[robchow]

I would like to try various 3rd applications but am concern about the device memory. More specially, the re-allocation of memory once the application has been removed. Does anyone know how well does BB delete/uninstall applications? Does it completely remove all installed items to reclaim the memory that was used? If BB does a great job of removing applications 100%, what is to prevent me from extending the trial version of software by uninstalling and reinstalling?

[jeremyckitching]

The BlackBerry will completely remove the application. In order to reclaim the space I usually uninstall the application, and then do a battery pull.

[sirgruffil]

I have to wonder about this.

On several occasions, I have installed a 3rd party app and used it, then uninstalled it using desktop manager, rebooted by pulling the battery afterwards and verified that it is gone from the Applications list.

If I subsequently reinstall the app (say to an upgraded version, or to register after a trial), it magically rediscovers all my user settings left over from the previous install. Not actual data, but the sort of thing that would be stored in a Windows registry key.

This suggests to me that some apps leave behind trailing 'registry keys' (to use the Windows analogy) when uninstalled. How much memory is involved I wouldn't know - presumably very little.

I wouldn't be suprised if some trial software trails info this way to avoid the kind of 'extended trial' you mention.

[gibber9583]

The 3rd party app may contact some server that stores information based off your devices PIN....just a thought.

[sirgruffil]

Originally Posted by gibber9583

The 3rd party app may contact some server that stores information based off your devices PIN....just a thought.

I guess that's plausible, but I don't think it applied to the cases I mentioned. For example, different IM apps I've tried have saved my preferred transport type (TCP/IP, HTTP) and 'rediscovered' it when I reinstalled, before I even connected to their server.

[adwiv]

Originally Posted by robchow

Does it completely remove all installed items to reclaim the memory that was used? If BB does a great job of removing applications 100%, what is to prevent me from extending the trial version of software by uninstalling and reinstalling?

No it does not. And for exactly the same reason you mentioned

Applications can choose what data to remove and what not on uninstall. So u can not just erase and reinstall a trial version.

[robchow]

That sucks! Not the part where I can't have unlimited trial version but the part that limits me on what I should install on the BB to test/play.

Someone suggested Mobylo SureWipe from Mobylo! Blackberry Mobile Application Software Handheld PDA for removing apps. Anyone tried this?