[BlakePetersen]

Silent Circle released the Blackphone it developed off a fork of Android. This policy has allowed for bloatware, yes, but it also allows for innovators to innovate unimpeded.

I have the choice to buy a phone without bloatware and I did. I don't know why others don't do the same and then blame the OS maker for allowing their open software to be open.

These policies also allow for cheaper phones to get into the hands of the less affluent. Not everyone can afford the new iPhone, and they would rather have a phone with a bit more bloatware if it cuts the cost of the phone down to something they can reasonably afford. I would consider that a noble endeavor on the part of Google. Instead of saying, "FUCK YOU CARRIERS/OEMS, YOU DO AS WE SAY!", it offered them a means of providing cheaper phones without decimating their bottom line. They can choose to strip out all the bloat and price it high or they can bloat it up and price it low, making up the cost from the recurring fees/ad rev those apps can generate.

The thing is, I have a choice as to what experience I want.

[ensignavenger]

Well, I agree with most of your statement, however, in your scenario you only have a choice in what experience you want if you have the money to buy the unsubsidized phone- anyone else has the choice to buy the subsidized bloatware phone or do without (which is more choice than they would have if the subsidized phone did not exist...)

[BlakePetersen]

There's another option, root and load a custom Rom. Not only will the phone run leaner (and in theory faster) but it won't have the bloat. The only investment is your time. =]