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Report: Samsung Replacing Its Apps With Microsoft's For Galaxy S6
An anonymous reader writes: SamMobile is reporting that the next major revision of Samsung's Galaxy S line of phones is going to have some major changes. According to insider sources, Samsung has gotten rid of many of their pre-loaded apps, making them optional downloads. What's interesting is that they're replacing these apps with software from Microsoft — apps like Skype, Office Mobile, and OneDrive. "With Windows Phone failing to make a dent on the smartphone market, Microsoft has recently shifted focus to its software services, and having them pre-installed on one of the bestselling Android smartphone lineups might just give the Redmond giant the exposure it needs to court consumers into switching from Google's massively more popular services that come preloaded on all Android devices."
Call me crazy, but I buy Samsung for the hardware. I couldn't give a shit about what software comes on the phone. I use my own apps, organise the phone the way I like, I really don't see this as being something dramatically out of the ordinary.
For the past 10 years we've been buying computers and phones loaded with useless crapware. Why should now be any different, and also what makes you think any other company is any different? (Stock Android devices excepted of course, which by the way Samsung sell as a Google Play edition of their premium line).
Also there's no need to root, Samsung have a way of hiding and freezing any apps that you don't want visible to the system. Unfortunately they come back when you do an OS upgrade because the apps themselves are part of the OS image.