Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

According to news in the morning of December 14, Beijing time, Apple has reportedly controlled all aspects of the iOS ecosystem over the past 15 years, whether it's apps installed on iPhone and iPad, screen interfaces, or available payment systems.

Apple has long argued that this so-called "walled garden" strategy is necessary to help users get a good experience, prevent viruses and malware, and protect their privacy. Apple founder Steve Jobs (Steve Jobs) himself is a staunch supporter of this strategy, and he is said to be reluctant to even introduce App Store and third-party software on iPhone.

However, Europe's new Digital Market Act will force Apple to give up its "monopoly" control over developers and iPhone by 2024. The victory of European regulators also means that Apple's tightly controlled ecology is by far the biggest loophole.

The new EU law targets large platform technology companies that act as gatekeepers between companies and users. These platforms also include all app store providers, including the Google Play Store in addition to Apple's App Store. According to media reports, Apple is working on a plan to ensure compliance with the new law. Related updates are expected to appear in iOS 17, which will be released in September 2023 at the earliest.

This will be a whole new situation for Apple. In the past, some countries have enacted laws to limit Apple's control of App Store, but Apple is not perfect in terms of compliance. Regulators in the Netherlands and South Korea, for example, have clashed with Apple, but so far Apple has barely changed the way it does business in those countries.

Next, if Apple adjusts accordingly, its "walled garden" strategy may be put to the ultimate test. People will see the actual effect of the opening of the Apple platform.

Bypass App Store installation applications currently, it is impossible to download software and applications outside of App Store unless users manipulate the basic software of iPhone and bypass Apple's restrictions. This practice is also known as "sideloading".

Apple has long insisted that allowing users to bypass App Store to install applications would undermine the security of the iOS platform and expose users to various risks on the Internet. At the same time, critics argue that security risks are minimal compared to the benefits of promoting competition and giving users more choices. If Apple releases the platform next, we will see which view is correct.

According to media reports, Apple is also ready to support third-party app stores. In theory, the apps provided by these app stores are not necessarily vetted by Apple. This may solve the problem of App Store application review process that is a headache for developers in a roundabout way. Currently, developers need to get Apple's approval before releasing any apps and updates.

Apple has developed a set of requirements for security, privacy, and even the content itself. Applications must meet these requirements before they can be put on the shelf in App Store. However, many developers believe that Apple's audit standards vary, and developers may have to wait for a long time without more communication with Apple.

If you are allowed to bypass App Store to install applications, then developers can reach users in a more direct way through a third-party app store. However, according to the latest report, Apple is also considering some form of review of apps provided outside App Store, although details of the plan are not yet clear.

The disappearance of the "Apple tax" that allows apps to be installed from outside App Store will also address one of the developers' biggest grievances with Apple, the so-called "Apple tax".

According to European law, Apple needs to open up third-party payments, which is a major boon for developers. Currently, Apple requires developers to use Apple's own payment processing service, which will take a 30% cut from almost all in-app purchases. Apple's explanation is that App Store plays an important role in the application economy, so the charge is both necessary and reasonable.

For years, everyone from independent app developers to CEOs of big companies has criticized Apple's approach. Recently, Apple's move even attracted the attention of Twitter's new boss, Elon Musk, who declared war on it.

Rick VanMeter, executive director of the Applied Fairness Alliance, an industry group, has repeatedly criticized Apple for this. "it is a very unique situation for the world's richest man to face the same problem as a small developer with only one or two employees," he says. "

Welcome to subscribe "Shulou Technology Information " to get latest news, interesting things and hot topics in the IT industry, and controls the hottest and latest Internet news, technology news and IT industry trends.