It is imperative to standardize mobile phone preset software
As soon as the mobile phone is activated, there are pre-installed applications on the screen; half of the storage space is occupied after the mobile phone has not been used for a long time; I want to uninstall but cannot find the entrance... Some mobile phone pre-installed applications have weak functions and occupy storage space. It is also possible to push advertisements and affect the security of personal information, but the user's own mobile phone cannot decide whether the application software will stay or not, so it is imperative to standardize the pre-installed application software on mobile phones.
For a long time, pre-setting application software for new phones has become a "standard action" for major mobile phone manufacturers.
The software included in the preset list involves various types such as browsers, input methods, audio-visual, shopping malls, finance, information, games, etc. There are three main sources of the software: one is the applications of mobile phone manufacturers, and the main purpose is to build the mobile phone brand itself. Ecology; the second is that operators bundle and carry applications on customized phones cooperated with mobile phone manufacturers; the third is that application developers “distribute goods” in advance before leaving the factory for marketing and promotion needs.
It stands to reason that it is understandable for mobile phone manufacturers and operators to use the convenience of "proximity" to promote their own applications, and it is not incomprehensible for application developers to divert traffic for themselves.
But on the issue of preset applications, mobile phone manufacturers should not ignore the feelings of users.
What consumers generally dislike is not the behavior of pre-installation itself, but the inability to delete related applications.
This kind of compulsive operation will not only not enhance consumers' goodwill towards mobile phone brands and application software, but will bring many negative reviews.
On the one hand, pre-installed application software affects the consumer experience.
On the other hand, pre-installed application software has hidden risks of infringement—some forcefully push advertisements, excessively ask for permissions, and even collect user information without the user's knowledge, violating privacy rights.
In recent years, relevant departments have successively introduced a number of measures to regulate the behavior of application software presets.
In 2013, the application system for pre-installed APP was implemented and officially included in the supervision; in 2017, it was stipulated that software other than "basic functions" could be uninstalled; in 2022, the type, scope and quantity of "basic functions" were further clarified and required to provide Safe and convenient uninstallation methods are available for users to choose.
It is worth noting that helping consumers regain the "uninstall right" is far from being as easy as it seems.
Some manufacturers play word games on the word "basic function", and some manufacturers try to promote application software in a more subtle way.
Why is governance so difficult?
The reason lies in the strong interest drive behind it.
With the highly mature mobile phone hardware industry chain in my country, the gross profit margin of mobile phone hardware is getting lower and lower, and the competition of smartphones is gradually shifting from competing for hardware and configuration to competing for software and services. Increasing the application software ecology has become a breakthrough for major mobile phone manufacturers direction.
As one of the profit channels for mobile phone manufacturers, pre-installed application software not only contributes a huge amount of revenue, but also achieves the purpose of binding customers, grabbing the market, and promoting the industry chain, so that "the mobile phone has not been sold yet, it will It has already returned to the original" strange phenomenon.
The standardization of preset application software requires the joint efforts of all parties.
Mobile phone manufacturers must create their own differentiated competitive advantages through product and service innovation, gradually get rid of the dependence on preset application software, and return the right to choose to consumers.
Application developers should strive to retain consumers by relying on the attractiveness of the software itself, rather than buying and selling by force.
Regulatory departments must continue to refine relevant measures, strengthen the binding force of standards and regulations on pre-installed application software, and truly realize who owns the mobile phone.
Kang Qiongyan