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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iOS 18.2 Lets EU Users Delete App Store, Safari, Messages, Camera and Photos
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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.
If you think tech=IT and nothing else-sure. Tech is much more though. Energy systems, biotech, construction, mechanics etc.
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.
More to do with racism and xenophobia but, yeah fair enough..
Lots of people in the EU are actually appreciating about the EU itself.
Because owning an isomethink is for many a lifestyle, to feel exclusive, being part of an elite community.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.
iOS 18.2 Adds 'Default' Section for Managing Your Preferred Apps
iOS 18.2 includes a new "Default Apps" section that can be found in the Settings app, which can be used to manage your default apps for the iPhone. This is a feature that Apple promised would be coming to the European Union, but it is actually available worldwide in the latest beta. There are...www.macrumors.com
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?
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’d be worried if bio tech, Energy systems, etc etc students have no idea of these stuff too
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!
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!
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?
More EU nonsense. All because some middle-men are crying that they can't be parasites and sit in the middle creaming profit for nothing.
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.
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?
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 said most Apps with obvious exceptions. I didn’t say “every app should be removable”. Like 2/3 of your comment is arguing against an argument I never made.
At least we are that intelligent that we don't need a phone to make us smarter."