Is the EU’s push for more iPhone openness going too far?
Is the EU’s push for more iPhone openness going too far?
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Apple's relationship with the European Union has always been complicated, however The latest set of demands may be the point where the company begins to go back more strongly. Under the European Union Digital Markets Law (DMA), Apple is required to open more of its famous ecosystem - this time that targets the features that many argue are essential to the Apple itself. Unlike USB-C or RCS, this does not seem to have a consumer victory. It seems as if the organizers wander with what makes Apple ... Apple.LET's Backtrack for one second. Digital Markets Law is a set of rules aimed at maintaining "gate guards" - technology companies that have dominant platforms - from using this ability to squash competition. Apple, along with Meta, Google and others, is located in this category. To date, we have seen the European Union use this power to make Apple depend on the USB-C on iPhone and start supporting RCS in messages IOS 18 - both are reasonable and can be said that it has been late. But now, the European Union wants to take Apple to take matters further. The new requirements include opening the iPhone NFC chip (used in clicking services to payment) for third -party applications outside Apple Pay, and give up on smart watches other than Apple access to the same notifications such as Apple Watch, and even allow non -shelves to take advantage of features such as devices switching. There is also pressure to provide Airdrop and AirPlay to competing platforms.
These are no longer just adjustments to help with intercourse or rest. These foundations of the Apple ecosystem - the features that were historically exclusive and are part of the reason that many people choose Apple products via Android or other alternatives. Apple has not photographed words in its response, saying that some of the changes that the European Union wants "are real private risk and data security" for users.
This is not just public relations. The closed ecosystem of Apple has always been a double-edged sword-it provides security, consistency and narrow integration between devices, but at the expense of flexibility and openness. Many people criticize Apple for this, and some of this criticism is valid. But forcing Apple to break these walls completely begins to feel that they are organizers trying to re -engineer the product, rather than just settling the stadium.
The Apple Digital Law was forced to allow third -party applications on the iPhone, which is furnished by Apple, but only in this region. | Photo credit - DMA
Although Apple might correspond - at least on paper - it has already found innovative ways to reduce the amount of these new rules that actually affect the user experience. For example, in IOS 17.4 (Edition of the European Union DMA requirements), Apple provides third -party applications and alternative browser engines, but hoop developers need to jump through them. Users suffer frightening warnings that can discourage them from Apple's approved path.
What has become more clear is that Apple may choose to continue to restrict or disable some features in the European Union instead of continuing to change the DNA of its products. We have already seen this play with things like Apple Cash and Apple Card - each of which is still not available in the European Union due to regulatory complications. It is not impossible that some of the features of the smooth devices that we are used to in the end may be preserved in the region.
To be fair, Apple is not the only company under the DMA microscope. Google is also required to give users more options when preparing Android devices, and Meta faces scrutiny on how to collect their services. But Apple is unique in the amount of its commercial brand about uniqueness and narrow integration. Forcing them to open up seems more annoying than it may be for a company that already plays with others.
As a person generally supports more openness in technology-especially when consumers-you are all for the European Union that pushed Apple to USB-C and RCS. More than that as a person uses both iPhone and Android as a daily driver. This is about measurement and making basic technology functions easier for everyone. But this last round of demands looks like something else. It is one thing to create more fair conditions for competition; It is another matter to dismantle what makes the product distinguished in the name of fairness.
Apple should not be higher than the organization, and health competition is important. But the organizers also need to know when they express an opportunity to reshape the products in a way that users have not requested. At this rate, Apple may eventually decide that it is not worth presenting the IPHONE itself in the European Union at all.
Apple’s relationship with the European Union has always been complicated, however The latest set of demands may be the point where the company begins to go back more strongly. Under the European Union Digital Markets Law (DMA), Apple is required to open more of its famous ecosystem – this time that targets the features that many argue are essential to the Apple itself. Unlike USB-C or RCS, this does not seem to have a consumer victory. It seems as if the organizers wander with what makes Apple … Apple.LET’s Backtrack for one second. Digital Markets Law is a set of rules aimed at maintaining “gate guards” – technology companies that have dominant platforms – from using this ability to squash competition. Apple, along with Meta, Google and others, is located in this category. To date, we have seen the European Union use this power to make Apple depend on the USB-C on iPhone and start supporting RCS in messages IOS 18 – both are reasonable and can be said that it has been late. But now, the European Union wants to take Apple to take matters further. The new requirements include opening the iPhone NFC chip (used in clicking services to payment) for third -party applications outside Apple Pay, and give up on smart watches other than Apple access to the same notifications such as Apple Watch, and even allow non -shelves to take advantage of features such as devices switching. There is also pressure to provide Airdrop and AirPlay to competing platforms.
These are no longer just adjustments to help with intercourse or rest. These foundations of the Apple ecosystem – the features that were historically exclusive and are part of the reason that many people choose Apple products via Android or other alternatives. Apple has not photographed words in its response, saying that some of the changes that the European Union wants “are real private risk and data security” for users.
This is not just public relations. The closed ecosystem of Apple has always been a double-edged sword-it provides security, consistency and narrow integration between devices, but at the expense of flexibility and openness. Many people criticize Apple for this, and some of this criticism is valid. But forcing Apple to break these walls completely begins to feel that they are organizers trying to re -engineer the product, rather than just settling the stadium.
The Apple Digital Law was forced to allow third -party applications on the iPhone, which is furnished by Apple, but only in this region. | Photo credit – DMA
Although Apple might correspond – at least on paper – it has already found innovative ways to reduce the amount of these new rules that actually affect the user experience. For example, in IOS 17.4 (Edition of the European Union DMA requirements), Apple provides third -party applications and alternative browser engines, but hoop developers need to jump through them. Users suffer frightening warnings that can discourage them from Apple’s approved path.
What has become more clear is that Apple may choose to continue to restrict or disable some features in the European Union instead of continuing to change the DNA of its products. We have already seen this play with things like Apple Cash and Apple Card – each of which is still not available in the European Union due to regulatory complications. It is not impossible that some of the features of the smooth devices that we are used to in the end may be preserved in the region.
To be fair, Apple is not the only company under the DMA microscope. Google is also required to give users more options when preparing Android devices, and Meta faces scrutiny on how to collect their services. But Apple is unique in the amount of its commercial brand about uniqueness and narrow integration. Forcing them to open up seems more annoying than it may be for a company that already plays with others.
As a person generally supports more openness in technology-especially when consumers-you are all for the European Union that pushed Apple to USB-C and RCS. More than that as a person uses both iPhone and Android as a daily driver. This is about measurement and making basic technology functions easier for everyone. But this last round of demands looks like something else. It is one thing to create more fair conditions for competition; It is another matter to dismantle what makes the product distinguished in the name of fairness.
Apple should not be higher than the organization, and health competition is important. But the organizers also need to know when they express an opportunity to reshape the products in a way that users have not requested. At this rate, Apple may eventually decide that it is not worth presenting the IPHONE itself in the European Union at all.
