Apple is expected to release iOS 17 in mid to late September as a free software update for the iPhone XS and newer. The update includes a wide range...
Journal app,
Collaborative Apple Music Playlists,
AirDrop Transfers via Internet
Same. It's the largest paradigm shift in iOS since the first iPhone. I had expected some kind of announcement at WWDC so devs could prepare, but radio silence. Apple could play out the clock on this one until February/March next year, but that would be a huge risk. Any issues with deployment and they risk a recurring fine of up to 20% of global revenue. The EU is hungry to make an example, too. If they're not dumb, the EU will get side-loading (AKA installing applications on our phones) next month. I look forward to installing all kinds of apps.
Yes to more app stores. That's explicitly required in the DMA. Of course it will take time for developers to build their own app stores, but Microsoft, for one, is already hard at work. I suspect the same is true of Epic and others. In reality, stores don't need to be much more than responsive wrappers, so we should see some options fast.
As for themes, app icons, and other customisations, the DMA doesn't touch on that. At least, I didn't see any requirements for that. The legislation is intended to ensure equal competition and access for developers. It's not intended to force Apple to allow greater OS customisation, for example. Unless, of course, Apple gives themselves such abilities in other apps.
The issue is that from what I've read it is very likely that Apple will simply create a new kind of Enterprise certificate that allows you to sign and install apps without the store but it won't be available to the general public. Most likely only registered companies that are willing to pay a lot of money for it.
Not sure of they will... or at least in a reasonable time. I didn't see anything on the law that made what I was suggestion illegal, only annoying but compliant with some imagination and allegations of security...
The DMA explicitly forbids that. There must be no cost, and no barriers to distributing apps to iOS users. Apple cannot, for example, force developers to sign up with Apple, pay additional fees, or use special certificates.
Honestly, I think the DMA is the most impressive, most comprehensive technology focused piece of legislation in my lifetime. They've clearly gone to great lengths to consider all the ways gatekeepers like Apple might intend to maliciously comply. Further, the EU operates under the principle of "spirit of the law," as opposed to the US, which operates under the principle of the "letter of the law." This means judges don't take kindly to companies attempting obvious circumvention of the intended principles of the legislation. Even if Apple were to find a loophole, they probably won't be allowed to exploit it.
True but I feel confident the European Commission has excellent oversight. In this case the law is written so clearly that any attempt by a corrupt judge to provide Apple with dispensation would be immediately caught.