Tag: EU

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Mobile Syrup

Apple reportedly plans to let third-party app stores on iOS

I never thought we’d see the day, but here it is: Apple reportedly plans to allow alternate app stores on iPhones and iPads.

The news comes from Bloomberg’s reliable Mark Gurman, who reports that Apple has a major overhaul in the works that aims to comply with new European Union (EU) requirements coming in 2024. This includes things like the ‘Digital Markets Act,’ which will take effect in the coming months but won’t require companies to comply until 2024. The act requires technology companies to allow the installation of third-party apps and allow users to easily change default settings.

Gurman cites people familiar with Apple efforts, writing that “software engineering and services employees are engaged in a major push to open up key elements of Apple’s platforms.” Changes include allowing people to download third-party software to iPhones and iPads without using the Apple App Store. That could potentially allow app developers to dodge Apple’s up to 30 percent cut of App Store payments.

However, the changes so far are designed to go live just in Europe, although the people familiar with the effort told Gurman the project could law the groundwork for similar changes in other regions should other countries pass similar laws. Apple aims for the changes to go live in iOS 17.

Moreover, the change is reportedly unpopular within Apple. That doesn’t come as a surprise given Apple’s various attacks on sideloading — the company also lobbied against the EU laws, arguing that it could allow unsafe apps to get onto people’s devices. Apple is reportedly considering mandating security requirements for software distributed outside the app store and requiring that Apple verify those apps — Gurman notes that could carry a fee.

However, that sounds like just another way for Apple to squeeze money out of developers even if they choose not to use the App Store. Various reports suggest Apple’s long-standing argument that the App Store promotes security doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.

Other things Apple is working on include opening more of its private APIs to third-party apps, allowing third-party browsers to use engines other than WebKit (which Safari uses), opening more camera features to third-party apps, and even the near-field communications (NFC) chip. So far, only Apple Wallet and Pay can use NFC, a long-standing gripe with developers of financial apps. Apple may even open up the Find My network to accessory makers like Tile.

Gurman also reports there are some things where Apple hasn’t made any decisions. For one, the company hasn’t decided whether to comply with a section of the Digital Markets Act that would allow third-party payment systems within apps. Apple also hasn’t made decisions about opening up the features of iMessage despite the requirements to do so. Apple still doesn’t plan to support Google’s RCS — also not a surprise, given its views on it.

The EU threatened fines of up to 20 percent of a company’s annual global revenue for repeated violations of the law. Gurman notes that Apple generated nearly $400 billion USD (roughly $542.4 billion CAD) worldwide in 2022, putting the fine in the $80 billion USD (about $108.5 billion CAD) range. Moreover, this comes as Apple prepares to comply with another EU regulation by adding a USB-C port to the iPhone. Perhaps with both these changes on the horizon, we could see an EU-only iPhone from Apple.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

EU USB-C deadline set for December 28, 2024

Earlier this year, the European Union decided to make all new smartphones — including iPhones — use USB-C. However, a specific deadline for when phones would need to comply with the regulation wasn’t set. At least, it wasn’t until now.

The EU has published the new USB-C legislation in its ‘Official Journal,’ which means the rules will enter into force in 20 days’ time. Then the individual EU member states will have a maximum of 24 months to apply them as national law, which means the official date is December 28th, 2024.

Along with smartphones, the regulations will apply to devices, including tablets, digital cameras, headphones, and handheld video game consoles. The regulation will eventually apply to laptops, but not until April 2026. Moreover, the rules only apply to devices offering wired charging. In other words, a device that only charges wirelessly wouldn’t be forced to use USB-C. This has been discussed as a potential loophole for Apple to avoid putting USB-C on the iPhone by releasing a portless iPhone that can only charge wirelessly. It’s unclear if Apple will actually do that, however.

Speaking of Apple, it already confirmed plans to comply with the new rules, but technically the company wouldn’t need to do so until the release of its 2025 iPhone. The 2024 iPhone will arrive in September, ahead of the deadline to include USB-C. That said, analysts have indicated Apple will make the change in 2023, at least for the ‘Pro’ iPhones.

Source: @EURLex Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Apple exec confirms there will be a USB-C iPhone

An Apple executive confirmed the company will make a USB-C iPhone following the European Union’s new law mandating all phones sold in member countries use the connector.

