Apple Working to Add Support for Sideloading and Alternate App Stores in Europe

[geartau]

You do realize each app has to have its own notification server anyway? If anything this would use the same amount of battery because those apps just update when the store is refreshed(Like literally every app you have if you don’t disable it)

no. completely wrong. you don't understand. each app's backend service sends push notifications to apple's push notification servers and Apple aggregates all notifications to the phone so the phone only needs to run one notification service. the background service delivers notification to each app on your phone.

a "microsoft store app" will not have entitlements to send notifications to apple's push notification servers. user will need to run "Microsoft push notification service" in the background.

 

[Ethosik]

which can make calls

That’s why we need our phones to be more secure.

 

[Ctrlos]

A lot of alarmist reactions as per usual. Android has loads of alternate app sources and very few people bother to use them. Even the hardcore root/ROM crowd still want the Play Store.

Apple will likely add in a security feature such as a sandbox mode for running unsigned apps outside of crucial system processes as well as the high possibility of not getting your store on iOS without Apple’s approval.

 

[Analog Kid]

1. The EuroBarometer usually provides an 'everyday citizen's view' into topics and is, often, the first alarm to the EC that this is a topic to investigate.

At the risk of being duped by humor, is this a real thing? Basically a continental Applause-O-Meter?

 

[SnappleRumors]

Apple is planning to allow for alternate app stores on iPhones and iPads ahead of European legislation that will require the company to support sideloading, reports Bloomberg.

​

Stories like this is why I love Bloomberg.

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

At the risk of being duped by humor, is this a real thing? Basically a continental Applause-O-Meter?

Eurobarometer

eurobarometer

europa.eu

 

[Abazigal]

The legislation would preclude them from monetising as that would favour Apples services and that is prohibited in the DMA

I wouldn’t bet against Apple. Not now, nor ever.

 

[Athonline]

no. completely wrong. you don't understand. each app's backend service sends push notifications to apple's push notification servers and Apple aggregates all notifications to the phone so the phone only needs to run one notification service. the background service delivers notification to each app on your phone.

This is correct and a very good point; there is even a MacOS version.

a "microsoft store app" will not have entitlements to send notifications to apple's push notification servers. user will need to run "Microsoft push notification service" in the background.

Unless Apple charges this 'MS store' a cut for using their service -- assuming there is even an API for this 'MS push notification service' as an alternative ;-)

 

[geartau]

You make it sound like the end consumer no longer has a choice. Pages and Keynote will always be on Apple’s store. I use them because MS is already breaking iOS UI guidelines. The consumer will ditch crappy software over time. And the consumer can force these issues.

pages and keynote will obviously be on Apple's store. but what about when activision moves their candy crush + call of duty + diablo immortal mobile games to their own blizzard store? what about google moving pokemon go to play store on iOS? minecraft to microsoft store?

you don't just download a generic App Store versions of those apps.

 

[Ethosik]

How did so many of you ever manage to use a computer at all without safety rails protecting your every move. If I've learned nothing else over the last 25 years in this industry: The irrational fear that people have about technology and the steadfast unwillingness to take control of their own op sec.

There's nothing wrong with the App Store. It's a great service. I'm sure it will continue to be the dominant method for downloading software onto iOS devices. But this pearl clutching over those of us in the fringes who understand both the power and responsibility of going outside of the cattle pen is just too much. Boogie men behind every corner.

I have gotten infected on Windows and Mac, yes malware exists on Mac. Especially when you deal with mods, add-on etc for games that use those download services with about 20 Download buttons on a page and what you want to download is just a 12 point font hyperlink. My grandma still gets her Windows 10 device infected almost weekly.

 

[user002]

They can do whatever they want. It's their phone, their company, and no one should tell them how to operate.

And the EU can do whatever they want in their own market. If Apple doesnt like Europe's rules, they can take their 30% annual EU revenue and pout somewhere else.

 

[pers0n]

Hopefully the US follows soon

I look forward to having a youtube app that blocks ads, and it will be open source, so you can trust it

 

[user002]

I go boxing classes twice a week and learned keep the guard up and don’t let anyone side load their fist in my face.

