Deleting Apps Like Blockbuster

[korbel]

How can I permanently delete Apps, especially Blockbuster?  I tried the drag to trash bin, but it doesn't work. Thanks.

[pool_shark]

You can't uninstall preinstalled apps.

[mortb]

True, you can not delete the pre-installed apps, nor can you delete the icons for them within the apps drawer; however, you can delete their icons that are on your homescreens. Maybe, if enough people complained loud enough, Verizon will change their policy on bloatware, and make it like a computer, where bloatware can be deleted.

[silver6055]

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mortb wrote:

True, you can not delete the pre-installed apps, nor can you delete the icons for them within the apps drawer; however, you can delete their icons that are on your homescreens. Maybe, if enough people complained loud enough, Verizon will change their policy on bloatware, and make it like a computer, where bloatware can be deleted.

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You can also install a home replacement, such as LauncherPro, which has a free version and a pro version from the market.

Apart from being nicer/better in many ways than the one that comes with the phone, it also allows you the option to hide your choice of applications from the app drawer.

Also look on other forums, such as DroidForums.net, which discuss solutions not allowed here!

[gary84]

I bought this Droid 2 Global yesterday.  It's a remarkable, easy to use, impressive device.

But then there is this BlockBuster icon situation.  This annoys me.  I am seriously considering returning it tomorrow and going back to my LG flip phone.  If I do that, Verizon will go back to getting $40 a month from me for basic service, instead of the $40+$30+$20 (including Internet and HotSpot) they would have been getting if I keep the Droid.  How dare they tell me I can't uninstall an App from a device I'm paying $90+ a month for.

[silver6055]

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gary84 wrote:

I bought this Droid 2 Global yesterday.  It's a remarkable, easy to use, impressive device.

But then there is this BlockBuster icon situation.  This annoys me.  I am seriously considering returning it tomorrow and going back to my LG flip phone.  If I do that, Verizon will go back to getting $40 a month from me for basic service, instead of the $40+$30+$20 (including Internet and HotSpot) they would have been getting if I keep the Droid.  How dare they tell me I can't uninstall an App from a device I'm paying $90+ a month for.

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So, it's a trade off, right?  You basically like the device, but don't like the preinstalled apps.  So, if you switch to the flip, you save money but lose a lot of the good features.   So entirely your choice. I assure that you Verizon won't care if you spend $50 a month less with them, so you are not punishing them in any way!

"How dare they..."   Market power and many people don't care.

 As I wrote above you can hide these apps with a home replacement such as LauncherPro, and you can go on to the other forums to find more permanent solutions.

[gary84]

One, it's the principal.  We lie down and accept a little violation of our consumer rights here, a little there, and where does it end.

Two, I think it's safe to say major corporation like Verizon capture metrics on what reasons customers give for returning devices.  When they aggregate mine with everyone else's, maybe, just maybe, someone will get the message, that this is not acceptable.

For these kind of monthly costs, I have a zero-tolerance policy for this sort of treatment.  Frankly the internet feature is not something I can't live without.  As you said, it's my choice.

My point is this.  It's just so incredibly stupid, to make a corporate decision, to deliberately restrict unwanted commercial Apps from being Uninstalled.  To risk your loyal 10+ years-long customer base, people like me who were here since they wer Bell Atlantic, being angry, upset, and dissappointed, and for what? Some BlockBusters movie fees, which they never would have gotten from me anyway? Very, very dumb.

[silver6055]

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gary84 wrote:

One, it's the principal.  We lie down and accept a little violation of our consumer rights here, a little there, and where does it end.

Two, I think it's safe to say major corporation like Verizon capture metrics on what reasons customers give for returning devices.  When they aggregate mine with everyone else's, maybe, just maybe, someone will get the message, that this is not acceptable.

For these kind of monthly costs, I have a zero-tolerance policy for this sort of treatment.  Frankly the internet feature is not something I can't live without.  As you said, it's my choice.

My point is this.  It's just so incredibly stupid, to make a corporate decision, to deliberately restrict unwanted commercial Apps from being Uninstalled.  To risk your loyal 10+ years-long customer base, people like me who were here since they wer Bell Atlantic, being angry, upset, and dissappointed, and for what? Some BlockBusters movie fees, which they never would have gotten from me anyway? Very, very dumb.

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Sorry, you have no evidence that it is "very very dumb"!   These decisions are not made on a whim.   They get money from bloatware, and they made the decision that they would gain more revenue from doing this than the customers they lose.  Of course, they may be wrong, but they have been doing this for quite a while, so I assume that their model is working.

Partly because most people don't really notice, others ask about it and live with the answer "you can't delete them", and others do things we can't discuss here to get rid of them.

And if you get "angry, upset and dissappointed" about this, a minor issue with a cellphone, the wider world must be tough on you!

[gary84]

You are implying that revenue Verizon gets from BlockBuster, for restricting users from uninstalling their App, is comparable to revenue gotten from advertising on TV or radio. Sounds like a fair point at first blush. True, don't return my TV, just because I'm forced to see or hear TV ads. That means the uninstallable BlockBuster icon is also serving as a permanent advertisement, and may even have resulted in the cost of the phone or service being slightly lower for customers.

