I'm conflicted about the app stores. On the one hand, a non-modifiable single point of sale tied to the OS, with rules to prevent private data (and private API) access, is good and reduces data risks to me personally and society as a whole. On the other hand, I'm not an American, I don't live or work in America, and the users of my five most recent published apps have not been in the USA, so I've never been happy abo…
EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
111–120 of 1001 posts
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#112This is easily one of the most expansive Acts regarding computing devices passed in my lifetime. The summary is in the link. As an iPhone user, this will enable me to: * Install any software * Install any App Store and choose to make it default * Use third party payment providers and choose to make them default * Use any voice assistant and choose to make it default * User any browser and browser engine and choose to…
Possibly. The other possibility is it will make it impossible to buy an iPhone in Europe. It certainly puts a huge incentive on Apple to figure out technical solutions to problems like "How do we get other browser engines on this thing without compromising a hundred OS assumptions, battery performance, or user security," but it's also possible Apple decides that's a no-go and it'll cost more than 25% of annual revenu…
I doubt Apple will be willing to forego sales in the world's third largest economy, tbh.
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#113This is easily one of the most expansive Acts regarding computing devices passed in my lifetime. The summary is in the link. As an iPhone user, this will enable me to: * Install any software * Install any App Store and choose to make it default * Use third party payment providers and choose to make them default * Use any voice assistant and choose to make it default * User any browser and browser engine and choose to…
These are all the highest risk API and integration surfaces on mobile devices.
Also I hope Microsoft get pulled into this as well because they're slowly turning Windows into a marketing device.
Edit: as an iOS user I'm optimistic that this will lead to complete device network whitelist capabilities though so you can neuter any apps which circumvent the current browser restrictions. That would destroy a lot of tracking capability instantly and completely stop embedded browser side channel attacks.
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#114This is easily one of the most expansive Acts regarding computing devices passed in my lifetime. The summary is in the link. As an iPhone user, this will enable me to: * Install any software * Install any App Store and choose to make it default * Use third party payment providers and choose to make them default * Use any voice assistant and choose to make it default * User any browser and browser engine and choose to…
Hello, Alphabet world domination. They finally get the chance to get rid of that pesky Safari. Next stop: obligatory sign-in for using a service.
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#115This is easily one of the most expansive Acts regarding computing devices passed in my lifetime. The summary is in the link. As an iPhone user, this will enable me to: * Install any software * Install any App Store and choose to make it default * Use third party payment providers and choose to make them default * Use any voice assistant and choose to make it default * User any browser and browser engine and choose to…
Huge. What if Apple claims implementing required feature X will take more than 6 months? I could see it happening given that planning has already happened and new func will need to be smoothly introduced into UX etc.
One could also argue that if it takes longer than 6 months to add something dictated by law, you simply have to implement it faster or accept the consequences.
I don't think companies this big has a lot of excuses for taking so long to implement things. They have thousands of employees they can shift from other projects (projects that doesn't decide if the phone is illegal or not) to implement urgent things like this.
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#116They forgot the noscript/basic (x)html interoperability for the web. That does enable the possibility to use other browsers than big tech browsers. It is related to the "core messaging interoperability". And making core messaging functionality interoperable is fairly not enough because we already know what they will do to lock users on their software: they will accelerate their planned obsolescence, will increase the…
They're smart, but the language of the regulation gives enforcers enough leeway to fine them for trying to pull bullshit like this. Using "bazillions of devs" to try to circumvent the spirit of the law would be an enormous waste of time and money. Hopefully they realize that before even trying.
I am more pessimistic than you about this since I am being hit hard by the web issue.
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#117Does anyone know if the definition of "gatekeeper" extends to infrastructure services like AWS or Cloudflare? > A small number of large undertakings providing core platform services have emerged with considerable economic power that could qualify them to be designated as gatekeepers pursuant to this Regulation. Typically, they feature an ability to connect many business users with many end users through their service…
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#118Earlier quoted context omitted.
Does it mean Google will have to enable call recording APIs on Android? That would be sweet. Currently none of call recording apps work on my phone and this is a must have feature for me. When I take a call with my doctor I have to use my separate memo recorder, so that I can refer to the call in the future if I forget something. Let's not mention usefulness of this feature when you are placing orders over the phone…
> If I could record a call I had evidence in case of dispute. It might not be legal to do that, in all cases, and the evidence might not be valid.
Similar to how we treat knives and similar things.
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#119Earlier quoted context omitted.
This bring more choiche power to the final user. But are final users always in position to make such choiches? Do the final user always have the competence? If you open the app store walled gardens good things can enter, but even bad things. Today if you buy an iPhone to you son you sure that apps are reviewed by Apple. With this ACT, nor Apple, nor other provider can give you this certainty of app moderation.
Your son can also open the door to strangers and let them in or can stab himself with a knife or fork. What are we going to do to make knives, forks and doors more secure?
Re: EU Digital Markets Act, aimed at Google, Apple, Amazon, approved
#120This is easily one of the most expansive Acts regarding computing devices passed in my lifetime. The summary is in the link. As an iPhone user, this will enable me to: * Install any software * Install any App Store and choose to make it default * Use third party payment providers and choose to make them default * Use any voice assistant and choose to make it default * User any browser and browser engine and choose to…
> User any browser and browser engine and choose to make it default Hello, Alphabet world domination. They finally get the chance to get rid of that pesky Safari. Next stop: obligatory sign-in for using a service.