Bloomberg: Apple May Let iOS Users Set Third-Party Web Browser and Mail Apps as Defaults Over Stock Apps

[MacRumors]

Apple is considering whether to let iPhone and iPad users set third-party mail and browser apps as defaults instead of the mobile operating system's preference for its own Safari and Mail stock apps. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman:

The technology giant is discussing whether to let users choose third-party web browser and mail applications as their default options on Apple's mobile devices, replacing the company's Safari browser and Mail app, according to people familiar with the matter.

The potential move comes after criticism that the tech giant gives its in-house apps an unfair advantage and undue prominence on the App Store. As it stands, Apple doesn't allow users to replace pre-installed apps like Safari and Mail with third-party services, opening it up to scrutiny from lawmakers investigating possible antitrust violations.

The report also claims that Apple is considering opening its HomePod speaker to third-party music services like Spotify.

The Cupertino, California-based company also is considering loosening restrictions on third-party music apps, including its top streaming rival Spotify Technology SA, on HomePods, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing internal company deliberations.

Currently, Spotify and other third-party music services can be streamed from iPhone or iPad to HomePod using Apple's AirPlay technology, but it's an ungainly alternative solution than just allowing users to stream third-party music services from the speaker directly.

As Gurman notes, opening the HomePod to additional music services could benefit the product's sales. The speaker has lagged behind rivals like the Amazon Echo in functionality since being introduced in 2018 and owns less than 5 percent of the smart-speaker market, according to an estimate last week from Strategy Analytics.

Whether the discussions include opening the HomePod's integrated Bluetooth technology to Bluetooth streaming devices is unknown. Currently, Bluetooth is used during the HomePod's setup process, but is otherwise rendered dormant in the speaker, which means only Apple devices can stream audio to HomePod using the AirPlay protocol.

Article Link: Bloomberg: Apple May Let iOS Users Set Third-Party Web Browser and Mail Apps as Defaults Over Stock Apps

 

[AyeKay15]

Serious question, is Chrome or Firefox better than Safari on iOS? I feel like Safari is the one and only web browser on iOS that can do everything and is the best already

 

[GalileoSeven]

At the moment, the only default app I'd replace is 'Mail' (in favor of Outlook). A solid move going forward though.

 

[jclardy]

Serious question, is Chrome or Firefox better than Safari on iOS? I feel like Safari is the one and only web browser on iOS that can do everything and is the best already

No they aren’t, but that is Apple’s own doing. Chrome and Firefox are not allowed to implement their own renderers, so instead they are just wrappers around a webkit view (which is Safari’s renderer.) Those apps just exist so that you can use their respective syncing services on an iPad, the web browsing experience is either identical or worse because of limitations of the webview Apple provides.

Apple needs to open up the iPad if they are interested in it becoming the future of computing. This would be a small first step, but a welcome one.

 

[steve62388]

I get the feeling very long term this might not turn out well for end users. If Apple makes this change then Chrome will grow to dominate even more so than now. The Safari user base will shrink away to nothing. Apple will spend fewer resources developing Safari because of its disappearing user base. More people will move to Chrome. And the cycle will keep repeating until there is only one viable player in the market, Chrome. And in the end that will be bad for users.

 

[BvizioN]

I would probably still use Safari.
Mail App I may actually use Gmail as a default.
But it shouldn't stop there. Maps also should be an option.

 

[koil]

At the moment, the only default app I'd replace is 'Mail' (in favor of Outlook). A solid move going forward though.

It's so frustrating not being able to decide what mailto: does, I use Apples Mail app for business, but when I try to send bug reports to app developers I want to do that from my private email, which I access through the Gmail app. I really hope this change happens, even if it's just Mail and browser to begin with.

 

[Aston441]

Serious question, is Chrome or Firefox better than Safari on iOS? I feel like Safari is the one and only web browser on iOS that can do everything and is the best already

No.

However iCab Mobile blows everything else away.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The strangest rumour is that they’re (potentially) opening HomePod up to third-parties.

One wonders why they had the arrogance to price the product so high without this functionality in the first place. And if this brings the experience more to parity with the competition, is it enough to sway people to spend more?

 

[nfl46]

Android fans: we’ve had this for years
Also Android fans: crap! My reasoning for not switching to iOS is getting more difficult.

 

[ilikewhey]

They should also consider letting google map be default too, very insufficient every time I click on a address in contact and ask me to restore apple map.

 

[Classie]

I get the feeling very long term this might not turn out well for end users. If Apple makes this change then Chrome will grow to dominate even more so than now. The Safari user base will shrink away to nothing. Apple will spend fewer resources developing Safari because of its disappearing user base. More people will move to Chrome. And the cycle will keep repeating until there is only one viable player in the market, Chrome. And in the end that will be bad for end users.

Yes, exactly! This will in the long run ONLY benefit Google and therefor hurt competition and in the end be a bad thing for the consumer/user.

 

[recoil80]

Finger crossed for this.
I hope they'll allow to set defaults for mail, maps and browser. And it would be great if they were able to update those apps separately, so a bugfix in Maps wouldn't require an iOS update but could be pushed via the App Store

 

[Rogifan]

Why just mail and Safari?

 

[69Mustang]

If true, this would be big. Also a step in the right direction in my opinion. Allowing users to tailor their devices to their own preferences... nothing but good. As others have noted, maps should be added. Heck just let users set their defaults on all core apps and be done with it.
[automerge]1582202692[/automerge]

Why just mail and Safari?

If it's true, Apple would probably be taking baby steps instead of just opening a flood gate.

 

[Abazigal]

I will believe it when I see it.

 

[redgreenski]

Serious question, is Chrome or Firefox better than Safari on iOS? I feel like Safari is the one and only web browser on iOS that can do everything and is the best already

Better at selling your data to the highest bidder. Google’s business model is advertising, Apple is hardware and software. Make your pick.

 

[Expos of 1969]

Yes, exactly! This will in the long run ONLY benefit Google and therefor hurt competition and in the end be a bad thing for the consumer/user.

If Safari is so good it should be able to stand on its merits and Apple should be able to demonstrate its superiority to iPhone iOS users. Why would users choose Chrome if it was worse than Safari? Like any business or product, let the market decide. If few people choose Safari so be it.

 

[Puppuccino]

I’m fine with Safari on Mac and iOS but Mail on both is lacking. I wouldn’t mind switching email clients if a better one existed but I’ve started using iCloud mail and it’s just easier.

They should open it up though and allow people to choose.

 

[nylonsteel]

this is a good. just hope aapl doesn't impede 3rd party browser functionality

 

[nvmls]

Good, although I wished your stock apps would just work like in the past and we would have no need for these. Unfortunately for a while now this hasn't been the case, so being open to alternatives is appreciated, thanks Apple.

 

[phillytim]

This would be awesome; I'd be *thrilled* to have Firefox, the best browser, as my default browser - icing on the cake if Apple would also allow use of the Gecko rendering engine!

 

[nvmls]

Safari is insulting, if you use it for facebook then great for you, but as a browser it should provide tons of other functionalities, also, you may just download social media apps and be done with a browser. Only a moron can defend Safari in it's current state.

 

[az431]

Won't happen. Mark Gurman and Bloomberg have zero credibility.

 

[Scottsoapbox]

This will only happen as a way to deflect monopoly type criticism on shoving their services in our faces constantly.