EU Industry Chief Tells Apple: 'Open Up' Ecosystem to Competitors

Quincy Jon, Tech Times 26 September 2023, 08:09 pm

European Union industry head Thierry Breton wants Apple CEO Tim Cook to expose Apple's hardware and software ecosystem to rivals. Breton made these remarks after meeting Cook in Brussels.

EU Industry Chief Tells Apple to 'Open Up' Ecosystem to Competitors

(Photo : LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)
This picture taken on April 27, 2023 in Toulouse, southwestern France, shows a screen displaying the Apple logo and the European flag. - European commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton unveiled a list of 19 online platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, as having user numbers so big they will come under stricter regulatory rules for content. The list which also includes services from Amazon, Google, Meta, Instagram and Microsoft puts them in a category under a new EU law, known as the Digital Services Act (DSA), imposing measures from August such as annual audits and a duty to effectively counter disinformation and hate content.

Breton stressed the need for Apple and other major tech companies to "open up its gates" and let competitors access their ecosystem under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that also covers features like browsers, app shops, and electronic wallets, according to Reuters.

The measure aims to provide Apple iPhone users with a larger selection of competing services from other vendors.

The European Union's DMA, which pursues large IT firms like Apple, aims to improve the business climate. Although still being implemented, it became legislation in the EU in November 2022 and became effective in May 2023.

Apple Ensures Compliance with EU

Breton also criticized the iPhone maker's claim that security and privacy drive its closed environment. He believes EU laws may promote innovation without compromising the two.

Apple has yet to issue a response on the matter. According to Apple Insider, Tim Cook did not disclose his Brussels travel or mention his meeting with the EU Commissioner. The Apple official has, however, tweeted about meeting local Apple Store staff in the capital of Belgium.

Apple's VP Craig Federighi earlier stated that the tech giant is working with the EU to comply with iOS 17's limitations on sideloading and third-party app stores. Apple may let other messaging applications use iMessage while preventing sideloading and third-party app stores.

Apple Boosts Podcast App

In another news, Apple's revamped podcast app in iOS 17 has greatly improved its original audio material. Apple expands its audience by connecting people via third-party applications.

Apple Music, Apple News Plus, Calm, and Lingokids users may now listen to over 60 original podcasts. Over 100 new podcasts to debut on Apple Podcasts this autumn, The Verge reported.

Professional voice actors narrate Apple News+ Narrated, introduced lately. Apple News has four programmes and Apple Music 42, with musicians like Reneé Rapp and narrative series like Hip-Hop DNA.

Calm subscribers will have their Apple Podcasts subscriptions automatically integrated. The app's Apple Podcasts channel page allows manual sign-ins. This functionality needs iOS 17, iPadOS 17, or macOS Sonoma.

Apple Podcasts will add Bloomberg, Curio, L'Équipe, Mamamia, Sleep Cycle, The Economist, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, WELT News, and Zen next month, extending its content and reach.