The European Union mandates Apple to open its iOS system: Nine key features must be opened by the end of 2025

The European Union mandates Apple to open its iOS system: Nine key features must be opened by the end of 2025On March 20th, the European Commission issued mandatory new regulations requiring Apple to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and open its iOS system. This move aims to break Apple's closed ecosystem, promote compatibility between third-party devices and iPhones, and has sparked widespread attention in the tech industry

The European Union mandates Apple to open its iOS system: Nine key features must be opened by the end of 2025

On March 20th, the European Commission issued mandatory new regulations requiring Apple to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and open its iOS system. This move aims to break Apple's closed ecosystem, promote compatibility between third-party devices and iPhones, and has sparked widespread attention in the tech industry. The Verge reported that the new regulation includes two core measures: simplifying the process for developers to apply for interoperability, and mandating Apple to open nine iOS-exclusive features, most by the end of 2025. The opening of these nine features will significantly alter the Apple user experience and potentially reshape the smart wearable device market.

Detailed Explanation of the Nine Mandatory Open iOS Features:

The new regulations explicitly require Apple to open the following nine iOS features, allowing access for third-party devices (such as smartwatches and headphones):

1. iOS Notification Push: Currently, only the Apple Watch can directly display and interact with iPhone notifications. The new regulation requires Apple to open this functionality, allowing third-party smartwatches to receive and process iPhone notifications, thus improving user information reception efficiency and convenience. This will directly impact the market position of the Apple Watch, providing other smartwatch manufacturers with opportunities for deeper integration with the iPhone.

2. Background App Running: This feature allows third-party devices to continuously receive real-time data from the iPhone, such as news and weather information. Currently, only Apple's own devices enjoy this continuous background data connection. Opening this feature will enable third-party devices to provide more timely and comprehensive information services, enhancing user experience and providing developers with more data application scenarios.

3. SharePlay and Audio Switching: This feature will allow non-AirPods headphones to seamlessly switch to answering a phone call on the iPhone while playing music on an iPad. Currently, Apple's SharePlay functionality is mainly limited to devices within the Apple ecosystem. The implementation of the new regulation will break this limitation, providing users with a more flexible audio control experience and increasing the competitiveness of non-Apple headphone products.

4. High-Speed Connection Protocol: Apple possesses proprietary high-bandwidth connection technology that improves the compatibility and performance of VR devices. The new regulation requires Apple to open this technology, allowing access for third-party VR devices. This will significantly reduce the difficulty and cost of VR device development, promoting the flourishing development of the VR industry and offering consumers more choices.

5. AirDrop and AirPlay Alternative Services: AirDrop and AirPlay are crucial file and media transfer technologies within the Apple ecosystem. The new regulation requires Apple to allow third-party devices to develop alternative services, thus breaking Apple's monopoly on data transmission, providing users with a wider range of data transfer options, and offering more opportunities for developers.

6. App-Free Pairing: This feature will simplify the initial setup process for third-party devices with the iPhone, eliminating the need to download a companion app. This will significantly improve user experience, lower the barrier to entry for users, and promote the popularity of third-party devices.

7. Automatic Wi-Fi Connection: This feature allows third-party devices to automatically connect to Wi-Fi networks through the iPhone without manual operation. This will greatly facilitate users connecting to Wi-Fi networks, improving overall usage efficiency, and reducing user setup errors.

8. NFC Payment Transfer: This feature allows for the quick transfer of access cards, transit cards, and other payment credentials via NFC. Currently, Apple's NFC functionality is primarily used for Apple Pay. The implementation of the new regulation will allow third-party devices to also utilize the iPhone's NFC functionality for payments, expanding the diversity of payment methods.

9. Cross-Device Data Synchronization: This feature will ensure that third-party devices can stably connect and synchronize iPhone data. Currently, only Apple's own devices can achieve seamless data synchronization. The new regulation requires Apple to open this functionality, allowing third-party devices to more stably synchronize data with the iPhone, providing users with a more convenient data management experience.

Significance and Impact of the EU Regulation:

The EU regulation is legally binding. If Apple fails to comply on time, it may face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue, and may even trigger an antitrust investigation. Apple has publicly opposed the new regulation, claiming it harms products and European users, and may challenge the decision through legal channels. However, the European Commission emphasizes that this move aims to break Apple's "walled garden" ecosystem, provide developers and users with more open choices, promote market competition, and ultimately benefit consumers.

Tech media outlets like The Verge believe this regulation will significantly boost competition in the smart wearable device market, reduce consumer reliance on Apple hardware, and create more opportunities for developers. The implementation of the new regulation will force Apple to further open its ecosystem, which will not only change Apple's business model but also have a profound impact on the entire mobile device industry. In the future, we will see more third-party devices compatible with the iPhone, offering consumers a richer selection and driving technological innovation and progress. This also serves as a warning to other tech giants, reminding them to pay attention to the openness and competitiveness of their own ecosystems to avoid similar predicaments. The EU's move undoubtedly sets an important precedent in the global tech regulation field, providing a reference for other countries and regions to regulate the behavior of tech giants. The ultimate outcome of this regulation will have a profound and complex impact on Apple, other tech companies, and consumers. Further developments warrant continued attention.