearing that 2.2 would be delayed until they added their own crap to that as well I got on the net and learned how to root it. After one worrying false start I got it done perfectly. It's NOT the most basic OS version, you get the full HTC sense 2.1 Android and then HTC gives you the 2.2 with HTC Sense over the air. No problems- as long as you follow the right steps.
It's the phone as it was meant to be. Nothing is "basic" or stripped down. If you want that you have to specifically get the version for the Nexus one or something.
torrentblock 5 August, 2010 15:12
er.... Prakhar... you'd stell end up with the bloatwear even if you got a sim only deal. if you changed providers you'd end up with twice the bloatware.
just do your research and pick a provider that doesn't bloat or rip you off.
don't read all the pony "i hate X provider because they have bad customer service" cos they're usually douchebags who didn't do their research properly. this kind of information is invaluable though and why you should read blogs like this.
Downsie 6 August, 2010 22:11
Lets be honest. Vodafone have always treated their customers with disdain and they always will until customers force them into a change of ethos.
Make a nuisance of yourself. Create a scene every time you enter a Voda shop. Get your friends to do the same. Phone them every day. You know how it works.
Anonymous 7 August, 2010 08:45
"As far as the lack of an Android update was concerned, Vodafone, in common with other networks, has to test the software before pushing it out to users."
Why? Shouldn't the software just work?
Anonymous 23 August, 2010 18:53
Hi, i bought oen HTC Desire Unlocked from http://www.trade-whole.com/htc-desire-black-unlocked-gsm-smart-phone-with-android-os-p-411.html in competitive price, it not only have beautiful appearence, more important, it bring me a lot of fun and convenient, i like it very much.