“Obviously, we’ll have to comply; we have no choice,” Apple senior vice president of worldwide marketing Greg Joswiak said when asked about replacing the proprietary Lightning connector with USB-C on an upcoming iPhone by The Wall Street Journal’s Joanna Stern (via The Verge). Stern brought up the USB-C issue during a talk with Joswiak and Apple’s VP of software, Craig Federighi, at the WSJ‘s Tech Live conference.

However, Joswiak made it clear Apple isn’t a fan of the new rules and was fairly ambiguous about when the USB-C iPhone would arrive, and where it would be available.

“The Europeans are the ones dictating timing for European customers,” Joswiak said when asked when the USB-C iPhone would arrive. The law dictates that all mobile phones and tablets will need to use USB-C by the fall of 2024. Moreover, Joswiak wouldn’t say whether Apple would launch USB-C iPhones outside of the EU (although his comments seem to indicate it won’t).

Joswiak also went on a bit of a rant about how Apple prefers to go its own way rather than be forced by lawmakers to adopt hardware standards. Moreover, Joswiak claimed that charging bricks with detachable cables mostly solves the issue the new regulations seek to fix, and said that switching iPhones from Lightning to USB-C would generate lots of e-waste.

Unfortunately, those arguments aren’t particularly compelling. In the long run, having all smartphones use the same port will reduce e-waste by eliminating the need to change cables when you change phones. Plus, when you consider that Apple makes a lot of money from Lightning accessories (and thus stands to lose out if the iPhone has USB-C), its aversion to the change makes more sense.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Joswiak didn’t mention anything about Apple considering options to avoid putting USB-C on the iPhone. Rumours have circled for years that the company would launch a portless iPhone and, technically, an iPhone that only used wireless charging would be allowed under the new EU rules. Joswiak didn’t lend any fuel to that fire, however. It seems Apple is resigned to USB-C on the iPhone.

Source: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

EU law will force devices – including the iPhone – to use USB-C

The European Parliament, the EU’s elected legislative body, voted 602 to 13 in favour of enforcing USB-C as a common charging port across a wide variety of devices. That means future iPhones and other devices sold in Europe will need to offer a USB-C charging port.

Per a press release from the European Parliament:

“By the end of 2024, all mobile phones, tablets and cameras sold in the EU will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C charging port. From spring 2026, the obligation will extend to laptops.”

The EU says the change is part of a broader effort to “reduce e-waste and to empower consumers to make more sustainable choices.” The new rules would also impact charging standards, requiring all devices that support fast charging to have the same charging speed, which hopefully could reduce confusion around cable, charger, and device compatibility. Similarly, the EU wants to make wireless charging solutions interoperable, and the new rules empower the European Commission to develop acts by the end of 2024 that force open wireless charging solutions.

Specifically, the EU says “all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.”

There are exemptions, of course. The rules won’t apply to devices too small for a USB-C cable, such as smartwatches and fitness trackers.

It’s also worth noting that the rules will not have an immediate impact on electronics in the EU. First, the European Council must approve the rules so they can be published to the EU Official Journal. Then, the rules come into effect 20 days after publication. Moreover, the rules come into effect at the end of 2024.

When will you be able to buy a USB-C iPhone

The big question coming out of this is how the rules will impact Apple. The iPhone-maker remains one of the biggest players not to have widely adopted USB-C charging. Most iPhones and iPads still use the company’s Lightning connector. Some iPads do have USB-C, however. Plus, Apple’s MacBooks recently switched back to using MagSafe as the primary method of charging, although most MacBooks also come with USB-C ports and support charging over those ports. And that’s not even getting into the various accessories the company offers with Lightning.

The Verge reports that, due to how and when the rules will come into effect, Apple may be able to skirt by with possibly two more Lightning-equipped iPhones. Apple typically reveals major new iPhones in September, so we could see the 2023 and 2024 iPhones arrive before the restrictions come into place, while the 2025 iPhone (possibly the iPhone 17 series, if Apple keeps up its current branding) might be the first that’s actually forced to have USB-C.

That said, it’s possible Apple might make the change sooner rather than later. Rumours already point to the 2023 iPhone sporting USB-C. Alternatively, if Apple really wants to avoid adding USB-C to the iPhone, it could launch a portless iPhone instead — that seems to be the only real workaround to the new EU rules.

Technically, the new rules only apply to the EU, so Apple could make a USB-C iPhone for Europe and keep Lightning in other regions, or pull out of the EU entirely. Neither of those seem likely, however. Apple has shown a desire to keep its products the same regardless of where you buy them, while the EU remains a major market for Apple. So, the EU rules likely mean we’ll all see a USB-C iPhone in the near future.

Source: European Parliament Via: MacRumors, The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Sweeping EU tech legislation could force messaging apps to work together

Source: Shutterstock

The big news in tech today is that the European Union (EU) reached an agreement on its ‘Digital Markets Act’ (DMA) that aims to “make the digital sector fairer and more competitive.”

Like the EU’s GDPR, the DMA will have wide-reaching impacts, specifically on the world’s biggest tech companies: Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta (Facebook), etc. At least, it will in the EU — Canadians likely won’t be directly impacted, although some of the new regulations in the DMA may have knock-on effects outside Europe (more on this at the end).

To start, let’s dig into some of the biggest changes the DMA brings to tech in Europe.

EU comes for Big Tech

The DMA is set up to target what the EU calls “gatekeepers,” defined as companies controlling one or more core platform services in at least three EU members states. Google’s and Apple’s smartphone app stores are great examples of this since they’re core services available in multiple European countries. However, services like search engines, social networks, cloud services, advertising, voice assistants, web browsers, and more also fall under this umbrella.

Along with the gatekeeper focus, DMA has certain revenue, valuation, and active user thresholds companies need to meet before the regulations take effect. These requirements mean the DMA almost exclusively applies to big tech companies like those mentioned above.

The DMA also outlines punishments for companies that don’t play by the rules. The legislation spells out fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s global turnover, and up to 20 percent for repeat offenders. Companies that fail to comply at least three times in eight years can be subject to a European Commission market investigation and, “if necessary,” the commission could break up those companies or prevent them from making new acquisitions.

Rules target data sharing and default apps

Some of the new rules in the DMA are fairly straightforward. For example, the DMA now requires that companies allow users to use only specific parts of their services with the ability to unsubscribe from other parts. Android Police suggest using YouTube but not Gmail or Android as an example of this.

Moreover, under the DMA, companies must explicitly ask users for permission to use their data across different services.

Perhaps one of the more significant requirements of the DMA is that core software can no longer be the default upon installation of an operating system. For example, that would mean no more default web browsers — a blow to both Google’s Chrome and Microsoft’s Edge.

That said, it’s worth noting the EU has already forced Google to unbundle Chrome and Search on Android devices sold in the EU. Instead, users get to choose their preferred browser and search engine during set-up. I’m interested to see how this particular rule will apply to things like Chrome OS, where the operating system and browser are effectively the same thing.

However, this rule applies to hardware too. For example, the DMA requires that developers be able to access supplementary smartphone functions like NFC chips. That’s a blow to Apple, which only allows its payment services to work with the iPhone’s NFC chip. Under the DMA, the chip would become accessible to third-party payment services.

Message interoperability is an interesting, but troublesome addition

One of the most significant additions in the DMA is a requirement for companies to “ensure the interoperability of their instant messaging services’ basic functionalities.”

In other words, messaging services would need to open up their platforms to allow cross-service messaging. On the one hand, this seems like it’d potentially solve the frustrating problem of trying to get all your friends using the same messaging service. On the other, it would likely be a total nightmare to implement.

Just off the top of my head, that’d mean opening up iMessage, WhatsApp (and Meta’s various other chat apps), Telegram, Signal, Google’s RCS system and Hangouts, and many more, to somehow work with each other (although some of the smaller services may be exempt from the DMA). It’s not impossible — WhatsApp and Signal, for example, rely on the same method for encrypting messages and so theoretically could be interoperable. Meta is also working to tie all of its chat apps together so WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook users can all get messages in one place.

Aside from the technical complexity of making interoperable messaging, there’s the question of whether developers would even want this. For example, Signal prides itself on its encryption and security — the app is often used as a messaging tool for journalists to securely contact sources. But if it were to become interoperable as per the DMA, it could pose a risk to the encryption and trust Signal has built up over years if suddenly those messages are tied into a system also used by Meta and Google.

Assuming message interoperability is implemented well with strong encryptions and protections for consumers, I could see a unified system generally being a net positive. But, I have my doubts that’s what we’ll get.

Will the DMA impact Canadians?

The short answer is probably not, although as with anything, it’s complicated. My best guess is that the DMA will not directly impact Canadians, although some of the broader requirements of the new regulations may have ripple effects.

I think it really depends on how deep changes will need to go. Things like the new default apps requirements will likely not reach beyond Europe, judging by how Google handled its previous unbundling of Chrome and Android in the EU.

At the same time, I think requirements like messaging interoperability could extend beyond the EU considering the technical complexity of implementing such a solution. If companies have to go through all the work of making messaging platforms work together in the EU, why not expand that capability to other countries too?

Finally, as noted by The Verge, the DMA hasn’t passed yet. The EU still needs to finalize the language of the legislation before it’s approved by Parliament and Council. However, the DMA could come into force sometime in October, so it’s not that far out. If and when the DMA does pass, I expect some companies will challenge it. Plus, the EU will likely grant companies time to meet the obligations of the legislation.

It’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out and, if the DMA is successful, it may pave the way for restrictions on big tech in other countries too.

Header image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Android Police, The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Google says Bing’s top search result is Google

Google is fighting an antitrust fine from the European Union using Microsoft’s Bing.

Specifically, it’s using Bing’s top search term, which according to Google, is Google.

For a bit of background, the EU slapped Google with a massive €4.34 billion (roughly $6.37 billion CAD) antitrust fine in 2018 for requiring Android phone manufacturers to bundle Google apps with the Play Store. Over the last week, Google started the appeal process to fight the fine.

Of particular note was evidence submitted by Alfonso Lamadrid, a lawyer for Google’s parent company, Alphabet. The evidence cited Bing’s most popular search term — allegedly Google — as proof that customers choose Google Search over competitors.

“People use Google because they choose to, not because they are forced to. Google’s market share in general search is consistent with consumer surveys showing that 95% of users prefer Google to rival search engines,” Lamadrid said.

According to Bloomberg, Google argues that being Bing’s top search result proves people actively choose to use Google. It follows, then, that Google’s bundling of its services with the Play Store on Android phones isn’t the driving factor behind people using its services — people actually prefer to use those services.

Although it may take more than being Bing’s top search result to prove that point, it’s funny to see Google argue that in court.

It’s also worth noting that there’s nothing stopping people from choosing to use different services on their Android smartphone. Granted, being the default can significantly influence people’s choice to use or not use a given app or service. The real question is whether Google leverages its position as the default service to block other services from competing with it.

Source: Bloomberg Via: 9to5Google

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EU to tighten medical controls after breast implant scandal

(BRUSSELS-AFP) – "We must do our best never to let this happen again," said EU Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner John Dalli, outlining plans for more transparent regulations "better adapted to scientific and technological progress."

The new rules will cover every device, from the simplest plasters to life-support systems by way of in vitro diagnostic instruments, to ensure that they are correctly approved and then monitored in use.

Earlier this year, the French government recommended that faulty breast implants which were prone to rupture made by Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) should be removed.

More than 400,000 women around the world are believed to have received PIP implants and many countries followed the French lead after the company was found to have used substandard, industrial-grade silicone gel.

"Everybody was shocked by the scandal … (which) damaged the confidence of patients, consumers and healthcare professionals in the safety of the devices on which they rely every day," Dalli said.

Asked whether his regulations would have prevented the PIP scandal, he said they would "militate against such fraud" but the key issue was that once they were sold there had been no follow up to check the implants.

"What we want to emphasise is" the control of products once they are in use to check that they are made to the specifications laid down and approved, he said.

"If this had happened, the PIP scandal would have been detected many, many years before."

The proposals mean medical devices will now have to undergo a "thorough assessment of safety and performance before they can be sold on the European market," with "control processes … radically reinforced," a statement said.

The aim is to give healthcare professionals better information on the benefits and risks while manufacturers will benefit from clearer rules, with those not complying excluded from the market.

The medical devices market in the 27 EU states plus Norway and Switzerland was worth 95 billion euros in 2009, the statement said.

The proposals now go to the European Council and the European Parliament for approval.