Apple is preparing significant changes for iOS, opening up its system much more and even allowing the installation of application stores other than the App Store.
The European Union has been a real headache for Apple lately. If the iPhone should finally accept USB-C, abandoning the Lightning connector, the changes will not only reach the hardware, but iOS will have to open up much more. And one of the doors that will have to be opened is that of the application store.
As Bloomberg reported, Apple is already working on allowing more app stores on the iPhone and iPad. The European Union is pushing those of Cupertino hard, and before possible sanctions arrive, Apple wants to take the first step. That would mean that Apple would no longer have control over what is installed and what is not on an iPhone or iPad, with the advantages and disadvantages that this entails. Big development companies like Epic would have their wishes granted with this move, since they wouldn’t have to go through the 30% fee that Apple charges to be in its store.
Not only will other stores be allowed, but access will be given to certain private APIs that currently only Apple can use for its own services, for example NFC. The European Union is investigating a possible abuse to prevent other apps or services may use the iPhone’s payment system allowing us access to NFC for this purpose. if it opens up to other operators, you can use Google Pay with your iPhone, for example.
According to Bloomberg, these changes are intended for use in Europeand there are doubts whether they would reach other regions, even the United States, where Apple doesn’t have as much trouble with regulators.