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Apple's Stock iOS Apps Land On App Store, Hints That It Could Allow People To Get Rid Of Them (techcrunch.com)

Posted by msmash on from the good-riddance dept.

For years, people have expressed their desire to be able to remove apps such as Mail, Stocks, Compass, Calculator, Watch, and Weather among others that come preinstalled on their iPhone and iPad. Apple is finally making it possible, it appears. TechCrunch reports: Apple quietly published these apps to its iTunes website today (some are live now), but has not yet officially announced the change on stage at WWDC. Product Hunt spotted the Mail app in iTunes thanks to a tweet from Owen Williams, leading to speculation that Apple's other apps will be made available through the App Store, as well. As it turned out, they were.This was a big issue especially for those users who go for the 16GB variant of the iPhone or iPad, as it has limited storage capacity, and these apps would eat up a significant part of it. The company had previously commented on the issue, noting that these apps work in conjunction with the core of the operating system, so uncoupling them wasn't so easy. Update: 06/14 04:56 GMT by M : It is certainly happening.

65 comments

  1. 2 Little 2 Late by sexconker · · Score: 0, Troll

    iOS is dying. They need to disrupt the market with a new shiny and convince the derpuses that their new shiny is the only shiny worth buying, and that it's worth $$$$$.

    1. Re:2 Little 2 Late by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      iOS is dying.

      Facts say otherwise.

    2. Re:2 Little 2 Late by mark-t · · Score: 2

      Did netcraft confirm it or something?

      --
      File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
    3. Re:2 Little 2 Late by hackwrench · · Score: 1

      No! Really! There's this macOS thing and everything! Or is that just for the desktop. My magic 8-ball remains murky. It's OS X only it's not! it's the really old MacOS only we're spelling it with a lowercase m so now it's new and trendy and something, something... There really is nothing new under the sun, but how you get from there to "Serve God" the ecclesiastician doesn't really reveal.

    4. Re: 2 Little 2 Late by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Trump doesn't need your stupid facts!!!!!

    5. Re:2 Little 2 Late by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 0

      Facts actually say you're wrong. Android is on the upward slope; iOS is slowly dropping.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    6. Re:2 Little 2 Late by inode_buddha · · Score: 0

      Just owning all the Abble products isn't enough to make one completely ghey; you have to get shot in an Orlando gay bar for that. Even if you DID jack off while wearing the iWatch, it wouldn't give them your pulse correctly since Abble has such a closed ecosystem, its not like GNU is gonna help them. HOWEVER Abble users switching to teh Lunix is *PROOF* that homosexuality is a *choice* and IT CAN BE CURED The one time I went to the Abble store at the mall, the resident ghey Socialist came up to me in his Speedos and offered me a tiny cup of Froot Loops; he explained that sadly, they had to cut back on the portion size because they were running out of money. I politely turned them down because I wasn't sure what they were glazed with. And his iWatch had the wrong time.

      --
      C|N>K
    7. Re:2 Little 2 Late by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Facts actually say you're wrong. Android is on the upward slope; iOS is slowly dropping.

      Is there a particular reason why you posted data a year old? That doesn't even show what you claim?

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    8. Re:2 Little 2 Late by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Do you have more current data? Other current articles are just for the current time, don't show the data history but do confirm that iOS is losing market share. Macrumors confirms the numbers as well. So - where's data that says otherwise?

      As far as not showing what's claimed, do a fit to the data presented. You'll find that iOS is on a slow downward slope, and Android is on an upward slope. That's what the data says. Absent any counter data presented...

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    9. Re:2 Little 2 Late by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The 'downward slope' you're referring to is (a) minuscule, and (b) is market share relative to a 13% increase in market size. (IOW: It doesn't show a decrease in iOS devices, it shows an increase at ever so slightly lower of a rate than the market in general, meaning Plumpaquatsch was correct.)

