Consumers Like Mobile "Crapware," Says New Study

Pre-loaded mobile applications - the so-called "junk" apps (aka "crapware") that come pre-installed on mobile handsets - aren't as despised as you might think. At least that's the finding of a new study of American consumers by iGR Research. The market strategy consultancy discovered that pre-installed applications actually factor into the buying decisions of smartphone owners, even more so than those available for download from a mobile application store. And worse, the majority of consumers actually like them.

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As someone who's personally frustrated by the "un-deleteable" mobile applications that came pre-loaded on our household's new Android phone, everything about this study rubs me the wrong way. Don't believe the hype, it says, pre-loaded applications matter to consumers.

The company also notes that jailbreaking is not a widespread phenomenon. Only 5% of the survey respondents reported they had jailbroken or unlocked their phones, two terms referring to different types of hacks that allow users to have more control over their devices. It uses this statistic as proof of how little everyday consumers care about the restrictions placed on their phones.

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