You're so horribly misguided in your smear piece but one question that keeps on popping up in my head: Why the frog do you even give a shit? Cui bono? As you've said so eloquently yourself: We Europeans have not requested your opinion and are even less looking for you to be our saviour. If Apple decides that the European market is not relevant enough to comply with the DMA; fair game to not serve it or less well then. I'm thinking hard of desirable features which are missing, I can truly live without the (botched!) Apple AI and US people do envy us for the ability to have third party app stores already... If you want to moan and bitch about bonkus laws, try the UK for the back door requirements or the US for their spy laws... oh wait, supposedly doesn't bother you due to being a US citizen: frog the f off!
Says the person who elected themselves spokesperson for all EU nations/citizens.
Let me point out that the security and intelligence apparatus of EU member nations are nothing to crow about. Also, I and many others in the U.S. detest the panopticon wannabe that has developed over here. But I’m not in the intelligence community, and I doubt you are either.
And please, don’t lump us all together when choosing your phrasing?
- - -
While I do wish the article went into the nitty-gritty of the politics, I also realize the behind-the-scenes action will likely remain largely opaque, even to journalists. Yet it’s a tad disappointing that the writer seems to just repeat theme of “this will slow development”. I’m not sure this quite flies, as each market already has unique requirements and challenges, leading to the kind of staggered regulatory roll-out we’ve seen as users. There’s perhaps an argument here that regulators are unnecessarily hampering Apple’s competitiveness in the market, which then harms both consumers, as well as shareholders.
I think Apple has a stronger case is in the arguments that these compatibility demands (and they are demands) conflict with the EUs privacy initiatives. Which they seemingly do, on the face of it. I’d also remind readers that Apple the corporate entity has some expectation of privacy, and shouldn’t be required to broadcast their product investments or schedule.
However, there is no denying that from where I’m sitting, these actions by the EC reek of political retribution couched in smiles. Whether it’s regionalism, a response to this Administration’s bizarreness, or pay-back for the Irish tax situation, the EC has a lot of incentive to be petty and all too human.
Any app on a Windows PC can communicate with any app on a Mac via networking without any problem. This was enabled by Apple itself when they discontinued AppleTalk and replaced it by Microsofts SMB protocol. Apple can do this for iOS too (and has done with restrictions), using WiFi, Bluetooth and RFID / NFC. Some restrictions that need to be lifted is that a third party host app on an iPhone / iPad would need to be able to run in the background while the device is locked. In addition to that, apple would need to make some private APIs public.
This would allow third party devices to communicate through an iPhone or iPad.
While they’re at it maybe Apple should allow third parties to operate in kernel space of all their devices why not for the sake of competition goodwill to all? After all, that’s what Microsoft has been stupidly doing.
Yeah, because we need more useless unelected bureaucrats in Brussels determining features, benefits and operability. If they want to be useful, let them pay and protect your own damn countries!
If Apple wouldn’t act as if every iPhone they ever sold is still their property, the EU wouldn’t be doing anything. This is all on Apple.
A lot of features are not available in most of EU: https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability/It is everything from grocery lists to most accessibility features. It is IMHO mostly a question of competition and return on investment. Do rants filled with political vitriol and a lack of global perspective add anything this site is in need of? I suggest we focus more on what brings us together on this site. More Apple and a lot less "everyone else is stupid".
Mr. Hilliard, you're a fine writer and I enjoy your articles. But your increasing need to challenge readers with parochial arguments in the comments is a bad look (not that my opinion matters, of course.)
I have no real skin in this game—I don't live in the EU. I tend to like more open systems than more closed, but I get the advantages Apple's approach brings, even if it also brings tremendous baggage and restrictions that deserve to be challenged. More importantly, however: Dominos have an interesting way of continuing to fall. The longer Apple digs in its heels, the less control it will have over outcomes. Which is such classic Apple behavior: Kick and scream until the terms are fully dictated and then they have zero chance to represent their viewpoint, whether on behalf of their customers or their own financial goals. They should let go of the App Store before the whole thing, bad *and* good, gets burned to the ground.
Nothing I said contradicts what you said here. I'm not sure what you mean by saying my posts are some kind of church gospel. As I've said on Bluesky and other places, more than one thing can be true.
Apple digging in its heels isn't great. It's in a troublesome issue of its own making. However, the EU is overstepping by making demands it doesn't always seem to understand. Compel Apple to open up, but on its terms and timeline. Don't force hastily made changes that could be compromising to users.