    10. Re:2 Little 2 Late by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Macrumors has it dropping from 20.4% to 17.7% - not really miniscule (a 13% drop is quite a lot). And the market share is what we're discussing, not number of devices sold. Thanks for confirming my statements though - and again, not providing an ounce of data to the contrary.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    11. Re:2 Little 2 Late by sexconker · · Score: 1

      I'm modded troll, yet this clown is modded insightful?
      Fuck you, Shitdot. As LynnwoodRooster pointed out, I'm correct. iOS is dying and Android is consuming everything in sight. (And no, I don't particularly like Android or the direction it's going in.)

    12. Re:2 Little 2 Late by macs4all · · Score: 1

      No! Really! There's this macOS thing and everything! Or is that just for the desktop. My magic 8-ball remains murky. It's OS X only it's not! it's the really old MacOS only we're spelling it with a lowercase m so now it's new and trendy and something, something... There really is nothing new under the sun, but how you get from there to "Serve God" the ecclesiastician doesn't really reveal.

      Calling the OS "OS X" was logical, since it was the next major version from the then current MacOS 9.2.

      But then, the name "OS X" started to be more and more of an Albatross, marketing-wise, so they went back to the more "Version-Agnostic" original name of "MacOS". The capitalization (or lack thereof) simply being kept in-line with their other OSes.

      It IS going to be confusing to do searches for awhile, though.

    13. Re:2 Little 2 Late by macs4all · · Score: 1

      you have to get shot in an Orlando gay bar for that.

      Really? You would invoke THAT just to make some sort of snarky comment?

      DIE MOTHERFUCKER DIE!!!

    14. Re:2 Little 2 Late by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1
      Wanna bet how iOS's marketshare will fare in this quarter, the first wit availability of the iPhone SE?

      Come on, put your money where your mouth is.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    15. Re:2 Little 2 Late by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1

      Perhaps a minor blip up on the overall long-term slide in marketshare?

      Seriously - do you have ANY data, any data at all, that points to iOS maintaining or growing marketshare? Any at all? If not - then I am right and you are wrong. End of discussion.

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    16. Re:2 Little 2 Late by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Perhaps a minor blip up on the overall long-term slide in marketshare?

      Seriously - do you have ANY data, any data at all, that points to iOS maintaining or growing marketshare? Any at all? If not - then I am right and you are wrong. End of discussion.

      Well, if you have any data that doesn't ignore the larger picture, feel free to post it.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  2. Nice, but a little late... by wikthemighty · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is something I've wanted since I got my 2nd gen iPod Touch.

    However, with the addition of folders, this is no longer that necessary.

    I'd happily trade the ability to remove stock Apple apps to be able to open addresses directly in Google Maps...

    --
    "There are people who do not love their fellow human being, and I _hate_ people like that!" - Tom Lehrer
    1. Re:Nice, but a little late... by MMC+Monster · · Score: 2

      I'd happily trade the ability to remove stock Apple apps to be able to open addresses directly in Google Maps...

      Perhaps if you don't have the Apple Maps app installed and you have another app that exposes the same functionality, it will be allowed to be opened by default when an address is selected? (Just like in most other operating systems.)

      Apple will have to be very careful about this.

      It's cool if it's Google Maps or Waze as the mapping application. Not so cool if it's Fandango or Angry Birds.

      --
      Help! I'm a slashdot refugee.
    2. Re:Nice, but a little late... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The company had previously commented on the issue, noting that these apps work in conjunction with the core of the operating system, so uncoupling them wasn't so easy.

      This is the same bullshit that Microsoft pulled with Internet Explorer.

      There is no legitimate reason for apps such as (Mail, Stocks, Compass, Calculator, Watch, and Weather) to be so tightly tied to the Operating Sytem that they can't be removed.

    3. Re:Nice, but a little late... by bagofbeans · · Score: 1

      Sure, it's legitimate. It's just we'd all prefer the flexibility.

    4. Re:Nice, but a little late... by brantondaveperson · · Score: 1

      No, it's not. Microsoft baked in Internet Explorer until a lawsuit forced them to backtrack. Apple probably took some shortcuts when building these 'built in' apps, but they seem to have enabled their removal without anyone forcing them to, or even really asking all that hard.

  3. The thing about iOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    is it is bootybust friendly. Tim Cook loves the cock. He was always upset his name was Cook not Cock.

