Thing Apple will finally let you do ​

Apple’s upcoming iOS update will finally let you ask Siri to play you music from somewhere other than Apple’s own Music app.

In the new iOS 14.5 update, currently in public beta but expected to be released more widely later this month, Apple will let you pick your default music app.

This means when you ask Siri to play a song (or if you hear one you like and want to know what it is, which you can also ask Siri to figure out for you) it will use your default music app rather than Apple Music, enabling you to use competitor products like Spotify or Tidal.

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It comes after the company let users pick their default internet browser and email applications after growing pressure from accusations it was hurting competition by restricting customer choices.

The company didn’t make a big deal about that particular announcement, revealing the information on the side of a graphic announcing all the new and wonderful things that would be coming to iOS and iPadOS 14.

Previously, Apple had limited users’ ability to select default apps from non-Apple developers, the one notable exception being Google Maps, which is widely considered superior to Apple’s own Maps app.

Apple is working to make Maps better and the new update will add the ability to “crowdsource” information on traffic collisions and speed traps, similar to the Waze navigation app.

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Other new features coming in the 14.5 update include the ability to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch.

It’s understood this is a workaround for the problem presented by Face ID not recognising people wearing now ubiquitous masks, but if you don’t have an Apple Watch you’ll have to stick to entering your passcode when you’re masked up.

It will also add more app tracking transparency features, including forcing developers to ask your permission to access your advertising ID, which can be used to target ads across apps and websites.

That change has infuriated Facebook, for obvious reasons relating to its stranglehold on the targeted digital advertising space.

Mark Zuckerberg reportedly said his company “need to inflict pain” on Apple amid growing tensions between the two companies, according to the Wall Street Journal.
 

Facebook previously took out full-page newspaper ads in that publication and others protesting Apple’s changes, saying they would hurt small businesses.

At the time some speculated Facebook was really trying to deliver its message to politicians and other Washington D.C. operators, who are more likely to be reading the Wall Street Journal than your average small business owner and have a better chance of stopping Apple’s plan.

The update will also add support for new Xbox and PlayStation controllers for use with Apple Arcade and other games.