My Experience with Sony Xperia Tablet S (so far)

Question

For the Sony Xperia Tablet S, the bootloader is still locked, so getting an official install of Android is still impossible.  I've decided to root it and clean it up as much as possible.  At this point, It's either that or take it skeet shooting. 
After rooting the tablet, I have managed to clean some of the junkware up manually.  It's not the solution to the problem (only Sony or a judge can right their wrong), but getting rid of this junk seemed to help to some extent.  Here is a list of all the apks that I manually deleted (season to taste).
Obvious disclaimer, here:  If you brick your device, it's your fault and not mine.  One thing that you COULD do though, is encourage Sony to up their morals and do the right thing by giving us the capability of unlocking our bootloaders.  Selling people locked down hardware without the ability to unlock it is like selling someone a house and then telling them after the fact that they cannot clean the junk out of it, or modify it, or paint it, or fix the plumming, or replace the carpet, or even use the front door...  I think you get the idea.  It's a morally corrupt thing to do, IMO, and I think that Sony should be ashamed of themselves for locking us out of our own property.
I'm not nearly finished cleaning the tablet up yet (I'm going to take a break and get some reading in, but will focus on the system files next).  At a minimum, this list can serve as a big chunk of useless fat that people can lipo out of their tablets if they so desire.
* AppInstaller.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/AppInstaller.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/AppInstaller.apk
* AppSelector.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/AppSelector.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/AppSelector.apk
* Browser.apk  (modified?)
   /system/app/Browser.apk
* DigitalClockWidget.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/DigitalClockWidget.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/DigitalClockWidget.apk
* DtcpCtrl.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/DtcpCtrl.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/DtcpCtrl.apk
* FBMediaDiscovery.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/FBMediaDiscovery.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/FBMediaDiscovery.apk
* FBMusicLike.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/FBMusicLike.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/FBMusicLike.apk
* FileTransferApp.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/FileTransferApp.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/FileTransferApp.apk
* GoogleLyricsPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/GoogleLyricsPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/GoogleLyricsPlugin.apk
* InstallKicker.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/InstallKicker.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/InstallKicker.apk
* IrRemote.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/IrRemote.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/IrRemote.apk
* IrRemoteApiService.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/IrRemoteApiService.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/IrRemoteApiService.apk
* IrRemoteService.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/IrRemoteService.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/IrRemoteService.apk
* MUTabletUpdater.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/MUTabletUpdater.apk
* MediaGoHelper.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/MediaGoHelper.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/MediaGoHelper.apk
* MediaPlayers.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/MediaPlayers.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/MediaPlayers.apk
* MediaRemote_001.apk  (???)
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/MediaRemote_001.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/MediaRemote_001.apk
* MediaUploader.apk
   /system/app/MediaUploader.apk
* MusicUnlimited.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/MusicUnlimited.apk
* Odekake.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/Odekake.apk
* PSSInstaller.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/PSSInstaller.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/PSSInstaller.apk
* PlayMemoriesOnline.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/PlayMemoriesOnline.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/PlayMemoriesOnline.apk
* PlusOneCalculator.apk
   /system/app/PlusOneCalculator.apk
* PostViewer.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/PostViewer.apk
* Reader_OTHER_PREIN.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/Reader_OTHER_PREIN.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/Reader_OTHER_PREIN.apk
* SEMCFacebookProxy.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SEMCFacebookProxy.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SEMCFacebookProxy.apk
* SENInstaller.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SENInstaller.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SENInstaller.apk
* SENMediator.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SENMediator.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SENMediator.apk
* Scrapbook.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/Scrapbook.apk
* SemcAlbum.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcAlbum.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcAlbum.apk
* SemcDlna.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcDlna.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcDlna.apk
* SemcMetadataCleanup.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcMetadataCleanup.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcMetadataCleanup.apk
* SemcMusic.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcMusic.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcMusic.apk
* SemcMusicVisualizer.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcMusicVisualizer.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcMusicVisualizer.apk
* SemcPhotoEditor.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcPhotoEditor.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcPhotoEditor.apk
* SemcVideo.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SemcVideo.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SemcVideo.apk
* ShareApplication.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/ShareApplication.apk
* SmallApp-Recorder.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SmallApp-Recorder.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SmallApp-Recorder.apk
* SmallApp-Timer.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SmallApp-Timer.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SmallApp-Timer.apk
* SmallAppManagerService.apk
   /system/app/SmallAppManagerService.apk
* SmallAppWidget.apk
   /system/app/SmallAppWidget.apk
* SmallAppWidgetLegacy.apk
   /system/app/SmallAppWidgetLegacy.apk
* SmallAppsLauncher.apk
   /system/app/SmallAppsLauncher.apk
* SnpAccountManager.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SnpAccountManager.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SnpAccountManager.apk
* SnpVideoStore.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SnpVideoStore.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SnpVideoStore.apk
* SocialEngineCore.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SocialEngineCore.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SocialEngineCore.apk
* SocialEngineFacebookPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SocialEngineFacebookPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SocialEngineFacebookPlugin.apk
* SocialEngineFacebookShareFrwkPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SocialEngineFacebookShareFrwkPlugin.apk
* SocialEngineFacebookSharePlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SocialEngineFacebookSharePlugin.apk
* SocialEnginePicasaPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/SocialEnginePicasaPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/SocialEnginePicasaPlugin.apk
* SoundEnhancement.apk
   /system/app/SoundEnhancement.apk
* SoundRecorder.apk  (modified?)
