Apple Gets EU Warning to Open iOS to Third-Party Connected Devices

[9081094]

Hold on. Apple's ecosystem has its problems, but for the most part, the hardware and software works well together. One of the reasons I'm in the Apple ecosystem is for this interoperability. I shouldn't have to switch away from Apple because the EU wants to dictate to Apple which products from other company's MUST work with Apple's hardware and software.

If the EU wants that, it should feel free to build its own ecosystem. At what point does Apple get to decide what to do with ITS OWN property, rather than having the EU make those decisions?

Nothing changes for you. You are still able to use your beloved Apple ecosystem and aren’t forced out.

There will probably come other brands offering the same simplicity but it’s totally up to you if you want it or not.

Microsoft experienced the same in the past and consumers only benefited when their lock-in was regulated.

It’s not targeted only at Apple but at every company that is willingly abusing the playing field to favor only their own.

In the end every consumer benefits. Loyal Apple users are still able to use their beloved Apple gear. And other consumers can use other devices to work seamlessly.

You’ll have choice.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Competition is always good for customers it reduces prices forces more innovation to distinguish your product.

The DMA is not how competition works. If Apple develops a product or a feature that is unique and valuable, then Samsung must respond by developing their own product to compete. Not by having the EU force Apple to give that technology to Samsung.

I think many of you are really confused about how market economics works.

 

[9081094]

The tech that is not available yet, but, for example, Apple just got clearance to start using APP2 as a hearing aid, so, the EU is now demanding that Apple opens up their system to allow Sony, Samsung and whoever to turn their earbuds into hearing aids? Seriously? EU users just won’t be able to get that stuff in the future…

No, it’s apples invention and those AirPods are allowed in the EU. Great invention by the way, thank you Apple.

If Sony develops earbuds with the same possibilities and it’s not copying Apple if Apple patented this. Sony or whoever is allowed to sell it too.

 

[rme]

You're missing the point. You're implying the EU has anything to do with Qwant. Unless I'm missing something, it's not a state-owned company.

Except it does. The eu was its biggest funder. (and most of the rest of its funding came from the french govt)

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Nothing changes for you.

A lot can change for those of us who choose Apple.

For example, if Apple spends time, money and resources to improve their products, and the EU forces Apple to simply give that technology to their competitors, then what motivation does Apple have to spend more time, money and resources developing new and better tech?

Just one example of the many ways that ending market economics in the EU may affect Apple customers.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

No, it’s apples invention and those AirPods are allowed in the EU. Great invention by the way, thank you Apple.

If Sony develops earbuds with the same possibilities and it’s not copying Apple if Apple patented this. Sony or whoever is allowed to sell it too.

Now you're really showing the ways in which you don't understand the DMA.

If Apple has a tech that makes their Airpods better or different, but don't open that tech to other companies, then according to the EU, Apple is not complying with the spirit of the DMA.

 

[9081094]

The DMA is not how competition works. If Apple develops a product or a feature that is unique and valuable, then Samsung must respond by developing their own product to compete. Not by having the EU force Apple to give that technology to Samsung.

I think many of you are really confused about how market economics works.

The EU isn’t forcing Apple to give their technology to any other competitor. The EU is forcing every manufacturer to open up their API’s to let other manufacturers communicate with those “big” inventions.

Apple can innovate or fabricate what they want as long as they let others being able to communicate with them.

For every manufacturer are the same rules. Samsung must allow an Apple Watch communicate the same way as their galaxy watch to a galaxy phone.

It’s up to Apple if they’ll write software for the galaxy phone to communicate to Apple Watch.

 

[jz0309]

No, it’s apples invention and those AirPods are allowed in the EU. Great invention by the way, thank you Apple.

If Sony develops earbuds with the same possibilities and it’s not copying Apple if Apple patented this. Sony or whoever is allowed to sell it too.

iOS is Apples invention, yet the EU demands that Apple opens it up…

 

[Timo_Existencia]

The EU isn’t forcing Apple to give their technology to any other competitor. The EU is forcing every manufacturer to open up their API’s to let other manufacturers communicate with those “big” inventions.

API's and hardware/software integration IS their technology.

Your comment makes no sense. You say the EU isn't forcing Apple to give their tech, they're just forcing Apple to give its tech.

 

[I7guy]

Apple deliberately ruling out third party gear by not letting the write software to communicate (closed API’s on apples part).

By opening up Apple has to compete because the playing field will be equal and value for money comes in mind 😎

Can’t say it enough times using someone else’s platform for free by regulation is not competition. The definition of competition in the EU is different than everywhere else.

 

[9081094]

Now you're really showing the ways in which you don't understand the DMA.

If Apple has a tech that makes their Airpods better or different, but don't open that tech to other companies, then according to the EU, Apple is not complying with the spirit of the DMA.

