Apple Intelligence Features Not Coming to European Union at Launch Due to DMA

[vantelimus]

If this turns out to be true and Apple follows through with it, I'm done with Apple. Why are they treating those in Europe as 2nd class customers? So angry about this right now.

You don’t seem to be paying attention. The EU bureaucracy is at fault here. You all have made absurdly meddlesome anti-business laws to protect your markets and extort money from companies offering superior products.

Don’t blame Apple for being cautious. The old saying “Once bitten, twice shy” applies here. The integration of ChatGPT with Siri is analogous to the integration of search engines with browsers. Apple’s internal AI that isn’t based on ChatGPT will be seen as locking out EU-developed AI because it will be tightly integrated with Apple’s apps and have access to a semantic database of all information on a user’s machine. This will definitely trigger the tax-hungry market-protectionist bureaucrats in the EU.

 

[one more]

It will completely tie MacOS to EU regulations. Whether iPadOS, TVOS, or VisionOS are in EU's sights is conjecture. Why would Apple want to force MacOS to be included?

Again, macOS complies with the DMA already, so there are no issues whatsoever. We can install anything from anywhere, subscribe to services on-line, etc. and developers are not forced to pay Apple 0.50€ per app install. So at this point Apple are just playing silly and are being resentful, which will hurt them in the long run, as losing more market share in China and the EU is a big deal.

 

[vantelimus]

In fact people in favor of DMA and EU bureaucracy would be in favor and happy for this, as finally they are basically complying and not breaking any rules or triggering fines for now (by doing nothing).

Actually, the bureaucracy loves to levy fines. It gives them more operating money. Don’t be mistaken and think they aren’t self-serving money-hungry power seekers just because they say they aren’t. The people making and enforcing the EU laws are just as corrupt as any other organization in the history of man. You don’t change human nature. If you think one side is good and the other is bad, it just means you’ve bought one side’s propaganda and not the other’s.

 

[sflagel]

And here it is. Finally. A benefit of Brexit. Has the PM been informed?

 

[CraigJDuffy]

This is Apple, perhaps in a subtle way attempting to get their customers to turn on the regulators in the EU. Ha ha. Or maybe they don’t want to be forced to create android mirroring on the Mac desktop.

Nothing in the DMA prevents them from bringing mirroring. They don’t have to make Android mirroring they just have to not ban Android mirroring from the platform.

This is just Apple playing politics.

 

[CraigJDuffy]

For this Apple would have to be deemed a gatekeeper of screen mirroring no? Just like Messages is not part of their DMA issues

Yes.

 

[steve09090]

Again, macOS complies with the DMA already, so there are no issues whatsoever. We can install anything from anywhere, subscribe to services on-line, etc. and developers are not forced to pay Apple 0.50€ per app install. So at this point Apple are just playing silly and are being resentful, which will hurt them in the long run, as losing more market share in China and the EU is a big deal.

Are you suggesting that the DMA that refers to the iPhone is exactly the same as that which applies to the Mac? And thus the Mac would not be affected if the iPhone and all of the rules that apply to it if the Mac is irrevocably tethered to the iPhone by virtue of those rules?

Also, if those scumbags (Spotify & Epic) can be so headstrong in their hatred of Apple and restrict their offerings. Why the hell shouldn’t Apple be entitled to restrict their own offerings?

 

[MilaM]

I'm thinking now, that the real issue is money. Europeans are apparently spending far less for Apple services and subscriptions. Remember the 7% share of services revenue? Apple AI is a huge investment in additional cloud computing capacity, which they surely need to recoup somehow. The business case for this spending is probably far weaker in Europe compared to the US.

 

[surferfb]

Again, macOS complies with the DMA already, so there are no issues whatsoever. We can install anything from anywhere, subscribe to services on-line, etc. and developers are not forced to pay Apple 0.50€ per app install. So at this point Apple are just playing silly and are being resentful, which will hurt them in the long run, as losing more market share in China and the EU is a big deal.

