ZenithFr in some operating systems, no, as removal renders the OS non-functional. Also, Akis likely didn't mention everything that's added as focuses on the three Meta services, are the only ones installed? Only time will tell once the new versions of NOS are rolled out and critical analysed. If I had a NP3a(lite), I'd be testing this right now. Having said that, as far I can tell, one cannot actually buy the phone yet and only testers have this hardware.
Also, I'm cynical in my age, nearing 50, and I think messaging was entirely planned by NTL. The acceptance of the funding forced their hand, so they have to add Apps/services/bloatware, and they sneak it on NOS 4.0beta and then have negative feedback and voila! … it's less bad that we expected, see guys, it's Ok.
It's actually quite a manipulate positive spin for a VERY negative thing. If I was forced to do this to students, that would be the way I would do it … say this bad thing is going to happen, let people fester and then, hey after listening to you, we'll change it, when rolling it that way was already being undertaken.
It's a stellar PR move from a financing-forced change to looking like it's customer base is listened to. It's actually the best outcome PR-wise while keeping NTL around.
(This is what we academics sit around and think about all the time, and how to manipulate systems.)
