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Possible Class Action Lawsuit?

I like most Droid X users have become increasingly frustrated with all the junk app's that have been pre-installed onto OUR devices that we OWN. What really broke the back though was after updating to 2.2 (or 2.3 whichever) VZW went and pre-installed yet another app that CANNOT be removed. That app is their very own VZ Navigator. First off it doesn't really make sense when there's already a FREE naviagation application pre-installed on the device as it is that is provided by google maps. If people still choose to keep or use VZ Navigator they could have always downloaded it from the marketplace. It's just more upsetting that they went and put in another app that CANNOT be removed unless we were to void our devices warranty and{edit for TOS violation}

There has to be SOMETHING that kind of prevents Verizon Wireless or Motorola for pre-installing app's onto OUR device that we purchased without giving us the OPTION to REMOVE them. I totally understand locking down on operating system apps or apps the OS relies on like say Moto Blur for instance, but things like Blockbuster, Kindle, Amazon, VZ Nav, etc... are not apps that the OS depends on and there should be an option to allow us the owners of the device to remove if we so please! This is WORSE than buying a new computer from a company like Dell, HP, Gateway, etc... that has a bunch of software that's pre-installed that most people won't even use, but at least they're removable and or people can do a complete format (if their cpu came with the windows disc) and reinstall windows without all the pre-loaded JUNK!

There is NO OPTION what so ever for us, the owners of the Droid X (and other devices on Android that I'm sure they've done the samething to) to either remove whichever apps we do not want installed or to even just factory reset the device with no 3rd party apps if we so choose to do so. I haven't came across one person that has appreciated the pre-installed apps on their device. Heck they'll even ask me if I know of any way of removing them! I've looked/searched on the internet and there's NUMEROUS post's from people all just wanting some way to remove those app's without having to {edit for TOS violation}

I may be a little tech savvy {edit for TOS violation} With how electronic devices are made these day's I can't trust it to last me till I decide to get another one and if I ever need a replacement because the one I have messes up then I'm screwed {edit for TOS violation} Plus I would like to be able to receive all updates OTA and such, but not being able to remove certain 3rd party apps is definitely not a benefit to having a {edit for TOS violation}

I honestly truly think we might have something on our hands with some kind of class action lawsuit because they (VZW or Motorola) do not provide a way or option for us to either keep the apps or to remove them if we just don't want them. Microsoft had a big issue with them always having Internet Explorer installed in all windows cpu's and not they're forced to have no browser pre-installed, but instead have to have a screen that gives the owners of the cpu the choice of what browser they would like to use and they can choose more than one if they wanted. I have no problem with VZW wanting to try and promote their applications on the devices that run on their network or even promote 3rd party apps that their partners with, just as long as I have the ability to remove whichever ones I want, when I want. I shouldn't have to get another app from the market place just to hide the icons in there. That doesn't free up the space that those apps are wasting.

There's got to be something we can do in order to get VZW to push out an update that would allow us to remove pre-installed apps or they just don't pre-install apps anymore and just allow us to download from the market place if we choose to. At least an option being there. Heck, we OWN the device, we should have some kind of say what we want or don't want on there without risking voiding the warranty OR even worse bricking the phone {edit for TOS violation}

Let's let them know we do not like this practice that they're doing, we can do it, we just need to get enough people to make some noise so VZW can hear us. Even if it's constantly emailing them asking for at the very least the option to remove them, I can at least live with that as well I'm sure everyone else can as well?

Comments

reallyniceguy

HA here we go again LOL I dont think this would pass. If you are too worried about memory, install your apps to sd.

JMontoya

Nah, I have no issue with the memory. I haven't downloaded a whole bunch of things, just a few free things here and there. It's just the fact that its there is what bugs. Also because some of them will be running in the background according to Advanced Task Killer. Just tonight it was showing VZ Nav as running in the background but I didn't fully install it or anything, yet it keeps popping up there even when I kill all tasks.

