Australian Watchdog Wants iOS Users to Have More Control Over Preinstalled Apps

[RadioHedgeFund]

I find it interesting that countries with more ring-leaning governments (AU, USA, UK etc) keep finding more and more ways to intrude on the lives of daily citizens when this is the opposite of what they *should* stand for.

The average citizen is smart enough to be able to choose not to use the default service on a device and replace it with something else (eg Spotify for Apple Music, Chrome for Safari).

 

[Vanexasa]

Apple can't really complain about this idea since they are the ones that originally pushed that upon Microsoft. They went to court in country, after country going for Safari to be included on Windows as an option during install.

First of all, Safari was irrelevant then. The biggest proponents of this choice of web browsers were Mozilla (Firefox), Opera and some other lesser-known web browsers that people don't even remember today.

What you obviously don’t understand is that Apple makes everything itself, Apple doesn’t offer its operating system to others, Apple doesn’t offer its hardware to others, it’s literally all from Apple. Microsoft didn't do better processors to make a web browser run faster or render pages better, and if I disassemble my processor, my computer, my operating system, and you just come and pick up the cream from it, well, it won't work.

 

[LeadingHeat]

Please no more "choice screens". Anyone who lives in the EU will know how damn annoying that was when it came to browser selection on Windows.

Then there's the constant cookie warnings websites must display at every new visit here in Europe.

I don't want politicians to make our devices annoying to use. Stay out! People can easily select a browser or map app of their choice.

It’s not just Europe. That “feature” affected the entire globe. Nearly every single website displays that atrocious banner because heaven forbid a European user might stumble upon the site. We have to make sure they feel secure. Lol.

I already get complaints from people on how long it takes to set up the iPhone. This would be ridiculous. Next up, they’re going to require that Alexa and Google Assistant can be installed on our phones instead of Siri.

 

[coredev]

I agree usually, but I wouldn’t mind a search engine choice. When setting up a new phone I forgot to switch to DuckDuckGo and nearly vomited when I saw the Google logo appear after performing a search

But you have that choice. Like you said, _you_ forgot to make that choice.
Why should all the millions of users who don't care be forced to pick one of the offered search engines? Which of must would pick Google anyway because it is the most recognized one.

 

[bluecoast]

So many people drinking the Apple kool-aid on this thread!

Apple are great, but it’s increasingly obvious that something is not right about their approach to payments & using their platform to push their own services through their stock apps.

There’s obviously clear issues with Apple controlling payment & promotion for its own apps in the App Store, Music, TV & Podcasts, primarily. It’s just not a level playing field.

And yes, Google and Microsoft do this too - Windows 10 is especially egregious in that regard & it’s wrong also.

 

[Vanexasa]

So many people drinking the Apple kool-aid on this thread!

Apple are great, but it’s increasingly obvious that something is not right about their approach to payments & using their platform to push their own services through their stock apps.

There’s obviously clear issues with Apple controlling payment & promotion for its own apps in the App Store, Music, TV & Podcasts, primarily. It’s just not a level playing field.

And yes, Google and Microsoft do this too - Windows 10 is especially egregious in that regard & it’s wrong also.

Does Microsoft or Google have their own closed system?
I produce my computers (hardware), my operating system, my development environment, my servers, I don't enter anyone's market with one or the other, I live in my walled garden and I have my own rules, which part of all this is not clear?

 

[jonnysods]

Man just hold your finger on the apps, get into jiggly mode and start deleting ones you don't want.

 

[itsmeaustend]

You'd think they'd have more pressing things to be getting on with, wouldn't you?

Given how awful their political climate is currently, agreed.

 

[itsmeaustend]

Cookie warnings are without doubt the most annoying thing about the web. I understand the privacy aspect but even the sites I visit constantly ask.

Yeah I’m not even in Europe and they’re everywhere! Europe is helping destroy the internet. If they wanna help fix it, start by annihilating Google AMP.

 

[jsmith189]

Given how awful their political climate is currently, agreed.

What do you mean, Scomo is doing an amazing job.

... lmao.

 

[1258186]

Two companies can’t have a monopoly…

Yes they can, it’s called a Duopoly.

 

[coredev]

Does Microsoft or Google have their own closed system?
I produce my computers (hardware), my operating system, my development environment, my servers, I don't enter anyone's market with one or the other, I live in my walled garden and I have my own rules, which part of all this is not clear?

Exactly, and because Apple's market share is not dominating in any way, people (consumers as well as developers) are free to partake - or not, if they don't like the walled garden approach.

 

[ian87w]

That used to be a problem on Android. Not so much anymore. There are still preinstalled apps that can't be uninstalled. But they can be disabled, only showing in the app drawer, and can be completely hidden from view in the app drawer. That really hasn't been an issue for years. That also has nothing to do with the type of preinstalled apps the Australian are addressing.

This Australian complaint is specifically about default apps ←those are the preinstalled apps they're referencing. Default app choice has been available on Android for years. The Australians want full default app choice on iOS.

Hmm, I still think it is just a superficial argument. The fact that Apple already allows different browsers or email as the default on iOS imo is already good enough. The rest like SMS or phone can open up scary privacy concerns.

Imo there's a more concerning issue. Google is forcing OEMs to pre-install various Google apps if they want their devices to be certified. This results in duplicate apps in the phone out of the box. Sure, there's option to set other app as default/disabling the app, but the burden ends up on the users with apps taking up space.

