Two major carriers opt out of Microsoft’s deal w/ Samsung to pre-install apps on the Galaxy S6

You may recall last month that Microsoft announced a major partnership with Samsung to include a number of mobile apps on the flagship Galaxy S6 out-of-the-box. While bundled apps may be considered bloatware for many consumers, the deal meant Microsoft’s Android apps would gain a lot of exposure for adopters of arguably the best 2015 Android smartphone. The results of that deal may vary, though, as two major carriers have introduced roadblocks to some of Microsoft’s apps for their versions of the Galaxy S6…

The Wall Street Journal reports that both AT&T and Verizon, the two largest carries in the United States, have opted to not allow select Microsoft apps from coming pre-installed with their version of the Galaxy S6, trumping the deal between Microsoft and Samsung.

According to the report, AT&T has decided to not pre-install Microsoft OneDrive, the Dropbox-like cloud storage app. Verizon has decided to go a few steps further and block both OneNote and Skype in addition to OneDrive from being bundled with their version of the Galaxy S6.

Microsoft’s productivity apps will still be available for Galaxy S6 users through the Google Play Store, of course, but the development does mark a diversion from Microsoft’s intentions of putting its apps in front of more customers for greater exposure.

As Verizon and AT&T opted out of bundling some of Microsoft’s key apps, a Microsoft spokesperson told the WSJ that the company would continue to work to expand the initiative.