The INQUIRER - nibbling the toes of the people who have hands to bite
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Vodafone sends smutty smartphone software
MOBILE NETWORK OPERATOR Vodafone has managed to annoy its HTC Desire users by pushing out a load of bloatware and links to adult websites onto their smartphones.
Subscribers were looking forward to receiving an update that would bump them up to Android 2.2 but instead got one that was just a modified version of Android 2.1 with a load of Vodafone branding. Not surprisingly the update - which amounts to a waste of time, bandwidth and system resources - has annoyed users who were expecting new features, not a load of warmed over tosh.
Yesterday the firm promoted the update by saying that it "gives customers access to Vodafone 360 products and services, which brings the experience on the Desire in line with other devices supplied by Vodafone. This means that customers have the choice to use 360 services as they wish to."
As for users' wishes not to have Vodafone 360 services? Well that's a quite simple No. "It is not currently possible for the customisations to be uninstalled from the device," said the firm. This has led to numerous posts on the company's forum asking for Vodafone to roll back the update.
The complaints are not solely about users wanting unbranded software. Many are complaining that the update pushes "adult bookmarks" to devices, something that will surely have parents concerned. Others complain that Vodafone's bloatware has managed to bog down the HTC Desire, a phone that has a 1GHz Snapdragon chip that can play back high-definition video quite well.
With the Android 2.1 OS not allowing installation of applications on removable memory, Vodafone's applications, some of which aren't even in English, have left some with little spare memory to use their device. Other trifling matters include the messaging application becoming almost useless and SMS messages being duplicated.
Vodafone is apparently taking note of the comments though it has not said when it will release Android 2.2 for its subscribers. Those subscribers must be wondering whether that update, when it finally tips up, will be laden with the same sort of bloat and smutware as found in this release.
Update
A reader has informed us that it is not only HTC Desire users that have been burnt by Vodafone, with those using HTC's Legend handset receiving a similarly useless update. While the handset might be different, the bloatware is identical.
Our informant, justifiably peeved that his phone has basically become a Vodafone branded brick, tried to contact the firm's customer support only to be fobbed off with the following message, 24 hours later.
"There are certainly various examples of changes as a result of the firmware update, as always we collect feedback and note any queries regarding what has been resolved or any pending issues."
Allow us to translate for English speaking folk. "You can tell us what you think but we don't care." That's certainly the feeling that customers who pay handsomely for a phone and a multi-year contract are getting from dealings with the company over the phone and on forums.
If you have had issues with your HTC smartphone on Vodafone thanks to dodgy software updates, please do let us know in the comments. µ
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VF have now issued a statement
"We’ve listened to feedback from customers on a number of points around the recent 360 Android 2.1 update and made some changes to the roll out plan.
The Android 2.2 update for Vodafone HTC Desire users will be based on the HTC open market version of the software and we will customise it to ensure our network settings are installed.
For customers who have downloaded the recent 360 update for Android 2.1, we can confirm that the Android 2.2 update will remove the 360 applications and will leave the homepage and bookmarks on your current settings.
Customers who want to access the 360 services will be able to do so once the Android 2.2 compatible version is available and, in the meantime, can now download apps like 360 People from the Android Marketplace.
We plan to make the 360 apps available in a separate update for the HTC Desire at a later date, giving customers the choice to download it.
We will let you know when the date for delivery of the Android 2.2 update is finalised, but, subject to testing, we expect this to be in 7-10 days time."
This is good news and although VF made an absolute pigs ear of this whole process they have finally listened and should be congratulated for this(albeit late in the day) statement.
We have been emailing Vodafone's media team about this issue and we got some interesting responses from them.
We have published the emails on our blog at techupdateblog.wordpress.com
We have also emailed HTC for clarification concerning some issues and awaiting a response which we will also publish when we get it.
Just got HTC legend for 9 y.o. Had to spend ages removing bookmarks for inappropriate chat sites etc.
VF won't provide a capped monthly rate for kids (unlike 3 who will) saying that they have a responsibility if the minutes ever ran out and the child needed to make an emergency call but couldn't. Yet they happily subject them to sites where stalkers can get them.
Utterly ridiculous!
Not surprised by VF doing this. Have a look at the UK Nexus One VF forum regarding the Froyo update. After Google released the update to the US VF held it back to tinker with it which originally they officially stated (and since removed) they do not modify the Nexus One firmware. Lots of complaints including myself where customer sales said VF do not modify the Google OS. Will not be VF customer next year when contract is up.
Fortunately I heard about the problems the update was causing so I didn't submit to their junk. Vodafone don't seem to understand that one of the main attractions to Smartphone’s and Android in particular, is being able to set up the phone and install the apps required. On Vodafone's website it says "If a phone’s not yours until you've got it how you like it, the HTC Desire is for you." Obviously this is just lip service to get you onboard, then stitch you up.
One minute they say you can flash it with a stock ROM then say you can't. I decided to flash it with a stock ROM and risk the warranty if it breaks, take it from there. I didn't want to go down this route but thought it was worth the risk. I have been with Vodafone but when this contract ends I will leave. This is the last straw in a haystack of poor service.
.... till the end of my contract with Vodafone.
It'll be a cold day in hell when I ever buy anything from them again.
This effected all Users who had the Vodafone firmware pre-installed. The original firmware was settings only, no Bloatware, and this was a selling feature used by Vodafone sales representatives. The update includes all the Bloat.
I expect that Tim's handset is actually generic HTC stock with the HTC Rom firmware as they were pushed Froyo over the weekend. Any stock purchased from VF direct had the network firmware.
Ah I knew there was another reason I bought mine SIM free. Dam provider bloatware!
I have an HTC Desire on UK Vodafone contract and it was upgraded to Android 2.2 last weekend with no Vodafone customisations at all.