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iPhone users in the EU can now install third-party app stores

 

From pretty much the inception of iOS and the iPhone, Apple has only ever allowed users to download apps from the App Store. Unlike Android, Apple does not allow the installation of third-party app stores. That has finally changed in the latest iOS 17.4 update which will allow iPhone users to install and use third-party app stores.

 

For those unfamiliar, this is thanks to the EU's DMA. This new law basically forces Apple to open up iOS to third-party app stores, among other things. While it is a welcome change, Apple still appears to be holding onto the leash somewhat tightly.

 

For starters, these third-party app stores need to be approved by Apple. Users then need to give it explicit permission to download apps on your phone. These apps will also need to be "notarized" by Apple and be scanned for malware. Apple is also making changes to how payments work.

 

Overall, it seems that developers will now have an option if they do not wish to use Apple's App Store. It is also a win for developers. It remains to be seen, however, if customers will be willing to make the switch. Apple has largely done a good job of ensuring apps from its own App Store are safe.

 

Now it will be up to developers and third-party app stores to convince iPhone customers to step outside Apple's walled garden. Keep in mind that these changes only apply to the EU. It does not appear that Apple has plans to expand this feature to other markets (yet).


Apple is accused of making a "mockery" of the Digital Markets Act

 

On the face of it, you would think that companies like Epic and Spotify, both long-time critics of the "Apple Tax," would be happy to hear about the changes being forced on Apple in the 27 EU member countries thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA is forcing Apple to allow apps to be installed from alternate app stores and iPhone users can use third-party browsers powered by non-WebKit browser engines.

 

Apple did make some changes to the "Apple Tax," reducing the range of the commission that Apple takes on processing in-app transactions from 15%-30% to 10%-17%. And Apple is even giving developers the opportunity to present to subscribers an alternative payment option that bypasses Apple's in-app payment platform. Apple gets no cut at all of the in-app transactions using one of these alternative payment platforms.

 

However, those developers seeking to avoid the "Apple Tax" will have to pay Apple a "Core Technology Fee" that amounts to half a Euro for each annual install of a particular app after 1 million downloads are reached. This does not make Epic and Spotify happy. Per The Verge, the two firms, along with 32 more companies and alliances, wrote a letter to the European Commission (EC) stating that Apple is "making a mockery of the DMA and the considerable efforts by the European Commission and EU institutions to make digital markets competitive."

 

Apple is accused of making a "mockery" of the Digital Markets Act

 

App Store app developers have two choices when it comes to in-app payments in the EU. They can stick with the status quo and pay Apple 10%-17% of in-app transactions, or offer subscribers an alternative payment platform but pay half a Euro fee for each annual install above 1 million for each of their apps. This has the companies and alliances writing in their letter that "Neither option is DMA compliant and both options would simply consolidate Apple's stronghold over digital markets."

 

The letter adds, "The new fee structure in the proposed new terms seems designed to maintain and even amplify Apple's exploitation of its dominance over app developers. With a hefty transaction fee and a Core Technology Fee (CTF), few app developers will agree to these unjust terms. These fees will deter app developers from providing seamless in-app experiences for consumers, and will hamper fair competition with potential alternative payment providers."

 

The missive also notes that "Apple's new terms will erect new barriers and reinforce Apple's stronghold over the iPhone ecosystem." The companies signing the letter to the EC say that unless Apple makes some changes, they demand "swift, timely and decisive action against Apple, to protect developers and benefit consumers and do so as soon as the DMA obligations apply. This is the only way to guarantee the DMA remains both credible and delivers competitive digital markets."

 

The changes take effect with the release of iOS 17.4 although the deadline imposed by the EU is March 6th. The EC will hold an Apple workshop on March 18th where feedback on Apple's DMA compliance can be discussed.


Apple's Shortcuts could be a shortcut to a privacy nightmare

 

One advantage to Apple's walled garden approach is that it keeps everything tightly controlled. This means that they have greater control over apps and what kind of data these apps can access. This can cut down on potential abuse. But there is no such thing as a perfect system. According to a recent security report, Apple's Shortcuts feature has a privacy issue.

