For Android users, downloading Apps through third-party platforms must have become commonplace.
. For Apple users, due to the closedness of iOS, users can only download Apps through the App Store.
Users can choose by themselves, exchange for more security through closure, or pursue more openness.
I believe this is also one of the main references for everyone to finally choose Apple or Android phones.
Cook has repeatedly opposed iOS open sideloading in public and said that if you want a more open software environment, it is recommended that you use Android phones.
It can be seen that Apple's determination to maintain iOS closedness is very firm.
However, things seem to be changing a little over time.
Last summer, EU passed a Digital Markets Act, an antitrust legislation aimed at increasing industry competition by breaking down the existing advantages of tech giants.
With Apple's market advantages in sales and user scale around the world, if nothing unexpected happens, it will be included in the list of "gatekeeper" technology giants.
Therefore, if Apple wants to continue to be active in the European market, it will inevitably be subject to the bill.
For example, the 30% " Apple tax " that Apple has been charging developers is within the scope of interference in the bill.
Judging from various news from the outside world this year, Apple is being forced to gradually open App Store third-party payments and reduce the handling fees that need to be charged.
As time goes by, this bill has officially come into effect this month, and the scope of supervision is gradually expanding.
Latest news shows that the Digital Markets Act may make significant changes to the way App Store, Information App, FaceTime and Siri operate in Europe.
Recently, a senior European official, Gerald Degraf, made a comment on more provisions of the Digital Markets Act.
Gerard Degraf said that stricter rules need to be set for tech giants, and iPhone users should be able to download apps not only from the App Store, but also from other app stores.
Therefore, this may mean that under the pressure of the bill, Apple needs to open up the App Store's sideloading function, allowing users to download Apps on third-party application platforms.
However, the bill is currently in the supplementary stage of more details. It will take some time before it is officially implemented and gradually affecting users.
The EU said it will announce which companies will be included in the "gatekeeper" next spring, formally conduct legislative interference, and give these companies six months to make rectifications.
If the bill finally takes effect, Apple will have to make major changes to systems such as iOS and iPadOS to adapt to the latest EU bill.
This means that iOS has always insisted on for the closedness, which may really be history.
It is worth mentioning that the EU bill on unifying USB-C interfaces was passed before, and Apple also had a rare compromise. Its executives said in public that they would comply with this regulation.
It can be seen that even if it is as strong as Apple, it may make certain concessions under the mandatory requirements of the law.
But no matter what, there is still some time before the formal implementation of the bill and the final characterization of the "gatekeeper".
Until then, Apple may have conducted more activities to prevent iOS from being forced to open.
Of course, everything has both black and white sides. Not all third-party apps are malware. As the mobile Internet gradually becomes regularized under supervision, I believe that there will be fewer and fewer illegal software.
Close and secure, or open and accompanying risks, all depend on the user's own choice.
Do you support iOS open sideloading? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area and discuss with everyone.
If you want to know more about the use of Apple devices and check the warranty, you can follow my WeChat official account: cxkj-001 (Apple Fan Club).
