While reading through the details of Apple’s new fee and approval changes to comply with the European Digital Markets Act legislation, it’s evident that the iPhone company is putting in significant effort to maintain its dominance.
On the positive side, the DMA ruling is leading to more tangible outcomes in areas where Apple’s strict control has hindered progress.
One of the notable outcomes of the DMA ruling is the authorization of alternative browser engines other than Apple’s WebKit on iOS devices for the first time. This means that other browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera will now have more freedom to offer the same level of control, features, and reach that they have on Android devices.
Additionally, Apple will allow game streaming apps such as Xbox Cloud Streaming and Nvidia’s GeForce Now to exist as actual apps on iOS devices, rather than just through a web browser.
While Apple has previously defended the WebKit restriction as a measure to keep iOS secure, it has been seen as a way to limit competition to its own Safari browser. However, the recent changes signal a relaxation of these restrictions.
It is important to note that there are still rules to follow. Apple has stated that each experience made available in an app on the App Store will need to adhere to all App Store Review Guidelines and maintain a specific age rating for the app. However, these seem to be reasonable formalities rather than power grabs.
Through these changes, the door has been opened for game streaming services, and a major shift in cloud gaming competition is on the horizon.
