Apple's "walled garden" ecosystem design enables it to extract up to 30% of the sales of iOS applications and services, which frustrates both users and creators. But a new report shows that Apple is planning to open its ecosystem - a move that may be conducive to applications built around NFTs, and may expand the ability of mobile encrypted payment.

Apple forces Bitcoin Base to disable NFT transfer on its wallet application

According to the report, according to insiders, Apple plans to install apps from external sources outside its app store on iPhones and iPads. These changes are in response to the EU's Digital Market Act, which requires technology companies to fully comply with restrictions by 2024.

According to the report, in order to comply with the new law, support for external applications from third-party sources and markets will initially begin only in Europe. However, this function can be extended to other regions, depending on whether these countries adopt similar regulations.

Apple aims to launch this feature in its iOS 17 software update, which is expected to be launched next fall according to a typical annual release schedule. The report claims that the company is still weighing whether to allow third-party applications to use its own payment infrastructure, rather than forcing developers to pay through Apple's own payment settings. This special change, if implemented, may make it easier to consume cryptocurrencies through iPhone and iPad applications.

The changes in the report come at a time when Apple's closed ecosystem is increasingly opposed, which not only conflicts with the decentralization spirit of Web3 in concept, but also restricts the way applications use NFT assets. In October, Apple updated its developer guide, stating that NFTs cannot be used to restrict access to features or content in applications.

NFT purchase also needs to pay Apple 30% of the cost - at least in the secondary market sales, which is a potential impossible restriction. IOS applications in markets such as OpenSea and Magic Eden only allow users to browse NFT, rather than buy and sell through applications.

The change of Apple's NFT rules has also caused great damage to existing iOS applications

Bitcoin Base recently announced that it must disable NFT transfer through its mobile wallet application, because Apple said that users must pay 30% of any network gas fees (such as fees on Ethereum). Bitcoin Base said that this requirement was "impossible" to achieve.

It is reported that Apple's plan to open its ecosystem may benefit NFT and encrypted applications, which are currently restricted or blocked by the requirements of the app store. This kind of application can be installed through external resources and does not depend on Apple's strict policies, although Bloomberg reported that Apple may set additional "security requirements" for external applications.

This move may also benefit the growing Web3 universe, because Apple is widely reported to be developing a hybrid reality headset, which may debut sometime in 2023. Many Web3 developers are building a meta universe defined by interoperability between platforms, using NFT to represent ownership of assets that can be freely used across spaces.

ending

Web3 developers are not the only ones complaining about Apple's current model. Epic Games sued Apple and Google's Android Play store, after the technology giant blocked its popular Fortress Night game by adding third-party payment mode.

A previous court decision may force Apple to allow a third party to pay, but it was eventually postponed, and the two companies are still involved in legal disputes. Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, released today's report on Twitter, urging lawmakers to pass similar legislation to potentially force Apple to open its ecosystem in the United States.