Apple Now Allows Developers to Request Access to Additional iPhone Hardware and Software Features

[MacRumors]

To comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple has introduced a new request form that allows developers of iOS apps distributed in the EU to request additional interoperability with iPhone hardware and software features.

Apple already offers developers more than 250,000 APIs, enabling them to access iPhone features and frameworks such as cameras, microphones, Bluetooth, HealthKit, SiriKit, and much more. Now, developers can request access to additional iPhone features and technologies for use in their apps in the EU, as they see fit.

Apple says it will evaluate interoperability requests on a case-by-case basis, and release additional APIs in future iOS versions as necessary. Apple says requests must be technically feasible and adhere to the Digital Markets Act.

It's unclear how many of these requests Apple will approve, if any.

Apple is already making the NFC chip in iPhones accessible to third-party payment and wallet apps in the EU, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, which will provide users with alternatives to Apple Pay and the Apple Wallet. This change was introduced with iOS 17.4, which is available in beta now and will be released in March.

The request form and additional details can be found on Apple's website.

Article Link: Apple Now Allows Developers to Request Access to Additional iPhone Hardware and Software Features

 

[crees!]

No turning back now as we’re well underway going down that slippery slope

 

[infinitedreams]

So as long as the app is available in the EU, can the requested feature be used worldwide?

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Incredible to think that, without a nudge from the EU, none of what we are witnessing today would have happened and Apple would continue to frame it all in a negative light, about how dangerous it all was.

Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, it shows how much showmanship there is in their arguments and integrity.

 

[Reverend Benny]

250.000 APIs, jaysus.......lots to keep track on.

 

[Skoua]

At this rate, Apple will open source iOS tomorrow.

 

[Dionte]

It’s like the EU is poking holes in Apples condom.

 

[antiprotest]

If they will exploit notifications to track users without their knowledge or consent, guess what the sleazy developers will do with more access?

Whether Apple should or should not be made to open up access is one thing, but they will really need to pay attention to security. I hope they do.

 

[OrenLindsey]

At this rate, Apple will open source iOS tomorrow.

I hope so!

 

[seajack0h]

As someone who manages a fleet of enterprise deployed iPads, it's truly bonkers that I cannot remotely view screens of the iPads enrolled in ABM/Intune to provide end user support. Hopefully these changes will one day allow it.

 

[Nick Turner]

If they will exploit notifications to track users without their knowledge or consent, guess what the sleazy developers will do with more access?

Whether Apple should or should not be made to open up access is one thing, but they will really need to pay attention to security. I hope they do.

Unfortunately, we’re already slipping down the slope. Big business and shareholders will get their desires addressed before consumer satisfaction and privacy. Think about it, how many Apple users complained about these targeted issues before things changed? The change only came for companies to make $$$ off of us.

 

[erikkfi]

No turning back now as we’re well underway going down that slippery slope

I prefer to think of it as going up a slippery escalator to the heavens of innovative new software.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

You see this weaking of privacy and security as a good thing, I don't. No, I don't see it as just "showmanship."

I never said I did.

 

[ApostolisApo]

You see this weaking of privacy and security as a good thing, I don't. No, I don't see it as just "showmanship."

Apart from sideloading (which most users won't do) nothing else weakens security or privacy. And even for that you should blame Apple first for being so audacious in their position that they, gatekeepers and direct competitors of Spotify & Netflix, did not even allow them to hint that users can subscribe outside of App Store!!

 

[Motawa]

Does this mean JIT for emulation?

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I've requested access to the backdoor that they give the Chinese. Looking forward to hearing back 🙏

 

[Supercyborgninja]

Only time will show you why a sandboxed system was best for consumers. This isn’t an Xbox or a coffee machine..our lives run through our phones.

 

[hans1972]

Incredible to think that, without a nudge from the EU, none of what we are witnessing today would have happened and Apple would continue to frame it all in a negative light, about how dangerous it all was.

Regardless of what side of the fence you’re on, it shows how much showmanship there is in their arguments and integrity.

It's horrible changes for us who wants to use as many Apple services as possible and have very locked down environment.

Not a single change is positive news for me and many of them will affect my computing life in an extremely negative way in the next year or two.

 

[Jim Lahey]

LOL is there any policy Apple previously held dear that they haven't now agreed to jettison in the name of the Dystopian Megalomaniac's Act? Breaking strain of a Kit Kat. Moreover, what have they already agreed to that isn't being made public? Crazy times lie ahead.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

Only time will show you why a sandboxed system was best for consumers. This isn’t an Xbox or a coffee machine..our lives run through our phones.

My life runs through my coffee machine. I ain't paying it 30% either.

 

[boss.king]

Only time will show you why a sandboxed system was best for consumers. This isn’t an Xbox or a coffee machine..our lives run through our phones.

I've run my life through Apple's other (fairly open) platform, MacOS, for years now and nothing bad has come of it. Maybe your problems are your own and most people don't need coddling.

 

[B-Mc-C]

Apart from sideloading (which most users won't do) nothing else weakens security or privacy. And even for that you should blame Apple first for being so audacious in their position that they, gatekeepers and direct competitors of Spotify & Netflix, did not even allow them to hint that users can subscribe outside of App Store!!

Name one product on a physical store shelf that has a sign on it directing users to leave the store and buy it cheaper with them directly. It’s so simple.

 

[cateye]

It's horrible changes for us who wants to use as many Apple services as possible and have very locked down environment.

This is going to come across a little stern, but, my point is not to chide you: Your unwillingness to take responsibility for your own security and instead putting it in the hands of Apple is not anyone else's problem but your own. I'm glad it worked for you, genuinely, but it was built on an unsustainable foundation that was bound to be challenged and changed at some point, either by outside legislative actions, or Apple deciding its priorities were different. Your stress and consternation is the result of ceding the control you should never have given up.

 

[cateye]

My life runs through my coffee machine. I ain't paying it 30% either.

I don't know why, but every time I see your user picture I can't stop laughing. Well done.

 

[zorinlynx]

I find it weird that now iOS devices will be more capable in the EU than they are elsewhere.

You'd think Apple would realize it makes them look bad to limit this to the EU; soon people in the EU will be able to do more with their iPhones and it's going annoy folks elsewhere.

This stuff should have been released worldwide.