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Australian Watchdog Wants iOS Users to Have More Control Over Preinstalled Apps
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there were alternatives and they failed and disappeared... why?
Palm, Blackberry, Microsoft, Nokia all had phones with unique interfaces/OSes.
Apple changed the game with a new interface and apps. And the patents weren't so robust...
People voted with their wallets over what they wanted.
We still have a choice. Lots of price points.
We had all the choice screens with PCs... and now most people just go with the Express option. Easy.
Give those who want a choice but I'm betting most real world users will pick Express every time.
The tech obsessed over rate customisation.
The small population size of Australia makes it easy for Apple and Google to exit the Australian market rather than deal with their requirements. When you are that small, you should think twice before making demands on the two largest tech companies in the world that combined hold 100% of the smartphone market share unless you are ready to go back to flip phones.
In an report related to its ongoing investigation into Apple and Google app marketplace dominance, Australia's consumer watchdog has warned both companies that it wants consumers to have more choice when it comes to preinstalled apps on Apple and Android devices (via ZDNet).
Specifically, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) wants Apple and Google to give users more control over the default apps in their respective mobile operating systems.
Apple already allows iOS users to choose third-party mail and web browsing apps over its native Mail client and Safari browser, but the ACCC wants to see the same level of choice applied to all pre-installed apps.
One of a number of proposed changes is the introduction of "choice screens" that allow consumers to choose between all first-party apps and third-party alternatives. The proposal is reminiscent of the prompt that iOS users in Russia see when first configuring a device to pre-install apps from a list of government-approved software.
Other proposals include the ability for developers to inform users of alternative payment options, and a means of preventing Apple and Google from using information collected about third-party apps to advantage their own competing apps. The watchdog warned the tech giants that regulation could be required if the concerns are not addressed.
The comments in the 165-page interim report are consistent with previous remarks made by the commission, which believes that Apple and Google hold a dominant position as app distributors which could be exploited by preferencing their own apps and payment platforms over third-party alternatives.
The report notes that outside of China, Android OS and Apple's iOS account for close to 100% of the market for mobile operating systems, with Google commanding 73% and Apple accounting for 27% of the market. In Australia, the split is more like 50/50.
The ACCC in March began assessing the basis for a formal probe into pre-installed software and pre-defined "default" choices on mobile devices, including Google being set as the default search engine on Apple devices. The app store report is just the latest development in the ACCC's ongoing Digital Platform Services Inquiry.
Article Link: Australian Watchdog Wants iOS Users to Have More Control Over Preinstalled Apps
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I wonder if this is secretly Epic and Facebook. Which apps really can you not delete, and have replaced with another: settings, App Store, messages.
That isn't how the developed world works. Governments need always monitor markets and make sure they are fair for everyone. Sometimes that means a company like Apple are free to do what they like in the beginning until regulations catch up, but once regulations do catch up we get more competition.
If we look at many industries it is very clear to much power is in the hands of a few US companies. Facebook for instance should have been multiple social media platforms across the world... the world slept into handing over all its data to a company in one country.
Apple haven't done anything dreadful (yet), so these new regulations will just enforce things Apple have already been doing like having alternative default mail apps and not preinstalling rubbish. When I buy a new phone why do I need a stocks app, reminders app, notes app, maps app, weather app, email client, measure app? If I want these I can go onto the AppStore and pick Outlook or Mail, Google Maps or Apple Maps... and leave the rest uninstalled as they serve no function.
They can if read with context.
The combined entities share a monopoly is the meaning of the sentence you quoted. Duopoly would work as well, but I think most people got the context of the original sentence.
The thing is, if it was a powerful institute pushing on Apples hand to make changes that served the population directly I would actually stand behind them and say “yeah definitely make Apple do that”.
But this is the Government doing this, and apologies for not having the greatest confidence in a governments agenda, all types of alarm bells are ringing and the only motivation I can see them having in this war against Apple’s tight ecosystem is being driven by their fear of losing power over the population and the ability to monitor and surveil as they have so freely for the past century.
the Apple ecosystem is the true revolutionary platform in that it gives its users unshakable privacy that grows in breadth every year (or every OS update) and Governments so used to power over its people is scrambling to break up this potent ecosystem before it solidifies beyond their control.
Please Apple continue resisting against these forces that demand that you change your vision to suit their immediate agenda. Your user base is behind you.
But this is the Government doing this, and apologies for not having the greatest confidence in a governments agenda, all types of alarm bells are ringing and the only motivation I can see them having in this war against Apple’s tight ecosystem is being driven by their fear of losing power over the population and the ability to monitor and surveil as they have so freely for the past century.
the Apple ecosystem is the true revolutionary platform in that it gives its users unshakable privacy that grows in breadth every year (or every OS update) and Governments so used to power over its people is scrambling to break up this potent ecosystem before it solidifies beyond their control.
