∞ Apple Weighs Letting Users Switch Default iPhone Apps to Rivals

Published under Mango Paper, Feb 22, 2020

Mark Gurman, reporting for Bloomberg:

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. Since launching the App Store in 2008, Apple hasn’t allowed users to replace pre-installed apps such as these with third-party services. That has made it difficult for some developers to compete, and has raised concerns from lawmakers probing potential antitrust violations in the technology industry.

Let me check, what apps do I need an alternative default? Mail, Maps, Calendar, Calculator, Reminder, Camera, Weather, Photos, Notes, News. 10 freaking apps.

I also just realized that, the Keyboard effectively already allows alternative default. Files app too.

(News is special here because RSS URLs are forced to be opened by it, 🖕 Apple News.)