Apple Calls Facebook-Commissioned Study on Preinstalled App Usage 'Seriously Flawed'

[MacRumors]

The majority of apps used by iPhone and Android users are made by Apple and Google, according to a study commissioned by Facebook that was shared with The Verge.

The first-of-its-kind Comscore study ranks the popularity of preinstalled iOS and Android apps alongside third-party apps, indicating that the most popular apps are preinstalled. The results show that on iOS, stock apps such as Weather, Calculator, and Clock, are more popular than YouTube, Facebook, and Amazon. The statistics are similar for Android, where pre-installed Google apps dominate the rankings.

According to the findings, 75 percent of the top 20 apps on iOS in the U.S. were made by Apple, while Google made 60 percent of the top apps on Android. The top four apps on both platforms were made by their respective parent company.

The unique study reveals a number of quirks including the fact that Apple's Calculator app has more users than Gmail on Android. Facebook is the only third-party developer with more than one app on the iOS list of apps and the only developer with three apps on the Android list.

Comscore procured data from apps and websites last December to produce the study, alongside information from a study of 4,000 people that asked about the default apps they used during November 2020. The study excluded browsers in the rankings and "embedded operating system features" such as voice assistants.

Facebook said that it paid for the Comscore study to show the "impact of preinstalled apps on the competitive app ecosystem," hinting at the apparently anti-competitive nature of Android and iOS. Facebook has found itself increasingly at odds with Apple, criticizing the company's limitations on third-party developers, privacy measures such as App Tracking Transparency, the inability for Messenger to be selected as the default on the iPhone, and more.

The report suggests that some app categories that already have a pre-installed app, such as Weather, are difficult for other apps from third parties to compete in. However, it is worth noting that default apps do not win out in every category; for example, Apple Maps and Apple Music do not appear in the rankings at all, while Gmail is represented alongside Apple Mail.

Speaking to The Verge, Apple scolded the report as "seriously flawed in a number of ways."

This Facebook-financed survey from December 2020 was narrowly tailored to give the false impression that there's little competition on the App Store. In truth, third-party apps compete with Apple's apps across every category and enjoy large scale success.

The spokesperson for Apple criticized the report's methodology and said that the results contradicted Comscore's recent April 2021 rankings on app usage, even if those previous rankings excluded pre-installed apps.

Nevertheless, Facebook clearly hopes that the study will point to the power platform owners have over what apps users choose to use on their devices.

Article Link: Apple Calls Facebook-Commissioned Study on Preinstalled App Usage 'Seriously Flawed'

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Facebook? And false impression… what do you expect.

I don’t remember Facebook complaining about being unfair when they had a good relationship with Apple.

Sounds like they are crying and lieing all over the place now.

 

[Robin Bonathan]

Well FB, make your own phone and operating system.
If people want it they can buy it.
I wont be one.

 

[HiVolt]

Soooo? Facebook, make your own phone with your own preinstalled apps?

Oh wait...

 

[4jasontv]

If you come to my house for dinner I have as much power over what you eat.

 

[hellosil]

Facebooks reasoning is that if you have apps like the phone app installed that means there is no competition in the app store?

 

[madmin]

I would never purchase a device with pre-installed Facebook apps unless I could immediately delete them.

 

[Placeiscrazy]

Facebook seems desperate. They should find another revenue stream.
Also does anyone ever click on ads?

 

[Sammio2]

lol, farcebook

 

[dynamojoe]

To re-hash the car analogy: I'm sure GM-made car seats are the predominant car seats in GM vehicles. Does that mean GM should offer a selection of third party seats for use in their vehicles?

 

[TonyC28]

Huh???? Not that anyone cares what the data thieves at Facebook think, but what are they getting at? Apple shouldn’t be allowed to include their own weather app? This is just stupid.

 

[subi257]

The bulk of those apps on either platform are basic apps that make the hardware functional.

 

[pacmania1982]

Facebook seems desperate. They should find another revenue stream.
Also does anyone ever click on ads?

This is totally what I thought when I read this article.

 

[falkon-engine]

”This Facebook-financed survey from December 2020 was narrowly tailored to give the false impression that there's little competition on the App Store. In truth, third-party apps compete with Apple's apps across every category and enjoy large scale success.”

There may well be competition in the App Store, but there’s no alternative phone app in the App Store, the App Store itself has no competition, and there’s also no alternative springboard/launcher. There may be some competition on the iPhone, but many aspects of the phone are indeed off limits to any competition at all.

That being said, Apple develops good Apps. I like Safari, Apple Mail, FaceTime, messages, and so forth.

 

[ikir]

ahahah "Apple Phone"... it is embarrassing, these apps makes the phone working and other makes the phone useful. Do we want an empty phone?

 

[SkyRom]

Cool study. I'll be digging into the data later 🤓 as for Apple's reaction, hmm. I really think their best way forward is just to treat Facebook like a younger sibling on the same road trip... like they don't even exist 🥳

 

[hxlover904]

So according to the study, calculator and clock are used more often than Facebook and YouTube? I’m calling BS!

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

And I have three weather apps on my iPhone, and hardly use Apple Weather.

I have several 'news' apps, and use Apple News about as much as more directed apps.

I hate that Apple didn't include the Calculator app for the iPad.

But Facebook will do anything, apparently, to make people (Congress?) think they are the real victim here. It should be embarrassing, but it seems to be normal for them. 'HELP I'm being oppressed!!!'

 

[justperry]

I agree with Apple that it is flawed.

Just one example, iPhone phone app is number 1, what the heck is an iPhone without a default phone app, me shakes head.
Or a computer without default Apps...the iPhone is a computer.

 

[Juan007]

Thank you Tim Cook and Apple for standing up for the user. Apple is interested in selling great products to the user, Facebook is only interested in selling their users out for profit. Facebook should try making their own phone, call it the Snitch Phone 4, it will send all of your personal info to FB and play ads in your sleep. See how that one sells.

Don’t back down Tim.

 

[The Phazer]

In truth, third-party apps compete with Apple's apps across every category and enjoy large scale success.

What about the app distribution category?

Hmm.

 

[jz0309]

Facebook? laughable ... FB continues to be evil, that is where politicians should be looking at ...

 

[Rychiar]

Pretty sure Facebook itself is by far the most used app by people who embrace social media....

 

[Havoc035]

Next FB complaint: Why do all iPhones come preinstalled with iOS? Unfair competetion!

 

[lederermc]

Before Facebook can be taken seriously they need to add their messenger "app" back into their mobile website. When they took it out they took away my choice.