iOS could be accused of bloatware as well. The fact that you're not allowed to remove the built-in apps is mystifying to me. I don't use Stocks because I don't own any stocks. The Contacts app is mostly redundant with that section of the Phone app. And I've never bought anything off the iTunes store from my phone. Why shouldn't I be able to free up the screen and disk space? Only a small handful of apps (e.g. Settings) need be protected in this way, the rest could just be offered free on the App Store for anyone who changed their mind.
I'm surprised iTunes on Windows doesn't get brought up more in this regard. Quicktime alone was considered intrusive bloatware even before they required it to use iTunes, then required iTunes to use an iPod/iPhone, and started installing other Apple apps and app updaters semi-randomly.
Sure, my guess is that Apple hasn't done so simply because they haven't got the time/resources/patience. It's not like Apple is making _any_ money from something like Stock!
But if you remove it from the phone then those people who are using it are going to get pissed. So in order for the improvement to be seamless to the user, it needs first to move Stock to the App store, then to remove Stocks (and other apps) from the OS, and then finally redownload the application... all in one system update. Not hard for someone with the money of Apple, but hardly worth the trouble (for now, I imagine once the pace of development slows down things may change).
Ok. And what happens if they then want them again? Stuff from the store can be re-downloaded. Hence why I either Apple will change them into store app (in the way I described, for example), or they won't remove them.
I am not saying I agree with them... just a polite guess from their history.