    Tim for Cock.

    1. Re: The thing about iOS by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Omar?

  4. "hint" ?? Do your research by Chmarr · · Score: 4, Informative

    It's very, very explicit.

    https://support.apple.com/en-g...

    1. Re:"hint" ?? Do your research by msmash · · Score: 1

      Thanks. The story was based on a TechCrunch report. At the time of filing, these documents were not available, I feel.

  5. Confirmed, not just hinted by k3vlar · · Score: 4, Informative

    There's now an Apple support document on the subject: https://support.apple.com/en-g...

    Of note: Removing these built-in apps only frees up ~160mb, which isn't a lot.

    Personally, I'm just happy to free up the home screen clutter.

    --
    Unlike porn, which yada yada rimshot hey-ooh!
    1. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by BasilBrush · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It also means that Apple can update an app without needing to wait for a new OS version.

    2. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by sootman · · Score: 1

      Furthermore, TFA itself has been updated* to say "UPDATE: After installing iOS 10's first beta build, you are able to remove Maps, Videos, Watch, Reminders, Contacts, Weather, Podcasts, FaceTime, Calculator, iCloud Drive, Voice Memos, Tips, Mail, Compass, Stocks, Find Friends." It's almost as if the editors here don't actually read the stories they link to.

      * Although god forbid they would put that at the TOP of the page... :-|

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
    3. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which makes me think they will produce an update to 9.x for the iPad/iPad 2/iPad Mini that will allow this.

      Then they could support these devices through security patches and new apps. Just like Android does on e.g. Nexus 4.

      Though this will, amusingly, rather change the Apple pundit tune on fragmentation.

    4. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by quenda · · Score: 1

      Note: that Apple document says you can "remove a built-in app from your Home screen", not uninstall or delete it.

      When you remove a built-in app from your Home screen, you also remove any related user data and configuration files

      This sounds like Android, where system apps can be disabled, and updates removed, but the original version remains on the read-only system partition, and can be restored, e.g. by factory reset.

      They do not say actually say you can free up 160MB, but implies it doesn't matter, because it would only be 160MB anyway if you could.

    5. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by jrumney · · Score: 1

      That "only 160MB" is 1% of the total space on their low end devices, and means an extra 30-40 photos or MP3 files that would fit on the device, for those who mostly use it as a camera or MP3 player.

    6. Re: Confirmed, not just hinted by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 1

      Also, it seems one cannot download updates for these apps in iTunes anymore. They'll list as needing updating, but bring up a dialog saying they can only be downloaded to an iOS device. Or at least that's what my older iTunes what won't work with my iPad running iOS 9.x anymore (which won't run 10), but still works with my orphaned iPhone and iPods Touch and Nano.

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
    7. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by BasilBrush · · Score: 2

      No. Apple say that to reinstall an app, you download it from the app store. So the original is clearly not just hidden.

    8. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by macs4all · · Score: 1

      It also means that Apple can update an app without needing to wait for a new OS version.

      They always could. But they usually just wait until they have enough stuff for a "point release", and then just update the App along with the other stuff.

    9. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by macs4all · · Score: 1

      Which makes me think they will produce an update to 9.x for the iPad/iPad 2/iPad Mini that will allow this.

      Then they could support these devices through security patches and new apps. Just like Android does on e.g. Nexus 4.

      Though this will, amusingly, rather change the Apple pundit tune on fragmentation.

      Speaking of which, did anyone else notice the conspicuous absence ot the iPad 2 and iPhone 4s from the iOS 10 Compatibility List?

      Same thing with MacOS Sierra: I think the earliest supported Macs for Sierra will now be 2009 models.

      Wonder what they are now requiring in the new OSes that made them fall off the list?

    10. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by jrumney · · Score: 1

      You download it to ensure that you have the latest version when it is reenabled. Because any updates were deleted, and the app was not tracked for updates while you had it disabled.

    11. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      Where are you getting this idea that the original remains, entirely unused?

    12. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by BasilBrush · · Score: 1

      They are the last remaining 32 bit processors.

      I was fixing a 32 bit only bug just today. So I'm pleased they are on the way out.

