Help me understand the Android ecosystem!

[AstroBenny]

I recently made the switch to Android  (Galaxy S6) from IOS and I'd like to try and clear a few things up.
So firstly, I understand the OS is developed by Google (Android) and that some companies such as Samsung choose to add their own twist to the OS with features like Touchwiz. So my first question, when you update the phone via settings, are you essentially waiting for Samsung to release their own version of the new Android OS? Does that mean you have to wait longer for Android updates? Secondly, do carriers impact the Android OS/affect the update process? - Because I notice upon setting up the phone, several apps from my carrier were preinstalled..Is there anyway to remove them? And how do carriers even get their crapware on the phone in the first place...
Also, the "Internet app on the S6, is that a Samsung-added app part of Touchwiz?
Because chrome is also installed by default.
Furthermore, maybe I'm missing something here but...
What is the point of the app drawer? Can't you just store all your apps on the home screen pages like IOS?
Finally, I assume the restrict background data option in settings is for stopping apps in the background using data so does that mean they will only load data if actually on screen?
Cheers!
 

[minibois]

"are you essentially waiting for Samsung to release their own version of the new Android OS?"

yes.

 

"Does that mean you have to wait longer for Android updates?"

yes.

 

"Secondly, do carriers impact the Android OS/affect the update process?"
In the USA I think they do sometimes, but typically everywhere else  in the world not.

 

"Because I notice upon setting up the phone, several apps from my carrier were preinstalled..Is there anyway to remove them? And how do carriers even get their crapware on the phone in the first place..."
Not without a root and custom ROM installed. You can delete all updates and disable them (via Settings > Apps > the app in question > Delete updates button > That button now becomes the Disable button). And how do they get their crapware on it.. I don't even know

 

"Internet app on the S6, is that a Samsung-added app part of Touchwiz?"
All different Android skin usually have their own browser (all named 'Internet' though, while I think the standard Android on Nexus devices and such has Google Chrome installed)

 

"What is the point of the app drawer? Can't you just store all your apps on the home screen pages like IOS?"
3much clutter 5me.

that is one of the things I really don't like about iOS, even if you never use the app: you still have to have it on your homescreen (or one of the homescreens). Some Android skins have it like this too, but most have an app drawer.

 

"Finally, I assume the restrict background data option in settings is for stopping apps in the background using data so does that mean they will only load data if actually on screen?"
I think it's mostly a setting so that apps use less CPU/memory in the background, rather than data from your ISP or whatever.

[Cryosec]

1) yep, you have to wait for Samsung to release their update of Android

2) Carriers can add stuff to the phone if it's branded - this means that the carrier has some sort of contract with samsung (in this case), so they can add stuff and then deliver the phone

3) Default browser is vendor-based, it is part of the touchwiz crap

4) the drawer is like a "master folder" of your apps. You can add them all to your home screen, but the drawer is there for a reason

5) yep, no data while in background

[Moonzy]

4 minutes ago, AstroBenny said:

So my first question, when you update the phone via settings, are you essentially waiting for Samsung to release their own version of the new Android OS?Does that mean you have to wait longer for Android updates?

if you use the auto update, you have to wait for a notification to prompt you to update

and it will be worse than microsoft prompting you to go to windows 10

and yea normally you'd have to wait from weeks to months (depending on your model's age) after a new android releases, but it doesnt matter since an update normally means laggier phone `-`

7 minutes ago, AstroBenny said:

Secondly, do carriers impact the Android OS/affect the update process? - Because I notice upon setting up the phone, several apps from my carrier were preinstalled..Is there anyway to remove them? And how do carriers even get their crapware on the phone in the first place...

probably wont impact the android from updating, and those bloatwares (especially ones that comes with samsung) cant be removed unless you root your phone, which will void the warranty `-`

8 minutes ago, AstroBenny said:

Also, the "Internet app on the S6, is that a Samsung-added app part of Touchwiz?
Because chrome is also installed by default.

its an android app, use chrome instead and ignore it like internet explorer

8 minutes ago, AstroBenny said:

What is the point of the app drawer? Can't you just store all your apps on the home screen pages like IOS?

i store most frequently used app at the home screen and browse for the less used apps lol

i only use one home screen because reasons

9 minutes ago, AstroBenny said:

Finally, I assume the restrict background data option in settings is for stopping apps in the background using data so does that mean they will only load data if actually on screen?

not sure, wait for others to reply, but if thats the case then you wont get notification even if someone messaged you since the message wont be coming in, which is bad