I know there's plenty of memory and would take awhile to fill up unless your using as an mp3 player and or video player and have a large libary. I just don't like things installed that I dont have a use for or never will. Plus it may help it go a little faster or not crash as much if they were removable.

Only reason I didn't say anything about this was because I was really hoping the new 2.2 update would at least give us the option because of all the complaints already on it. The first thing I did was go into Settigs and into the Application Management and to my surprise saw that they were showing all the apps installed and I didn't have to set anything to show them and was really thinking "finally they fixed that" but then when I went to remove Blockbuster, low and behold it was still grey'd out or the uninstall button wasn't colored in, therefor it still couldn't be done... Then they go and add VZ Nav to all the other apps that can't be removed. I have no use for that nor back up assistant.

These aren't even critical apps that the OS depend on, that's why there should be an option at the very least.

Tidbits

Sure if you keep thinking how windows works and how linux works. Android is a Linux variant. anything in ram will not affect performance like windows does. Nothing in ram is wasted ram for Android. Just because it's in ram DOES NOT mean it's running. You will have to look at the processes to see if it is actually running...

Wildman

Class Action Lawsuit.... REALLY? Only got the update a couple of hours and its starting already, looks like Verizon and Motorola cant get a break... :smileyvery-happy:

CaboWaboMan

some people complain at a free lunch...

curtterp

who cares?

The programs will not run unless you want them to run. They are not forcing us to use the program in place of something else that is free

and your reference to Microsoft is wrong. Microsoft was making it close to impossible to use a competing browser. They made sure that not only IE was faster by tying into the Windows API, they were preventing other browsers from tying into the same API's. That is why Microsoft got themselves into trouble. You still cannot uninstall IE, but at least other browsers can run competitively on Windows.

Verizon is installing software they want to install. IF they FORCE you to PAY for their navigation, then you might get some traction, but if it just sits on the side to be used when you say you want to use it, then its no big deal.

SHAC

LOL lawsuits! What a bunch of losers with too much time on their hands! :smileyvery-happy:

number73

I'd join the class action lawsuit.

VZW needs give the customers a way to uninstall their app.

It's my phone, I paid for it, I want it the way I want it.

VZW should pay attention to their customer's wants and needs.

Class Action Lawsuits are crappy, but it's the only way to get these big corporate companies to listen.

They force crap on us and hope not enough people will raise a stink about it.

number73

people should have the right to speak their mind, without being attacked by all these copper, bronze, silver and gold contributors, who by the way, probably work for VZW by the number of their posts.

they are obviously trying to defuse the situtation by talking down to a VZW customer who wants to say something about the product they paid for.

[Edited to comply with Terms of Service]

This forum is censored to favor Verizon's best interest.

I can't wait till my contract with VZW is over in Feb 2011...I will never use them again and discourage others not to as well.

I've been with VZW for almost 10 years now....about 6 on my own account and another 4+ on my mother's family plan, which by the way, I paid the monthly bills for. (monthly bill has been over $100/mo the entire time.....$1200/yr x 10 years = $12,000 at least, cause I've been paying $134 for several years, now $170 with data plan)

Verizon, you are about to lose a great customer with all your **bleep**.

dirkbonn

My suggestion to all of you who think a class action lawsuit is the way to go is to contact the attorney of your choice and find out if he/she thinks a lawsuit has a chance. Hopefully if they think your case would have some merit, they will take it on a contigincy basis unless of course you're willing to foot the bill yourself.

My experience is most people who talk class action lawsuit want someone else to do the work. So c'mon you people, put your money/time/effort where your mouth is. Talk to an attorney and get the ball rolling.

Oh yeah, please.... please.... come back here and post what an attorney told you.

"Isn't fun the best thing to have?" Arthur, from the movie by the same name.

crb79

number73 wrote:
people should have the right to speak their mind, without being attacked by all these copper, bronze, silver and gold contributors, who by the way, probably work for VZW by the number of their posts.

they are obviously trying to defuse the situtation by talking down to a VZW customer who wants to say something about the product they paid for.