As tempting as that argument sounds, it's not true. If it were true, then it would all be about the money, and in that case, Verizon would offer to let me uninstall it, for a modest $4.99 fee, which I might actually take them up on. No, it's not about the revenue, its about a company thinking they know what's best for the customer when they really don't.  It's the jerks that made the decision to do this who are OCD, not me.

[Squallfyr]

Just wanted to chip in with dont y'all forget the $35 restock fee!

[mortb]

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gary84 wrote:

You are implying that revenue Verizon gets from BlockBuster, for restricting users from uninstalling their App, is comparable to revenue gotten from advertising on TV or radio. Sounds like a fair point at first blush. True, don't return my TV, just because I'm forced to see or hear TV ads. That means the uninstallable BlockBuster icon is also serving as a permanent advertisement, and may even have resulted in the cost of the phone or service being slightly lower for customers.

As tempting as that argument sounds, it's not true. If it were true, then it would all be about the money, and in that case, Verizon would offer to let me uninstall it, for a modest $4.99 fee, which I might actually take them up on. No, it's not about the revenue, its about a company thinking they know what's best for the customer when they really don't.  It's the jerks that made the decision to do this who are OCD, not me.

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Yes, it is about the money. Why do you think you can get a $500 cell phone for $200? Because all these uninstallable icons pay Verizon (and every other company) big buck to subsidize these phones. Also, Verizon is not the only cell phone provider who has uninstallable apps. Pick up a smartphone from any company, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and you will have the same thing. Sorry gary84, it is about the money.

[silver6055]

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mortb wrote:

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gary84 wrote:

You are implying that revenue Verizon gets from BlockBuster, for restricting users from uninstalling their App, is comparable to revenue gotten from advertising on TV or radio. Sounds like a fair point at first blush. True, don't return my TV, just because I'm forced to see or hear TV ads. That means the uninstallable BlockBuster icon is also serving as a permanent advertisement, and may even have resulted in the cost of the phone or service being slightly lower for customers.

As tempting as that argument sounds, it's not true. If it were true, then it would all be about the money, and in that case, Verizon would offer to let me uninstall it, for a modest $4.99 fee, which I might actually take them up on. No, it's not about the revenue, its about a company thinking they know what's best for the customer when they really don't.  It's the jerks that made the decision to do this who are OCD, not me.

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Yes, it is about the money. Why do you think you can get a $500 cell phone for $200? Because all these uninstallable icons pay Verizon (and every other company) big buck to subsidize these phones. Also, Verizon is not the only cell phone provider who has uninstallable apps. Pick up a smartphone from any company, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and you will have the same thing. Sorry gary84, it is about the money.

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Yes, all about the money.  I don't think Verizon even makes the pretense that these applications are essential for most users, they are just there and uninstallable.   The only time I am aware of that VzW claimed to know what is best for the customers was the mandatory data plans for 3GMM phones ("to prevent large bills from data use"), and that was clearly all about the money as well!

That said, you do have a good idea for an additional revenue stream for them!  But instead of a one-time charge, maybe they can offer "No Blockbuster" $4.99 per month, "No City ID" $4.99 per month etc....

[mike3145]

I have no idea how much companies pay for bloatware but I can't imagine it accouting for a $300 discount from the "retail" price of the phone.  I'd rather think that the two years of service (voice and data) are the reason for the discount.  Amazon will (or have) sold the Droid for a penny so there's obviously enough profit built into the system for Amazon and Verizon to make a profit, even if the phone is given away. Or, in other words, if I walk into a VZW store I give them an extra $200 which probably offsets whatever they got from Blockbuster.

As for the original question, obviously both Verizon and Blockbuster came to an agreement as to the "longevity" of the app.  I have to imagine that by making the app permanent it adds some value for Blockbuster.  The user may not want to download a movie today or tomorrow but may 6 months from now he's stuck in an airport...

VZW obviously has considered the issue and decided that whatever revenue stream bloatware provides exceeds [the value] whatever percentage of their customers may be annoyed by it and whatever subset of those customers who choose to leave Verizon.

I can't help but think that it might be more effective to direct your comments to Blockbuster.  A nicely but firmly worded letter that said as a result of their decision you will no longer use their services, including rentals at your local video store.  Include your membership card with the letter. 

[Jax_Omen]

LOL @ Paying the restocking fee over preinstalled apps.

If that's your only complaint about the phone, just use a third party launcher (hint: launcherpro and ADW are way better than any stock launcher anyway) and hide the icons, it's the same net result as uninstalling them and doesn't cost you $35 or a phone you otherwise like!

[jasnmar]

There are some 3rd party launchers that allow you to hide these apps (and stay within the confines of your terms of service).

Yes, these are annoying, but there are some choices.

Jason

[pool_shark]

You're going to return it because it has apps on it that you don't like and can't uninstall?

The apps don't take up much space and they aren't hurting your battery life.

OCD much?

[enigmaco]

Wouldn't mind having the blockbuster app if the download speeds weren't so ridiculously slow, shouldn't need a wifi connection to use it. And netflix isn't releasing an android app until next year at the earliest, it is annoying all the bloatware they load on this phone. Guess charging $600 for it isn't good enough for them.