 

The folks over at Bitdefender have recently discovered a vulnerability in Apple's Shortcuts. Shortcuts is a feature that is bundled with iOS and macOS. It is a native Apple feature that allows users to create automated tasks, such as automatically setting your phone to low power mode when it hits a certain percentage.

 

From what they found, this vulnerability would allow Shortcuts to bypass Apple's TCC. This is a security framework in iOS and macOS that controls access to sensitive user data from apps. This vulnerability essentially allows a Shortcut to bypass that request and collect sensitive data from an iPhone or Mac computer, which is then exploited at a later date.

 

This is particularly problematic because of the fact that Shortcuts can be created by users and then shared with the public. This allows users who might not be as tech savvy to enjoy certain automated workflows that were created by others. But this also means that users might end up installing a Shortcuts with the vulnerability and expose their devices.

 

Thankfully, Bitdefender says that Apple has since patched the issue in iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.3. If you haven't updated your software yet, you probably should, especially if you Apple's Shortcuts and want to avoid privacy issues.


Apple might shift the Vision Pro team to a foldable iPhone project for 2026 launch

 

Since the start of 2024, rumors about Apple developing a foldable smartphone have appeared quite often. The latest speculation, coming from South Korea, further supports this notion and provides additional details about the tech giant's plans.

 

According to Alpha Economy (via Android Authority), Apple has reportedly made the final decision to release its first foldable iPhone in September 2026, potentially coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 18 series. Additionally, the source suggests that Apple has redirected its Vision Pro team to focus on developing the foldable phone, and the company anticipates selling approximately 50 million units of foldable phones worldwide.

 

If this rumor proves accurate, a foldable iPhone will be released after the 8th generation of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip (expected to be its main rivals). The Galaxy Z series is typically launched towards the end of summer. For example, we anticipate the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 around August this year, likely at the next Samsung Unpacked event.

 

The outlet suggests that Apple anticipates selling 50 million units, which is a significant leap compared to the industry's recent trends. While the foldable smartphone market has been growing, the combined shipments of all foldables from various brands remain considerably lower. For instance, the market leader, Samsung, is reported to have shipped around 10 million units of its latest Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 combined.

 

Moreover, the foldable iPhone would reportedly be developed by the same team responsible for the Vision Pro. An insider familiar with Apple's internal operations stated to Alpha Economy (machine translated):

 

I understand that a significant number of Vision Pro's core personnel have been transferred to the foldable phone development team to develop the foldable phone. Unless the situation changes, Apple's foldable phone will be launched in September 2026.

 

After years of development, Apple recently launched its Vision Pro headset, suggesting that the company may now shift its focus to a foldable iPhone. Nevertheless, it is essential to approach this information with caution, as rumors of this nature often prove to be less than 100% accurate.


Apple won't have to make iMessage compatible with Android

 

Apple's iMessage platform works across its devices, giving iOS and macOS users a way to message each other. There is a lot of debate on the green versus blue bubble. This has led to some to come up with ways for Android users to be able to send and receive iMessages. Now thanks to an EU ruling, Apple won't have to worry about making iMessage compatible with Android or other messenger apps.

 

The EU recently conducted an investigation of Apple's iMessage under the Digital Markets Act. The goal is to see if iMessage is considered a "gatekeeper" service. If it is, the EU would have forced Apple to make sure iMessage is interoperable with other services. Based on their findings, it seems that the EU has ruled that iMessage is not a gatekeeper service.

 

This means that things will continue to stay the same. This is versus other services like Meta's WhatsApp. Since labeling WhatsApp as a gatekeeper service, there's a need for it to ensure interoperability with other messenger apps. WhatsApp appears prepared for this, as it recently outlined how the app will receive messages from other messenger apps.

 

Apple is expected to enable support for RCS later this year. While this isn't the same as iMessage being compatible with Android, it will allow a somewhat similar experience. While the EU has ruled seemingly in Apple's favor, they might not be as lucky in the US. The FCC Commission has recently called for an investigation over Apple's blocking of Beeper Mini, an app that would allow Android users to send and receive iMessages on non-iPhone devices.

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