EU wants iOS to work much better with rival earbuds, smartwatches and headsets
The European Union (EU) wants Apple to improve iOS interoperability with rival smartwatches and other third-party connected accessories.
Apple doesn’t provide the same level of iOS access to third-party devices as its own accessories enjoy. That’s why Google’s smartwatches have never worked great on iOS, Samsung headphones don’t enjoy seamless pairing like AirPods, and virtual reality headsets don’t integrate well with the iOS experience.
Apple has already taken the first step toward this goal by extending the AirPods pairing process to third-party accessories, but the EU Commission wants more. In the Commission’s view, Apple is limiting competition by not allowing rival accessories the same level of iOS access as its AirPods, Apple Watch and Vision Pro.
EU compelling Apple to make iOS interoperable with smartwatches and similar third-party accessories
As part of the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to provide a fair playing ground in the digital economy, the Commission warned Apple today that failing to open up iOS to makers of connected accessories may result in huge fines.
“We are focused on ensuring fair and open digital markets. Effective interoperability, for example with smartphones and their operating systems, plays an important role in this,” EU executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager was quoted as saying in a press release. The Commission will define how iOS should allow third-party accessories to use features like wireless connectivity, pairing and notifications.
Apple gave the following statement to 9to5Mac:
At Apple, we’re proud of the fact that we’ve built over 250,000 APIs that allow developers to build apps that access our operating system and functionalities in a way that ensures users’ privacy and security.
And:
To comply with the DMA, we’ve also created ways for apps in the European Union to request additional interoperability with iOS and iPadOS while protecting our users. Undermining the protections we’ve built over time would put European consumers at risk, giving bad actors more ways to access their devices and data. We will continue to work constructively with the European Commission on a path forward that both protects our EU users and clarifies the regulation.
The Commission gave Apple six months to implement the changes or face fines of up to ten percent of its annual turnover under the DMA’s provisions.
Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/09/19/apple-eu-smartwatches-interoperability/
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