[Edited to comply with Terms of Service]

This forum is censored to favor Verizon's best interest.
I can't wait till my contract with VZW is over in Feb 2011...I will never use them again and discourage others not to as well.

I've been with VZW for almost 10 years now....about 6 on my own account and another 4+ on my mother's family plan, which by the way, I paid the monthly bills for. (monthly bill has been over $100/mo the entire time.....$1200/yr x 10 years = $12,000 at least, cause I've been paying $134 for several years, now $170 with data plan)

Verizon, you are about to lose a great customer with all your **bleep**.

I lol'd. How about those of us with a post count enjoy the phone and like helping others. However, if VZW would like to hire me and give me free phone service to keep posting on these forums I'd be very happy! I'm sure I could find some other place to spend my $200 per month.

pukpmk wrote:
I have been with Verizon for many years no..... at least 12. I bought the Droid X and the Droid 2 for communication around the world. Verizon insisted that the Droid X is WI FI capable...... however what they didn't tell me is that you have to have cell phone service to use Skype with the phone. I work all over the world, from the Philippines, North Africa, Europe and Asia. I have never been able to get cell service with my Droid...... Even in the biggest cities in the world. Verizon duped me into believing that I could Skype from all over the world, back to the US. This is simply not true, in fact.... it's a lie. Skype and Verizon are in bed together on this one. Bye Bye Verizon. Now I'm going after my pound of flesh.

We've covered this before. Why would you buy a NON-GLOBAL phone when you need a GLOBAL PHONE? VZW does not own or make the Skype app and made no statement that Skype would function over Wifi. You made an assumption and were wrong.

With your logic, a car runs on gas and has a radio, so then you should be able to listen to music from your gas tank.

trektech

LOL! By the time you settled any class action lawsuit for a harmless app on your phone, and lost, your contract would be over and you could switch carriers anyway. Go get an iPhone or quit complaining. Oh, that's right they have apps that can't be removed like iTunes. I'll keep my Droid and Verizon where I can at least make reliable calls and get decent data speeds.

Wildman

I was happy when then subject died down... I really hoped it was through with. It amazes me the things that people choose to sue for...

hellopretty86

UGH!! I CAN NOT STAND WHEN PEOPLE, COMPLAIN OVER **bleep** STUFF. HOW ABOUT WASTING YOUR BREATH ON RANTING ABOUT CHILDREN WHO ARE KIDNAPPED AND CAN NOT COME HOME, OR HOMELESS FAMILY THAT ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT?? BUT RANTING OVER A PHONE THAT NOT GOING TO BE COOL, BY NEXT YEAR 4G SMARTPHONE, GIVE ME A BREAK. ITS A PHONE, NOT A HUMAN LIFE. THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUE IN THE WORLD THAT'S FAR WORST THEN A PHONE. LOOK YOURSELF IN THE MIRROR, AND SAY "MATERIALISTIC (WORLDLY STUFF) IS NOT GOING TO BE WITH ME IN THE AFTERLIFE.

crb79

Maybe Smartphones should be like cars and require a test before becoming licensed to use. I try my best to be nice, but many problems people are having are being caused by themselves. Now don't get me wrong, when you have a problem and go look for a solution, that's great! However when you have a problem then post a rant about it, well that doesn't help anyone.

Now with that said, I do understand that there are some hardware issues that can't be avoided. But again, how does posting a comment here help that? If you have a hardware problem call or go to the store for a replacement phone.

Nate2

number73 wrote:
It's my phone, I paid for it, I want it the way I want it.

I don't like a number of the pre-installed apps too, but I believe the cost of the phone is subsidized by the Manufacturer and/or Carrier, so they get their way with what they want to force onto the phone.

The full price of the Droid X is around $600.

