To be honest I am not sure that the average user welcomes it per se, but he/she definitely does not seem to care enough to make a fuss.

Even bloatware, which you correctly mentioned, did not start becoming unwanted until it became apparent to all that it deprived systems from precious resources. And it was after users started complaining about it that tech reporters started mentioning it in reviews and commentary. *sigh*

Still, as every single one of the most powerful companies in tech now is pushing an agenda of "walled gardens", it's worth pulling in the opposite direction and calling them out on that.

It has become almost necessary to do so. I wish there was a more effective way to fight this, but until one is found, this is what we have and this is what I intend to use. :-)