    13. Re:Confirmed, not just hinted by macs4all · · Score: 1

      They are the last remaining 32 bit processors.

      I was fixing a 32 bit only bug just today. So I'm pleased they are on the way out.

      That makes sense.

      Is that the same reason with the Macs that have been dropped from the Sierra list?

  6. Where've I heard this before? by R3d+M3rcury · · Score: 1

    The company had previously commented on the issue, noting that these apps work in conjunction with the core of the operating system, so uncoupling them wasn't so easy.

    Sounds like what Microsoft said about Internet Explorer. Turns out, gosh, you can survive with them.

    1. Re:Where've I heard this before? by macs4all · · Score: 1

      The company had previously commented on the issue, noting that these apps work in conjunction with the core of the operating system, so uncoupling them wasn't so easy.

      Sounds like what Microsoft said about Internet Explorer. Turns out, gosh, you can survive with them.

      Or perhaps they removed/moved some Dependencies in the newer versions.

      Not EVERYTHING is a Conspiracy.

  7. MOD PARENT UP by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Ah, so, are you telling me that kdawson is now unemployed and is dumpster diving in San Diego?

    No sir! San Fran-Sysco. Hotel quality food they call it--er--I call it. O'Bama's statistics don't count him as unemployed not because he gave up looking for a job but because he is unemployable. Dice folded after buying Slashdong and kdawson was the remainder of THAT and was quickly fired in short order!

  8. Doing it wrong by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If any of the listed apps takes up a significant part of 16GB then Apple is doing something wrong.

    1. Re:Doing it wrong by Hognoxious · · Score: 1

      If they're that tightly coupled to the OS then they're doing something else wrong.

      --
      Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
  9. Oh wait don't tell me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But but but, I thought it was only Android that was full of bloat. You mean I've been lied to? Say it ain't so.

  10. These apps would eat up a significant part of it?? by John+Bokma · · Score: 2
    "The apps built into iOS are designed to be very space efficient, so all of them together use less than 150MB. " https://support.apple.com/en-g...

    150MB out of 16GB, yeah, significant part..., less than 1%

    --

    Perl Programmer for hire
  11. All of iOS and its apps less than 700K by perpenso · · Score: 3, Funny

    If any of the listed apps takes up a significant part of 16GB then Apple is doing something wrong.

    I happen to have a freshly reformatted phone, all preinstalled files account for less than 700K.

    That said, deleting non-critical apps is a good thing, but yeah, lets not pretend it is some great difference even on a 16GB device.

    1. Re:All of iOS and its apps less than 700K by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I happen to have a freshly reformatted phone, all preinstalled files account for less than 700K.

      So, if all the preinstalled files account less than 700k, a 16GB iphone has 14,90 GiB free space? Awesome!

  12. Re:These apps would eat up a significant part of i by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Which really means Apple isn't allowing you to remove the apps, just hide the icons.

    All together taking about 150MB of space makes sense based on the fact that removing them also removes user data and caches, so I can easily see how hiding the icons and deleting caches could free up that little space.

    The apps themselves are almost certainly larger.

  13. Re: These apps would eat up a significant part of by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    PPOR

  14. app crap by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Doesn't everyone have an AppCrap folder, pushed off to the worst corner of your last screen ?

  15. Obstinate Apple stupidity..... by AbRASiON · · Score: 1

    The #$%^ing calculator should come AS STOCK on the bloody ipad!
    Is this a big deal? Not really!
    Is it stupid, annoying and a complete waste of my time? YES

    For goodness sakes they are obstinate, it kills me.

  16. Here's a better idea by DrXym · · Score: 1
    Stopping selling 16GB phones when the space is clearly inadequate for the phone OS it is expected to hold. The only reason Apple even sell such shitty devices is so they can put a "from $649" when they know the device is sufficiently gimped that people will pay $100 more for a 64GB phone. It's easy money.

