The European Commission has instructed Apple to improve iPhone compatibility with third-party devices, such as smartwatches and headphones, manufactured by other companies.
The EC made the relevant decisions supported by the Digital Markets Act. It regulates the activities of tech giants.
The first decision obliges Apple to provide other app developers and manufacturers wider access to key iPhone features. This will make connecting third-party gadgets, transferring data, displaying notifications, etc., easier.
The second solution requires Apple to be more transparent about its devices’ compatibility with other companies’ services. Apple must provide developers with technical documentation on how to make their services compatible with iPhones and iPads and create a clear and predictable schedule for reviewing integration requests.
This is the first time the European Commission has set specific requirements for digital platforms under the new law. However, Apple can still challenge these decisions in court.
“We are simply implementing the law and creating clear rules for both Apple and developers,” said European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera.
She added that Apple’s open ecosystem will allow consumers to have a wider choice of new technological devices.