I’m not sideloading nothing. In the start of the pandemic the scammers tried to attack my computer and demanded ransoms. I just forced to wipe that system.

They did the same to one ex employer’s company.

Feel sorry for the time when ransomware goes from PCs to phones.

Good for you.

 

[Ethosik]

and lucky for you, you won't have to - but those that want to, will be able to - its a win-win.

No you won’t. Apps will be pulled from the App Store.

Can it be guaranteed that EVERY and ALL iOS apps will also be on the App Store? No. So if YouTube moves to the Google App Store, I need to side load. No options.

 

[Analog Kid]

Eurobarometer

eurobarometer

europa.eu

🤦‍♂️ Populism at work... That explains so much.

At least 66% of people being surveyed know humans and dinosaurs didn't live at the same time. I'm not sure that many Americans actually believe dinosaurs were real.

 

[geartau]

This is correct and a very good point; there is even a MacOS version.


Unless Apple charges this 'MS store' a cut for using their service -- assuming there is even an API for this 'MS push notification service' as an alternative ;-)

right now on a mac i have dropbox background services, adobe background services (one process is literally frozen at this moment), native instruments background services, Google Chrome services, logitech helpers, spitfire audio helpers, slack service, and so on

 

[Mrkevinfinnerty]

I wouldn’t bet against Apple. Not now, nor ever.

They will do what they've always done, comply. Like they did in China.

 

[Athonline]

At the risk of being duped by humor, is this a real thing? Basically a continental Applause-O-Meter?

See here: https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/screen/home

For example, in AI and robotics, there have at least 4 Eurobarometers (390, 427, 460, 2228). They were taken at different times to understand trends in concerns or perceived benefits—in addition to ask relevant questions to current technology. Eurobarometer 2228 pushed the Commission to get their act together on a stronger AI policy and green energy for datacentres; expediting the idea of the AI Act and the current set of recommendations for datacentres management

 

[Athonline]

🤦‍♂️ Populism at work... That explains so much.

At least 66% of people being surveyed know humans and dinosaurs didn't live at the same time. I'm not sure that many Americans actually believe dinosaurs were real.

It is not exactly that. Eurobarometers inform the need to act, but the act itself is still determined by field experts at first drafts, then goes through all those checks and balances I mentioned —where the public can provide direct input—and then there is the political accountability —where the public offers indirect input. ;-)

 

[Abazigal]

They will do what they've always done, comply. Like they did in China.

It is easy to comply when doing so will cost you nothing.

This is different. The legislation you cited seems ironclad on paper, and I am no legal expert myself, but I just don’t see Apple complying 100% without also taking the opportunity to insert a few “F U” clauses of their own if they believed they could get away with it.

No doubt Apple will comply ultimately. It’s how they will do so that’s the fun part. 2023 will be a fun year to watch indeed.

 

[Macintosh Quadra 840av]

Makes me think of music sharing sites. You could get the song or some prank video or soundbyte or malware

Kinda, but at least with an MP3, generally when you tried to play it, it'd just be all garbled if it was fake. In this case, it might be the actual program but it's been modified to last upload all your photos, text messages, and more and provide a backdoor for hackers and you're none the wiser.

 

[SpotOnT]

Finally we can get some decent WiFi analyser apps and emulators. 👍🏻

What would you emulate?

Touchscreens are not very good for emulating games that use physical inputs right?

 

[5H3PH3RD]

I was previously against opening iOS up. But more recently see this as the right move. Apple threatening to ban twitter was the obvious example where Apple proved themselves as nothing but a greedy censor. Yes sure they back-pedaled quickly on that... because they realized how ugly it looked. Does not mean it wont happen again in the future.

There is absolutely no evidence they threatened anything. The only source for this is a tweet from Elon Musk, which doesn’t make it true.

 

[JapanApple]

NO TY! more problems and hacker problems. If you're silly enough to spend $ for high-priced stuff why mess up crap like this. If you are bored with your stuff buy a dog. But leave your high-priced items far away from this crap.

 

[kpluck]

yeah until microsoft, google, activision, epic, adobe create their stores and make their apps/games exclusive

Then I won't use their software.

-kp