Apple considering allowing third-party apps to replace defaults on iOS, HomePod
The HomePod may be opened up to third-party music services, and Apple may also allow iOS users to permanently swap the default email and browser apps for alternatives.
Following criticism of its allegedly preferring first-party apps over that of its competitors, Apple is reportedly considering letting users change their default apps and music services. Rather than the HomePod being primarily for Apple Music, for instance, users may in future be able to default to Spotify, without specifically addressing it.
Similarly, according to Bloomberg, Apple is contemplating allowing iOS users to replace default apps with alternatives. So instead of Mail, users could have Gmail, and instead of the Safari browser, they could have Chrome.
Users can already have these apps, but they are not the defaults. That's more significant than just Apple prominently displaying its own apps, they are baked into iOS. If a website contains an email link, tapping it on an iOS device will currently always open Apple Mail.
Following specific complaints by Spotify, Apple updated iOS to allow users to be able to ask for music to be played from that service. However, it can't replace Apple Music as the default, as users must explicitly ask Siri to play from Spotify. Then, too, the function only works on iOS devices, not yet HomePod or Mac.
This isn't the first time that it has been reported that Apple was considering such a move, so at present it isn't clear if the discussions cited on Friday are new, or ongoing. More recently, and on a smaller scale, Apple has previously been reported to be considering allowing users to replace the standard Messages app with WhatsApp, though in a limited message-by-message way.
Following criticism of its allegedly preferring first-party apps over that of its competitors, Apple is reportedly considering letting users change their default apps and music services. Rather than the HomePod being primarily for Apple Music, for instance, users may in future be able to default to Spotify, without specifically addressing it.
Similarly, according to Bloomberg, Apple is contemplating allowing iOS users to replace default apps with alternatives. So instead of Mail, users could have Gmail, and instead of the Safari browser, they could have Chrome.
Users can already have these apps, but they are not the defaults. That's more significant than just Apple prominently displaying its own apps, they are baked into iOS. If a website contains an email link, tapping it on an iOS device will currently always open Apple Mail.
Following specific complaints by Spotify, Apple updated iOS to allow users to be able to ask for music to be played from that service. However, it can't replace Apple Music as the default, as users must explicitly ask Siri to play from Spotify. Then, too, the function only works on iOS devices, not yet HomePod or Mac.
This isn't the first time that it has been reported that Apple was considering such a move, so at present it isn't clear if the discussions cited on Friday are new, or ongoing. More recently, and on a smaller scale, Apple has previously been reported to be considering allowing users to replace the standard Messages app with WhatsApp, though in a limited message-by-message way.
Comments
Bonus: it would increase user choice.
I hope not. If you let a government bully you, what next?iPhone allowing the knockoff iOS/Android to run? Google allowing Bing or Yahoo to run instead? Wal Mart allowing 3rd party store brands to shelves?
Of course Apple envy seems to be the reason only Apple is demanded such ridiculous rules. Inventing iPhone seems to be one of the most envious things Apple ever did.
* I've long since given up on Finder being able to save window sizes and positions. #FTFF
Just makes Android that much closer to being an iPhone. How does that help Apple? Heck the original iPhone wasn't even going to allow 3rd parties. Apple created one of the biggest markets in human history with App Store and this is how unappreciative people are.
If you're in Europe you will have that option if using Google's native OS (Android). There will be several 3rd party browsers to choose from as a default search provider, varying by region. Is that what you mean? I know it seems to make sense that it's Google's Android (not the open-source version) and their own apps being default would be expected just as iOS uses Apple's own first-party apps, but it's still disagreeable to the EU authorities who consider it anticompetitive.
Just as Apple is being pressured into doing this now, Google was the EU's first target and the reason for having a choice of default browsers on Android. Left on their own I doubt either Google or Apple would be considering allowing defaults to anything other than their own first party services except in minor instances, altho Android is more agreeable to using 3rd party apps to replace first-party services.