Apple has announced changes to iOS, Safari, and the App Store in the European Union in response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) coming into force in March.
For users, the changes include new controls and disclosures, and expanded protections to reduce privacy and security risks the DMA creates, the company said in a statement. The key news is that third-party app stores will be allowed on iOS for the first time. The changes will arrive with iOS 17.4 in March.
The changes include more than 600 new APIs, expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser engines, and options for processing app payments and distributing iOS apps. Across every change, Apple is introducing new safeguards that reduce – but don’t eliminate – new risks the DMA poses to EU users.
With these steps, Apple will continue to deliver the best, most secure experience possible for EU users. “The changes we’re announcing comply with the Digital Markets Act’s requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings,” said Phil Schiller, Apple Fellow.
“Developers can now learn about the new tools and terms available for alternative app distribution and alternative payment processing, new capabilities for alternative browser engines and contactless payments, and more. Importantly, developers can choose to remain on the same business terms in place today if they prefer,” he added.
The new options for processing payments and downloading apps on iOS open new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats. The new capabilities will become available to users in the 27 EU countries beginning in March 2024.
In March, Apple will share new resources to help EU users understand the changes they can expect. That includes guidance to help EU users navigate complexities the DMA’s changes bring – including a less intuitive user experience – and best practices for approaching new risks associated with downloading apps and processing payments outside of the App Store.
Available for developers’ apps around the world, Apple also announced new options for streaming games, along with more than 50 forthcoming reports in areas like engagement, commerce, app usage, and more.
Source: IANS
Tag: iOS
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Apple announces changes to iOS, Safari, App Store ahead of EU DMA Act
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Google Android 12 leaked screenshots show dedicated privacy page, iOS-like design: Report
Google’s next version for Android, which is Android 12 is already under development. Ahead of the developer previews, the leaks have begun. A new report by XDA has shown a few new screenshots from an alleged early Android 12 build, that shows what looks like a completely revamped interface. Moreover, the new update looks like Android has taken a few cues from Apple’s iOS 14.
This has been unlike most of the recent Android updates, where changes were mainly under the hood and not a lot changed when it came to visuals. The last biggest visual change was observed between Android 4 and Android 5 when Google’s Material Design was first implemented. The new Android 12 screenshots in the report, however, suggest that the new update could carry major visual changes.
Apart from redesigned icons, pastel colours, new dialogue boxes and blurred elements, the new changes also hint at an enhanced focus on privacy. The new Status bar in the screenshots can be seen as distinct icons when certain features like the phone’s camera, microphone or location are being used by an app. Tapping this indicator will also reveal what app is using the feature. A new privacy settings page in Android 12 will now act as a one-stop-shop where all these hardware component-related features can be switched off.
Apart from this, you can see a redesigned notification bar in the screenshots with the quick toggles now looking more minimal, while pastel-like colours are seen across the interface. The transparent elements of previous Android versions now seem to be gone. Only four quick settings toggles are now visible when expanded, instead of six, which is another similarity with iOS. The conversations section in the notifications is still separated from the rest of the notifications, which now look more rounded off. While the report mentions that the screenshots come from a trusted source, they are still not confirmed directly by Google.
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iOS 14.5 will now allow third-party default music service for Siri
The Apple fanatics will soon have a reason to rejoice as the new iOS 14.5 version is coming up with a lot of new features on the bucket list for the users. According to The Verge, iOS 14.5 will be having features like unlocking an iPhone utilising Apple Watch, open an iPhone with a Face ID while wearing a face mask, and support for next-gen console controllers. However, the users who have just installed the beta in their devices will have another incredible component that will allow them to choose a third-party default music service for listening to songs using Siri.
As per the publication, when a user will ask Siri to play a song on iOS 14.5, one might be incited to choose which application he/she needs to use to play it, including Spotify. While there is still a confirmation statement pending from Apple, some users have started observing minor differences in the application’s conduct. Reportedly, in light of the fact that this component is as yet in beta, there’s consistently a possibility it may be changed or eliminated before iOS 14.5 comes out.
