Google and Samsung may finally agree on what Android should look like

[techbeck]

Samsung may be planning to cut back on its oft-criticized Android customizations. A new report from Re/code claims that the company recently met with Google to begin working out an agreement that could see Samsung's software move closer to Google's vision of Android. Discussions reportedly began after Samsung unveiled its Galaxy TabPro at CES. Google executives were apparently so displeased with the major changes in the tablet's Magazine UX ? which has been compared to Flipboard and Windows 8 ? that they felt compelled to open a dialogue with the number one Android manufacturer. It's unclear what the exact outcome of those talks will be, but Re/code's sources say Samsung may consider dumping Magazine UX entirely in future hardware. It may also put a greater spotlight on Google's own applications rather than pushing in-house apps like ChatON on its customers.

 

A source told Re/code that the Samsung / Google relationship has gone through "a huge change, a sea change in the last few weeks." On Sunday, the two companies announced a broad patent cross-licensing deal that will see them share key intellectual property ? another indication of an improved relationship. We've reached out to Samsung for comment.

 

http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/29/5358290/google-samsung-finally-agree-on-what-android-should-look-like

[Draconian Guppy]

HMM butt they market their in house app such as sHealth, sNote and sWhatever  as the advantage if they stop doing this, they'll just become "Vanilla" or featurless ( Yes I know it is not like that, but that's how they advertise). Not how most of the functions (useless) the s4 has (airview, tilt to scroll ,etc.) are missing in GPE.

[Chris123NT]

The sooner touchwiz dies the better.  It's horrible.