Apple is considering allowing users to set third-party applications as default programs to replace Apple's own default preferences such as Safari and Mail, according to Bloomberg.
Apple's move comes at a time when the company's operations of the App Store are questioned. Previous competitors pointed out that Apple not only operates the App Store but also favors its own apps and services in the store.
In addition, the report also said that Apple is considering opening HomePod smart speakers to third-party music services such as Spotify. So far, HomePod can only interact with Apple Music, Apple's own music service.
According to Apple's current regulations, developers can provide alternative Web browsers in the App Store, but they must all be based on the WebKit rendering engine.
Similarly, there are many competing email applications in the App Store, but shortcuts to writing new emails will only show Apple's own Mail app.
It now seems that Apple is beginning to seriously consider whether to open the service and allow other applications to become users' preferences, rather than Safari and Mail.
In addition to the Safari browser and Mail email application, Apple may also open up the music application so that music playback requests sent to Siri will flow to third-party applications (such as Spotify or Amazon Music) without having to explicitly specify in each request Say the name of the application.
The report said that Apple is working to increase support for other music services to run locally on HomePod. This means that HomePod users can request music directly from Spotify, which is also an important reason why Spotify previously complained to the EU about Apple.
In March last year, Spotify filed a complaint with the EU antitrust regulator against Apple, stating that Apple was treating its competitors unfairly in order to promote its own music streaming service.
Spotify claims that Apple's control of its App Store not only deprives consumers of their choices, but also deprives other streaming music service providers of their rights. Apple is doing this solely to serve its own streaming music service, Apple Music.
According to industry sources, if Apple really launches these features in the future, it may be released as a new feature of iOS 14 at WWDC in June this year.
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