this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2023
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It Microsoft were forced to decouple internet exploder from Windows then Google should be forced to decouple chrome from android.
A fresh android ( and iOS ) install should present a dialogue asking the user which browser they want. The companies should not be allowed to integrate browser specific features into the OS.
You, and nobody can stop them from doing so. It turns out that web UI technologies are very easily and conveniently usable for OS GUI features as well. Browsing a file system? Web UI. Navigating settings and configurations pages? Web UI.
And these browsers are open-source. Chromium. Edge is a derivative of Chromium, so is Chrome. The fact that Google controls the Chromium upstream matters not at all, because anyone is free to fork it and modify to their needs.
Freedom is a double-edged sword, but this is many folds better than locked-in proprietary.
Of course they can be forced to provide a browser selection screen when installing the OS. What are you even talking about technology for, this is a regulatory issue.
His point is that the browser is integral to the functioning of the phones OS and is a decision that the consumer makes when they purchase a phone.
Your suggestion is akin to demanding the right to buy a Honda with a Toyota engine installed by the dealer.
I don't think that's even true, but even if it were they could still present the user with a choice for the browser they use to browse the web and keep the integrated browser for those tasks.
I have a Google pixel 7 and I use Firefox and I disabled Google Chrome, for example.
I've had Samsung's and used Firefox and disabled Samsung internet.