#EU Apple antitrust

The European Commission is taking aim at Apple’s closed ecosystem with a new document demanding "effective interoperability" between iOS, Android, and other platforms. Essentially, the EU wants Apple to make its exclusive features—like AirDrop and AirPlay among others—work with Android and other operating systems. The push for interoperability goes beyond just file-sharing and casting as the EU also wants Apple to change how iOS works on a fundamental level. One proposal would require iOS notifications to integrate seamlessly with third-party smartwatches, a capability currently limited to the Apple Watch. Similarly, Apple would need to let third-party apps operate in the background the same way Apple’s own apps do—something that’s long frustrated accessory makers, especially smartwatch brands outside Apple’s ecosystem. Among the features the EU is targeting is AirDrop, Apple’s proprietary file-sharing protocol. Right now, AirDrop only works between Apple devices, but the EU wants Apple to publish the technical details that would let third-party apps and platforms send and receive files using the same system. While Apple has made AirPlay available on some non-Apple devices, like smart TVs, it’s still a one-way street—only Apple devices can act as AirPlay senders. Read more in our articles including "The EU demands Apple to make AirDrop, other iOS features work with Android" and "Google replaces Fitbit app with new Google Health app".