Yes and the fact that apple allows this selection only in certain countries and not for everyone just shows how much greed and evil decision making there is behind it.
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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 fully agree. I like the fact that these capabilities are built into macOS, which is very convenient for my research, but they struggle a lot with even major European languages like French, Spanish, and German. Compare that to Google Translate, which can easily extract modern Greek or Russian from any decent scan picture.
IIRC Google wanted extra money or the possibility to offer advertising or data mining of some sort in the built-in iOS Maps app in exchange for offering features already available in the Google Maps app, like turn-by-turn navigation. Scott Forstall, along with other executives, at the time very much believed that Apple could develop a Maps app in a short time. It was also intended to be a major part of the marketing of both the iPhone 5 and iOS 6, which was an otherwise relatively incremental update compared to iOS 4 and 5. Of course, this all back-fired shortly after iOS 6's initial release in September 2012, leading eventually (among other factors) to Forstall's ouster in late October, paving the way for Jony Ive and Craig Federighi to take over software design and engineering. It's interesting to think what would have happened had Apple stuck with Google, and Forstall stayed at Apple. Maybe he would have been Cook's successor instead of John Ternus.
You guys in the US: uhhh freedom of choice amuhrica amuhrica 🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅freedom🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅freedom🦅🦅🦅
The EU: *has actual freedom of choice*
You, for some reason that I don’t seem to actually understand: freedom bad (You may be suffering from minor brain injuries)
I wouldn't put it this drastically and inflammatory, but there is certainly an element of cognitive dissonance involved.
I didn't say you shouldn't be able to choose defaults. I said there is nothing wrong with Apple setting their own apps by default. The entire eco system exists because of them.
Apple, get out of the EU. Let them come up with their own hardware and software instead of taking American technology and wanting to change it as they please.
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
PO European Union.
Anyone know what / can point me at somewhere that defines “users in the EU”?
The doc linked in the original post refers throughout to “users in the EU” but does not (that I could find anyway) specify how that is defined.
The doc linked in the original post refers throughout to “users in the EU” but does not (that I could find anyway) specify how that is defined.
The EU is clearly defined. It affects all users in all 27 EU member states:
EU countries | European Union
Find out more about EU countries, their government and economy, their role in the EU, use of the euro, membership of the Schengen area or location on the map.
not how "the EU" is defined, but how "users in the EU" is definedThe EU is clearly defined. It affects all users in all 27 EU member states:
EU countries | European Union
Find out more about EU countries, their government and economy, their role in the EU, use of the euro, membership of the Schengen area or location on the map.european-union.europa.eu
is it users who are currently in an EU country? Or only users whose apple IDs are registered in an EU country? or only those who download from an EU app store? etc.
It's probably tied to your Apple ID and location. That's how Apple did it in the past with the AI features.
Just discovered this. Yes! Yes! Yes!
Google as the default map solution is such an epic thing to finally come to iOS.
Google as the default map solution is such an epic thing to finally come to iOS.