Verizon is a better carrier for phone calls, but tends to be more intrusive than AT&T when it comes to customizing these [smart]phone interfaces (not always for the better), IMO.

JRA001

I strongly agree that these apps should optional. Very disappointed that Verizon/Motorolla are forcing us to have them on the Droid X. They really clutter up the apps screen, and make finding the essential items more work. This device should be all about making us more productive, and speeding up the way we work - not making us hunt for the apps. we want to use.

I use this device only for business purposes - so Amazon MP3, Blockbuster, FM Radio, Kindle, Social Networking, etc. are just getting in the way of how I use this device, and are an annoyance. Others may consider these apps essential - and I'm NOT suggesting they're bad in any way - but they're of no particular interest to me personally, and I would like to remove them without using Root Explorer, or some other hack-method.

Would not recommend the Droid X to anyone without making this issue known...it's too big-brother for me, but from some of the other posts, it sounds like many just are not bothered being force-fed these apps?? Strange.

cvinasco

I already placed two complaints against Verizon for not being able to resolve my issue. One is at the

BBB of Metropolitan New York
WWW: http://www.newyork.bbb.org
Email: Inquiry@newyork.bbb.org
Phone: (212)533-6200
Fax: (212)477-4912
30 East 33rd Street, 12th Floor
New York NY 10016

they'll tell you which office you belong to. it depends on your zip The second organization to help out unsatisfied consumers is

The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection works For The Consumer to prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices in the marketplace. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml

Hope this help!

pvcdroid

It amazes me how much traction this topic gets. Didn't you all have the unwanted application issue on prior phones? Don't you also get this on any other type of computer you purchase or have purchased over the past ten or twenty years? Is there any other carrier/manufacturer that doesn't do the same thing? It's just a matter of business opportunity and they are offering additional services and it is easy for them to add these in the form of applications. It would be nice to delete them but, oh well, I can't. I still have a boatload of internal storage for all my other apps. No, I don't work for Verizon or Motorola or anything similar. I do like to come to the forums to look for good advice, tips and tricks, etc. to see what is happening in the smartphone, and especially android, market. It is irritating to have to wade through these ridiculous complaints.

So, I was trying to make sense of all this BBB/Class action lawsuit junk I see through these forums and have come to a conclusion. Something is out of place for these people. They can't stand the thought that they don't have complete control of their computing environment. They will go to endless lengths to validate their points over and over. Those that read this, look at other aspects of your life and see if the controlling behavior extends elsewhere. It appears to be an OCD issue that they just can't let go of and probably need some help for.

dirkbonn

pvcdroid wrote:
It amazes me how much traction this topic gets. Didn't you all have the unwanted application issue on prior phones? Don't you also get this on any other type of computer you purchase or have purchased over the past ten or twenty years? Is there any other carrier/manufacturer that doesn't do the same thing? It's just a matter of business opportunity and they are offering additional services and it is easy for them to add these in the form of applications. It would be nice to delete them but, oh well, I can't. I still have a boatload of internal storage for all my other apps. No, I don't work for Verizon or Motorola or anything similar. I do like to come to the forums to look for good advice, tips and tricks, etc. to see what is happening in the smartphone, and especially android, market. It is irritating to have to wade through these ridiculous complaints.

So, I was trying to make sense of all this BBB/Class action lawsuit junk I see through these forums and have come to a conclusion. Something is out of place for these people. They can't stand the thought that they don't have complete control of their computing environment. They will go to endless lengths to validate their points over and over. Those that read this, look at other aspects of your life and see if the controlling behavior extends elsewhere. It appears to be an OCD issue that they just can't let go of and probably need some help for.

I have to agree with you on this one. And just so everyone knows upfront, I also don't work for and never have worked for Verizon, Motorola, of Google, or any other communication company, wireless or otherwise. I'm a semi-retired small business owner from Hawaii.

