South Korea rules smartphone users can delete Android bloatware

In a move that we can only hope inspires other mobile regulators, the South Korean government has struck a major blow against Android bloatware. Yonhap News reports that Korea's Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MISP) is bringing the hammer down on preinstalled Android apps, introducing new guidelines that will enable users to delete them. Carriers won't be forced to make apps related to WiFi, user settings, NFC or an app store removable, but even with core services excluded, it puts almost 60 apps installed by the country's three biggest providers at risk. Samsung and LG won't escape the judgment either, with more than half of their 40 default apps facing a less-than-certain future.

The ministry said preinstalled apps are an "inconvenience" to users and cause "unfair competition" between operators and carriers, so it asked them to offer detailed information to users on how much storage their preinstalled apps take up. It also intends to apply the same rules to Google's suite of apps and services, which includes Gmail and Hangouts, although the regulator is still in talks with the search giant. Samsung, LG, SK Telecom and others have until April before the rules come into effect, which could mean Korean users will be able to tweak apps installed on their new Galaxy S 5, should the device launch in the coming months.

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Via: ZDNet

Source: MSIP

Tags: android, apps, bloatware, google, mobilepostcross, MSIP, south korea Next: Apple gushes on 30 years of making Macs .fyre .fyre-comment-divider

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LG launches GX smartphone in Korea with 5.5-inch display, Snapdragon 600

Expecting a lazy Sunday night? You aren't thinking globally: it's midday in Korea, and LG's announcing a new large-screened smartphone. The LG GX features a wide 5.5-inch full HD IPS display, a quad-core Snapdragon 600 CPU, a 13 megapixel camera, 32GB of onboard storage and a 3,140 mAh battery. Don't be too surprised if that sounds familiar -- it matches the LG Optimus G Pro blow for blow, distinguishing itself primarily by design, locality and few updated user interface features. Namely, the GX has adopted the G2's "knock on" feature, which allows users to double tap phone's screen to rouse it from sleep, and it can also integrate with LG smart TVs to display call and text information while you're watching the game. Naturally, the LTE-toting slab is only available in Korea for now, but if you're looking for an eyeful, check out LG's Flickr gallery at the source link below.

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Source: LG (1), (2)

Tags: lg, LG GX, mobilepostcross, smartphone Next: DataWind's 7-inch UbiSlate tablet heads to UK, starts at

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