In Android, it has long been possible to make competing applications instead of pre-installed applications: for example, replace the Chrome browser with Firefox or even the Google search engine with Yandex. Apple is considering following the same path with web browsers and email clients for the iPhone and iPad.
The company is also reportedly working to enable third-party music services such as Spotify to run directly on the HomePod smart speaker, without the need to stream from an Apple device via AirPlay. While the plans are indicated to be in the early stages of discussion, Bloomberg says the changes could arrive later this year in iOS 14 and the HomePod firmware update.
The news comes as Apple clashes with increased antitrust pressure on its platforms. Last year, reports surfaced that the EU was preparing to launch an antitrust investigation into Spotify's complaint that Apple was unfairly pushing consumers towards its own streaming music service. In the US, meanwhile, Bluetooth tag tracking company Tile recently complained in a congressional antitrust hearing that Apple was unfairly harming potential competitors to its platform.
In addition to web browsers and email clients, Bloomberg also reported last year that Apple was preparing to allow its Siri voice assistant to send messages through third-party messaging apps by default. This means that the user does not have to specifically mention them in the voice command. The report also claims that Apple will later expand this feature to phone calls as well.
According to Bloomberg, Apple currently ships about 38 of its own apps for the iPhone and iPad. They can get a small but significant advantage by being installed as the default software on hundreds of millions of iOS and iPadOS devices. Apple has previously stated that it includes these apps to provide its users with a great experience right out of the box, and added that there are many successful competitors to its own apps.
Source: 3dnews.ru