Key Features Apple May Add to iOS 19 and 20 to Meet EU Requirements

Quick Summary

• The European Commission is enforcing new interoperability rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that Apple must comply with in iOS 19 and iOS 20.
• Key changes require:

– non-Apple smartwatches to receive and reply to push notifications, including images.
– Easier pairing of non-Apple devices like headphones and smartwatches.- faster and better data connections between virtual reality headsets and iPhones.
– Integration of alternatives to Apple’s proprietary services such as AirDrop and AirPlay.

• Apple must make these features available through beta testing by the end of 2025, with public deployment starting by mid-to-late 2026 (iOS 19.4/20 updates).
• Full implementation, such as automatic audio switching for third-party devices, is expected by June 2027 with future iterations like iOS 20.4/20.5.
• Even though initially mandated for compliance in the EU, some features might potentially be rolled out globally, following previous international adjustments from apple based on EU directives.

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Indian Opinion Analysis
The European Union’s Digital Markets Act represents an assertive regulatory shift aimed at curbing undue dominance of tech giants like Apple within its ecosystem while promoting consumer choice through enhanced interoperability mandates.For India-a rapidly digitizing nation bolstering domestic innovation-this signals valuable precedents for fostering fair competition globally while preserving user rights across interconnected markets.

india’s burgeoning startup ecosystem would stand to benefit if similar global trends toward device or platform agnosticism gain traction domestically via local or global frameworks inspired by DMA-like measures impacting large cross-border entities dominant here within smartphone categories sub-confident רגulatory