Europe will miss out Apple Intelligence, iOS 18, macOS 18 Features for Now
In a surprising turn of events, Apple has announced that its much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features, along with certain functionalities of iOS 18 and macOS 18, will not be available in Europe at their initial launch. This development has sent ripples through the tech community and has left many European Apple users feeling left out of the latest technological advancements.
What Features to be Missed Out for Now:
The absence of Apple Intelligence features means European users will miss out on enhanced Siri capabilities, advanced machine learning functionalities, and real-time iPhone Mirroring, among others. Additionally, features like SharePlay and the latest privacy tools that rely on Apple’s integrated ecosystem will also be unavailable. These features have been touted as game-changers, promising to streamline user experience and offer unprecedented levels of personalization and convenience.
What is DMA?
The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a groundbreaking European law aiming to ensure fair and competitive digital markets. It targets large tech platforms, termed as “gatekeepers,” to prevent them from abusing their market power The DMA imposes specific obligations, prohibitions, and fines on companies to address conflicts of interest and level the playing field for European companies The act was first proposed in December 2020 and was signed into law in 2022, with a compliance deadline of March 6, 2024
Challenges Faced by Apple:
The core of Apple’s challenge lies in the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA is designed to prevent large tech companies from monopolizing the market and to promote fair competition. Apple’s integrated ecosystem, which often limits interoperability with third-party services, is at odds with the DMA’s requirements. Apple is now in a position where it must navigate complex regulatory waters without compromising its renowned user experience and security standards.
Apple has expressed concerns that complying with the DMA regulations might compromise user privacy and data security. The interoperability requirements of the DMA could force Apple to make its systems compatible with third-party services, which Apple argues could compromise the integrity of its products. Apple is working to figure out how to make the new functionality compatible with the EU’s competition rules, but some features may not be available in the EU until 2025.
Impact on European Users:
The impact on European users is twofold. On the one hand, they are protected from potential market abuses by the DMA. On the other hand, they are temporarily deprived of the latest technological enhancements their counterparts in other regions will enjoy. This could affect not only the user experience but also the broader European tech market, as developers and consumers alike may find themselves at a disadvantage compared to other markets.
