Web developers are concerned that Apple's commitments to comply with Europe's Digital Markets Regulation will complicate support for web apps, even as some remain optimistic that something positive will come from Apple's overhaul of iOS platform rules
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The Register saw a set of comments submitted to Open Web Advocacy (OWA) – a web-focused advocacy group that helped push the changes – following Apple’s announcement last week of changes to iOS, Safari and the App Store.
These comments from various internet professionals came after OWA asked supporters how Apple's revised rules would affect work and the web.
Apple's changes modify the requirements for distributing iOS apps through the App Store and also change the traditional requirement that third-party browsers must use Safari's rendering engine, WebKit, instead of alternatives - Google 's Blink or Mozilla 's Gecko .
Web developers have long demanded relief from the WebKit requirement, arguing that the browser restriction undermines Apple's claim that web apps are a viable alternative for those unwilling to comply with strict App Store review guidelines.
However, Apple's commitment to allowing the use of alternative browsing mechanisms has worried web developers, as the requirements create obstacles to necessary activities such as browser control.
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Similar concerns were expressed by web developer and consultant Peter-Paul Koch, who wondered if there would be a way for non-EU developers to test in Europe via VPN or by joining an EU web development organization.
He also wondered whether the separate regime in Europe could prompt US regulators to demand that Apple address what he described as a competitive disadvantage for non-European web developers.
Some developers have focused on the potential opportunities now that genuine browser competitiveness is possible on iOS.
For example, Andy Davies, a consultant for SpeedCurve, told OWA: “Probably the most interesting thing for me is that we will finally be able to do real-world web performance comparisons and we will be able to compare the speed of websites on Chrome on Android versus Chrome on iOS and so start to really understand the difference in performance between Android and iOS devices.”
Léonie Watson, director of TetraLogical and a member of the W3C Board of Directors, suggests that it is too early to say how things will develop, but also expresses concern that the change in regulation could lead to even greater use of Chrome, which already dominates other platforms.
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In a post on Monday, OWA argued that Apple has not made a real effort to comply with the DMA. OWA said it considers the security requirements Apple has set reasonable, but others disagree.
Source: theregister
