Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Leak Puts Rivals To Shame.

If I were to play a word association game with you ‘TouchWiz’ would probably lead to a response of ‘Bloatware!’. Well not anymore…
Following a fascinating leak on the XDA Developers Forum, it appears Samsung has not only followed through on its promise to cut down on bloatware (as confirmed in early reviews) but taken it to a whole new extreme.
Poster Jeshter2000 revealed to the Forum that the apps which do come pre-installed on the Galaxy S6 Edge (and logically, by extension the Galaxy S6) can nearly all be removed. Remarkably this includes core Google GOOGL +2.5% apps such as Gmail, Google+, YouTube and even the Play Store as well as Samsung’s own S Voice and S Health software and Microsoft MSFT +0.63%’s bundled offerings: OneNote, OneDrive and Skype.

Galaxy S6 Edge app removal options – image credit XDA Developers Forum

What does remain are basics like the phone dialler, calendar, web browser, vanilla email client, camera and Samsung’s ‘Galaxy Apps’ store – but the end result is an OS which has the potential to be stripped down to a level that will leave even hardcore Nexus owners feeling jealous.

While Android rivals would do well to look and learn, the same message should also hopefully resonate with Apple AAPL +0.43% as iOS 8.2 adds more bloat.
Read more – iPhone 6 Vs Galaxy S6 And Galaxy S6 Edge: Samsung Gatecrashes Apple
Of course Android owners prepared to root their phones have long enjoyed a level of control and customisation over their devices that even Google would not approve, and this includes removal of any app. That said this can void a device’s warranty and also requires a degree of technical expertise that can make some users uncomfortable. Until now only the brilliant, but niche OnePlus One offers this out the box.
Consequently Samsung really is breaking from the pack with these changes and it will be fascinating to see if they are also brought to existing Galaxy S and Galaxy Note ranges in future software updates. I have contacted Samsung about this and will update if they are forthcoming with any wider roll-out plans.

Galaxy S6 (left) and Galaxy S6 (right) – image credit Samsung

All of which shows just how fast the technology landscape can move. This time last year had I told you that Samsung would be associated with premium build quality and the leanest version of Android available you’d have (rightly) burst out laughing.
Whatever next? HTC to build a smartphone with a decent camera? Let’s not get carried away.
forbes.