 

[Wackery]

Ausfailia lives up to its name once again

 

[velocityg4]

You'd think they'd have more pressing things to be getting on with, wouldn't you?

This is a no lose topic for politicians. Which they love. They'll get lots of "lobbying" from affected parties. They can get some press coverage to keep their names in voters minds. But in the end. It doesn't matter how they vote. As it won't affect the outcome of the next election. Since virtually none of the voters will really care, let alone remember, how a politician voted on a non issue like this.

 

[Cleartz]

I once read a comment that was made by an XenForo developer regarding the cookie notice with the EU. I can't find the comment to link to, though.

Apparently, the cookie notice does not need to be shown if all the cookies are essential to the site. A notice needs to be shown if there are cookies that are not needed... aka tracking cookies.

Not sure if the above is actually true.

If anything does happen, it will be interesting to see how it plays out, though.

 

[69Mustang]

Hmm, I still think it is just a superficial argument. The fact that Apple already allows different browsers or email as the default on iOS imo is already good enough. The rest like SMS or phone can open up scary privacy concerns.

Imo there's a more concerning issue. Google is forcing OEMs to pre-install various Google apps if they want their devices to be certified. This results in duplicate apps in the phone out of the box. Sure, there's option to set other app as default/disabling the app, but the burden ends up on the users with apps taking up space.

There's nothing superficial about it at all. Apple allows browser and email default choices. That's good enough? Well it may be good enough for you. That's fine. Apparently, not good enough for the Aussies. They're simply saying allow other app default choices as well. It specifically excludes core phone features so there's really no scary concerns. Being able to choose one's default music player, mapping solution, or other apps certainly isn't a dire issue.

Regarding Google and Android... your goalpost is on wheels. First you say they need to deal with preinstalled apps. I addressed how Android already does that and now you come with OEM apps suddenly being the issue. Google's apps can be completely deleted from Android handsets, taking up no space. Your characterization of the choice of app selection as a burden is puzzling. Users don't have to do anything. They can go with the status quo and be perfectly fine. They can also change almost any aspect they desire... if they desire to do so. And still be perfectly fine. No burden at all.

It's like you're talking out of both sides of your mouth. iOS and Android both have OEM apps preinstalled. You seem to have no issue with Apple's preinstalled apps and only 2 of those apps have a user selected default option. All of the Android OEM apps have user selected default options. So it can't be a good thing in one OS and somehow bad in another. Kinda seems like you more interested in promoting a dislike of Android than actually discussing the app choice the Aussies are promoting.

 

[Mousse]

Samsung/Hauwei/Xaomi/LG are gonna take a drubbling if that law passes. They're load with bloatware from the factory. Folks saying modern smartphones have plenty of RAM/Storage for that bloat not to matter. As a guy who likes to runs a barebones Android phone, y'all a bunch of Jon Snows, a bunch of Sgt Schultz.

Have your Mac running 30 programs in the background and compare it's speed to having minimal background apps running. Your Mac has plenty of storage and RAM.

 

[Td1970]

How is it an exaggeration? They want to list every app for every category, that’s a LOT of apps (most of them awful).

That will take you 2 days? Maybe a minute. Talk about a first world problem.

 

[genovelle]

So are they going to require this of car manufacturers, TVs and other items. If I make a wholistic product how the hell are you going to tell me what I put on the device I’m designing and building. I know the experience I am designing and how these things work together. This can have other effects. If there are three apps Apple apps that work in tandem to create a certain experience or outcome they will have to decide if they provide that solution automatically like they do often currently or leave it out because so government agency that knows nothing knows better. If a part of that puzzle is missing the experience is compromised because they will need to download something else and if it was something timely the opportunity might be lost.

 

[jimbobb24]

Great. It would also be good for Apple in the long run. It would unquestionably be good for consumers and minorities in the long run, given how discriminatory the App Store terms are.

App Stores are evil. Criminalise them.

Is this...a joke? Consumers and minorities? Is that like white people in Japan? Or Nigerians in Honduras?

Also if you know it would be good for Apple in the long run I wonder why the company that has billions riding on whether it’s good for them or not doesn’t know it.

 

[jimbobb24]

I have a choice, iOS or Android. I made the choice for iOS because of what Apple offers. Why are you so dead set on taking away that choice?
Meanwhile if you want to use a different stocks app or calendar app or email app you can.
Meanwhile too many choices can actually be a bad thing, it’s called tyranny of choice, look it up.

Not really relevant but the tyranny of choice studies were garbage and not replicated. It sounded cool so it entered mythological status but other researchers were not able to replicate them (true of about 60% of psych studies based on the Replication Project). Only in a few narrow situation is choice ever a problem. People negotiate it very well.

 

[jimbobb24]

I never understood regulators telling these large dominant companies to “fix this problem or else we will regulate you”. They should just regulate them, or stop complaining.

Threats are more effective. In the US the federal govt does this all the time because it is easier than all the red tape. And it might turn out you actually don’t have the power to do what you are threatening - or that the people don’t like it. Like all bullies the govt often uses threats.

 

[inkswamp]

HAHAHAHAH what a good week. Like it!
Apple will face multiple kicks in the junk around the globe, told ya.

Going to have to enable my edgelord filter.

 

[WiseAJ]

Yes they can, it’s called a Duopoly.

Which is still not a Monopoly.