The European Commission (EC) has ordered Apple to open up access to iOS’ connectivity features to third parties, in compliance with the Digital Markets Act. This would effectively let non-Apple users benefit from the brand’s features without having to own Apple products.
Nine specific iOS connectivity features were highlighted by the commission as needing to be made accessible to device manufacturers and app developers. For example, Apple will need to allow an iPhone user to use an alternative to AirDrop when sending a picture to an Android user, and vice versa. Among the other features that must be made available include iOS notifications, background executions, automatic audio switching and automatic WiFi connections as well as high-bandwidth peer-to-peer WiFi connections.
Additionally, Apple will have to be more transparent and effective in its process devised for developers interested in the interoperability with its devices. This is similar to when it mandated that all devices in Europe be equipped with a USB-C port.
Apple is required to implement these features within the timeframes set out by the EC in the specification decisions. These regulations will likely currently only be implemented to users in Europe.
(Source: European Commission[1], [2])
Manisha Dharmendra contributed to this article.
