The European Commission wants to oblige Apple to make iOS more interoperable with other platforms, and called for the openness of technology such as AirDrop e AirPlay so that they can work seamlessly with third-party devices such as those with Androidbut also access to third-party features that allow Apple to run apps in the background and cross-platfrom notifications.
The site points this out 9to5Google explaining that a document (PDF) from the European Commission highlights various EU requests involving changes to iOS; some changes concern the iPhone operating system, such as the ability to open notifications to third-party smartwatches, to offer functionality similar to those possible with Apple Watch. Similarly, the Commission wants Apple to allow third-party apps to run tasks in the background, as Apple ones can do, with third-party accessory manufacturers (e.g. smartwatches) complaining about the impossibility of competing on an equal footing with Apple accessories.
As mentioned, the Commission is asking – among other things – for the opening of AirDrop, a feature that can now only be managed between iOS/iPadOS and macOS devices.
“Apple must provide protocol specifications to provide third parties with all information required to integrate, access, and control the AirDrop protocol within an application or service (including the operating system) running on a third-party physically connected device for allow these applications or services to send files to and receive them from iOS devices,” the document reads.
Another request concerns the opening of AirPlay (the feature that lets you stream videos, photos, music, and more from Apple devices to Apple TV, speakers, various smart TV models, and other devices). AirPlay is supported on some brands' TVs but the ability to connect devices with AirPlay technology is limited to iOS devices. Technology like Google Cast, on the other hand, works with Android, iOS and other platforms. The EU has specifically asked that third parties be allowed to offer devices that can become AirPlay “transmitters”.
Apple responded to some requests from the Commission, complaining in particular about the greater openness requested by Meta (the company that controls Facebook) accusing Zuckerberg's company of being “trying to modify certain features in such a way as to put privacy and security at risk”. user safety”. Meta responded by pointing the finger at Cupertino: “What Apple is actually saying is that it doesn't believe in interoperability. Every time Apple is accused of anti-competitive behavior, it defends itself by bringing up privacy issues that have no basis in reality.”
The ball is now in the hands of the Commission which could soon open a formal investigation and sanction Apple with fines equal to up to 10% of the overall annual turnover.
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