You don’t understand the DMA-rules. Apple can make what AirPods they like and also make it only to work with iPhones.

But as iPhones are like computers, Apple has to open up their API’s for it so that other manufacturers are able to communicate with it as well.

Same as Android has open API’s, Windows and MacOS.

API’s are instruction sets that can communicate with certain hardware.

Apple doesn’t have to give them away. Only allow whoever wants to hook in and able to communicate on the same level.

It’s common use in the tech world and all manufacturers comply. Apple does it with MacOS as well. And WWDC24 give developers the tools to use their API’s except for certain parts of iOS and this makes it unfair for others.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

You don’t understand the DMA-rules. Apple can make what AirPods they like and also make it only to work with iPhones.

But as iPhones are like computers, Apple has to open up their API’s for it so that other manufacturers are able to communicate with it as well.

Airpods don't exist in isolation. Hardware and Software are tightly integrated in IOS. THIS is the technological advantage of Apple. This is why some of us choose and use Apple. You can't simply give Samsung equal standing in such measures. It simply doesn't work. You're asking to fundamentally change Apple at its very core.

 

[spazzcat]

...

Competition is always good for customers it reduces prices forces more innovation to distinguish your product. I also don’t buy the security concerns around open API’s all that is required is for Apple to build secure API’s for the OS and then they use the same API to develop/connect their own products

According to the EU Apple isn't allowed to do anything unique. They must open everything they do to everyone else.

 

[spazzcat]

You don’t understand the DMA-rules. Apple can make what AirPods they like and also make it only to work with iPhones.

But as iPhones are like computers, Apple has to open up their API’s for it so that other manufacturers are able to communicate with it as well.

And this where innovation begins to die. Why should Apple have to create stuff for everyone else to use?

 

[thekeyring]

Why not? Apple has a monopoly with iOS on the iPhone. 3rd party should be allowed to run on iPhone too, like Android.

If this is genuine, thank goodness I don't live in the EU.

 

[9081094]

Can’t say it enough times using someone else’s platform for free by regulation is not competition. The definition of competition in the EU is different than everywhere else.

You really don’t understand where this is about. If you did, you’d also recognize that it is in your benefit too.

 

[9081094]

And this where innovation begins to die. Why should Apple have to create stuff for everyone else to use?

Is innovation dead on MacOS?

 

[Timo_Existencia]

Is innovation dead on MacOS?

MacOS is becoming more like IOS over time. But there has been more technological advance in IOS than in MacOS over the past several years.

I'd prefer that MacOS gets closed down like IOS too.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

This is getting pretty ridiculous. If the only explanation for how this is a negative is "that's not how the market works" then I still do not see an issue is.

If Apple is worried about someone making a better smart watch or something, they should just make a better watch.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

You really don’t understand where this is about. If you did, you’d also recognize that it is in your benefit too.

Spoken like someone who wants government to hold all of our hands and lead us into Utopia.

 

[spazzcat]

Is innovation dead on MacOS?

A lot of the stuff that is iOS only is also only MacOS only.

 

[surferfb]

The EU isn’t forcing Apple to give their technology to any other competitor. The EU is forcing every manufacturer to open up their API’s to let other manufacturers communicate with those “big” inventions.

Nope. The only two manufacturers it applies to is Google and Apple. No other smartphone manufacturer is a gatekeeper.

Apple can innovate or fabricate what they want as long as they let others being able to communicate with them.

"Apple can make whatever it wants as long as they let others have access to the same API" is the exact same thing as "Apple has to give its features away to Samsung to copy." Literally no difference.

For every manufacturer are the same rules. Samsung must allow an Apple Watch communicate the same way as their galaxy watch to a galaxy phone.

Samsung must do no such thing. They are not gatekeepers under the DMA.

It’s up to Apple if they’ll write software for the galaxy phone to communicate to Apple Watch.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

This is getting pretty ridiculous. If the only explanation for how this is a negative is "that's not how the market works" then I still do not see an issue is.

😆
So, breaking the fundamentals of Market Economics is nothing to worry about?

Rich.

 

[spazzcat]

This is getting pretty ridiculous. If the only explanation for how this is a negative is "that's not how the market works" then I still do not see an issue is.

If Apple is worried about someone making a better smart watch or something, they should just make a better watch.

They can make their watch better but only if they share that tech with everyone.

 

[Timo_Existencia]

If Apple is worried about someone making a better smart watch or something, they should just make a better watch.

Apple IS worried about someone making a better watch. Apple is in competition with Samsung, Google, Garmin, etc.

What makes you think they aren't in competition? There are people on this thread who've chosen Garmin et al over Apple. You're the one who is ignoring the competition that already exists.