The ability to set a default music app follows Apple’s welcome move to let users set their default mail or browser clients starting with iOS 14.
Sandes, India’s alternative to WhatsApp, being tested by govt officials
An Indian alternative of the cross-platform messaging service Whatsapp named ‘Sandes’ is currently being tested by government officials in India.
The app is ready and is being tested by ministry officials.
According to Mashable, the use of ‘Sandes’ app is currently restricted to government officials only.
No information has been provided as to when the official and broader rollout of the app will take place in India. If people go to the gims.gov.in page, they will notice it says ‘Sandes’.
‘Sandes’ is available for both iOS and Android platforms.
Talking about the features that this app can support, users can use features like voice and data. Also, its backend is handled by the NIC, the National Informatics Centre under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
As per Mashable, this comes at a time when WhatsApp is facing scrutiny from government and privacy activists over its new controversial privacy policy.
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Ambani’s JioMeet takes on Zoom
MUMBAI (TIP): India’s Reliance Jio Platforms, which recently concluded a $15.2 billion fundraise run, is ready to enter a new business: Video conferencing.
On Thursday, July 2 evening, the firm — backed by Mukesh Ambani, India’s richest man — formally launched JioMeet, its video-conference service that looks uncannily like Zoom.
Like Zoom and Google Meet, JioMeet offers unlimited number of free calls in high definition (720p) to users and supports as many as 100 participants on a call. But interestingly, it appears to not impose a short time limit on a call’s duration. Jio Platforms says a free call can be uninterrupted for “up to 24 hours” long. The service currently has no paid plans and it’s unclear if Jio Platforms, which has a reputation of giving away services for free for years, plans to change that.
Jio Platforms, which began beta testing JioMeet in May this year, said the video conferencing service offers “enterprise-grade” host controls. These include password protection on each call, multi-device login support (up to five devices), and ability to share screen and collaborate.
Other features include the ability to switch “seemingly” from one device to another, and a ‘Safe Driving Mode’ for when a participant is in commute. Hosts can also enable a ‘waiting room’ to ensure participants have to ask for permission to enter a call.
The company did not provide any more details, including whether people outside of India could use the service. On its website, JioMeet claims all the meetings are “encrypted” but does not elaborate whether these calls are end-to-end encrypted.
The launch of JioMeet today comes as tens of millions of people in India are working from home and using video conferencing services for work and to stay in touch with friends.
Zoom, currently the most popular video conference service in India, on Android had about 35 million monthly active users in the third week of June, up from about 4 million users during the same period in March, according to mobile insights firm App Annie, data of which an industry executive shared with TechCrunch. (Android powers nearly 99% of smartphones in India.)
In a call with analysts earlier this year, Jio executives had described JioMeet as a platform that they think would someday have features to enable doctors to consult their patients, prescribe them medicine, and have a system in place to let them buy medicines online and get test results digitally. Similarly, they said JioMeet will allow teachers to host virtual classrooms for their students, with the ability to record sessions, assign and accept homework, and conduct tests digitally.
JioPlatforms, which is India’s top telecom operator with about 400 million customers, operates a number of digital services including JioMusic, a music streaming service; JioCinema, which offers thousands of TV shows and movies; and JioTV, which allows users to watch more than 500 TV channels. All of these services are available at no additional charge to Jio Platforms subscribers. It costs less than $2 a month to be a Jio subscriber.
The launch of JioMeet — available for use through Chrome and Firefox browsers on desktop, as well as via standalone apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, and an Outlook plugin — coincides with a nationwide ban on 59 Chinese services including TikTok, ShareIt, Alibaba Group’s UC Browser and Tencent’s WeChat. New Delhi banned these services on Monday evening citing security concerns.
Updated on July 3
Intel said on Friday, July 3, it will invest $253.5 million in Jio Platforms, joining a roster of high-profile investors including Facebook and Silver Lake that have backed India’s top telecom operator in recent months.
(Source: Agencies)