[thom_nic]

This is one of those things that Android got right early on, URLs can have 'open handlers' no matter whether they appear - in an email, on the web or a link to google maps that opens the Maps app from another app.

Not only can an Android app register that it handles links for a given domain or scheme, but multiple apps can be available, if say, you've written a better imgur or flickr viewer. But the UX to say "always open this type of link in this app" is simple and unobtrusive as well.

Shame iOS hasn't yet followed along with this, but I suspect it might be one of those things that would substantially affect legacy iOS apps.

[timonus]

Totally agreed, Android does a way better job of this. Opener is a stopgap on iOS, but it would be way better if Apple had a first party fix. Rumor has it there's one coming soon.

[basch]

apple doesnt want you replacing apple maps with google maps, or safari with chrome.