I get it. Companies pay other companies to bundle in their product in exchange for subsidization. It seems as though it is required by some cosmic law that the software has to be poorly made in every respect, though. I recently bought a name-brand scanner, and it automatically installs all sorts of crapware when I simply want to install the driver. It really shows a complete lack of respect for the people who just purchased your product, but it seems to have become de rigueur. It’s almost expected that you’re going to have to deal with nonsense with every electronic device you purchase.
Nobody with the barest of sophistication would use the crapware that Nikon or Canon ship with their cameras. People who know better use iPhoto, Aperture, or even Picasa. Do the electronic manufacturers even care that they have embarrassingly bad software shipping with their product? Say whatever you want about Apple, but they’d never let a consumer device be released with completely useless software. It just isn’t done. It seems insane that other companies don’t care enough to crib the most basic business strategies from Apple. Clearly someone in Cupertino knows what they’re doing. What was that saying about great artists again? Well, the Nikons and Canons of this world need to start stealing on the double.
So, what are some of the worst bundled apps you’ve ever experienced? Which companies are guilty of this crime against users? Sound off in the comment section below this post.