Apple has always been known for its closed ecosystem, with absolute control over everything from software to hardware, from app stores to browsers, from payment methods to security mechanisms. However, this control has also led to antitrust investigations and lawsuits in regions such as the European Union, forcing Apple to make some concessions in its iOS system to avoid greater legal risks and fines.
In the latest release of iOS 17In the 4 beta version, Apple has brought three major changes, which are:
Open sideloading: Apple allows users to use apps on third-party app stores** instead of forcing the use of the App Store. This means that users are free to choose more apps** and avoid apps that are removed from the App Store or rejected by the App Store.
Open web engine: Apple allows third-party browsers to use web engines other than Apple's WebKit on iPhones, such as Blink for Chrome or Gecko for Firefox. This means that users can enjoy more browser choices and also get better web page compatibility and performance.
Open NFC chips: Apple allows third-party wallet apps to access the iPhone's NFC chip, enabling contactless mobile payments. This means that users can use more payment methods, such as PayPal, alipay, WeChat Pay, etc., and are no longer limited to Apple Pay.
These three changes are undoubtedly a major opening up to the Apple ecosystem, and an important compromise for regions such as the European Union. However, Apple has not completely relinquished its control and has taken some steps to protect its interests and security.
First, Apple will still audit and monitor third-party app stores and apps to ensure they meet Apple's quality and safety standards. Second, Apple still charges a fee to third-party app stores and apps to compensate for the services and resources it provides. Specifically, Apple charges the following two fees:
Apple tax: Apple charges a 17% Apple tax on third-party app stores and apps, which means that Apple takes a 17% cut of every in-app purchase. That's less than the App Store's 30%, but it's still higher than some users and developers expect.
Setup fee: Apple charges 0A 5 euro installation fee, i.e. for every new user install, Apple charges 0A fee of 5 euros. This fee only applies to apps with more than 1 million installs, but it still causes some users and developers to be unhappy.
In addition to these fees, Apple is also operating on iOS 174 beta made a surprising counterattack, and that isWeaken PWA applications
PWA (Progressive Web App) is an application that uses various web technologies to achieve a user experience similar to that of a native app, such as supporting offline use, sending notifications, and other features. PWA apps can run directly in the browser or be added to the home screen to launch as a standalone app.
However, in iOS 17In the 4th beta, Apple imposed a series of restrictions and downgrades on the PWA app, resulting in a significant reduction in the user experience and functionality of the PWA app. According to a report by the Open Web Advocacy, Apple has made the following changes in this release:
Unable to start in the top-level window:p wa app fails to launch in its dedicated window and can only be opened in Safari, losing the feel of a standalone app.
Unable to go full screen:p Wa apps can't be displayed in full screen, but only in tabs in Safari, losing the immersive user experience.
Browsers other than Safari cannot be invoked:p wa app cannot use the default browser set by the user, but can only use Safari, losing the choice of browser.
Notifications are not available:p Wa app can't send notifications, but can only use Safari's reminder feature, losing the timeliness and personalization of notifications.
Long-term local storage is not available:p Wa applications cannot use long-term local storage, but can only use Safari's caching mechanism, which loses the persistence and security of data.
These changes make PWA available on iOS 17It became almost unusable in Beta 4 and was also disappointed and angry by the developers and users of PWA apps. Apple's move is believed to be aimed at suppressing PWA apps in order to protect its own App Store and Safari status and interests.
To sum up, iOS 17The 4 beta is a major update made by Apple in the face of pressure from the European Union and other regions, and it is also a controversial update. In this version, Apple has made some concessions and counterattacks, bringing some convenience to users and developers, as well as some trouble. ios 17.The final effect of the 4 beta remains to be seen after the release of the official version and user feedback. February** Dynamic Incentive Program