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Apple Suggests iOS 18.4 Will Allow iPhone Users in EU to Set Default Maps and Translation Apps
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I assume you are able to use Google Maps, or any other Map App that works for you? Just because you have to open the app is it completely useless for your transportation needs?
I want to look ahead and make sure the right junction is coming up and my location lines up with signage. Apple doesn't offer this basic feature.
By the time these idiots in the EU are done it will be a lot more than those two things. Already is.
The point is not whether other apps can do that, the point is which app opens by default when you click, for example, on location links, addresses in contacts, etc.
It's not complicated.
Just take a deep breath. When you setting something up or choosing a default app your settings goes from one iPhone to another, right?
Americans spend years selecting between two persons, so I understand your concern.
Bro, relax. I get that you’re an angry American, but over here, we actually enjoy a bit of freedom with our tech choices. Doesn’t even affect you. xoxo, EU
I didn't say you shouldn't have a choice. I'm saying there is nothing wrong with Apple setting their own apps as default.
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usually it does when you want simplicity and uniformity.
That is not true at all. This is how it used to work when they first launched the system app deletion, that quickly changed to having the actual app binaries being removed from your system on deletion in the following major releases.
It stops it from auto launching, and I know it's working because sometimes even still I get a prompt to reinstall Music. That's close enough for me.
I hope that changing the Maps app can be done all worldwide and not just in Europe, I'm going to be 80 years old before Apple Maps works in Peru
It’s time for Organic Maps to become the new default!
In a recent document outlining the steps it has taken to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple revealed that it will allow iPhone and iPad users in the EU to set default navigation and translation apps starting in "spring 2025." That timeframe suggests these options will be added in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, which should be released in April.
Apple had already announced that iPhone and iPad users in the EU would be able to set default navigation and translation apps in "future software updates," but it did not share a more specific timeframe for these options until now.
Once the iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 updates are released, iPhone and iPad users in the EU should be able to set default navigation and translation apps through the new "Default Apps" section in the Settings app on the devices. For example, users should be able to choose Google Maps, Waze, or other options as their default navigation app, instead of Apple Maps. Likewise, they should be able to choose Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, or other options as their default translation app, instead of Apple's Translate app.
As of the iOS 18.2 beta, iPhone users in the EU can already set a default browser app, mail app, app marketplace, phone calls app, messaging app, password manager app, and set default options for call filtering and software keyboards.
Apple's compliance document was released to the public today alongside the European Commission's announcement that it will be assessing whether Apple's changes to iPadOS effectively comply with the Digital Markets Act.
Article Link: Apple Suggests iOS 18.4 Will Allow iPhone Users in EU to Set Default Maps and Translation Apps
It's pretty insane to limit these things to the EU. Not only it is anti-consumer, but they're going out of their way to cause annoyances, which in all likeliness, will just end up in anti-trust rulings in all sorts of other countries sooner or later. Why delay the inevitable?
Totally understand that they aren't going to act on apps actually making revenue: I expect them to fight tooth and nail making sure apple music, fitness, TV etc are the main apps and continue having exclusive features whilst third parties are locked out.
But maps?? Web browsers?? Translation??
Just let users do what they want.
Totally understand that they aren't going to act on apps actually making revenue: I expect them to fight tooth and nail making sure apple music, fitness, TV etc are the main apps and continue having exclusive features whilst third parties are locked out.
But maps?? Web browsers?? Translation??
Just let users do what they want.
It would not be needed if apple would suppprt majority or all European languages. Now is translate usable only when you speak English and you need translate some of supported languages to English.
Even image text extraction is flawed as it can’t extract accents on characters. Just strips them down.