For several years, Apple has maintained a closed ecosystem on its App Store. This means that its iPads and iPhones only use Apple apps or the company's in-app products. But, it looks like this is about to change if the recent report pans out.
Apple and Third-Party Apps
According to Bloomberg, the Cupertino company is considering the possibility of allowing users to replace the default Apple software with third-party apps. It this happens, iPhone and iPad users could switch Safari web browser with Google or mail with Gmail. The report, however, claims that this plan is at its early stage.
Bloomberg predicts that it might become possible when Apple finally rolls out the iOS 14 update or when it seeds update to the hardware of HomePod smart speakers. Third-party apps are actually downloadable on the iOS operating system. However, whenever the user opens a site on the web, for instance, it still defaults to sending emails and opening browsers in the Mail app or Safari.
Aside from this, Apple is also considering allowing Apple device users to stream Spotify on their devices directly. Under the plan, iPhone users could tell Siri to play a song, but instead of opening the Apple Music app, Siri will play it on Spotify or through the music app the user selected as default. This change is also reportedly being considered in the HomePod smart home speaker.
If this happens, third-party apps could natively stream music on Apple devices without the need to use AirFly.
Other Details
Since 2008, Apple has been practicing closed ecosystem. This means that only Apple apps and in-apps products are allowed to be set as default apps on iPhone and iPad devices. The possible move from the Cupertino tech juggernaut of allowing third-party apps to be set as default apps on Apple devices could be due to the mounting pressure from various sectors, including legislators and customers.
Last year, Spotify filed a complaint at the EU about this Apple's practice. It alleged that the Cupertino tech giant is breaking antitrust rules by not allowing Spotify to be set as a default music app on Apple devices. The issue was also tacked by US Lawmakers and questioned Apple's closed ecosystem.
This year, Apple is anticipated to release its next generation flagship smartphone the iPhone 12 series. The said iPhone would feature the A14 Bionic chip and might run on Apple's next generation OS, which is iOS 14. If Apple's plans for third-party apps pan out, iPhone 12 users might be apple to use third-party software as default apps on their iPhone 12.
