Apple Unexpectedly Verifies Controversial Surprise of New iPhone Update.

There are several new features in Apple's most recent iPhone software, iOS 17.4, which was just released. However, a surprising detail for EU users wishing to use their iPhones abroad surfaced (full details here), and Apple has now verified what it all implies. This development falls under the category of unexpected consequences.

Some iPhones appear to be bricked by the most recent software beta. The long-term travel plans of EU customers may be impacted by the latest iPhone software.Below is a March 9 update on DAVID PHELAN. Originally published on March 7, 2024.

There are currently two versions of the iPhone software available: one for users in the European Union and the other for consumers worldwide. As a result of the recently enacted Digital Markets Act, Apple was compelled to let EU iPhone owners access to alternate app stores and to open up certain aspects of its iPhone software.

This implies that applications that aren't accessible via the Apple App Store, for example, could be downloaded via alternative markets. Companies are already putting up to offer these apps to consumers with an EU Apple ID, however it will take time to see how things work out. "The country or region of your Apple ID must be set to one of the countries or regions of the European Union, and you must physically be located in the European Union," reads an explanation from Apple in a support page.

That's evident, but because the world is interconnected, what occurs to those EU users when they travel? Apple merely stated, "If you leave the European Union for short-term travel, you'll continue to have access to alternative app marketplaces for a grace period," when confirming that apps from those other marketplaces will continue to function abroad. You'll lose access to some features if you're away too long.

The duration of the grace period was not specified. Thankfully, Apple has amended the document with more precise wording, making it clear that the grace period—which is no longer officially named—will last for 30 days. It now reads, "You can keep opening and using apps that you previously installed from alternate app marketplaces even after you leave the European Union. After you exit the European Union, alternative app marketplaces will be able to update those apps for a maximum of 30 days. You can also use these marketplaces to manage apps that you have already installed.

To install new programs from alternative app marketplaces and to access alternative app marketplaces, you must be a resident of the European Union. Thus, applications that you have previously downloaded from these marketplaces will function wherever you are, but they will stop receiving updates after 30 days outside of the EU.

For most individuals, thirty days might be plenty, but several European countries are renowned for their extended summer vacations that span the entire month of August, for example. Even while it is currently limited to the EU, other countries will be closely watching to determine whether or not to require comparable legislation for their populations. As this is a work in progress, please return.

Updated on March 9. Even though the DMA is just a few days old, assessments of its prospects and potential effects have already been made. The DMA refers to these large IT businesses that supply essential services and have considerable influence as "gatekeepers." Apple, Meta, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, and Bytedance are some of these businesses.

Max von Thun, the Open Markets Institute's head of Europe and transatlantic alliances, has offered his thoughts on the current situation, as published in The Verge. When businesses like Amazon, Meta, and Google made announcements about their response to the act, von Thun claimed that these announcements "point towards superficial compliance designed to tick regulatory boxes without posing any real threat to the gatekeepers’ market dominance."

It appears that the argument between Epic and Apple, in which Epic's developer account was abruptly closed, has been settled just as soon as it started. However, this tale will never end. According to The Verge, "The European Commission still needs to approve the applications from all of the gatekeepers that the DMA is targeting. An EU commissioner stated to Reuters in January that the EU would take "strong action" if it felt the alternatives put out weren't good enough.