I know for a fact the wallpaper ones were not. The LGE and LogMeIn apps I believe came as part of an "Android" update from the carrier (T-Mobile). Not sure how "Music Visualization Wallpaper" works but seems odd that it would need the ability to record audio.

Here is the full app list:

  Account and Sync Settings (38kb)
  (CL) Adobe Flash Player 11.1
  Android keyboard
  Android Live Wallpapers
  Android System
  (CL) AppPack
  AttendStar
  Bluetooth OPP
  Bluetooth PBAP
  Bluetooth Serivces
  Browser
  Calculator
  Calendar (google)
  Calendar Storage (google)
  Camera
  Car Home (8kb)
  Car Home (44kb)
  Certificate Installer
  ChargingTest (12kb)
  Clock
  com.android.svgplugin
  com.lge.hiddenmenu
  com.lge.internal
  com.lge.model
  com.lge.omadmclient
  com.lge.phonetestmode
  com.lge.util
  com.logmein.rescue
  com.logmein.rescuesecurity
  Contacts
  Contacts Storage
  (DL) Cut the Rope
  Dialer
  Dialer Storage
  Download Manager
  Downloads
  Drive
  DRM Protected Content Store
  (CL) EA Games
  (DL) Easy Voice Recorder Free
  Email
  (DL) Facebook
  (DL) Firefox
  FlexProvider
  Gallery
  Gmail
  Google Backup Transport
  Google Calendar Sync
  Google Contacts Sync
  Google Partner Setup
  Google Play Books
  Google Play Movies & TV
  Google Play Music
  Google Play Services
  Google Play Store
  Google Reader
  Google Search
  Google Services Framework
  Google+
  HiddenMenu_SDCardTest
  Home screen tips
  HTML Viewer
  Launcher
  LG Debug
  (DL) LinkedIn
  Live Wallpaper Picker
  LocMgrPD
  Magic Smoke Wallpapers
  Maps
  Market Feedback Agent
  Market Updater
  Media Storage
  (DL) Meetup
  Messaging
  Music
  Music Visualization Wallpaper (Perm: Hardware Controls - Change your audio settings, record audio)
  (CL) My Account (524kb)
  (CL) My Account (1.46MB)
  My Uploads (206kb)
  Network Location (346kb)
  News & Weather (704kb)
  (CL) NFS Shift (648kb)
  (CL) Nova (4.77MB)
  OMAP3 Camera
  Package Access Helper
  Package installer
  (DL) Pandora
  Pico TTS
  (CL) Polaris Office
  Power Off
  (DL) QR Droid Private
  (DL) Redbox
  (DL) Runkeeper
  Search Applications Provider
  Settings
  Settings Storage
  Setup Wizard
  (DL) Shazam
  SIM Toolkit
  (DL) Skype
  SmartShare
  (DL) Sound Recorder
  Status Bar
  Street View
  (DL) SwiftKey
  Swype
  (CL) T-Mobile TV
  Talk
  (CL) TegraZone
  (CL) TeleNav GPS Navigator
  (DL) Time Recording
  TTS Service
  User Dictionary
  Video Chat
  Video Player
  Voice Dialer
  Voice Search
  VPN Services
  (CL) WI-FI Calling
  (DL) YouTube
  (DL) Zillow
  (DL) Zillow Rentals
  (CL) Zinio Reader
  ZSProvider

Is there an option to not provide my email as part of the "identity" because I could see that being a barrier to signing up for some sites?

You must provide an email address, but you're free to use disposable or other addresses.

While it's been a while I can't remember anything applicable from the four hour work week. Is there a chapter in particular? I'll have to take a look at the mythical man month. Thank you.