   /system/app/SoundRecorder.apk
* TVSideView.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/TVSideView.apk
* URLShortcut.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/URLShortcut.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/URLShortcut.apk
* URLShortcutSupport.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/URLShortcutSupport.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/URLShortcutSupport.apk
* URLShortcutUserReg.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/URLShortcutUserReg.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/URLShortcutUserReg.apk
* Velvet.apk
   /system/app/Velvet.apk
* VolumeControlAlert.apk
   /system/app/VolumeControlAlert.apk
* WikipediaPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/WikipediaPlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/WikipediaPlugin.apk
* WmMediaService.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/WmMediaService.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/WmMediaService.apk
* XperiaRegistration.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/XperiaRegistration.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/XperiaRegistration.apk
* YouTubeKaraokePlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/YouTubeKaraokePlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/YouTubeKaraokePlugin.apk
* YouTubePlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/YouTubePlugin.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/YouTubePlugin.apk
* Zinio_SonySettingsProvider_app.apk
   /data/app/Zinio_SonySettingsProvider_app.apk
* com.sony.walkman.wmsetup3.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor0/master/app/com.sony.walkman.wmsetup3.apk
   /datapp/vendor/vendor1/master/app/com.sony.walkman.wmsetup3.apk
* sony_webkit-res.apk
   /system/framework/sony_webkit-res.apk
There are probably a few files that I removed and did not mention, but there won't be many.  I didin't actually start keeping a log of the removals until later in the game, although I recorded as much as I could from my terminal buffer to make the list as complete as possible.
Obviously, if you're going to delete files, I strongly suggest that you keep a log AND make sure you have multiple types of backups (and backups to those backups).  I actually had to rely on my backups on multiple occasions while coming up with this list.  Again (as in "service not rendered"), we need our bootloaders unlocked so we can actually own the hardware that we have purchased.
Launcher and keyboard:
======================
The launcher and keyboard that come with the Xperia Tab S ******.  On my system, I have replaced them both with the Nova Launcher and the Hacker's Keyboard, resulting in much (much, Much) better functionality and useability! And once those defaults were set, I removed the launcher and keyboard that came with the tablet as well.
Boot Animation:
===============
As far as the boot animation is concerned, that's easily changed as well.  Nothing new here (Google it):
  # find -type f -name bootanimation.zip -exec ls {} \; -exec ls -la {} \;
  ./system/media/bootanimation.zip
  -rw-r--r-- root     root       242855 2013-05-19 02:44 bootanimation.zip
Something I need to figure out for my next steps:
=================================================
Can I simply build a stock Android system, take stock apks from that build and put it on the Xperia (replace) without any issues?
Can I swap them out whole-sale, or are there any caveats in regards to how far can I go with that?
Any advice of how to further improve this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Answer 1

These are the issues as I see it:
The Software:
Initially, when I complained about not being able to remove unwanted software, this is what I got:
 *  "You can disable it in the settings and you won't see the icons."
 *  "You can root the device and remove the unwanted software, but if you do, then we won't honor the warranty"
We'll look at the logic of these, but first, let's inject a simple analogy -- something I think most people will be able to relate to with ease.  Let's say that I buy a house, and I like the house a lot, but there is a toilet in the middle of the living room (I like social stuff that much ).  So after I purchase the house, I find out that I cannot remove the toilet in the living room because I don't have the "special tools" to do it.  In addition, this toilet has a bit of a valve problem, and it runs constantly.
The first supposed solution was "You can disable it in the settings and you won't see the icons."  That's like saying "throw a sheet over it."  In this case, disabling it doesn't even mean turning off the water.  There's still pipework being used, because cache supporting those apps still keep coming back.  So the toilet keeps running, and it gets to the point that it annoys the ****** out of me.  Throwing a sheet over the toilet does not fix the problem, nor does it remove the offense from my living room.  Not only is this NOT a solution, it's a horrible idea!
