Future Android Handsets Could Come With Less Google Apps Installed

Sometimes OEMs like to install their own apps and services on their phones. Sometimes these apps are useful, but for the most part many feel like they are bloatware. While Google’s apps aren’t typically seen as bloatware, there are some that not many end up using, such as Google+, Google Play Books, or the Google Newsstand.

The good news is that if you’re not a fan of these apps, you might be interested to learn that in the future, some of these apps might not come preinstalled on your smartphone. This is thanks to the updated partner guidelines that Google has put out, which basically takes some of these apps off the required pre-install list.

For those unfamiliar with the process, basically Google has requirements that OEM partners need to meet, and it used to be that Google’s suite of apps had to be preinstalled, which includes some of the apps we mentioned above. However with the updated guidelines, OEMs can now opt to not include said apps.

However if you absolutely must have those apps, don’t worry as they can always be downloaded via the Google Play Store, it’s just that in the future, they might not come preinstalled on your phone. It’s an interesting move but what do you think? Is this a welcome change?

Tyler Lee
Categories: Cellphones
Tags: Android, Apps, Google