A new Bloomberg report says that Apple is considering changing some policies in iOS to address recent antitrust concerns.
“Apple’s closed system to prohibit users from setting third-party apps as defaults was questioned last year during a hearing of a U.S. House of Representatives antitrust panel,” Bloomberg notes. “Lawmakers pressed the issue of whether iPhone users can make non-Apple apps their defaults in categories including web browsers, maps, email, and music … The company provides an unfair advantage to its in-house products.”
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Here’s what Apple is finally considering changing in iOS:
Default apps. For the first time, Apple may allow users to configure non-Apple web browsers, email applications, and other apps as the default. Today, iOS users can install third-party apps, but they cannot override the default apps that Apple provides. “Apple [doesn’t] allow users to replace pre-installed apps … with third-party services. That has made it difficult for some developers to compete, and [it] has raised concerns from lawmakers probing potential antitrust violations in the technology industry,” Bloomberg explains. “The company currently pre-installs 38 default apps on iPhones and iPads.”
Looser restrictions on third-party music apps/services. Responding to Spotify’s antitrust complaint, Apple is considering loosening restrictions on third-party music apps. “Spotify says [that] Apple squeezes rival services by imposing a 30% cut for subscriptions made via the App Store,” Bloomberg notes, a fee that its own Apple Music doesn’t suffer from. Additionally, Apple is considering letting third-party music services become the default for Siri.
HomePod. Apple is considering opening its HomePod smart speaker to third-party music and audio services. “Spotify singled out the inability to run on the HomePod and become the default music player in Siri, Apple’s voice-activated digital assistant,” Bloomberg says.
It’s interesting what can happen when you bring a little antitrust heat.
Stooks
<p>I would NEVER go to Android for privacy reasons alone (plus lots of others) but I do like how you can choose your default apps on Android. </p><p><br></p><p>Please Apple do this. </p><p><br></p><p>The other two complaints are just whining. I would never sign up for a non-Apple subscription via the app/Apple store and it NOT your only option…I watch Neflix on my large iPad all the time and never did anything with the subscription from the iPad because you CANT. On the HomePod, which supposedly no one bought, just air play Spotify or any other music app to it from your phone.</p>
BrianEricFord
<blockquote><em><a href="#522069">In reply to glenn8878:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>Eh. Maps on iOS works great. </p>