Please Apple continue resisting against these forces that demand that you change your vision to suit their immediate agenda. Your user base is behind you.
This "mandate" doesn't seem like anything anybody has been asking for, which is more installation options for default apps; or maybe don't install x, y and z app. Apple doesn't install bloatware, by the traditional definition. (I know that definition is expanded to mean any app I personally don't want) Apple's installed apps are pretty useful and most I use, some I don't. Those I don't I can choose to delete. OR, I can go to the app store and download other apps that I like better.
As an Australian. I think there are other areas they could go after. This is just a copycat cash grab like all the other so called anti trust rubbish going on at the moment. This is about companies who can’t innovate complaining about having to pay someone to use their ecosystem and devices. Since they seem to think this costs nothing to build or maintain then why have they not done it yet?
As a developer you should not be making assumptions about the messages app being installed as users can “remove” the app. Also the camera app should really have no bearing on your application either as you’ll either use the camera device directly or allow the users to select photos.
You don’t understand this isn’t about consumer choice it is about bodies of power (governments) losing control over the people they have for decades monitored in more ways than one unscrupulously and unchallenged.
Apple is the only entity of its size striving meticulously to create a tightly knit network of technological devices that give humans the freedom to communicate with unbridled privacy built into every layer of it’s experience. There is a bigger picture to see here, this isn’t about letting some 3rd party camera app compete with iOS’s native camera App. It’s the governments power and control over its people that is being fought over here
Many people don’t seem to understand the way Apple does business, unlike Microsoft, Google and the like.
Apple has a closed system (so-called walled garden). iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS work only on Apple devices.
They are not in the same category with Windows, Android, Linux which are offered to various manufacturers on various devices.
Since Apple is developing its platform with its own resources on its own hardware and its own software their goodwill is to offer an App Store, access to third party software, etc. People choose whether to use such devices with such a company policy or to use something that can be used in a different way.
Many have not understood Apple for a long time, and since the advent of the iPhone and iPad there are even more who do not understand Apple and try to access it like Microsoft, Google and others, but they are one of the few, if not the only consumer IT companies ever operates with a closed system (ok it was an infamous episode of the 90s when they tried to be like others, so they almost failed).
Their devices and software (eco system) have always been made so that the user can dedicate himself to his creativity (music, film), work (web developemnt, office/school work, etc), creation, and not to waste days on various installations, hardware changes and putting LED lights on the fans.
Everyone has the right not to like it and to despise Apple's walled garden, but also because of that Apple cannot be approached with some bans and forced opening of the system, because it is literally interference in someone's business which is legally correct in all respects .
Apple has a closed system (so-called walled garden). iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS work only on Apple devices.
They are not in the same category with Windows, Android, Linux which are offered to various manufacturers on various devices.
Since Apple is developing its platform with its own resources on its own hardware and its own software their goodwill is to offer an App Store, access to third party software, etc. People choose whether to use such devices with such a company policy or to use something that can be used in a different way.
Many have not understood Apple for a long time, and since the advent of the iPhone and iPad there are even more who do not understand Apple and try to access it like Microsoft, Google and others, but they are one of the few, if not the only consumer IT companies ever operates with a closed system (ok it was an infamous episode of the 90s when they tried to be like others, so they almost failed).
Their devices and software (eco system) have always been made so that the user can dedicate himself to his creativity (music, film), work (web developemnt, office/school work, etc), creation, and not to waste days on various installations, hardware changes and putting LED lights on the fans.
Everyone has the right not to like it and to despise Apple's walled garden, but also because of that Apple cannot be approached with some bans and forced opening of the system, because it is literally interference in someone's business which is legally correct in all respects .
I’m confused. I already have google maps, Firefox, google calendar, there are numerous notes apps available, as there are photo, video, messaging, etc. seems the market place is well covered. I can also share with a boatload of apps using the share screen. I can buy anything using any of my credit cards
is all this fuss over opening an app via share versus a direct link - meaningless complaint. Payment, do they really want me to be able to use Samsung pay on my iPhone (not that I ever would). How about getting Apple Pay on androids?
is all this fuss over opening an app via share versus a direct link - meaningless complaint. Payment, do they really want me to be able to use Samsung pay on my iPhone (not that I ever would). How about getting Apple Pay on androids?
You can even delete (remove) them if they are not essential for using the device. It was introduced I think from iOS 13.
Not to mention that Apple is not even close to a monopoly in any market. Anyone can always buy a windows, android,….. not restricted to apple
ha ha no, what i meant was how many complaints have they received from actual consumers?You mean they shall try to ask 25,774,300 people if they own a iDevice, and if they are pro or con this Apple shizzle?
Incl. Aboriginals or not?
Anyway, with a choice screen they would technically ask you!
If consumer is happy whats the problem?