My comment was directed at the original poster's comment about envying alternative app stores, which I do not. I'm happy that regulations enabled things like emulators without much trouble, but asking Apple to destroy its business model to make way for competitors that can't keep up, now that's an issue.
People like me that buy Apple for the closed ecosystem of products like that it's built on privacy and security first, then opened up in certain ways to allow more third-party interaction later. It's time for Apple to allow more smart watch functionality outside of Apple Watch, for example. But asking Apple to open up AirPlay and other proprietary systems is incredibly short sighted.
What's the point of competition if the EU regulates all the competitors to operate identically. That's not user choice, that's the kind of dystopia where all the brands in the store have been removed in the name of equality. I don't want to have an Android phone, so I didn't buy one. I don't want the EU to force Apple to make iOS into Android.
That said, regulations are helpful in pushing companies into making consumer-friendly decisions.
See, more than one thing can be true. In this case, I think the EU is pushing too far. I'm sure some compromise will be made and consumers will ultimately benefit.
Thank you. I agree with what you wrote. I think the free market does work, so if another smart watch were selling well, I suspect Apple would support it.
The Pebble sold well.
Apple didn't support it.
The Samsung Watches are selling well. Apple doesn't support them.
Apple produces a range of products, both hardware and software. I use these products because they work. They work without having to contrive all sorts of weird workarounds.
I also use Apple products because I feel they are secure. I don’t want third parties being able to see and/or take my personal data.
I share what I want to share and with whom I wish to do so.
If Apple makes certain restrictions or charges more, that is my decision to make and I am happy to do that or not, as I choose.
I do not think it is a vote winner for the EU to dictate what I do with my data or to share it. Once the door is open, it is open to everyone and you can be absolutely certain the control of the data will be outsourced and someone will want to benefit financially from it.
Aside from this type of specific comments page, to which I subscribe to two, I use no social media.
Apple produces a range of products, both hardware and software. I use these products because they work.
You can do all of that and still let others have the freedom of an alternative App Store. It won’t affect you. And you can use AirPods but let others control volume the same way. It doesn’t take anything away from you.
Comments
These penalties are a TAX on American companies.
Let me point out that the security and intelligence apparatus of EU member nations are nothing to crow about. Also, I and many others in the U.S. detest the panopticon wannabe that has developed over here. But I’m not in the intelligence community, and I doubt you are either.
And please, don’t lump us all together when choosing your phrasing?
- - -
While I do wish the article went into the nitty-gritty of the politics, I also realize the behind-the-scenes action will likely remain largely opaque, even to journalists. Yet it’s a tad disappointing that the writer seems to just repeat theme of “this will slow development”. I’m not sure this quite flies, as each market already has unique requirements and challenges, leading to the kind of staggered regulatory roll-out we’ve seen as users. There’s perhaps an argument here that regulators are unnecessarily hampering Apple’s competitiveness in the market, which then harms both consumers, as well as shareholders.
I think Apple has a stronger case is in the arguments that these compatibility demands (and they are demands) conflict with the EUs privacy initiatives. Which they seemingly do, on the face of it. I’d also remind readers that Apple the corporate entity has some expectation of privacy, and shouldn’t be required to broadcast their product investments or schedule.
However, there is no denying that from where I’m sitting, these actions by the EC reek of political retribution couched in smiles. Whether it’s regionalism, a response to this Administration’s bizarreness, or pay-back for the Irish tax situation, the EC has a lot of incentive to be petty and all too human.
Apple stick a fork in the road……
Do rants filled with political vitriol and a lack of global perspective add anything this site is in need of?
I suggest we focus more on what brings us together on this site. More Apple and a lot less "everyone else is stupid".
Apple didn't support it.
I also use Apple products because I feel they are secure. I don’t want third parties being able to see and/or take my personal data.
I share what I want to share and with whom I wish to do so.
If Apple makes certain restrictions or charges more, that is my decision to make and I am happy to do that or not, as I choose.
I do not think it is a vote winner for the EU to dictate what I do with my data or to share it. Once the door is open, it is open to everyone and you can be absolutely certain the control of the data will be outsourced and someone will want to benefit financially from it.
Aside from this type of specific comments page, to which I subscribe to two, I use no social media.
I keep myself to myself.