I think you misunderstand what the DMA is. It’s not about installing anything from anywhere - otherwise why would google search and windows be impacted - but (in the absolutely most generous framing) about “gatekeepers” not favoring themselves.

Apple is worried they’ll have to open up the iPhone to allow other companies to do the same screen mirroring on other devices as (rightfully, in my opinion) sees that as an unacceptable privacy and security risk for its users.

 

[MilaM]

Apple is worried they’ll have to open up the iPhone to allow other companies to do the same screen mirroring on other devices as (rightfully, in my opinion) sees that as an unacceptable privacy and security risk for its users.

Sounds plausible on the surface. But what about the numerous (very similar) features already present in the OS. SharePlay is already there, you have numerous Continuity and Handoff features, screen sharing between iPad and macOS?

 

[one more]

Are you suggesting that the DMA that refers to the iPhone is exactly the same as that which applies to the Mac?

I am suggesting that macOS, being more open as far as app installation and subscription options are concerned, did not fall under the DMA gatekeeper rules, whereas iOS and iPadOS did. Therefore, to resolve the issue, Apple could:

1) extend the same macOS rules to iOS and iPadOS (problem solved, but Apple and some developers might lose out financially);

2) attempt to lock macOS similar to iOS and iPadOS, using the same user safety and privacy rap to justify it (will not go well, IMO);

3) get into endless litigation with the EU and other countries, working on similar gatekeeper laws (no direct winners here from either side, IMO).

 

[steve09090]

I am suggesting that macOS, being more open as far as app installation and subscription options are concerned, did not fall under the DMA gatekeeper rules, whereas iOS and iPadOS did. Therefore, to resolve the issue, Apple could:

1) extend the same macOS rules to iOS and iPadOS (problem solved, but Apple and some developers might lose out financially);

2) attempt to lock macOS similar to iOS and iPadOS, using the same user safety and privacy rap to justify it (will not go well, IMO);

3) get into endless litigation with the EU and other countries, working on similar gatekeeper laws (no direct winners here from either side, IMO).

I understand what you are saying. But under the current situation, by 'connecting' the Mac directly to the iPhone using iPhone Mirroring, Apple could inexplicably 'lock' the Mac to the same conditions. And why would Apple want to do that? And why should they? They are better off waiting and wait for the EU to catch up with the rest of the world or let the EU force EU members to lose out on a very useful function.

To reiterate, Yes, Mac is more open than the iPhone. Why should Apple limit that by tying it the same restrictions the EU has forced on the iPhone? Only EU members are losing here. Blame the EU or a Spotify or Epic or the corrupt lobbyists, not Apple.

 

[Fuzzball84]

Don’t worry… it doesn’t matter which trade bloc in which you reside… as Apple will accelerate not adding the newest features to last years flagship in order to sell you this years flagship model 😜

It just works… on the latest iPhone 😀

 

[steve09090]

Don’t worry… it doesn’t matter which trade bloc in which you reside… as Apple will accelerate not adding the newest features to last years flagship in order to sell you this years flagship model 😜

It just works… on the latest iPhone 😀

That has never been the way Apple works. Some things work on the latest iPhone only, but only ever new tech.

 

[surferfb]

Sounds plausible on the surface. But what about the numerous (very similar) features already present in the OS. SharePlay is already there, you have numerous Continuity and Handoff features, screen sharing between iPad and macOS?

My honest thought is it’s a lot easier to not give a new feature than take away an existing one.

In theory, according to Article 6, Section 7 of the DMA (quoted below, emphasis mine) if a developer or hardware manufacturer asked for SharePlay/Continuity/Handoff access, Apple would have to give it to them. Obviously, I don’t know if someone has asked for it or not, but I don’t see Apple as giving it without a fight/the EU making them.

