Tech guru weighs in on iPhone rumour
Unless you follow technology closely, the name Mark Gurman probably won’t mean much to you.
However, those who are familiar with the name will know that when he makes a prediction about an Apple rumour, it’s more than likely to be true.
This week, Gurman posted an article on Bloomberg, suggesting Apple was ‘‘loosening restrictions’’ on how iPhones and iPads treat third-party apps.
In layman’s terms, this means Apple might soon allow iOS users to change their preferences for the default email client, web browser, music and navigation apps.
Which is huge news, as iPhone and iPad users haven’t been able to change these settings since the App Store launched back in 2008.
Currently, iOS users who click on a link from inside a text message, app, or email are directed to Apple’s default app.
This is a bit of niggle for users like me, who use Chrome, Google Maps and Spotify, as we’re forced to use Apple’s Safari browser, Apple Map and Apple Music.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, as Apple pre-installs and forces its users to default to 33 other native apps.
There are two schools of thought as to why Apple is doing this. The first suggests Apple is under pressure from companies like Spotify, which argues Apple’s inflexibility on the default apps is anticompetitive.
But I’m not sure I buy that. It’s much more likely, I think, that
Apple is relaxing its stranglehold over default apps to improve its Siri and Homepod products. Siri, for example, can’t process a simple request such as ‘‘Play The Beatles on Spotify’’ as it’s not the default music app.
If Apple is serious about delivering a high-quality user experience in voice control, and smart home services, these are precisely the sort of compromises it will have to make.
We’ll know whether Gurman is on the money again with his most recent prediction in June when Apple holds its annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) and reveals its new iOS features.