Why the European Union is closely interested in the iPad stylus

With the implementation of the DMA, which aims to create healthier competition, Apple is still far from having finished with the European Union.

Under investigation by the European Commission since spring 2024, Apple has not yet finished implementing the DMA, the regulation seeking to apply better competition on the web, in the European Union.

For several months, Apple has had to implement various modifications for its devices in Europe, including the choice of default browser, the fact of being able to completely separate from automatically installed applications, or even the opening of iOS to alternative app stores. But this time Europe is tackling the iPad.

The stylus and headphones pointed out on iPad

In a press release, the European Commission explains that iPadOS, the iPad operating system (derived from iOS), must also evolve to comply with the DMA. Particularly in terms of accessories such as headphones and styluses, which must be as efficient if they are supplied by third-party manufacturers as by Apple.

Problem: the Apple Pencil, in its different versions, is the only stylus that can truly exploit all of the iPad's features. Official competitors are very few, since we can only really count on Logitech and its “Crayon”. But this does not allow as many things as the official products, which risks angering Europe.

The DMA is also clear on the subject: it is necessary to take into account an entire ecosystem of accessories and allow third-party manufacturers to be able to exploit the functionalities of the operating system as Apple could do.

Styluses are not the only ones being singled out, since headphones are also affected. Today, using Sony, Bose or Sennheiser headphones on an iPhone or iPad is not as simple or practical as with Airpods.

The European Commission explains that it will carefully read Apple's report on its compliance with the DMA in order to see if everything is being done according to the rules. Afterwards, it will therefore be able to judge the company's efforts, and possibly request modifications concerning the accessories – including styluses and headphones.