Verizon: Google Pixel will come with no bloatware. Okay, maybe just a little…

The Google Pixel stands to potentially be a game changer that’s already polarizing Android fans across the spectrum. Although its plain design reminds a lot of people of the iPhone, the device is promising a uniquely integrated fully Google experience, which is something that we’ve never seen before – not even from the Nexus line. The only major US carrier selling the device will be Verizon, and today they said that they wouldn’t even load it up with any bloatware. And then they said, well maybe just a little bit.

Yes, Verizon has become particularly notorious for their pre-installed software. Hell, they even recently started utilizing bloatware that installs additional bloatware over time. But it appears as though they’re making an exception with the first Google phone.

In an announcement posted to their business sales portal, Verizon stated that the Pixel would come with zero preloaded Verizon apps. Then they listed the number of Google apps that would come preloaded on the device, which is all standard fare like Calendar, Drive, the Play Store, Chrome, YouTube, Clock, Phone, Contacts, and the Google app itself.

Then, after a brief ahem, Verizon also listed a number of additional apps that would come installed on the device, including My Verizon, VZ Messages, and Go90, all of which are Verizon apps.

However, since these are listed under the category of Play Store apps instead of Verizon apps, it seems likely that you’ll be able to uninstall them after receiving your device. Also in the list of preloaded apps are Allo, Duo, Android Pay, Docs, and Keep.

So all in all, it looks like Verizon’s attempts at bloatwaring the Pixel have amounted to nothing more than a token gesture. We can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to uninstall them, but still: three apps isn’t so bad in the big scheme of things.

What are your thoughts regarding Verizon’s apps on the Google Pixel? Let us know your take in the comments below!