Apple has introduced a range of new features specific to iPhones in Europe, influenced by local regulatory requirements. According to The Verge, these features include third-party app stores, customizable default apps, and independent browser engines, which are unavailable to users elsewhere.
Regulatory Influence
Due to stringent European guidelines, Apple has been forced to offer functionalities like third-party app stores and the option for web browsers to run their own engines. The companies output stands in stark contrast to other regions, where such flexibility is not provided. European users can now replace default apps such as the dialer and messaging applications, a customization not available outside Europe.
The difference in available features has caused frustration among users outside of Europe. Many believe Apple should extend the same level of customization and flexibility globally. The inclusion of game emulators in the App Store, influenced by the anticipated popularity of AltStore PAL in Europe, underscores Apple's selective adherence to regulatory demands. Moreover, the antitrust lawsuit by the U.S. Department of Justice has likely played a role in shaping these decisions.
Business Implications
Critics suggest that Apple should align its features universally, arguing this would improve the company's image and customer satisfaction. The current strategy, which results in two distinct versions of the iPhone, contradicts Apple's reputation for uniformity and simplicity. Additionally, Apple restricts users from updating apps from third-party stores if they spend more than a month outside the EU, further emphasizing the regional divide.
While ongoing regulatory pressures and consumer demands might eventually lead Apple to harmonize features globally, the company has not yet announced any plans to make these European-specific functionalities available worldwide.
Even so, last week I reported that while Epic Games can now offer Fortnite through its own iOS store, Apple's restrictions still have an impact. Apple's existing fees for distributing third-party apps pose significant barriers not just for Epic but for other developers as well.
Apple imposes various fees on developers who distribute their applications outside its App Store. The fees encompass a yearly installation fee of €0.50 per user exceeding a specific download threshold, a 10% commission on all sales across any platform, and a 5% fee on purchases made within a year of the app's installation.
Moreover, marketplace operators like Epic charge their own fee, which in Epic's case is 12%. In contrast, developers solely on the App Store may be subject to a commission of up to 30% on in-app purchases and up to 25% on external link purchases, but they are not required to pay a per-user installation fee.
