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Somethings are a matter of principle and interoperability is a matter of principle.

Multinational corporations can’t run amock to do as they please, as their interests must be subjugated under the interests of society and not the other way around.

Is this measure in practice anything special, I honestly don’t know…. But I sure as hell applaud tightening the leash.
If you like Apple being so strict, then don’t use an iPhone. The government needs to stay out of it.
 
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Why can't the phone app be deleted? That is an app I never use at a smartphone, because for phone calls I use a dumbphone, which has a lot of advantages.
Because without the phone app, sms is not working and so Whatsapp, the most popular messenger and phone app in the world, is not working. Look at the iPad mini, the perfect communication device, except in the cellular version they block phone calls and sms. So, no whatsapp. You are suppose to have two devices.
I do not use an iPhone anymore because for phone calls I do not have to spend 1000 Euros.
 
So they can be restored with a switch in Settings? You've been able to do that with App Store for years...
 
For my parents they simply refuse to believe that they can learn more about tech. They also have no interest in improvements in the tech as long as they can watch YouTube.. for young uni students that’s pretty depressing. Maybe the tech uni shouldn’t have admitted them?
If you think tech=IT and nothing else-sure. Tech is much more though. Energy systems, biotech, construction, mechanics etc.
 
If you like Apple being so strict, then don’t use an iPhone. The government needs to stay out of it.
Formally, that which you were alluding to when you wrote “Government”, is actually the entity called “State” (not as in USA, but the Polity as in Capitalist State).

There is no boundary or interface between the Capitalist State, and the private corporations that operate within it, they are one and the same thing.

So, in the context of a Capitalist State, next time you think about “The Government”, which essentially is the executive branch of The State… just look at it as the executive branch of the major corporations it operates under.

And you may arrive to some conclusions.
 
Can't believe the number of commenters here who are triggered by this. It's pretty sad.

Meanwhile, people are generally positive about the ability change the default apps.


If people are going to set default apps to something that's not from Apple, then why shouldn't users also be able to remove those unused Apple apps?
Because owning an isomethink is for many a lifestyle, to feel exclusive, being part of an elite community.

Make it similar to an Android phone, reduces that "exclusivity" and who invested a lot of $$ in that walled garden won't be happy!
 
I live in Italy. Such a great time to be alive!!

Finally I can have third party app for photos, free with advertising or at small subscription fee. 5 euros for a good camera app, 5 euro for a good photo app. And of course Whatsapp as my default message service, so I can finally give Meta all my personal data 😍

And what about Apple Intelligence? Screw that, who wants AI?

We are so lucky!
 
There are good reasons to remove both of these apps in some circumstances. Cameras are a security risk in some environments so you may want to disable that functionality on the phone, and make it obvious by removing the app. As for Safari? Other browsers exist, and not everyone wants to be forced into using the same browser.
You are correct that some apps can be a security risk. But I would argue that in those environments, compliance efforts are in place to make that a non-issue. I use to work in a company that scheduled audit reviews of medical records at hospitals and other provider's offices. We weren't allowed to have our phones there because of HIPA regulations. They made us secure them in lockers.

I worked for the federal government. They used iPhones in the environment. MDM (mobile device management) allowed for the camera app to be disabled and screenshots to also not be allowed. We could remote install/uninstall applications and we could remote wipe the device. There are methods without doubt.

As for Safari. In principle, yes you should be able to remove it. But the deal here is that you can download other browser apps on iOS and iPadOS. But for now they are going to be built on WebKit and there is going to be some of that process controlled by the OS. And this isn't about having digital freedom or not. It's about managing security on the devices. And as controlled as they are. With all of the digital signing. With the trusted source mechanism that a curated app store provides, people will find ways to get their iPhones infected with malware.

And the negative image that iPhones could get as a crap device won't be down to the ignorance of the user. It will be down to how poorly Apple makes it's phones/PhoneOS.

Personally I don't mind being able to modify certain things. Like a computer- I want the ability to modify that far more than a phone. When I'm out and about I need my phone and watch to work and I need them to be stable. There is far too much that could happen for me to take a chance on a phone that can't make a call because I've trashed the OS. But to each their own. I also believe that when you spend a thousand dollars on something, you know what you're getting. I would say Android might be the place for you if you don't like the curated high trust environment that a walled garden approach provides. I wish there was more competition there. But the marketplace has spoken.
 
Surprised that the EU didn't force them to allow EU users to remove "common sense". I've heard that Ericsson and Nokia are looking to make a comeback, maybe the EU should invest more into them to build the ultimate phone they want instead of moaning about Apple. Will we see the day the EU forces Mercedes-Benz to allow Honda steering wheels and seats in their vehicles?
 
Shame that Phone can't be deleted. Not everyone wants to make and receive phone calls on every device. But I'm guessing there is some regulatory reason that they couldn't do it relating to emergency calls etc.
Don't buy an iPhone if you don't want the phone part? WTF.
 
Because without the phone app, sms is not working and so Whatsapp, the most popular messenger and phone app in the world, is not working. Look at the iPad mini, the perfect communication device, except in the cellular version they block phone calls and sms. So, no whatsapp. You are suppose to have two devices.
Actually it is possible to type in the verification code by hand. You open a WhatsApp account with the phone number of your dumbphone, WhatsApp will send a verification code to that number and then you can type in that number in the WhatsApp app. They just want to verify that you own the number. It does not have to be on the same phone as the app.
 
Let them delete iOS and they will install nasty Android instead.
Once a band of petty bureaucrats start regulating what a company can do with the product it releases to the public, this is where it leads to. I wouldn’t be surprised if they had to allow you to be able to install whatever OS you wanted to on the device. Why even have the Apple experience?
 
Most system apps should be in the App Store anyway and be deletable (obvious exceptions like Settings). Plus if they’re in the App Store they can be updated independently of iOS updates.

Also I’m very genuinely confused by all the negative comments about a feature you don’t have to use. You’re in the EU and prefer using the default iOS apps instead of 3rd party apps? Great, don’t delete them then!

People were absolutely cheering when they made apps like Stocks, Compass, and Podcasts deletable I don’t see how this is any different.
The difference is that Apple should be compelled by the demand of their paying customers, not the state. Once the precedent is set, there can conceivably no end to where to bureaucratic meddling can end. The EU loves to meddle. Sometimes making positive outcomes but often making choices for businesses that should reside in the relationship between businesses and their customers.

Apple has moved greatly from where they started on the basis of stock apps. And I disagree that every app should be removable. The store app, settings, app, and yes- phone app shouldn’t be removable. In many countries an emergency call can be made from any phone, even with a device lock. How will this happen if the stock phone app isn’t there and a non-compliant app is installed in its place? If you have cellular service but no high speed data and have an emergency?

There are reasons for stock apps that aren’t removed and there are reasons you can chose to stay with Apple or choose a competitor. If people want more competition then Windows phone or Symbian or Firefox OS would have caught on. But this is what people have chosen and they should choose based on the offering as it is being developed by the company.
 
I'd like to remove most Apple apps from my Mac. I don't use them and I don't want them cluttering up search result or launchpad
 
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