Apple is opening its ecosystem to third-party app stores on iPads in the EU with iPadOS 18, starting September 16, offering more freedom to users.
It’s a big deal for EU users. Until now, we’ve been limited to Apple’s App Store for all our app needs. But that’s about to change. Once you update to iPadOS 18, you’ll have the freedom to explore and install apps from other marketplaces without any complicated sideloading processes.
This shift isn’t just a whim on Apple’s part. It’s a response to the European Commission’s decision to classify iPadOS as a “core platform service” under the Digital Markets Act. This classification puts iPadOS in the same category as iOS, the App Store, and Safari, subjecting it to stricter regulations.
New Choices for EU iPad Users
The implications of this change are exciting. Epic Games, for instance, has already announced plans to bring its app marketplace to iPadOS. This means EU iPad users will soon be able to enjoy popular games like Fortnite and Fall Guys directly on their devices.
But it’s not just about games. We can expect to see a variety of third-party app stores popping up, offering a wider range of choices for all kinds of apps. While these new marketplaces won’t go through Apple’s usual app review process, the company will still notarize them for security purposes.
Web Browsing Gets an Upgrade
Another update coming with iPadOS 18 relates to web browsers. Apple is allowing third-party browsers to use their own engines on iPadOS, rather than being forced to use Apple’s WebKit. This means popular browsers like Firefox and Chrome will be able to offer iPad versions that run on their native technology, potentially enhancing the web browsing experience for EU users.
These updates provide EU iPad users with more choices and may lead to new developments in the app ecosystem.
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