Apple to allow alternative app stores on its iPhones and iPads

Apple is preparing to allow alternative app stores on iPhones and iPads in compliance with European Union requirements coming in 2024.

With the changes, customers could finally download third-party software to their devices without using the company’s app store. Bloomberg informed.

This would circumvent Apple’s restrictions and is a 30 percent commission on payments made by users through apps on the iOS operating system.

The new European law, called the Digital Markets Act, obliges technology companies to allow the installation of third-party apps.

The company’s changes are initially designed to take effect in Europe, but could lay the groundwork for implementation in other countries, including the US.

Shares of some companies that offer dating apps have jumped on news of the change, according to Bloomberg.

Match Group Inc. rose as much as 10 percent and Bumble Inc. rose as much as 8.6 percent, a sign that investors think the companies could get a break from Apple’s fees. Spotify Technology SA, the audio streaming service, rose as much as 9.7 percent.

Apple shares were little changed, however, Bloomberg reported.

The change to the App Store is not the first that the company has had to make to comply with an EU regulation.

Apple said this week that it plans to use a USB-C connector on upcoming iPhones in 2023 instead of Lightning.

All iPhones sold in the European Union (EU) must be able to be charged with USB-C cables by December 28, 2024.

The new law forces Apple to replace its ‘Lightning’ port with a universal version on devices sold in member states.

The legislation aims to make USB-C connectors, currently used by Android devices, the standard charging technology in the EU.

While the law was officially approved by the European Parliament in October, its addition to the magazine has accompanied the first strict deadline for change.

The App Store change is not the only one for the company. Apple said this week that it plans to use a USB-C connector on upcoming iPhones in 2023 instead of Lightning.

Apple will have to start equipping its iPhones and other devices with a USB-C charger (pictured), which is already used for Android devices

Apple’s proprietary power connector technology is distinguished by its eight pins and is found exclusively on Apple devices.

However, many pieces of technology from different brands are USB-C enabled, which means, in theory, that users only need one charging cable to power all those products.

They also don’t need to buy a charger with each new kit, and manufacturers are under less pressure to include one with their products since customers likely already have one.

All Android smartphones can be charged with a USB-C cable, as well as most modern laptops and tablets, and even Apple’s iPad Pro.

But, a ‘Lightning to USB’ charging cable, which only works with iPhones, is currently £19 ($23) to buy from the Apple Store in the UK.

The EU has been pushing for change in a bid to reduce electronic waste, or ‘e-waste’, while maintaining consistent charging speeds across all devices.

The EU mandate covers not only phones, but also tablets, e-readers, headsets, digital cameras, earphones and earphones, portable game consoles, and portable speakers.

Laptops are also covered, but manufacturers will have until 2026 to make the switch.

It establishes that, although the rule will apply from 2024, the ‘laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive’ must be published before December 28, 2023.

If Apple does not comply, it will not be able to sell its products in EU countries after December 2024.

The company previously warned that the law could hurt innovation and create a mountain of e-waste.

Industry insider Mark Gurman has reported that the iPhone 15, due to launch next year, will have USB-C charging.

This suggests the change could be sooner than the mandate calls for, however, Gurman said Apple is “still planning for a wireless-first future.”

This means that it hopes to further implement “inductive charging” in Apple devices, a type of wireless power transfer technology used in the latest iPhone and Apple Watch models.

iPhones use Apple’s proprietary ‘Lightning’ power connector technology, discernible by its eight pins (pictured)

Technically, after the law is passed, Apple could continue to sell iPhones with its Lightning charging technology in non-EU European countries.

But it seems that the firm has decided that a uniform charger for all of Europe is a better option.

Last week, Apple announced an update to the App Store, which allows developers to charge from 29 cents to $10,000 for their offers.

Enhanced pricing options that will be available for all transactions on the App Store in the spring of next year were touted alongside new capabilities aimed at making it easier for vendors to manage sales, returns, taxes and other features, Apple said. in a blog post

The departure from Apple’s 99-cent price floor comes as the Silicon Valley titan defends itself against accusations that it has monopoly control over the App Store that acts as the sole gateway to iPhones.

Under the updated pricing system, developers will be able to choose from 900 price points, which is nearly 10 times the number of pricing options previously available to app creators, Apple said.

Apple agreed last year to expand pricing options on the App Store as part of a $100 million settlement to settle a class action lawsuit brought by US developers unhappy with paying commissions of up to 30 percent on transactions.

Apple said at the time that the deal was “the latest chapter in Apple’s longstanding efforts to make the App Store an even better marketplace for users and developers alike.”

Apple is also under political pressure in the United States and Europe to loosen its grip on the App Store, which has been criticized by the likes of Spotify, Fortnite maker Epic Games, and Twitter’s new owner Elon Musk.

In 2021, a California judge ruled against Epic, which had accused Apple of acting like a monopoly through its App Store.

But the judge also barred Apple from banning developers from including “external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchase mechanisms” in their apps.

The ruling ruled that Apple can still require its payment systems to be used for in-app transactions.

In the EU, new legislation to be implemented in May 2023 will force Apple to open up its iPhone operating system to other payment options and app stores.

The Digital Markets Law will also prohibit the iPhone from offering preferential treatment to Apple’s own services, such as Apple Music or the Safari browser.