Hey
I had the same problem. I hate unwanted marketing invading products I own. I had lots of pre installed game trials on my HTC Desire HD (Guitar Hero, Who Wants to Be Millionairre etc.). Vodaphone can remove these apps. It took me 1hour, 3 calls to Vodaphone and 2 to HTC to find this out. I hope by passing this on my time has been well spent.
It is not easy though. I have to send my phone back to Vodaphone so they can install an unbranded version of the operating system.
Here's the process I went through (I hope you can get it done in one call!):
1. Rang Vodaphone to ask for how I could remove the apps. I was told I couldn't. I didn't believe this and asked for an explanation. They denied the apps were installed by them and told me I would have to ring HTC.
2. I rang HTC, they denied the apps were installed by them and told me I would have to ring Vodaphone.
3. I rang Vodaphone and told them what HTC had said. Once again I explained I found it hard to believe that I would have to live with trial games on my phone for the duration of it's life. They catagorically told me that HTC were telling me false information, it was HTC's responsibility and I would have to take it up with them.
4. I rang HTC, they denied the apps were installed by them and told me I would have to ring Vodaphone. They went on to tell me that all apps installed by them would have the signature 'HTC Corporation' underneath (when viewed in manage apps). This is to prove which apps are theirs and which have been installed by a third party. This second HTC rep was very helpful.
5. I went back to Vodaphone and told them this. I was firm but polite and said I wanted a resolution. The operative was helpful and told me I would have to send the phone back. Vodaphone agreed to remove the charges for my calls to HTC and also sort out delivery.
This is an unsatisfactory resolution to a very unsatisfactory problem. The time taken and the lack of knowledge about this matter displayed by Vodaphone reps was appalling. Worse still is the corporate decision to make it so hard for you to remove apps from something you own. This is purely to sell you games/apps. I don't mind trial versions - I develop apps myself and understand you have to market them. But I will remember this aggressive marketing for a long time, they were very lucky I didn't cancel my contract and it's only because of the helpfulness of the final rep that I remained.
Anyway, I'm writing a letter to Vodaphone now as I am still appalled by this decision. Hope this helps you or someone else. Bottom line - they can be removed you just have to keep plugging away.
BTW how long did it take to get you phone sent off and returned.
