Apple weighs letting users switch default iPhone apps to rivals

Apple Inc. is considering giving rival apps more prominence on iPhones and iPads and opening its HomePod speaker to third-party music services after criticism the company provides an unfair advantage to its in-house products.

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.

Just the mere possibility of antitrust action is making Apple considering changes to improve competition - the strength of legal action. Of course, these concessions are way too little, and especially the EU will want more than just competing Safari skins - that's all third-party iOS browsers really are - and mail clients.