To be sure the addition of Folders in iOS4.x has helped reduce clutter, but I never use Compass, Stocks, or Voice Memos and other apps that need to be present on the SpringBoard for their other functions to operate (e.g. Tomtom Carkit tool).
I stumbled across this method while editing plists trying to make a 5 icon Dock on my non-jailbroken 4.0 iPhone 3GS.
Note that this hint requires connecting your iPhone to a Windows machine, either directly or through a virtualization application such as Fusion or Parallels.
What you will need:
- An iPhone with iOS4. It does NOT need to be jailbroken, or otherwise altered.
- iBackupBot.
- 5 minutes of your time.
Run a backup of your iPhone and then proceed to open it in iBackupBot.
Look for the file iconstate.plist and search for the following area of code:
<key>buttonBar</key> <array> <string>com.apple.mobilephone</string> <string>com.apple.MobileSMS</string> <string>com.apple.mobilesafari</string> <string>com.apple.mobilemail</string> </array>
<key>iconLists</key> <array> <array> <string>com.apple.MobileAddressBook</string> <string>com.apple.mobiletimer</string> <string>com.apple.mobilecal</string> <string>com.apple.calculator</string> </array> <array> <string>com.apple.VoiceMemos</string> <string>com.apple.stocks</string> <string>com.apple.compass</string> <string>com.spiceloop.iemoji</string> </array> </array>
<key>buttonBar</key> <array> <string>com.apple.mobilephone</string> <string>com.apple.MobileSMS</string> <string>com.apple.mobilesafari</string> <string>com.apple.mobilemail</string> <string>com.apple.VoiceMemos</string> <-- See From Here Down <string>com.apple.stocks</string> <string>com.apple.compass</string> <string>com.spiceloop.iemoji</string> </array>
As mentioned earlier disable Auto App Syncing in iTunes as it may rearrange downloaded apps, but as far as permanent fixtures like Stocks/Voice Recording, etc. they should be gone for good from the SpringBoard.
One note -- unless you have four icons in your Dock when you reset your iPhone, the next one along in the list will find its way back on to the SpringBoard and replace the others.
[crarko adds: I haven't tested this one.]

