Apple will do What will Apple do – unless government regulations force it to change.
A recent flurry of European Union regulations has forced Apple to relax control over its heavily protected product line. The EU rulings have resulted in Apple setting up self-repair programs and will soon require Apple devices sold in the used region. USB-C charging port. Now, Apple will allow some users to install app stores and third-party programs without going through the company officially. App Store.
Based on a report by Mark Gurman at Bloomberg, Apple’s move is the result of another EU ruling, Digital Markets Act, part of which prohibits large companies from forcing users to download apps only through official channels. It’s not yet clear how widespread the ability to access App Store alternatives will be. Apple can only roll it out to iPhones and iPads in the EU, where it’s technically required to do so, and leaving devices in the US and other parts of the world as limited as before. The new market requirements take effect in 2024.
Apple and Google keep a close eye on their respective app stores, testing each and every app and supposedly ensuring that any software you download to your device complies with the company’s rules about security and content. Both companies claim that allowing users to download programs from unverified sources can pose security threats. While that’s technically true, this strategy has also made companies a ton of money when they collect fees from developers who bring their apps to market. Sure, it’s risky to get any old programs on your phone. But Apple’s App Store is certainly not perfect and already has malware sneaks into it first. And no matter what device you’re using, you should continue to take the steps to avoid app store fraud.
Here’s some more news from this week.
Covid tests are free again in the US
Hey, remember Covid? Not only is the virus still alive, but it is breaking out again, along with all kinds of colds and flu strains. (Perhaps you’ve noticed how it sounds everyone is sick right now.)
To reduce the spread of that virus somewhat, the US government is once again offering Covid tests free of charge for a limited time. Only four free tests per household, but hey, better than none. You can order tests from the official Covid.gov or call 1-800-232-0233.
Hi Google, what’s the problem
Google has announced that some Android and smart home devices are now enabled to work with the brand new Matter smart home standard.
Matter has been around for three years and is a joint effort of nearly 300 companies that call themselves the Connectivity Standards Alliance. The group’s goal is to smooth the smart home experience by allowing devices to work together across brands. Official Interoperability Standard Released in October, but few devices have implemented support. Now, Google says its Nest line of products, Android phones, and Google Home devices will work with Matter.
This is still not a seamless experience as users will have to make sure their device can establish a center to combine Matter on them.
Lock your money
Tony Fadell is known by many as “the iPod guy”. His work since the early days of Apple’s mobile device business has cemented his legacy in the Silicon Valley hall of fame. Now, it seems like everyone else in the tech world, he has decided to turn his efforts to crypto.
Fadell is partnering with Ledger, a French company trying to make crypto a luxury. The company’s latest equipment, tax, is a sleek physical wallet that acts as a vault for your digital coins. Seems like an odd time to bet on crypto, as the market has awkward. But Fadell — and several other tech giants — are convinced that hardware wallets could be the future standard for securing everything from cryptocurrencies to passports to concert tickets.
