The pre-selected applications provided by the operating system upon initial device setup serve as fundamental tools for users. These applications, like the web browser or email client, are designed to handle common tasks without requiring immediate additional software installation. For instance, an application designed to open web links is present at the factory state of every device.
Their significance lies in offering immediate usability upon device activation. The provision of this initial software package streamlines the user experience, lowering the barrier to entry for new users and ensuring basic functionality is readily available. The selection and capabilities of these applications have evolved with each iteration of the operating system, reflecting changing user needs and technological advancements.