The European Union has proposed to end the monopolistic policies that are supposedly carried out by different companies, after receiving numerous complaints from developers. This problem is to be tackled with new legislation that is currently being drafted that would include the prohibition of Apple integrating pre-installed applications on its computers. In this article we will tell you all about this new legislation that will end up affecting you.
Are the days of pre-installed iOS apps numbered?
When you take an iPhone or iPad out of the box and start setting it up, you realize that it already includes different pre-installed apps installed. For example. Maps, Music or Notes do not require you to install them yourself but are already integrated into the software without having to enter the App Store. Until a few years ago it was not possible to eliminate them having to store them in a folder if you were not going to use them. It was from iOS 11 that the option to remove all these native apps was included, with some exceptions.
This fact that is something totally normalized can have an expiration date. The European Union has enacted antitrust legislation that would prevent Apple and any other company from pre-installing applications on their computers. This means that all developers have the same options to compete in the App Store. Many users may be content to use Apple Music because the Music application arrives pre-installed without considering the use of other services such as Spotify. This can end up creating a much fairer environment for all parties that collaborate on the App Store. Obviously, any user who wants to install native applications can do so through the App Store. From Apple this legislation will not like absolutely anything and it can be taken for sure that they will end up claiming. The arguments they can use is that the user experience is based on these native apps that are perfectly integrated with the hardware.
It has been the Financial Times that has had access to this project, which is currently written in vague language, indicating that it is in an initial process. In addition to this limitation to pre-installed apps, some rules could be imposed on the App Store to apply common criteria to veto a series of specific applications.
iOS 14 could avoid this legislation
One of the coolest features that have been included in both iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 is the ability to choose default apps. This is a very good move by the company to avoid monopoly accusations, as they give users options to use the email client or browser that interests them the most. This fact means that developers can have much fairer rules but it may be insufficient. This legislation, if viewed with the necessary perspective, certainly benefits developers who are currently relegated to the background. This will mean more work for users while they perform the initial configuration of the equipment but in the end they can benefit.