The second supposed solution was "You can root the device and remove the offending software, but if you do, then we won't honor the warranty."  I'm not big on warranties, and over the years I've discovered that most companies give me so much hassle and additional cost over getting something replaced or repaired, that I'm better off getting another product (usually from another vendor).  I personally wouldn't expect Sony to be any different in that regard.  That said, I don't care about warranties.  Furthermore I don't expect Sony to truly honor a warranty any more than I would expect a previous owner of my house to fix my leaking roof.  
In my house, I don't want toilets in my living room.  I realize that there may be a lot of people out there who might find this to be of great use and value, but for me, it is offensive just knowing that it is there.  More offensive to me, is that I'm told I can not (or even "should not") remove it.  But even worse is, "throw a sheet over it."  To me, that's right up there with "We don't care so shut up."
So, left with no other choice, I rooted the tablet and took the (most obvious) toilets out of the places where I felt that they did not belong.  I don't expect help or tech support from Sony, either and if "throw a sheet over it" is any indication of the help that I might get, then trust me when I say that I don't WANT any help from them.
But that's not even the crux of my frustrations with this whole thing.  It's just a side-show.
The Hardware:
Lets get something straight - When I buy a piece of property (whether it be a computer, a motor vehicle or a house), I expect to be able to enter that property in any way that suits me (and the way by which entry was intended is no exception by anyone's reasonable expectation).  Furthermore, if that piece of property has the ability to be locked, I fully expect to have the relevant keys, so that I might lock and unlock it on my own and at my own discretion.
With this tablet that I have bought, and therefore I own, I expect to be able to use the front door (the boot loader).  It is my property, I hold the bill of sale (the "deed"), and I cannot see how Sony has any moral, ethical, or legal standing to withhold those keys from me, thereby preventing me from entering my own property in a forthright manner.
So far, I've read the following excuses on this forum:
"We do it for your security"
As in "Sony is my savior?"  Hmm.  Does this mean that if a Sony customer has an unrooted and locked-by-Sony Xperia Tablet S that gets hacked, and their bank account goes dry and their identity is stolen as a result, that Sony will take the responsibility for it, reimburse that customer, and pay any costs to get that persons identity cleared?  Of course not.  The term "Responsibility" is a two-edged sword, and it cuts both ways.  As such, this excuse of taking responsibility of my security reads more like this: "For your security, we will control your house, but if you get compromised, you're stuck holding the bag, because we're not responsible."  If that doesn't defy logic, then I don't know what does!  This isn't an excuse for security.  Instead, it's a lame excuse for control, which provides no safety net.  I personally don't want someone who will not be responsible, taking on the role of being responsible for my security.  I would much rather be responsible for my own security, thank you very much.  
CAVEAT:  I do understand that there are people out there who have no concept of security whatsoever and who do really dumb things, so the use of a snake-oil security solution can be beneficial (perhaps to the extent that it will "keep the honest people honest"), but my point is that it's still snake-oil, and it's benefits are far too limited for my taste.
So no, I don't want Sony's snake-oil security solution.  I want what is rightfully mine.  I want to hold the keys to the device that I have purchased.  I want the ability to lock and unlock my own front door at my own discretion, and if possible I want to change the key set so that once I take control of my own device, Sony can't unlock that door while I'm not home.  (there's an interesting idea, eh? ).
The other reason I've now heard is that "We do it to protect our proprietary software"
I would love to have a link or a scan of any document from Sony that actually states this.  
If that is truly their position, then my response would then be, "Does this mean you do it so that I can't get rid of those toilets in my living room?  I won't want them in my living room, I don't want them in my bedroom, I don't want them in my kitchen, on my front porch, or in my den.  I don't want your software in my house, and being that this is MY house (as in "I hold the deed"), I'm ordering you not only to get the ****** out, but give me MY keys to MY front door!  This house is under renovation!
On getting a refund:
If getting a refund is what Zero wanted, then congratulations to him.  If a refund is what you want, then good luck.  Do you think Sony will reimburse you for the time you've wasted with it as well?  Just a thought.
I'm personally not interested in a refund.  I simply want what is rightfully mine.
In fact, if this doesn't get resolved (or the tablet bricks in the process) maybe I'll take it skeet shooting and upload the video.  It will at least be entertaining, and the upside to it would be that it couldn't be refurbished and imposed on yet another vict...  er...  I mean customer. 
Final thoughts:
In the end, if Sony will not honor their sales by actually relinquishing the ownership of the hardware that they sell to the person holding the bill of sale, then at the very LEAST, they should start placing on their products warnings labels for future potential customers, enabling them to understand what they are actually buying, and what they are actually NOT buying -- Some type of "Brooklyn-Bridge" or "Bully" Buyer-beware warning should suffice, I think.  If they do not do this, then I can definitely foresee customers being forced to go before a judge in order to actually take ownership of the property that they have purchased -- and that CAN'T be good for business.  (Just sayin')