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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."
If you hate to see Microsoft go, if you want to see Microsoft thriving on the mobile scene, please people, please buy more Samsung phones!
...I'd have to install it anyway. The two other apps will just have to be removed manually. That shouldn't take long. And someone will probably release a tool to get rid of that. The irony is that many companies fight to get their [crappy] software on MS Windows (anti-viruses and other suckware), and now MS has to operate the same move on a rival phone OS...
Slashdot, fix the reply notifications... You won't get away with it...
It doesn't matter who codes it or the quality of code. Just a quick check on google store comments will show you that people _hate_ bundled software.
It happened to everyone, check Layar, Shazam and even Google play services which enables otherwise impossible things on older firmware.
Even a small shareware developer, if clever, won't allow his/her software to be bundled.
I can't even imagine security implications of this. Microsoft doesn't understand Unix & Java. Never did.
Ars has the insight on the patents Microsoft owns and uses against manufacturers of Android phones ---
http://arstechnica.com/tech-po...
Ironically, it was a government of a country which is known for its anti-freedom reputation that revealed the list of Microsoft's patents
I'm not sure that it is even possible but is needed is a very simple app that clears off all the bloatware and apps that nobody wanted anyway.
It can't leave the phone unlocked as most users are not even aware of what root is and could cause even more awkwardness to themselves.
That would also cause some supposedly secure apps to stop working as the phone would now be "insecure.
It would also block business use as MDMs would block the devices.
I remember there used to be the Decrapifier for new Windows PCs and people who did not feel able to uninstall things themselves.
Somehow, I imagine that Google would not been keen and manufacturers would be even less enthusiastic. PhoneCos would be even more anti!
I'll see your Constitution and raise you a Queen.
People have been asking for Samsung to get rid of its proprietary apps and use stock Android and Google Apps for the longest of time and now that they finally removed their apps they put Microsoft's in. Jesus.
I guess it is time to buy a Chinese phone with stock Android.
I have a better idea: preload nothing but the OS and desktop environment (well and key utilities like voice memo/dictation software and an alarm clock) and leave the rest up to me.
The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
Samsung has become the next Nokia. Once dominant in the market, only to see their market share dwindle in a few quarters. They grew too quickly and spread too thin, releasing 3 smartphones a week and one tablet per week in 2014. No way to differentiate, even from their own products. Sounds just like Nokia around 2009-2010.
Samsung's financials last year and especially last quarter show that the company has made a downturn.
And now Microsoft is supposed to save them? How does that even work? Did you not study in business school?
NOrtel. NOvell. NOkia. Three companies who made patent deals with Microsoft. Three companies who are no longer relevant as a result. The only thing to learn from this is "NO, NO, NO..." to any deal with Microsoft.
Goodbye Samsung. Hope your executives set up nice golden parachutes for themselves.
Did all those people asking also say "And once you take your crap off, don't put anyone else's crap in it's place?"
If not, it's really their fault for not being specific...
You can always root and uninstall or freeze apps you don't want.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing -- Emo Phillips
There's no way I'm going to increase the risk of exploits on my phone with software from a vendor with such a poor security record as Microsoft
Microsoft's record post-XP is way the hell better than the vast sea of exploits that is Android apps! I have an old Android phone with years-old vulnerabilities that no one has any interest in patching. At least with MS you get a company that understands the need for an update infrastructure.
Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
People are used to MS Office. Have the Office apps on your mobile will be easier for most - and frankly, a huge improvement over the crap most phones come with. All of my older relatives use Skype, so presumably that will be welcome as well. Perhaps all the MS apps appeal more to an older crowd?
Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
I have an S3, and the crap software (buggy, intrusive, annoying) that Samsung has installed has convinced me to leave the brand when I upgrade. What a clueless company. And for everyone saying "just root your device" - 1. We shouldn't have to in the first place. 2. It isn't that simple and easy for everyone.
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.