In the overall game of life, this is such a minor, minor bump in the road. I mean the guy who said he only used this device for business and he had to wade thru all the uninstallable apps and it annoyed him and slowed him down. Just put all the apps you need on your homescreen(s) and you will never have to see a kindle or VZ Nav app again.

Filing complaints with the BBB and FCC can't hurt your case, but think about it. Don't you think Verizon and all the others had a multitude of lawyers look over the plan to include un-installable apps and determined it would "pass muster" so to speak? If the case ever did go to court, by the time the outcome was determined the phone would no longer be available for sale and the point would be moot. You would have to start all over with the Droid Y or Z. Heck, with all the time you spent on these un-installable apps was spent on getting new business, you could have signed up 3 new clients and earned $25,000 in commisions. Well, maybe not, but you get my point.

So, next time you people purchase a smartphone, do a little research and if they have any un-installable apps, don't buy it, and I truly wish you the best of luck, because I think your choices will be few...... if any.

One last point, If I sold phones (or anything for that matter), and the number of units was in the millions, and I could make an extra $5 on each unit I sold by installing 1/2 dozen or so un-installable apps on it, you can bet dollars to donuts that you'd find those apps on it. And my guess is you would do it too.

BTW the "dollars to donuts" analogy was a popular saying my dad used to use back when you could buy a donut for a nickle.

"Isn't fun the best thing to have?" Dudley Moore as Arthur, from the movie by the same name.

jmorton10

Just use launcher pro plus and hide the apps you don't like, problem solved.

John

rikk1105

dirkbonn

jmorton10 wrote:
Just use launcher pro plus and hide the apps you don't like, problem solved.

John

Eggs-zackly.....

HenryG

I am researching the Droid phones and can't help see all these "CLASS ACTION" items here on the forums! I have always wondered why people think they "own" the devices! This topic is much like suing a car manufacturer for installing a radio in the car! The choice is the users to "use or not use" these apps! They can all be sorted into the ones they use most and those that are used less or not at all! I have this on my current phone and realize it part of the package and that I don't use some of the apps but the next user might use them all the time! It is part of a mass marketed package to best take care of the needs of the many, not the wishes of the few! That said, I think we should be able to hide or delete unused/unwanted apps! Most of us enjoy having the ability to customize anything we own, with the exception of those who aren't tech savvy. The preinstalled packages were made for people like my father who freaks out at having to SET UP anything new or complex! As for the Bing issue, I hear people complaining about it but no explanation of why it is such a big deal that they can't use it! If anyone can give me a good reason, please let me know! I have used both Bing and Google(I use Chrome now instead of IE on the computer I am on now).

I am researching the Android phones! Can anyone tell me which one is the best Verizon Android phone! I have been debating between the Droid X and the Samsung Fascinate. I am leaning toward the Droid X for the fact it has more memory potential and the Fascinate for the screen(although I have seen the BURN IN ISSUES here on the forums) and I think right now the Droid X has taken the lead! Thx ahead of time for any help given on this issue!

robimon7

you know I had a friend who had his niece accidentally use these services by a touch of a few buttons and he had a huge bill the next month around, all I can say is if we can get VZW to do it why not? one less thing to worry about.

Wildman

robimon7 wrote:
you know I had a friend who had his niece accidentally use these services by a touch of a few buttons and he had a huge bill the next month around, all I can say is if we can get VZW to do it why not? one less thing to worry about.

Mostly all the apps that charge usually prompts for the user to agree to use the app or feature to avoid situations just like this and also if you only open the app the one time by accident there wouldn't be very much chance of receiving a large bill as you report because the charge would only reflect the activation of service but not other activity on the app..... Sounds like your friend used the app more than he lead on because if his bill was "huge" as you stated then he was using the software and you can not blame that in Motorola or Verizon... That's like calling Mexico by accident and then call the same number 50 times more during the billing cycle, would this make this Verizon or Motorola fault because they allow the company to allow call to be made to the number that was dialed from the customers device and nothing was setup to block the call.

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