Introduction

Ever since the Palm Pre came out, there has been a dull uproar over the inability to remove certain apps, specifically the NASCAR app that nobody seems to use. A typical downloaded application can be removed by pressing [orange] while tapping on the application icon. A dialog will pop up that gives you the option to delete the application. Unfortunately, this option does not exist for the NASCAR application.

The Solution

By editing the json file, we can enable the removal of the NASCAR application. If you are not familiar with json, I suggest reading up on it here. You will need a rooted Pre, you will need to mount your filesystem as read/write, and you will need to edit the json file. Let's step through this process.

• First, you will need to root your pre, if you haven't already done so.
• Next, you need to remount the file system as read/write.
  
  

  mount -o remount,rw /

• Finally, we need to edit the file. Use vi to open /usr/palm/applications/com.handson.app.nascar/appinfo.json

We need to edit the file to include a line at the end of the list, before the closing bracket that reads:

"removable": true

Reboot your device by either pulling the battery, holding the off key, or using the key combination [orange]+[sym]+[r]. The application should be removed from your home screen. Additionally, you can now remove the application folder.

Conclusion

While this removes the NASCAR application now, it is difficult, if not impossible, to say if it will stay removed when Palm pushes their next mandatory OS update. At least we will have one less useless application icon on our screen until then.

Update: There is a fantastic explanation of JSON over at http://posterous.danielmiessler.com/using-json-to-exchange-data-betterexplained. 11/29/09