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This answer is wrong on so many levels... I don't know why Apple is allowed to keep other browser engines out of their system, but probably just because the re

This answer is wrong on so many levels... I don't know why Apple is allowed to keep other browser engines out of their system, but probably just because the relevant people just don't understand that the Chrome/FF/etc. on iOS are just a Safari with a different UI and that it gives Apple about half (depending on country; in the US probably more) of the mobile browser share and users just the chance to either use Android or be stuck with Safari. In addition, the author obviously doesn't know that the before mentioned push notification API is not just used for regular push notifications, but is also required for other use-cases like messengers for example.

the_lucifer 6y ago
Playing the devils advocate here. This browser restriction is what I'd wager is keeping the non-chromium browser market at a substantial proportion.
- arendtio 6y ago
  I am wondering what you are referring to with 'non-chromium' browser market. Typically people don't complain about chromium-based browsers, but about the dominance of Webkit-based browsers (Safari, Chrome, Opera, Edge, etc.) and from that perspective there is more or less just Firefox left. Nevertheless, that is besides the point as the rendering engine is not the sole source of browser differences. I am not saying the Googles high market share isn't a problem itself, but that Apple is abusing their market position to hold back the development of the web (by not implementing relevant APIs and not allowing competing browser engines on their platform).
  - pseudalopex 6y ago
    Google forked WebKit 7 years ago.
  - tekknik 6y ago
    > Typically people don't complain about chromium-based browsers... In my neck of the woods people most definitely do complain about Chrome, specifically the lack of privacy from being a Google product.
- kitsunesoba 6y ago
  Yes. Including mobile WebKit users, there are enough non-chromium users to give devs incentive to support non-chromium browsers. Take away mobile WebKit and alternative browser usage dips into single digit percentages, which is low enough for many devs to readily disregard. It’s a bit ironic, but browser engine monopoly on iOS is the only thing standing in the way of browser engine monopoly across all platforms.
millstone 6y ago
Google nominally allows other browser engines on Android, but non-Chrome marketshare is a rounding error. There's not some great browser engine ecosystem out there, waiting to be unleashed. The conversation is 100% about how much influence Apple should permit Google to have over the evolution of iOS.
- arendtio 6y ago
  Actually, since a year or so Firefox is a pretty solid mobile browser and I am pretty pissed I can't use the real thing on my iPhone.

the_lucifer 6y ago

Playing the devils advocate here. This browser restriction is what I'd wager is keeping the non-chromium browser market at a substantial proportion.

arendtio 6y ago
I am wondering what you are referring to with 'non-chromium' browser market. Typically people don't complain about chromium-based browsers, but about the dominance of Webkit-based browsers (Safari, Chrome, Opera, Edge, etc.) and from that perspective there is more or less just Firefox left. Nevertheless, that is besides the point as the rendering engine is not the sole source of browser differences. I am not saying the Googles high market share isn't a problem itself, but that Apple is abusing their market position to hold back the development of the web (by not implementing relevant APIs and not allowing competing browser engines on their platform).
- pseudalopex 6y ago
  Google forked WebKit 7 years ago.
- tekknik 6y ago
  > Typically people don't complain about chromium-based browsers... In my neck of the woods people most definitely do complain about Chrome, specifically the lack of privacy from being a Google product.
kitsunesoba 6y ago
Yes. Including mobile WebKit users, there are enough non-chromium users to give devs incentive to support non-chromium browsers. Take away mobile WebKit and alternative browser usage dips into single digit percentages, which is low enough for many devs to readily disregard. It’s a bit ironic, but browser engine monopoly on iOS is the only thing standing in the way of browser engine monopoly across all platforms.

millstone 6y ago

Google nominally allows other browser engines on Android, but non-Chrome marketshare is a rounding error. There's not some great browser engine ecosystem out there, waiting to be unleashed. The conversation is 100% about how much influence Apple should permit Google to have over the evolution of iOS.

arendtio 6y ago
Actually, since a year or so Firefox is a pretty solid mobile browser and I am pretty pissed I can't use the real thing on my iPhone.