    Aside from that, most phone operating systems have a partition for the system and a user partition. If an iPhone follows this kind of layout then I don't see how removing apps will help unless the device can be re-partitioned during an upgrade to reclaim the space. It's actually more likely to waste space because if Apple update these apps then the phone will hold the stock version in the system partition and a more recent one in the user partition. It's now wasted 2x the space. The same crap happens on Android phones where the firmware will often have burnt-in copies of Facebook, Gmail, Twitter etc which are immediately superseded.

    1. Re:Here's a better idea by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "the space is clearly inadequate for the phone OS it is expected to hold"

      Strange. I know a number of iPhone owners with 16GB models that have more than half of that 16GB empty, even with all the various apps they have installed. They were perfectly happy to save the $100 over going up to the next size. (Hint: Not everyone in the world is *you*.)

  17. And yet still no Calculator on the iPad ?! by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

    Apple has a great calculator on the iPhone and yet in their infinite stupidity they don't have the same app on the iPad forcing users to download one of the crappy ones. WTF !?

    --
    redditard, noun, someone who downvotes you simply because their infantile mind disagrees with you instead of posting a reply to start a discussion so both sides may learn something.

    1. Re:And yet still no Calculator on the iPad ?! by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

      Apple has a great calculator on the iPhone and yet in their infinite stupidity they don't have the same app on the iPad forcing users to download one of the crappy ones. WTF !?

      I've noticed this and my reaction was exactly the same: WTF?

      Not having a default calculator app on the iPad puzzled me, I kept thinking that I was just missing it when I looked for it, but nope, it ain't there.

      The iPad may be the only computing device in the last 20 years that doesn't come with a calculator app. Hell, even my stand-alone GPS device has a calculator app on it.

      --
      Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
    2. Re:And yet still no Calculator on the iPad ?! by EvilSS · · Score: 1

      Really? Heh. I didn't even notice that. I always install m48 right away on any iOS device I get and never use the stock app. That is kind of stupid though.

      RPN 4 LIFE!

      --
      I browse on +1 so AC's need not respond, I won't see it.
    3. Re:And yet still no Calculator on the iPad ?! by UnknownSoldier · · Score: 1

      > m48 right away on any iOS device

      Amen! Sadly, back in the day I used to write Saturn assembly code for my HP48SX/GX but for the life of me I can't remember 99% of the HP48 commands since I haven't used my HP48 for ~15 years. :-/

      What's so funny is that the Saturn CPU was a 64-bit CPU computer that would last for months on 3 AAA. Every modern devices's battery life seems like total crap compared to it.

      > RPN 4 LIFE!

      Preach it brother! :)

  18. OH MY GOD by JustAnotherOldGuy · · Score: 1

    "Apple's Stock iOS Apps Land On App Store, Hints That It Could Allow People To Get Rid Of Them"

    You mean they'll let you delete apps on your own phone, the one that you paid for? SMELL THE FREEDOM!!!

    Thank you Apple! Thank you for letting me delete stuff off my own phone!

    (Yes, I know Android phones have similar issues, but I just couldn't resist.)

    --
    Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
  19. Typo, 700M not K by perpenso · · Score: 1

    If any of the listed apps takes up a significant part of 16GB then Apple is doing something wrong.

    I happen to have a freshly reformatted phone, all preinstalled files account for less than 700K.

    Typo, 700M not K.

  20. Android should do the same thing by iampiti · · Score: 1

    ...but Google won't allow it because Android is just a vehicle to get you to use their services
    Sadly even MS is going this way with Windows 10. OSs have stopped being tools for the user, they're now tools for the OS maker to get your data and make money off you

  21. Why can't the health app be removed? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Why is Apple so insistent on monitoring your every step? Do they sell the info to health insurance companies? Or others? Why is this nasty bit of spyware still forced upon users?

  22. Yay! by ilsaloving · · Score: 1

    I'm seeing people jawing over how much/little space is saved on your iphone or ipad by being able to delete the apps, but I'm happy for a different reason:

    More control of my home screen.

    When I got my iPhone, I had to create a folder called "Useless crap" and drag all these icons into it because that was my only option. Being able to get rid of these applications will free a little bit of storage, but more importantly it allows me to unclutter my home screen. When you have a limited amount of visual space to work with, this is a big usability improvement.