I hope this get's more use than the "Open in Chrome" button does. Both are awesome, my only gripe with iOS 6 is not being able to set default apps for browser, email, and maps. (coincidentally I'd switch them all to Google or google owned items)
I don't think it is coincidental; I think that is precisely the main reason why Apple chooses what apps can be used for these purposes, instead of the user being allowed to choose.
As long as you buy Apple hardware, I don't think they care what default mapping software you use. I think there is a different reason why they don't have settings for this.
I think you may be able to now. Yesterday I did a backup of my phone, then erased the phone, selected the restore file, and ran through the questions it asked me.
I had Chrome installed on my iPhone for the first time since I have ever performed a restore like this. ( I was getting jumbled cover art on albums and a restore seems to have solved it ) During this process, I was asked to setup the phone, first I think I had to unlock it, then wait some time, then set my location, then some security questions, and then a new screen I had not seen before, where there was Safari and Chrome listed, and I needed to pick one.
The problem is I was rushing, waiting for a phone call and didn't want to miss it. While in this setup mode the 3G radio icon was not on so I wanted to get back up and running. I didn't read what this screen does, chose Safari, and moved on.
I remember thinking to myself, hmpf, odd, Apple asking what default browser I want to use, that's a first. But it was what first came to mind. I can't say for sure that is what it was, as I didn't take the time to read the screen.
It's such a painless process, I may restore my phone again to answer this question. If I do, I will report it back here.
Interesting. I will have to do another restore and see what in the heck it was. Maybe I was being asked to import settings/bookmarks.
One thing can do — a cheap trick that takes an extra step I feel we shouldn't have to take — make a Javascript bookmarklet. When selected it will fire that url open in Chrome.
The problem for me is it takes too many steps to get to bookmarklets. Not as simple to get to as in a desktop browser.
If you want to give it a try, add a bookmark/boomarklet withthe following:
