Apple is set to unlock its secrets for the App Store in Europe, responding to new EU laws. Phil Schiller, Apple’s representative, emphasizes compliance with the Digital Markets Act, stating, ‘The changes we’re announcing today comply with the Digital Markets Act’s requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings.’ These changes include allowing app downloads from outside the App Store and a significant shift in commission structures for developers. Get ready for a transformative era in iOS and app distribution!
Apple making major changes to the App Store and iOS in Europe, all because of new laws. Starting March 7, you can download apps from places other than Apple’s App Store. This is a big shift, and Apple is testing these changes in their new iOS 17.4 beta.
Phil Schiller from Apple says, “The changes we’re announcing today comply with the Digital Markets Act’s requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings.“
Here’s the lowdown: Developers, the folks who make apps, can now take payments and share apps outside of the App Store. But, there’s a catch. Apple is changing how much money they take from developers. At first, it’s 17%, then it drops to 10% after a year. However, Apple is adding new fees too, like a 3% “payment processing” fee and a €0.50 “core technology fee” for app downloads.
Safari, Apple’s web browser, is also getting a tweak. If you’re in Europe, you’ll be asked right away if you want to change your default browser when you update to iOS 17.4.
Apple is introducing more tools for app developers with over 600 new APIs. However, this comes with new risks like potential malware and fraud. To tackle this, Apple is adding protections like Notarization for iOS apps and authorization for marketplace developers.
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Changes are happening in Safari too. You can now set a different web browser as your default. But, this may disrupt your experience by showing a list of default browsers when you open Safari for the first time.
And guess what? The App Store is in for some changes too. Developers can now use payment service providers or process payments outside the App Store. Apple is also introducing tools to help developers estimate fees and understand metrics. They’re also adding labels to inform users when they’re not using Apple’s payment system.
But wait, there’s controversy! While developers are happy with more flexibility, there are concerns about user safety. Apps outside the App Store won’t face the same strict reviews. Apple also warns about potential battery life issues for new browser apps using non-Apple engines.
This is a big shift, and it’s all happening because of a new law called the Digital Markets Act. Starting March 7, Apple is unlocking its secrets, creating a new era for iOS and app distribution in Europe. It’s a balancing act between innovation and user protection in the tech world. Get ready for the change!
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