If you own an Android device, then you may have noticed that there are a number of apps preinstalled on it. The preinstalled apps — known as “bloatware” — seem to be one of the biggest complaints about Android devices. Fortunately, Google is making some major changes to alleviate the bloatware issue. 
After noticing that the new Android-based Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 edge+ will not be shipping with the Google+ app, Android Central found out that Google made changes to the Android Open Source Project repository. Google develops the Android operating system and keeps it updated. The source code is offered to the public and Google offers instructions about how to build an Android device. Device manufacturers can use the Android operating system for free and modify it as they please. But there is a catch.
If a phone manufacturer wants its users to have access to the Google Play app store, then Google requires the company to include a large bundle of its apps on the device preinstalled in an all-or-nothing type of scenario. Some of the apps that Google requires manufacturers to preinstall on its devices to access the Google Play app store include Gmail, Google Maps, Google Chrome and YouTube. Some of the apps that used to be required includes Google+, Google Keep, Google Earth, Google Play Games, Google Play Books and Google Newsstand. The apps that Google no longer requires are still available in the Google Play store.
Even though Android is being freed up from a large amount of bloatware, phone carriers may still add their own preinstalled apps to the devices. For example, AT&T Navigator, Sprint Zone and Verizon Messages could still be added to the devices. 
Why is Google removing some preinstalled app requirements? 
I believe that there are a couple of reasons. The first reason may pertain to Android One. Android One is a line of devices that runs on a near-stock version of Android and is targeted towards users in developing countries. The less apps that Google requires for Android One manufacturers, the more positive the experience for end users because smartphones in developing countries tend to have slower processors and less storage.
Another reason why Google may be apprehensive to push for more preinstalled apps is because the European Commission opened an antitrust investigation into Google Android earlier this year, according to PCWorld. The European Commission launched the antitrust investigation because it believes Google is abusing its power by requiring device manufacturers to preinstall Google’s apps. And the European Commission suspects that Google allegedly prevented rival apps from becoming successful because of its preinstalled apps. This behavior has been compared to the way that Microsoft bundled Internet Explorer into the Windows operating system. However, Google said that the preinstalled apps offer a great “out of the box” experience.

from Forbes – Tech http://ift.tt/1fFADPE
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