The European model will never be the same

The European Commission has required Apple to open nine basic functions of iOS to developers and external manufacturers, transforming the iPhone experience in Europe.

As we explain in Xatakathis decision represents the first great coup of authority of Commissioner Teresa Riberawho has also rebuked Google to favor their own services in the search results.

Beyond the news, We are facing a turning point: The iPhone in Europe will never be the same.

Why is it important. This intervention will directly affect the experience of millions of European users. Functions that have defined the exclusivity of the Apple ecosystem – as Airdrop, AirPlay or absolute synchronization with Apple Watch – will soon be available for competition products, altering the very essence of the iPhone as we know it.

We are not facing a simple legal requirement, but before a forced redefinition of what an iPhone in Europe means.

Between the lines. The European Commission has accurately identified where the opening hurts more. The selected functions are not casual: they are precisely those that create the “Blocking effect“That keeps users within the Apple ecosystem.

When opening these characteristics, the EU not only seeks to encourage competition, but systematically dismantle the barriers that Apple has built for years to retain users. It is a direct attack on the company’s strategy.

What is happening. For the first time, regulators are specifically dictating how IOS should function, with a detailed implementation calendar:

• Notifications should be shown in third -party watches by the end of 2025.
• The automatic device change will work with third -party headphones for June 2026.
• And the alternatives to AirPlay must be available by the end of 2026.

This means that iOS 19 and 20 will include functions and APIS that Apple would never have voluntarily implemented, creating a very different operating system from that in the rest of the world.

The big question. Is this “open” iPhone better or worse for European users? The answer depends on what we value the most.

• On the one hand, interoperability will allow greater freedom of choice and potentially more competitive prices. A user can buy third -party headphones that work as well with their iPhone as the AirPods, or a clock that access the same functions as the Apple Watch.
• On the other hand, Apple warns that forced opening compromises privacy and security. The non -encrypted transmission of notifications to external devices, for example, could expose sensitive information. In addition, the resulting fragmentation could degrade the integrated experience that many users value.

However, in the past we have seen movements that seemed unthinkable ( options for sharing in iOS 8the recent arrival of emulators wave forced appearance of third -party stores) that they have not had the dire consequences that were raised.

The threat. The greatest risk for European users is to become second -category digital citizens. Apple has already demonstrated its willingness to delay functions in Europe, as happened with Apple Intelligence in general or with iPhone Mirroring in particular, and could intensify this strategy.

If the company considers that the EU requirements compromise its platform too much, it would not be surprising that future innovations arrive first – or exclusively – to less restrictive markets. Or to the rest of the world. European users could face a dilemma: more options but less innovation.

In summary. The European iPhone will never be the same again. The question is whether that will be for better or for worse.

What is clear is that we are witnessing a historical transformation in which regulators have decided to actively redesign the most influential product of what we have of the century. The result of this experiment will define not only the future of the iPhone, but possibly that of all technological regulation.

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Outstanding image | Wikimedia, Apple, Xataka