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

[jlc1978]

I’d argue the big players (Apple, Google) don’t need that benefit.

Not my point; rather opening up allows the majors insights into what competitors are doing directly from phone usage patterns, and adding features that seem popular.

Messaging services are an exception - but they serve a (arguably the most important) purpose to enable users to switch apps or service provider without being locked in due to network effects. That is good for competition in the mobile OS and hardware markets.

Here's the problem: Small player introduces a mush better feature but Apple/Google et.al. don't support it. If they open it up to them there's no real reason to use the small company app since it's now baked into the major players' apps; if they don't they'll struggle to get a user base.