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One of the benefits of owning an Android smartphone is that Google's OS gives you more freedom over how you use your device. Regarding the applications, you have the possibility to install them from the official store, from a third-party store or by downloading .apk files that you find on the web.
Always more freedom on iOS
The DMA or Digital Markets Act, the new EU legislation for digital giants, requires Apple to end the App Store's monopoly on the distribution of applications on iOS. This is why the company updated its iPhones in Europe to allow third-party application stores. And, under certain conditions, developers also have the possibility of offering direct downloading of their applications, without going through the App Store or one of its future competitors.
Nevertheless, despite these concessions, iPhone users are still not as free as Android users. Indeed, to comply with new EU rules, Apple has authorized sideloading, but while maintaining control over the apps that will be installed on its product. The firm imagined a mechanism called “notarization”, “a basic review that can be performed on all apps regardless of their distribution method and aimed at ensuring the integrity of the platform and protecting users.”
In other words, even when an app is distributed by an App Store competitor, or downloaded directly, Apple continues to have moderation power. But, according to an article published by the Daring Fireball site, this mechanism would not please the European Commission.
The EU would have an objection
At this time, no formal announcement has been made. But, according to Daring Fireball, during a European Commission workshop with Apple and app developers, Brussels declared that Apple does not have the right to do this notarization. It would seem that, in the mind of the European Commission, Apple must give up any form of control and completely align itself with its competitor Android. As for the protection of users of applications downloaded without the App Store, against various online threats, this would be a role that must be ensured by government authorities.
< p>For the moment, caution remains in order, while awaiting an official announcement (or not) from Apple or the European Commission. But, in any case, the subject divides. On the one hand, iPhone users will have more freedom, like on Android. But, on the other hand, the fact that they will be able to install apps that are completely outside of Apple's control increases security risks.
Apple would also a concession on its costs
Unlike Google, which doesn't make money when an app is distributed outside of the Play Store, Apple plans to charge fees even when an app is distributed outside of the iPhone. Called a base technology fee, this is a type of compensation that Apple charges for using technologies it has developed. For apps distributed outside the App Store, these fees are €60~em>“0.50 for each first installation of an app over a year, once one million installations have been reached. exceeded.”
If Apple is not about to waive these 0.50 euro technology fees, it could make some changes, so as not to penalize small developers. The system imagined by Apple consists of not charging small developers who have less than a million downloads per year, but of charging those who exceed this million. The problem is that a small developer can exceed this million downloads, thanks to an app that goes viral, even though he was not prepared for it.
In In such a scenario, the developer can quickly go bankrupt, if he suddenly gets millions of downloads (because he would owe millions of euros to Apple). According to Macrumors, Apple said at the European Commission workshop that it is currently looking for a solution to this: one that would encourage small developers to break through, without fear of suddenly being in debt.
- Apple allows the distribution of iPhone applications to competitors in the App Store and for direct download, but it continues to control which apps are installed on its platform via a notarization process
- The European Commission recently indicated that Apple does not have the right to carry out this control on apps distributed outside the App Store
- Apple is also working on easing the technology fees it levies on apps distributed outside the App Store
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