The gatekeeper shall allow providers of services and providers of hardware, free of charge, effective interoperability with, and access for the purposes of interoperability to, the same hardware and software features accessed or controlled via the operating system or virtual assistant listed in the designation decision pursuant to Article 3(9) as are available to services or hardware provided by the gatekeeper.


Furthermore, the gatekeeper shall allow business users and alternative providers of services provided together with, or in support of, core platform services, free of charge, effective interoperability with, and access for the purposes of interoperability to, the same operating system, hardware or software features, regardless of whether those features are part of the operating system, as are available to, or used by, that gatekeeper when providing such services.

 

[Fuzzball84]

That has never been the way Apple works. Some things work on the latest iPhone only, but only ever new tech.

My post was a bit joking… about restricting more and more new features to the latest iPhones as a revenue generator 😜

iPhone is still a huge seller for Apple.

 

[MilaM]

My honest thought is it’s a lot easier to not give a new feature than take away an existing one.

It could be an elaborate PR plot, or real concerns. Either way, without more details from Apple, we can only speculate.

Good thing is, I won't miss those features. They are nice to have, but really not essential to me.

 

[Radeon85]

Thank god the UK left the EU. At least we won't be left out.

 

[scorpio vega]

Okay apple. I like this move. Not giving into the Eu bs without a fight.

Shady.

 

[one more]

To reiterate, Yes, Mac is more open than the iPhone. Why should Apple limit that by tying it the same restrictions the EU has forced on the iPhone? Only EU members are losing here. Blame the EU or a Spotify or Epic or the corrupt lobbyists, not Apple.

The EC does not want to restrict iOS in any way, indeed they want to make it as open as macOS. It only becomes a problem if iOS is still not compliant with the DMA. Once it complies, there is no issue. I do not want to drive into all the legal jungle here, but a simple current working example would be screen sharing of your iPhone on a Mac via FaceTime or SharePlay. How is that different?

 

[one more]

Thank god the UK left the EU. At least we won't be left out.

Are you sure?

The UK passes its version of the EU's Digital Markets Act

The UK has passed its version of the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill aims to keep major companies, including in tech, in check.

www.engadget.com

 

[hans1972]

Nothing in the DMA prevents them from bringing mirroring. They don’t have to make Android mirroring they just have to not ban Android mirroring from the platform.

But that's exactly what Apple wants. They don't want the iPhone to be controlled from any non-Apple platform.

 

[hans1972]

The EC does not want to restrict iOS in any way, indeed they want to make it as open as macOS. I

That's a restriction. If you want iOS as a very closed system, the DMA put restrictions on that.

 

[duffman9000]

I'm thinking now, that the real issue is money. Europeans are apparently spending far less for Apple services and subscriptions. Remember the 7% share of services revenue? Apple AI is a huge investment in additional cloud computing capacity, which they surely need to recoup somehow. The business case for this spending is probably far weaker in Europe compared to the US.

I thought the same. Apple has to spend money here. The EU will mandate free access. Hell no.

 

[steve09090]

The EC does not want to restrict iOS in any way, indeed they want to make it as open as macOS. It only becomes a problem if iOS is still not compliant with the DMA. Once it complies, there is no issue. I do not want to drive into all the legal jungle here, but a simple current working example would be screen sharing of your iPhone on a Mac via FaceTime or SharePlay. How is that different?

By restrict, I am meaning place restrictions on Apples version of iOS by dictating and mandating it's own version of utilitarianism. I am very aware that the EU are trying to open and degrade apples closed ecosystem. I am not against the EU trying to 'look after its members' (although I doubt their intentions are sincere rather than self serving).

Screensharing is fine, but Apples version of mirroring is basically running the Mac as an iPhone within a Mac OS as long as it is near by. There lies the difficulty and no doubt Apple sees this as a potential problem with the EU DMA.

We can agree to disagree. You appear to believe the EU are right. I believe Apple are well within their rights to protect their ecosystem. Such is life.